{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Divots \u0026 Skins","home_page_url":"https://www.divotsandskins.com","feed_url":"https://www.divotsandskins.com/json","description":"Divots \u0026amp; Skins is a golf podcast for everyday golfers who love the game, the grind, and the stories that come with chasing better rounds. Hosted by Jake and Brett from Upstate New York, the show covers amateur golf, local courses, tournament play, simulator golf, golf rules, the mental-game, and plenty of laughs along the way. We’re not pros. We’re just two golfers who love competing, talking golf, and trying to get a little better one round at a time.","_fireside":{"subtitle":"For golfers chasing better rounds and better stories.","pubdate":"2026-06-17T09:00:00.000-04:00","explicit":false,"copyright":"2026 by Divots and Skins","owner":"Jake Van Ness \u0026 Brett Varney","image":"https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/3/3a9104e4-ff63-46cb-9f5a-e9b668fe21f5/cover.jpg?v=1"},"items":[{"id":"b81868be-b5fc-4587-9cad-1a7135d17c58","title":"Ep 5 - Major Headlines, Mountain Views \u0026 a Wild Day at US AM Tour Stop Wahconah","url":"https://www.divotsandskins.com/ep5-major-headlines-mountain-views-a-wild-day-at-usamtour-stop-wahconah","content_text":"Episode 5 begins with some of the biggest stories happening around golf, including Nelly’s latest major victory, the difference between a Grand Slam and a career Grand Slam, and the young amateurs earning spots in the U.S. Open.\n\nJake and Brett also discuss the growing world of YouTube golf, where personalities, production and massive prize pools are changing how fans experience the game.\n\nThen it is time to recap their latest US Am Tour Albany Region event at Wahconah Country Club in Massachusetts. They talk about the mountain views, changing weather, difficult greens, elevation changes and the small creek that winds through several holes. It turned into a memorable day for both golfers, but you will have to listen to hear exactly how it ended.\n\nThe Rule of the Day explores the different relief options available when a ball is unplayable in a bunker. They also answer a viewer’s scramble question about whether a team can change its selected ball after everyone has already played the next shot.\n\nThe episode wraps with a conversation about Brookhaven, The Luxury Box, upcoming events and why golfers of every handicap level should consider trying a flighted amateur tour.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eEpisode 5 begins with some of the biggest stories happening around golf, including Nelly’s latest major victory, the difference between a Grand Slam and a career Grand Slam, and the young amateurs earning spots in the U.S. Open.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJake and Brett also discuss the growing world of YouTube golf, where personalities, production and massive prize pools are changing how fans experience the game.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThen it is time to recap their latest US Am Tour Albany Region event at Wahconah Country Club in Massachusetts. They talk about the mountain views, changing weather, difficult greens, elevation changes and the small creek that winds through several holes. It turned into a memorable day for both golfers, but you will have to listen to hear exactly how it ended.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rule of the Day explores the different relief options available when a ball is unplayable in a bunker. They also answer a viewer’s scramble question about whether a team can change its selected ball after everyone has already played the next shot.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe episode wraps with a conversation about Brookhaven, The Luxury Box, upcoming events and why golfers of every handicap level should consider trying a flighted amateur tour.\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Jake and Brett talk major golf headlines, YouTube golf’s growing prize money and their latest US Am Tour stop at Wahconah Country Club. They also cover bunker relief, scramble rules and why flighted amateur golf gives every player a chance to compete.","date_published":"2026-06-17T09:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/3a9104e4-ff63-46cb-9f5a-e9b668fe21f5/b81868be-b5fc-4587-9cad-1a7135d17c58.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":53807616,"duration_in_seconds":2241}]},{"id":"a995ec10-de62-4655-81c9-2a369a95e294","title":"Ep 4 - Normanside, Tournament Pressure, Back-To-Back Wins \u0026 The Mental Side of Golf","url":"https://www.divotsandskins.com/ep4-normanside-golf-course-tournament-pressure-back-to-back-wins-the-mental-side-of-golf","content_text":"In Episode 4 of Divots \u0026amp; Skins, Jake and Brett dig into the highs and lows of amateur tournament golf.