Episode #12
Making Golf Cool Again: From Pro Golfer to Entrepreneur | Taylor Artman | Episode 12 Pt 1
Golf is changing—and Taylor, founder of Surf & Turf Golf, is building a brand for the next generation of players. In Episode 12 of Around the Diamond Powered by American Diamond Logistics, Kevin and Steve sit down with Taylor to talk about a life spent around the game, his journey into professional golf, and how an unexpected change in his playing career ultimately opened the door to entrepreneurship. Taylor shares how he first picked up a golf club as a kid in Norman, Oklahoma, eventually played collegiate golf at Oklahoma City University, and spent seven years pursuing the professional game. Along the way, the conversation dives into the competitive side of golf, leadership in an individual sport, and why lessons learned as an athlete translate so naturally into business. Then comes the story behind Surf & Turf Golf. What began as a Southern California social club evolved into a lifestyle and apparel brand designed to bridge the gap between traditional golf culture and the people discovering the game in a completely different way. Taylor explains how the Tiger Woods boom made golf cool and the Topgolf boom made golf accessible—creating an entirely new generation that wants to enjoy the game without necessarily looking or acting like the traditional country-club golfer. From professional golf and entrepreneurship to leadership, community, branding, and building something around a genuine passion, Episode 12 is a conversation about recognizing when one chapter is ending—and having the confidence to start the next one. Around the Diamond Powered by American Diamond Logistics explores the intersection of sports and business through conversations with athletes, entrepreneurs, leaders, and the people building what's next. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome Back to Around the Diamond 05:10 – Meet Taylor, Founder of Surf & Turf Golf 05:49 – Growing Up on the Golf Course 10:30 – When Golf Became More Than a Hobby 11:40 – Greg Norman, Payne Stewart & the Tiger Woods Era 13:49 – How Golf Culture Has Changed 20:00 – Taylor's Big Vision for Surf & Turf Golf 21:03 – College Golf, Scholarships & Oklahoma City University 22:09 – The Championship Golf Program That Got Cut 25:38 – What Leadership Looks Like in an Individual Sport 29:08 – Why Athletes Make Great Business Leaders 32:27 – Competition, Camaraderie & Trash Talk on the Golf Course 36:31 – Athletes Learning the Game of Golf 40:02 – The Road from College Golf to the Pros 41:50 – The Beginning of Surf & Turf Golf 42:40 – The Injuries That Changed Taylor's Career 43:41 – Trading Professional Golf for Entrepreneurship 45:08 – The Problem Surf & Turf Set Out to Solve 46:50 – How Golf Became Cool Again 47:34 – How Topgolf Changed Who Plays Golf 48:32 – Building a Golf Brand for a New Generation 49:19 – What's Next for Surf & Turf Golf Check out American Diamond Logistics: https://www.adldelivers.com/ Become an Agent: https://www.adldelivers.com/become-an-agent Follow Around the Diamond: IG: https://www.instagram.com/aroundthediamondpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586346530967 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@around.the.diamon6?_r=1&_t=ZP-94XAyjAAYvP
