Season 2, Episode 8 – In this solo episode of The Hill Unscripted, Bob Kitchen (BK) goes OFF on the golf industry.

With over 30 years in golf retail, BK breaks down the biggest myths, bad advice, and marketing lies that are costing golfers money—and hurting their game.

From zero torque putters to overpriced shafts, golf ball selection, and club fitting… this is the honest truth most companies won’t tell you.

Topics covered:

- Why golf is already hard—and you're making it harder

- The truth about zero torque putters (and why they won’t fix your putting)

- Why expensive shafts don’t change your swing

- The biggest mistake golfers make when choosing a golf ball

- When club fitting matters… and when it doesn’t

- Why you should ignore what the pros play

- The problem with “your buddy the expert”

- How marketing is misleading golfers today

If you want to save money, lower your scores, and stop falling for hype—this episode is for you.

New episodes drop every other week from Maple Hill Golf.

Season 2, Episode 7 – Bob Kitchen is joined by his brother Andy Kitchen and Maple Hill GM Steve Strock to break down their unforgettable trips to the Masters at Augusta National—just as Rory McIlroy made history.

From exclusive access at Berckmans Place to walking the course on Championship Sunday, they share what it’s really like inside Augusta—from the insane green speeds and elevation changes to the no-phone policy, merch experience, and surprisingly cheap food.

They also cover:

- What TV doesn’t show about Augusta National

- The hardest holes and craziest greens

- Insider tips if you ever go to the Masters

- Rory’s historic win and tournament takeaways

- The wild tech behind the merch shop

If you’ve ever dreamed of going to the Masters, this is the closest you’ll get without a badge.

Season 2, Episode 6 – In this episode of The Hill Unscripted, Bob Kitchen sits down with Harry Nodwell, Wilson Golf’s Global Product Line Manager, for an honest, behind-the-scenes look at one of golf’s most overlooked — and fastest rising — brands.

From his journey at MyGolfSpy testing millions of golf balls to now leading global product development for Wilson, Harry breaks down what really matters in golf equipment — and why more golfers are starting to rethink what’s in their bag.

This episode dives into:

- Why Wilson is targeting serious ball strikers and competitive golfers

- The new Staff Model XB irons — built to look like blades but perform like game improvement

- The Dynapower Forge and the rise of the “player’s performance” category

- Wilson’s most forgiving driver ever — the Max Plus

- Why graphite iron shafts might be the next big shift in golf

- The truth about brand bias — and why most golfers never try better options

- How unbiased testing (like MyGolfSpy) is reshaping equipment decisions

Bob and Harry also get into fitting philosophy, common mistakes golfers make (including shaft and lie angle misconceptions), and why performance should always beat ego when choosing equipment.

Plus, insights on Wilson’s award-winning wedges and putters, what’s coming next in 2027, and why this legacy brand might be quietly building something big.

Season 2, Episode 5 – In this episode of The Hill Unscripted, Bob Kitchen sits down with Tim Heffelfinger, Mizuno Golf sales rep, to break down what truly separates Mizuno from the rest of the golf industry.

From replacing a 30+ year legend to covering one of the largest territories in the Midwest, Tim shares his journey into the Mizuno brand — and why it’s gaining serious momentum as a complete golf company, not just an iron brand.

But the real story?

How Mizuno builds their clubs.

Bob dives deep into Mizuno’s legendary grain flow forging process, where craftsmen spend 20–25 years mastering metalwork before ever touching a golf club. It’s a level of discipline and quality control that few — if any — companies can match.

The episode also covers:

- The new JPX ONE driver line and its unique nano alloy technology

- Why Mizuno is finally competing in drivers, woods, and full bag setups

- The breakout MX Speed Metal irons at a price point golfers didn’t expect

- The evolution of the Mizuno Pro M13 & M15 irons

- Why Mizuno’s shaft optimizer might be the best fitting tool in golf

- How tour player feedback directly shapes Mizuno design

- The rise of Mizuno wedges and putters — and why they’re gaining traction fast

Bob and Tim also talk about the state of the golf industry, the future of equipment innovation, and why proper fitting matters more than ever.

If you’ve ever heard “Nothing feels like Mizuno,” this episode explains exactly why — and why more golfers are starting to pay attention.

Season 2, Episode 4 – In this episode of The Hill Unscripted, Bob Kitchen welcomes Sam Bettinardi, President of Bettinardi Golf, for a deep dive into one of golf’s most respected family-run brands, and where it’s headed next.

Following last season’s conversation with founder Bob Bettinardi, this episode shifts to the next generation. Sam shares how he went from growing up around the shop to leading a company that has expanded from 15 employees to 95, now operating in 45 countries with over 100,000 square feet of space.

