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Rich shares his disastrous attempt to land a job working the Masters Tournament at Augusta National, complete with a terrifying security guard encounter and a hilariously botched interview.

• Never been to the Masters despite applying for tickets through the lottery system for years
• Received legitimate email opportunity to work as merchandise staff during the tournament
• Nearly got shot trying to take a selfie at the Augusta National entrance
• Spilled hot sauce on white golf shirt before the interview
• Showed up underdressed while everyone else wore suits
• Failed the interview after admitting planning to commute 60 miles each day
• Still has not set foot on Augusta National's grounds

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Golf betting isn't about the money—it's about winning, pride, and having someone else open their wallet at the clubhouse after your round. Rich Easton shares hilarious and memorable stories from his experiences with various betting games on the golf course.

• The Nassau bet provides multiple ways to "get off the schneid" with bets for front nine, back nine, and total match
• A group of skilled super seniors battle weekly, with one team finally breaking their losing streak
• A $2 Nassau bet nearly escalates to physical violence when a disputed ball leads to repeated profanities
• A skins game where 17 holes are pushed before one lucky player hits a career shot on 18 to win $180
• An outrageous skins game in Arizona featuring Las Vegas strippers on every tee box and green
• The challenges of tracking player order and dots in the Wolf game
• How Animal Golf creates financial penalties for mistakes like hitting into hazards or three-putting
• A strategic player who deliberately played conservative golf on the final hole to win $350 from his opponents

If you have crazy golf betting stories, email me at rbeaston21@gmail.com

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Jordan Spieth claims his second consecutive Easter Sunday victory at the RBC Heritage tournament, demonstrating remarkable resilience after missing the Masters cut two weeks prior. The win at Harbour Town showcases Spieth's ability to overcome mental hurdles and rediscover his winning form when he gets out of his own way.

• Spieth shot a final-round 66 to take the clubhouse lead at 13-under
• Multiple contenders including Straka, Varner III, Lowry, and van Rooyen all failed to match Spieth's score
• Patrick "Patty Ice" Cantlay forced a playoff after missing a birdie putt for outright victory on 18
• Both players found bunkers in the playoff, but Spieth's incredible bunker shot to less than a foot sealed the win
• Last year's Easter Sunday victory at the Valero Texas Open reignited Spieth's career
• The win reinforces Spieth's reputation as one of golf's most mentally intriguing and resilient players

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Rich Easton examines the behaviors and mindsets that define the golf experience, from exploitative betting schemes to self-deceptive thinking patterns. He identifies common characters and psychological traps that can impact both your scorecard and your wallet.

• "The Fleecer" – the skilled player who suggests complex betting games designed to empty other players' pockets
• Vegas betting game explained – how seemingly small dollar-per-point wagers can quickly escalate into substantial losses
• Spurious assumptions in golf – why "if I hadn't missed those putts" thinking ignores the butterfly effect of each shot
• Regional expressions for calling out faulty assumptions, from "if my aunt had balls" to "if a frog had wings"
• The handicap system explained – demonstrated ability versus wishful thinking
• The two competing golfers in every player's head – the rational strategist versus the glory-seeking risk-taker
• How playing conditions, physical state, and recent performance should influence club selection and strategy

Bring your good caddy with you and help that good caddy make decisions for you. Are you going to be a 10 cup or a David Sims? Make that decision before every shot.

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The battle between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed Live Golf Tour exposes profound hypocrisy in professional golf, challenging the notion that golf isn't primarily about money. The concept of loyalty in professional sports is examined alongside the double standards that affect players' freedom to compete where they choose.

• Hypocrites come in many forms, from road ragers with religious bumper stickers to supervisors who claim to empower employees but punish independent thinking
• The Live Golf Tour offers players significantly more money for fewer events (8 vs 40+) with guaranteed appearance fees
• PGA Tour has suspended players who joined Live Golf, framing it as disloyalty rather than competition
• Live Golf's format includes shotgun starts, team competition, and a different broadcasting approach
• Even Jack Nicklaus has contradicted his previous statements supporting players' freedom to compete globally
• Non-practicing golfers face an eternal struggle between expectations and reality
• Professional improvement comes from countless hours digging balls out of the dirt
• Confidence from proper practice is the number one emotional contributor to good shots

Start digging balls out of the dirt and keep putting until you know the ball is going in the cup – not hoping or wishing, but knowing.

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Rich Easton dives into the controversial LIV Golf Tour, examining the hypocrisy in responses from the PGA Tour and certain players regarding the Saudi-backed competition. He explores the fundamental differences between tours, questioning why players can't compete across multiple platforms and suggesting how the PGA could innovate to retain talent rather than forcing ultimatums.

• The recurring segment "What Annoys Me This Week" focuses on hypocrites who don't recognize their contradictory behaviors
• The first LIV Golf event in London featured shotgun starts, team formats, and $25 million in prize money
• PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan suspended 17 players who participated in the LIV Tour event
• LIV offers a "play less, earn more" model with only 8 events versus the PGA's 40+ week schedule
• The argument against "sports washing" by Saudi Arabia falls flat when considering PGA events in China
• Golfers who want to improve must practice regularly rather than expecting results without putting in the work
• Confidence from practice is the number one emotional contributor to better performance on the course

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Tales from the First Tee wherever you get your podcasts, and join me next week for more insights from beautiful Charleston, South Carolina.

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Rich Easton returns with unexpected tales from the golf world following Scottie Scheffler's shocking arrest outside Valhalla during the PGA Championship. What seemed like a misunderstanding between golf's golden boy and local law enforcement may have altered the tournament's outcome entirely, creating a butterfly effect that helped Xander Schauffele secure his first major championship.

• Scottie Scheffler's arrest outside Valhalla occurred after a misunderstanding with traffic police on a rainy morning
• How the butterfly effect of Scheffler's arrest likely changed the entire tournament dynamic
• Xander Schauffele's clutch performance on the 18th hole showed incredible mental fortitude
• Bryson DeChambeau's transformation into an entertaining fan favorite is making him more appealing
• Harrison Butker's controversial commencement speech advising women to prioritize homemaking over careers
• The "Big Titty Cookies" billboard controversy and how negative publicity often creates better exposure
• Behind the scenes look at movie production hierarchies and status games as a background actor
• The varied motivations people have for working as extras in film and television

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Josh Salzman shares insights about actor Kenneth Branagh's exceptional discipline and training arms dealers in London while reflecting on what constitutes true success in life.

• Sir Kenneth Branagh exemplifies discipline in his career and personal life
• Chronic lateness signals disrespect and creates an "emotional overdraft" with others
• Arms dealers were cash-flush clients who lived in opulent homes with top security
• Despite immense wealth, many clients suffered health problems at young ages
• Different definitions of success: accumulation vs valuing health and relationships
• Time is our most precious non-renewable resource that we'll never get back

To connect with Josh for physical training or "armchair therapy" consultations, email him at joshsalzmann@gmail.com—he's cheaper than a lawyer and far more effective!

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