S E36: Tiger Woods’ Former Agent Finally Tells the Story

S E36: Tiger Woods’ Former Agent Finally Tells the Story

Before Tiger Woods became a global business empire, Hughes Norton was helping build the foundation. In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with Hughes Norton — the legendary former IMG agent who represented Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Curtis Strange, and other major figures in golf during one of the most transformative eras in the sport’s history. Norton takes Jimmy inside the early days of golf’s commercial boom, when players were taking $500 outing fees and the PGA Tour was still a “mom and pop” operation. From there, he helped usher in a new era of athlete marketing, sponsorships, appearance fees, global endorsements, and massive brand deals. The conversation also goes deep on Tiger Woods’ arrival as a professional, including the behind-the-scenes story of Tiger’s first major Nike deal, the role of Earl Woods, the intense pressure around Tiger’s time, and the stunning phone call that ended Norton’s relationship with Tiger for good. Hughes also reflects on Greg Norman, LIV Golf, Mark McCormack, Arnold Palmer, the changing role of agents, the rise of player entourages, NIL, the new PGA Tour schedule, and how golf became a billion-dollar business. In this episode: How Hughes Norton got started at IMG under Mark McCormack What the PGA Tour looked like before golf became big business The early endorsement economy around players like Curtis Strange Negotiating Tiger Woods’ first mega-deals The Nike deal and Phil Knight controversy What Tiger Woods was really like behind the scenes The phone call that ended Norton’s relationship with Tiger Greg Norman’s role in LIV Golf Why LIV struggled to gain traction Arnold Palmer’s role in stopping an earlier breakaway tour How agents, money, NIL, and sponsorships changed golf forever What the PGA Tour’s new schedule could mean for players and sponsors This is a conversation about Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, LIV Golf, IMG, Nike, and the business machine that transformed professional golf from a niche tour into a global sports economy. If you care about the business of golf, the rise of Tiger Woods, the history of IMG, or how money changed the professional game, this episode is worth your full attention. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 📺 Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts is produced by Big Swing Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

S E35: Golf’s Money Problem Is Finally Out in the Open

Golf is booming — but the business behind the game has never been more complicated. In this special live episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, recorded ahead of the U.S. Open, Jimmy sits down for two separate conversations with two of the most influential voices in golf, media, and business: Mark Lazarus and Jimmy Dunne. Lazarus, CEO of Versant and one of the key figures behind Golf Channel, breaks down why golf has become such a valuable business across media, technology, tee times, streaming, content, and fan engagement. From Golf Channel to GolfNow, GolfPass, college golf, the LPGA, USGA relationships, and the future of sports rights, Lazarus explains why golf is no longer just a television product — it’s an entire business ecosystem. Then Jimmy sits down with Jimmy Dunne, the Wall Street dealmaker, president of Seminole Golf Club, former PGA Tour Policy Board member, and one of the central figures in the PGA Tour/LIV Golf framework agreement. Dunne speaks candidly about LIV, the future of the PGA Tour, private investment, the role of money in golf, and why he believes the game’s biggest strength remains its ability to build relationships. In this episode: Why Golf Channel sees itself as the “network of record” for golf How GolfNow became a major piece of the golf business Why live sports rights are putting pressure on every league What the NFL’s next media deal could mean for golf Why LIV became a “giant distraction” How money changed the conversation around professional golf What Jimmy Dunne learned from negotiating the PGA Tour/LIV framework agreement Why access, affordability, and star power may determine golf’s next chapter How the U.S. Open, media, private investment, and the PGA Tour all intersect This is a conversation about more than one tournament. It’s about the future of golf — who controls it, who pays for it, who profits from it, and how the game continues to grow without losing what made people fall in love with it in the first place. If you care about golf, media, sports business, LIV, the PGA Tour, or where the game goes next, this is a conversation worth your full attention. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 📺 Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts is produced by Big Swing Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

S E34: McLaren's Bold Bet on Golf with Hoyt McGarity

Why would one of the most iconic brands in motorsports decide to enter one of the most competitive industries in sports? In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Hoyt McGarity, President of 8AM Golf and advisor to McLaren Golf, to discuss one of the most ambitious equipment launches the golf industry has seen in years. McLaren is known worldwide for Formula One racing, engineering excellence, and high-performance automobiles. Now, the company is entering the golf equipment business with a long-term vision, a premium strategy, and a belief that golf is ready for something different. Hoyt explains how the partnership came together, why McLaren believes its engineering expertise can translate to golf, and what it takes to launch a new equipment brand in one of the most competitive markets in sports. In this episode: Why McLaren decided to enter golf The engineering behind McLaren Golf irons Justin Rose's role in developing the equipment How Formula One technology influences golf club design Why McLaren believes golf is ready for disruption The future of premium golf equipment Building a brand in a crowded marketplace The business strategy behind McLaren Golf From Formula One technology to golf innovation, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the future of equipment, branding, and competition in the golf industry. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 📺 Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts is produced by Big Swing Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

S E33: Arthur Blank Bet on Himself... and Won

How do you go from getting fired to building one of the most successful companies in American history? In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Arthur Blank, the billionaire entrepreneur, philanthropist, co-founder of The Home Depot, owner of the Atlanta Falcons, and one of the most influential figures in modern golf today. Blank shares the remarkable story of being fired from Handy Dan Home Improvement, the setback that ultimately led to the creation of Home Depot. What started with conversations at a coffee shop and sketches on napkins became one of the most successful retail businesses in history. Along the way, he reveals the leadership principles, customer-first philosophy, and long-term thinking that have shaped every venture he's touched—from Home Depot to the PGA TOUR Superstore, the Atlanta Falcons, and PGA Tour Enterprises. In this episode: The story behind getting fired and launching Home Depot Why trust matters more than transactions The six core values that guide every business decision Growing PGA TOUR Superstore into a billion-dollar business LIV Golf's impact on professional golf The future of the PGA Tour and player equity Leadership lessons from building iconic brands Why listening may be the most underrated skill in business Plus, from the BMW Championship in South Carolina, Jimmy catches up with Duane Parrish, Director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, to discuss golf's massive economic impact on the state, why South Carolina has become one of America's premier golf destinations, and what the future holds for golf tourism in the region. From entrepreneurship and leadership to sports business and the future of golf, this episode offers a fascinating look at the people and ideas helping shape the game today. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 📺 Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts is produced by Big Swing Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

S E32: Ed Burns on Golf Taking Him by Storm, Family & Finnegan's Foursome

How does an acclaimed filmmaker become obsessed with golf? In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with writer, director, actor, and lifelong storyteller Edward Burns to discuss his newest film, Finnegan's Foursome, and the personal journey that inspired it. After losing his mother during the COVID pandemic, Burns picked up golf again to spend time with his father. What started as a simple way to reconnect quickly became an obsession that transformed his life and ultimately inspired a feature film centered around family, golf, loss, and legacy. Along the way, Burns reflects on: Becoming obsessed with golf later in life The father-son relationships that shaped his story Creating Finnegan's Foursome Lessons learned from Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg The unlikely journey from The Brothers McMullen to Hollywood success Getting into Sundance after handing a VHS tape directly to Robert Redford Why golf creates moments unlike any other sport The future of independent filmmaking This conversation is about much more than golf. It's about creativity, family, obsession, storytelling, and the moments that shape who we become. If you love golf, movies, entrepreneurship, or great stories, this is a conversation worth your full attention. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 📺 Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts is produced by Big Swing Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].