\n\nBrett shares his recap from the latest US Am Tour stop at Normanside, where swirling winds, thick fescue, rough putting, and late-round pressure made for a grind to the finish. Even without his best stuff, he held on for a one-stroke win and proves one of golf’s biggest truths: sometimes your best round is not required, just your best effort that day.\n\nThe guys also celebrate Erin’s back-to-back tournament wins at McGregor and Normanside. Her story opens up a great conversation about confidence, staying calm after bad holes, handling tournament nerves, competing in a male-dominated space, and why more women should feel welcome joining amateur golf tours.\n\nPlus, Jake and Brett talk about what makes the US Am Tour experience so much fun, from local competition to national travel opportunities. The episode wraps with the Rule of the Day, covering putting alignment, using your putter as an alignment tool, caddie restrictions, and whether you can legally stand behind another golfer to read a putt.\n\nIf you love amateur golf, real tournament stories, course talk, and trying to figure out how to get better one round at a time, this one is for you.\n\nLinks:\nDivots and Skins Podcast: www.divotsandskins.com\nUS AM Tour: www.usamtour.com\nThe Luxury Box: www.theluxurybox.net\nNormanside Golf Course: https://www.normanside.com\nMcGregor Links Country Club: https://www.mcgregorlinkscc.com","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn Episode 4 of Divots \u0026amp; Skins, Jake and Brett dig into the highs and lows of amateur tournament golf.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrett shares his recap from the latest US Am Tour stop at Normanside, where swirling winds, thick fescue, rough putting, and late-round pressure made for a grind to the finish. Even without his best stuff, he held on for a one-stroke win and proves one of golf’s biggest truths: sometimes your best round is not required, just your best effort that day.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe guys also celebrate Erin’s back-to-back tournament wins at McGregor and Normanside. Her story opens up a great conversation about confidence, staying calm after bad holes, handling tournament nerves, competing in a male-dominated space, and why more women should feel welcome joining amateur golf tours.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlus, Jake and Brett talk about what makes the US Am Tour experience so much fun, from local competition to national travel opportunities. The episode wraps with the Rule of the Day, covering putting alignment, using your putter as an alignment tool, caddie restrictions, and whether you can legally stand behind another golfer to read a putt.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you love amateur golf, real tournament stories, course talk, and trying to figure out how to get better one round at a time, this one is for you.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLinks:\u003cbr\u003e\nDivots and Skins Podcast: \u003ca href=\"http://www.divotsandskins.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ewww.divotsandskins.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nUS AM Tour: \u003ca href=\"http://www.usamtour.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ewww.usamtour.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Luxury Box: \u003ca href=\"http://www.theluxurybox.net\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ewww.theluxurybox.net\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNormanside Golf Course: \u003ca href=\"https://www.normanside.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ehttps://www.normanside.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eMcGregor Links Country Club:\u003c/em\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://www.mcgregorlinkscc.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ehttps://www.mcgregorlinkscc.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Jake and Brett recap Brett’s US Am Tour win at Normanside, celebrate Erin’s back-to-back tournament victories, and talk about confidence, bad holes, women in competitive golf, and putting alignment rules.","date_published":"2026-06-05T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/3a9104e4-ff63-46cb-9f5a-e9b668fe21f5/a995ec10-de62-4655-81c9-2a369a95e294.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":55024868,"duration_in_seconds":2281}]},{"id":"ee34531d-3a88-49a5-876b-fb9967114f45","title":"Ep 3 - McGregor Links Country Club US AM Tour Stop, Clutch Putts \u0026 Scramble Stories","url":"https://www.divotsandskins.com/ep3-mcgregor-links-country-club-usamtour-stop-clutch-putts-scramble-stories","content_text":"In Episode 3 of Divots \u0026amp; Skins, Jake and Brett cover two very different golf experiences: competitive tournament golf at McGregor Links Country Club and a fun charity scramble at Hiland Park.