The conversation covers:

- The rise of the Antidote Zero Torque putter, now Bettinardi’s top-selling line

- What makes their zero torque design different from competitors

- How tour players like Matt Kuchar, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Fred Couples influence product design

- Why Sam spends an hour every morning inspecting quality himself

- The real reason putter fitting matters more than most golfers realize

- The story behind the Queen Bee line and its global impact

- Bettinardi’s expansion into wedges, irons, and AI-driven innovation

Sam also shares personal stories — including winning the Butler National Club Championship four times — and explains why even he chooses performance over preference when it comes to what’s in the bag.

From craftsmanship to culture, from tour feedback to global expansion, this episode pulls back the curtain on how Bettinardi plans to become not just a premium putter company, but a household name in golf.

Season 2, Episode 3 – In this episode of The Hill Unscripted, Bob Kitchen sits down with longtime family friend and Callaway sales rep Mike Dykema for a conversation that blends cutting-edge golf technology with a 50-year relationship built on trust, loyalty, and love for the game.

Bob and Mike reflect on the deep history between the Kitchen and Dykema families, dating back to their fathers’ legendary careers in golf equipment. From Power Built to Adams Golf to Callaway, the partnership has spanned decades — and now continues with the next generation.

The conversation then shifts to what’s next in golf equipment.

Mike breaks down Callaway’s brand-new Quantum line, featuring revolutionary Tri-force face technology — the first three-piece titanium driver face designed to stretch 14% more and respond 17% faster for increased ball speed and forgiveness. With five driver models and a full iron lineup built for every skill level, Quantum aims to fit everyone from beginners to Tour pros.

Bob shares his personal testing experience in California, where the Triple Diamond Max helped him hit 26 of 28 fairways after months away from competitive golf.

They also discuss:

- Callaway’s $12 million Ai investment and how it’s reshaping club design

- The future of golf fitting and a new technology launching soon

- Why service separates Callaway from competitors

- The importance of long-term business relationships in golf

- Upcoming Maple Hill fitting events and how to get dialed in

This episode is equal parts innovation, loyalty, and inside-the-industry perspective — a must-listen for golfers who care about where the game is heading.

Season 2, Episode 2 – The Hill Unscripted, Bob Kitchen sits down with Maple Hill Golf’s head fitter and longtime friend, William “Dub” Ogden, for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation covering golf gear, industry drama, and life behind the scenes at one of the busiest fitting centers in the Midwest.

Dub shares how he went from selling doors and windows to leading Maple Hill’s fitting department, how being a three-sport athlete (and the last guy to beat UFC’s Tony Ferguson in high school wrestling) shaped his approach to coaching, and why finding the right club for the right player matters more than chasing high-end “unicorn” upgrades.

This episode dives into:

- The future (or downfall) of LIV Golf

- First thoughts on 2026 gear – Callaway Quantum, Cobra Optum, Mizuno’s new driver tech

- Why Evnroll putters might be golf’s best-kept secret

- Honest takes on low-spin driver myths, chippers, and 60-degree wedges

- Upcoming Maple Hill events, live auctions, Midwest golf shows, and more

You’ll also hear stories of hole-in-one drama, golf cart injuries, Dub’s dream foursome (Tiger, Daly, and Payne Stewart), and a behind-the-scenes look at Maple Hill’s evolving gear strategy going into 2026 and beyond.

Season 2, Episode 1 – The Hill Unscripted returns for Season 2 with a heavy hitter: Guerin Rife, the legendary designer behind Rife Putters and Evenroll Golf.

In this in-depth conversation with Bob Kitchen, Guerin walks through his journey from metal shop entrepreneur to industry innovator — revealing how he changed the putting game forever through groove technology, Sweet Face, and the iconic Two Bar Putter that took the Champions Tour by storm.

You’ll hear stories and insights on:

• The origins of Sweet Face 2.0 and why it's helping golfers hit putts faster, softer, and straighter

• Why even Tour pros miss the sweet spot — and how Guerin's grooves solve for it

• The rise, sale, and rebirth of his brand through Evenroll Golf

• Competing with the biggest names in golf while still building over 100 Tour wins worldwide

• The evolution of zero torque design, hosel-free construction, and what’s coming next

Plus:

• Why Guerinn’s favorite putter ever is still the Two Bar

• How the Swedish Bikini Team inspired a hilarious dream foursome moment

• His favorite U.S. course (spoiler: it’s not Pebble)

• What amateurs misunderstand most about MOI, sweet spots, and forgiveness

Whether you’re a gear junkie, a student of putting mechanics, or just love hearing from true inventors who shape the game — this episode kicks off Season 2 with engineering precision and storytelling style.