The Driven Golf Podcast, hosted by Jim Colton, is designed to inspire and assist golfers of all levels. With a focus on "driving" passion and dedication in the game, the podcast features a variety of guests including PGA Tour coaches, professional golfers, and golf industry insiders who discuss topics ranging from career paths in golf to practical tips for improving one's game. Each episode includes an Angle of Attack segment with PGA professional Andrew Lewis, designed to help young golfers and parents navigated the competitive golf landscape.
48 - Chris Zambri on Building the Future of American Golf; Inside the U.S. National Development Program
In this episode, Jim sits down with U.S. National Development Program Head Coach Chris Zambri to discuss how the USGA is building a national system to develop America’s next wave of world-class golfers. Zambri shares his journey from USC and Pepperdine to leading the program, why the U.S. needed a true national development model, and how it’s inspired by Sweden’s holistic approach to building complete athletes—mentally, physically, and technically.
They dive into how the program identifies top talent, fills key gaps in junior development like course management and performance analytics, and prepares players for elite competition. Zambri also breaks down the boys team’s groundbreaking appearance at the Sahalee NCAA event, where high schoolers competed against powerhouse college programs—gaining invaluable experience under professional-level conditions.
The US National Development Program also has a Grant Program helping deserving families offset the financial burden of pursuing elite junior golf. The application for the 2026 grants is Friday October 31st. For more information, see https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/usndp-home-page/grant-information.html (https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/usndp-home-page/grant-information.html)
The Driven Golf Podcast is brought to you by FlagBag Golf Company and StrackaLine. Use code ‘DRIVEN’ for 20% off StrackaLine yardage books or mention ‘Driven Golf’ when ordering a FlagBag golf bag for a free custom headcover.
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Join the Driven Golf Podcast Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1014449326342086/) on Facebook and subscribe to the Driven Golf Analytics YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/@drivengolfanalytics). Visit DRVN.Golf (https://www.drvn.golf/) for more content.
Hosts: Jim Colton (@drivengolfanalytics (https://www.instagram.com/drivengolfanalytics)) & Andrew Lewis (@andrewlewisgolf (https://www.instagram.com/andrewlewisgolf))
@usndp (https://www.instagram.com/usndp) (https://www.instagram.com/andrewlewisgolf))
Producer: Joseph Kay (@joseph_kay (https://www.instagram.com/joseph_kay))
5 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT
47 - Stewart Hagestad on Walker Cup and the Life of a Career-Am; Angle of Attack 50/50 Balls
In this episode, Andrew chats with "The G.O.A.T." of amateur golf, Stewart Hagestad on his incredible journey in the game as career amateur -- 16 U.S. Amateur appearance, 3 Mid-Am titles, 5 U.S. Opens, 3 Masters appearances and, this weekend, his 5th Walker Cup appearance. Stew openly shares how his competitive drive and love of the process are the fuel for his ongoing success.
In Angle of Attack, Andrew & Jim start a new series on "50/50 Balls", those key areas in the game that can go either way and can often times dictate the difference between a good round and a poor one. In this first segment, Andrew discusses strategies for improving make rates on 8-foot putts.
The Driven Golf Podcast is brought to you by FlagBag Golf Company and StrackaLine yardage books. Use code ‘DRIVEN’ to receive 20% off your StrackaLine yardage book order or mention ‘Driven Golf’ when ordering a FlagBag golf bag to receive a free custom headcover with your order.
@flagbaggolf (https://www.instagram.com/flagbaggolf) on Instagram
FlagBag Golf: https://flagbaggolfco.com/ (https://flagbaggolfco.com/)
StrackaLine: https://www.strackaline.com (https://www.strackaline.com/?aff=DRIVEN&brand=strackaline)
Resources:
Join the Driven Golf Podcast Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1014449326342086/) on Facebook for more discussions. Subscribe to the Driven Golf Analytics YouTube channel: Driven Golf Analytics YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/@drivengolfanalytics?si=ZJJlRsV2yxK22YNG). And please check out the all-new DRVN.Golf (https://www.drvn.golf/) website for all of our content.
Check out Andrew Lewis's YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@alewisgolf?si=AY4VxM6ULR6MlTiu) for more content.
Host: Jim Colton (@drivengolfanalytics (https://www.instagram.com/drivengolfanalytics)) & Andrew Lewis (@andrewlewisgolf (https://www.instagram.com/andrewlewisgolf))
Producer: Joseph Kay (@joseph_kay (https://www.instagram.com/joseph_kay))
24 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
46 - Cliff McKinney on Old Charlie; Angle of Attack on Match Play Gamesmanship
In this episode, Jim, Andrew and Joseph discuss the two big Amateur events coming up -- the U.S. Junior which started this week at Trinity Forest and the U.S. Amateur set for the Olympic Club in August. Joseph provides a caddie's perspective on what to expect on these two championship courses. And Andrew & Jim get into a discussion around the gamesmanship that is unique to the match play format.
After the intro/AoA segment, Jim interviews Cliff McKinney, the founder of Old Charlie Golf Club, a new destination golf club planned near the emerald coast of Florida. Cliff and Old Charlie are turning the traditional country club model on its head with unique pricing and structure that is sure to make compelling golf more accessible to a wider range of golfers.
The Driven Golf Podcast is brought to you by FlagBag Golf Company and StrackaLine yardage books. Use code ‘DRIVEN’ to receive 20% off your StrackaLine yardage book order or mention ‘Driven Golf’ when ordering a FlagBag golf bag to receive a free custom headcover with your order.
@flagbaggolf (https://www.instagram.com/flagbaggolf) on Instagram
FlagBag Golf: https://flagbaggolfco.com/ (https://flagbaggolfco.com/)
StrackaLine: https://www.strackaline.com (https://www.strackaline.com/?aff=DRIVEN&brand=strackaline)
Resources:
Join the Driven Golf Podcast Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1014449326342086/) on Facebook for more discussions. Subscribe to the Driven Golf Analytics YouTube channel: Driven Golf Analytics YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/@drivengolfanalytics?si=ZJJlRsV2yxK22YNG). And please check out the all-new DRVN.Golf (https://www.drvn.golf/) website for all of our content.
Check out Andrew Lewis's YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@alewisgolf?si=AY4VxM6ULR6MlTiu) for more content.
Guest: Cliff McKinney, Old Charlie Golf Club (@oldcharliegc (https://www.instagram.com/oldcharliegc))
Old Charlie Golf Club: https://www.oldcharliegolfclub.com/ (https://www.oldcharliegolfclub.com/)
Host: Jim Colton (@drivengolfanalytics (https://www.instagram.com/drivengolfanalytics)) & Andrew Lewis (@andrewlewisgolf (https://www.instagram.com/andrewlewisgolf))
Producer: Joseph Kay (@joseph_kay (https://www.instagram.com/joseph_kay))
Inside a recent episode
48 - Chris Zambri on Building the Future of American Golf; Inside the U.S. National Development Program
Published 29 Oct 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] I communicated with the NCAA. And I'm sure that that Alan did too. And lo and behold, it was approved. And anything going forward would need to be approved. Also, it's not like we've got to blink it. Yes, for anything we wanted to do going forward or anything they would allow us to do. But so that was super exciting. And then it was just so fun to talk to the players about it. And some of them heard about it a little earlier than others. And it's just it's just it's never been done in the history of our country that a high school golfer has played in the college golf event. And so no one was really expecting it, but it was within the rules. […]
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