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Stop Fighting Your Golf Swing: Play Better, Lead Better & the Tech Making Sports Safer
Aug 31, 2026 1:47:35 S13 E46

Stop Fighting Your Golf Swing: Play Better, Lead Better & the Tech Making Sports Safer

Stop Fighting Your Golf Swing: Play Better, Lead Better & the Tech Making Sports Safer
Next on the Tee: Where Golf Legends Live & Your Game Gets Better
0:00 1:47:35

About this episode

The professional golf season may be winding down, but Next on the Tee never sleeps.

This week, I’m joined by three outstanding guests bringing us great golf instruction, leadership insights, legendary stories, and a fascinating look at innovation in sports.

Resident Director of Instruction Tom Patri, a Golf Magazine Top 100 Alumni Instructor, is back to talk about the Player of the Year conversation—who belongs in it, who could sneak into the discussion, and what we can learn from Ryan Fox’s swing. TP also explains something that hurts golfers at every level: tension. We’ll talk about how tension destroys motion and what you can do to free up your swing and play better golf.

Then, Tom Wildenhaus, Director of Golf at Olde Florida Golf Club, PGA Master Professional, and member of the South Florida PGA Hall of Fame, joins me for a conversation that goes beyond the golf swing. Tom shares his perspective on leadership, including some important do’s and don’ts for creating the kind of culture and experience that keeps members and guests coming back.

We’ll also cross over into the football world with longtime friend Lee Hanson, Co-Founder of Guardian Caps. We have been longtime believers in Guardian Caps. Lee and Erin Hanson started the company back in 2011. We first met them on Thursday Night Tailgate (football show) back in 2012 and have been tooting their horn ever since. You’ve probably seen their protective helmet covers being worn by players from youth football all the way to the NFL. Lee takes us back to their early days, the journey to acceptance, and what's behind the innovation designed to help make the game safer—and there’s a great golf connection too. His company manufactures urethane covers for several golf ball brands, and Lee was also involved in helping Dick’s Sporting Goods bring the Maxfli brand back to life.

Golf instruction, Player of the Year debate, club leadership, sports safety innovation, golf ball technology, and plenty of great stories—it’s all packed into this edition of Next on the Tee…where golf legends live and your game gets better.

Thank you for pressing play and taking the journey with us.

Key Takeaways

  • Tension destroys motion in golf swings and is a problem affecting golfers at every level, with techniques available to free up your swing and improve performance.
  • Leadership in golf club settings requires specific practices for creating culture and member experiences that encourage retention and loyalty.
  • Guardian Caps, founded in 2011, manufactures protective helmet covers used from youth football through the NFL, and the company also produces urethane covers for golf ball brands.
  • Ryan Fox's swing offers instructional lessons worth studying according to Golf Magazine Top 100 instructor Tom Patri.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the three main guests featured in this episode?

Tom Patri (Resident Director of Instruction and Golf Magazine Top 100 Alumni Instructor), Tom Wildenhaus (Director of Golf at Olde Florida Golf Club and PGA Master Professional), and Lee Hanson (Co-Founder of Guardian Caps).

When was Guardian Caps founded?

Guardian Caps was founded in 2011 by Lee and Erin Hanson.

What products does Guardian Caps manufacture?

Guardian Caps manufactures protective helmet covers for football players from youth through NFL levels, and urethane covers for several golf ball brands.

What is discussed about tension in golf?

Tension destroys motion and hurts golfers at every level; the episode discusses what golfers can do to free up their swing.

What is Lee Hanson's connection to golf beyond Guardian Caps?

Lee Hanson was involved in helping Dick's Sporting Goods bring the Maxfli brand back to life.