Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 508 - Golf's 2026 Future: Golf's 2026 Future: Our Crystal Ball and Wish List

Before you close the books on 2025 and dive into the New Year, join Michigan Golf Live Host Bill Hobson for a peek into his crystal ball and personal wish list as we look ahead to the 2026 world of golf.

We start with the annual spectacle that is the PGA Merchandise Show — a place where "game-changing" innovations are unveiled every January. Which new tech will actually help golfers play better, and which will simply be shinier versions of what we already own? Hope springs eternal.

Attention then turns to the PGA Tour and the impact of its new Commissioner, especially as Michigan golf fans anxiously wait to see whether the Rocket Classic can secure a long-term future. After losing the Buick Open years ago, the stakes feel especially high. On the women's side, we applaud the LPGA for smart scheduling moves that give Michigan back-to-back weeks of elite tournament golf — a rare and welcome win for fans and players alike.

On a personal level, the conversation shifts toward smarter golf goals in 2026: better preparation, improved course management, and chasing birdies instead of simply avoiding disasters. We also explore the rise of electric push carts, the uncertain future of the Ally Challenge, and whether golf's post-pandemic boom can continue.

From AI-driven course maintenance and drone-delivered hot dogs to rising Topgolf prices and the growing influence of value-driven boutique brands, this episode blends insight, skepticism, and humor — all while asking the most important question of all: will this finally be the year a great round finishes the same way it starts?

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Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 507 - Sub70 Golf's Rise: Custom Clubs, DTC Innovation & What Golfers Really Need

Sub70 Golf has become one of the most talked-about direct-to-consumer brands in the golf equipment space—and this episode of Fore Golfers Network breaks down exactly why.

In this conversation with Host Bill Hobson, Sub70 Golf CEO Jason Hiland shares key insights behind the founding and growth of Sub70 Golf, which launched in 2015 after the successful sale of Diamond Tour Golf. Built on experience, not guesswork, Sub70 entered the market with a clear focus on custom-built golf clubs, authentic branding, and elite-level customer service, all produced in Sycamore, Illinois.

Key highlights from the episode include:

• Why the direct-to-consumer model works in golf when customization and trust are prioritized

• How Sub70 uses expert interpretation of club specs, not just raw data, to fit golfers properly

• The difference between what tour professionals demand (trajectory control and a consistent "window") versus what amateur golfers actually need (playability and confidence)

• How Sub70 initially gained traction through irons and wedges—and why the driver category is now rapidly growing

• The role of social media, customer feedback, and industry awards in building credibility without traditional OEM marketing

• How Sub70 has evolved its product lines, branding, and service model since launch

The discussion also looks ahead, with plans for future collaboration focused on testing, education, and transparent evaluation of Sub70 equipment—bridging the gap between technical performance and real-world playability.

This episode is a must-listen for golfers interested in custom club fitting, equipment innovation, and understanding how modern golf brands are built outside the traditional OEM system.

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Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 506 - Harbor Town Reborn: Davis Love III & The Lowcountry Legends of Hilton Head

In the finale to our fall special travel-series, host Bill Hobson takes listeners inside one of the most celebrated destinations in American golf — Hilton Head Island — for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the grand reopening of the iconic Harbor Town Golf Links.

Recently restored under the leadership of World Golf Hall of Famer Davis Love III, Harbor Town is more than a PGA TOUR stop; it is a masterpiece of Pete Dye's architectural brilliance, revered by players and fans for over five decades. In this episode, Bill sits down one-on-one with Davis Love III to unpack the philosophy behind the restoration — not a redesign, not a modernization, but a careful, reverent restoration of Pete Dye's original intent.

From there, the episode expands into the broader magic of Hilton Head and the Lowcountry. Bill talks with Sea Pines Resort leaders, architectural experts, and regional tourism voices who reveal why this stretch of South Carolina coastline remains one of the most beloved golf-travel destinations in the world. You'll learn what makes Lowcountry golf unique, how the region maintains its charm with strict environmental and architectural standards, and why players flock here year after year.

The story continues with a stop inside the famous Harbor Town Lighthouse Museum, hosted by longtime curator Nadia, whose 30+-year career inside the iconic structure has made her a living encyclopedia of local history. Her personal story — from Yugoslavia to Hilton Head — beautifully illustrates why this destination resonates so deeply with visitors from around the world.

Whether you're planning a warm-weather golf escape, dreaming of walking the same fairways that PGA TOUR players rave about, or simply craving a deeper appreciation for one of the game's greatest venues, this episode delivers inspiration from every angle.

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