About this episode
Episode 15 - Internet Golf Booms, LIV Changes, and The Truth About Trade-Ins In this episode of The Hill Unscripted, Bob Kitchen breaks down some of the biggest shifts in the golf world — from viral tournaments to how retailers handle your trade-ins. Bob starts with the incredible success of the Internet Invitational, which has pulled in 5.1 million viewers, surpassing PGA Tour ratings. He shares his own vision for a new kind of event — one where players buy into the purse themselves for a winner-take-all format that brings real excitement back to golf. Then, Bob dives into the latest LIV Golf changes, explaining why the move from 54 to 72 holes might be more about money than golf — and how YouTube creators are changing the way fans watch and interact with the game. He also gives an inside look at how golf trade-ins really work, revealing the “smoke and mirrors” behind inflated trade-in offers and explaining how Maple Hill focuses on true value and transparency for golfers. Plus, Bob covers: Proper yardage gapping between clubs and how to fix distance overlaps The truth about golf balls in cold weather (hint: your swing matters more than the temperature) How to handle the reality of aging in golf and still love the game Upcoming Maple Hill promotions, including free TrackMan fittings, holiday gift card bonuses, and the annual Turkey Tee Off Open on Black Friday If you want straight talk about golf — the gear, the game, and the business — this episode delivers it all. 0:00 Introduction to The Hill Unscripted Podcast 0:28 The Internet Invitational and Golf Tournament Innovation 5:57 LIV Golf's Evolution and YouTube's Impact 9:13 How Trade-Ins Work in Golf Retail 15:01 Yardage Gapping and Club Selection 22:51 Golf Ball Selection and Temperature Effects 24:42 Mailbag Question About Aging and Golf 29:50 Maple Hill Promotions and Events 36:58 Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement 🎯 Shop THE HILL Official Merch Rep the brand and support the movement with official gear! 🛒 Grab yours now: https://bit.ly/46UAoOh Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/maplehillgolf/ https://www.instagram.com/maplehillgolf/ https://www.tiktok.com/@maplehillgolf.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm1PySMzGMnuiZbXVjWMlmA Website: https://maplehillgolf.com/