\n\nThe episode starts with a recap of the latest US Am Tour Albany Region stop at McGregor in Saratoga Springs (Wilton), a course that recently went fully private. Jake and Brett talk about the course conditions, the challenge of playing tournament golf, and Erin’s win in the event.\n\nThey also dig into the Rule of the Day, focusing on provisional balls and why knowing the rule can matter when you’re playing in a more structured event.\n\nLater, the conversation shifts to The Conklin Center’s charity golf tournament at Highland Park in Queensbury, where the team finished second, made some clutch putts and helped support a great local organization.\n\nIt’s a mix of course talk, tournament lessons, golf rules, scramble stories and the kind of conversation everyday golfers can relate to.\n\nLinks:\nUS AM Tour Albany Region - https://www.usamtour.com\nThe Luxury Box - https://theluxurybox.net\nMcGregor Links Country Club - https://www.mcgregorlinkscc.com\nHiland Park Country Club - https://www.hilandparkcc.com/golf\nThe Conklling Center - https://www.theconklingcenter.org","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn Episode 3 of Divots \u0026amp; Skins, Jake and Brett cover two very different golf experiences: competitive tournament golf at McGregor Links Country Club and a fun charity scramble at Hiland Park.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe episode starts with a recap of the latest US Am Tour Albany Region stop at McGregor in Saratoga Springs (Wilton), a course that recently went fully private. Jake and Brett talk about the course conditions, the challenge of playing tournament golf, and Erin’s win in the event.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThey also dig into the Rule of the Day, focusing on provisional balls and why knowing the rule can matter when you’re playing in a more structured event.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLater, the conversation shifts to The Conklin Center’s charity golf tournament at Highland Park in Queensbury, where the team finished second, made some clutch putts and helped support a great local organization.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a mix of course talk, tournament lessons, golf rules, scramble stories and the kind of conversation everyday golfers can relate to.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLinks:\u003cbr\u003e\nUS AM Tour Albany Region - \u003ca href=\"https://www.usamtour.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ehttps://www.usamtour.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Luxury Box - \u003ca href=\"https://theluxurybox.net\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ehttps://theluxurybox.net\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nMcGregor Links Country Club - \u003ca href=\"https://www.mcgregorlinkscc.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ehttps://www.mcgregorlinkscc.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nHiland Park Country Club - \u003ca href=\"https://www.hilandparkcc.com/golf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ehttps://www.hilandparkcc.com/golf\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Conklling Center - \u003ca href=\"https://www.theconklingcenter.org\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ehttps://www.theconklingcenter.org\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Jake and Brett recap Episode 3 of Divots \u0026 Skins, covering their US Am Tour Albany Region stop at McGregor Links Country Club, Erin’s win, a useful provisional ball rule, and a second-place finish at The Conklin Center charity scramble at Hiland Park. Real golf talk from everyday players.","date_published":"2026-05-28T10:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/3a9104e4-ff63-46cb-9f5a-e9b668fe21f5/ee34531d-3a88-49a5-876b-fb9967114f45.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":54299587,"duration_in_seconds":2254}]},{"id":"3227f0bc-d6b5-4c16-ac36-0741b015bb26","title":"Ep 2 - When Golf Gets Tough: Brookhaven, Bad Breaks And The Rise Of A YouTube Golf Tour","url":"https://www.divotsandskins.com/ep2-when-golf-gets-tough-brookhaven-bad-breaks-and-the-rise-of-a-youtube-golf-tour","content_text":"Episode 2 of Divots \u0026amp; Skins is all about adjusting when the course refuses to let you get comfortable.\n\nJake and Brett talk through their early rounds at Brookhaven in Greenfield, N.Y., a course that has already forced both of them to rethink club selection, course management and the urge to pull driver on every tee box. They also get into birdie tracking, breaking 90, Jake’s chip-in birdie and why golf can feel like one big Rubik’s Cube.\n\nThe episode also covers a few practical golf rules, including embedded ball relief and whether stakes can be moved when they interfere with your swing.\n\nThen the conversation shifts to the growing world of YouTube golf, including Grant Horvat, the Bryan Bros and the launch of the Your Golf Tour. Is it good for the game? Is it entertainment, competition or a potential circus? Jake and Brett have some thoughts.