On The Tape with Danny Moses Ned Michaels Shares His Golf Journey & Masters Insights
Mar 25, 2026
Ned Michaels, a former pro turned broadcaster who calls Augusta’s famed 15th and 16th, walks through his shift from player to media figure. He shares stories about rehabbing into radio, balancing friendships with on-air neutrality, reading practice ranges, PGA Tour strategy under new leadership, LIV Golf’s economics, NIL’s college impact, Masters dark horses and top picks, and a take on buying gold on dips.
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From Tennis Player To Pro Golfer By Chance
- Ned Michaels accidentally discovered golf at boarding school after quitting tennis and fell in love with the game during every spare moment in high school.
- He walked on at Wake Forest, learned short game from world-class teammates, then transferred to Vanderbilt after shooting 67-67 with Mason Rudolph and later turned pro.
Injury Led To A Broadcasting Break
- While rehabbing a torn labrum, Ned started a 7 a.m. Saturday golf talk show that launched his broadcasting career almost by accident.
- He was thrown into live events quickly, first covering Torrey Pines and Tiger/Phil, learning on the job with little training and aiming each week to 'not get fired.'
Use Practice Area Clues To Predict Performance
- Watch players on the range and practice area to read form and preparation, noting odd behaviors like changing shafts, three putters, divot patterns, or mannerisms.
- Those onsite cues combined with experience let Ned predict who will play well and who won't, especially noting early-week grinding is rarely a good sign.