\n\nA little course strategy, a little rule talk, a little ranting about pace of play and plenty of amateur golf honesty.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eEpisode 2 of Divots \u0026amp; Skins is all about adjusting when the course refuses to let you get comfortable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJake and Brett talk through their early rounds at Brookhaven in Greenfield, N.Y., a course that has already forced both of them to rethink club selection, course management and the urge to pull driver on every tee box. They also get into birdie tracking, breaking 90, Jake’s chip-in birdie and why golf can feel like one big Rubik’s Cube.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe episode also covers a few practical golf rules, including embedded ball relief and whether stakes can be moved when they interfere with your swing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThen the conversation shifts to the growing world of YouTube golf, including Grant Horvat, the Bryan Bros and the launch of the Your Golf Tour. Is it good for the game? Is it entertainment, competition or a potential circus? Jake and Brett have some thoughts.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA little course strategy, a little rule talk, a little ranting about pace of play and plenty of amateur golf honesty.\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"","date_published":"2026-05-20T13:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/3a9104e4-ff63-46cb-9f5a-e9b668fe21f5/3227f0bc-d6b5-4c16-ac36-0741b015bb26.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":59652288,"duration_in_seconds":2485}]},{"id":"993ce0c1-9928-42a9-b6e1-243087861f6c","title":"Ep 1 - Our First Tour Stop, First Podcast and First Rule of the Day","url":"https://www.divotsandskins.com/ep1-our-first-tours-top-first-podcast-and-first-rule-of-the-day","content_text":"Welcome to the first episode of Divots \u0026amp; Skins, a golf podcast for everyday golfers who love the game, the stories, the competition, and the occasional bad decision.\n\nIn this episode, Jake and Brett introduce themselves, share how they got into golf, and explain why they decided to start a podcast built around amateur golf, local courses, tournament stories, golf rules, and the conversations golfers have before, during and after a round.\n\nThey also break down their first Albany-region US Am Tour event at Fairways of Half Moon, including tournament nerves, fast greens, course management, mental-game struggles, flighted competition, and what it feels like to have your name announced on the tee like the pros.\n\nThe episode also includes a look at indoor simulator golf at Luxury Box, how winter practice helped build confidence, and the first “Rule of the Day” segment, focused on playing from red and yellow penalty areas.\n\nWhether you’re a high handicap golfer, weekend player, competitive amateur, or just someone who loves golf talk, this episode sets the tone for what Divots \u0026amp; Skins is all about.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the first episode of Divots \u0026amp; Skins, a golf podcast for everyday golfers who love the game, the stories, the competition, and the occasional bad decision.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this episode, Jake and Brett introduce themselves, share how they got into golf, and explain why they decided to start a podcast built around amateur golf, local courses, tournament stories, golf rules, and the conversations golfers have before, during and after a round.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThey also break down their first Albany-region US Am Tour event at Fairways of Half Moon, including tournament nerves, fast greens, course management, mental-game struggles, flighted competition, and what it feels like to have your name announced on the tee like the pros.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe episode also includes a look at indoor simulator golf at Luxury Box, how winter practice helped build confidence, and the first “Rule of the Day” segment, focused on playing from red and yellow penalty areas.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you’re a high handicap golfer, weekend player, competitive amateur, or just someone who loves golf talk, this episode sets the tone for what Divots \u0026amp; Skins is all about.\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Jake and Brett launch Divots \u0026 Skins with their golf stories, their first Albany-area amateur tour stop, a course review of Fairways of Half Moon, simulator golf talk, and their first “Rule of the Day.”","date_published":"2026-05-03T08:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/3a9104e4-ff63-46cb-9f5a-e9b668fe21f5/993ce0c1-9928-42a9-b6e1-243087861f6c.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":72224552,"duration_in_seconds":2967}]}]}