Season 1 / Episode 5 – In this episode of The Hill Unscripted, Bob Kitchen recaps a powerful moment from the U.S. Open — the inspiring story of J.J. Spaun, who bounced back from a rough front nine (a 40!) to battle his way through the field with a refuse-to-lose mindset and claim his first major win. Bob highlights Spaun’s perseverance and what it teaches us about mental toughness in golf — and life.

Next, Bob dives into the PGA Tour’s manipulation of par, and why the way scorecards are framed can impact fan perception, player narratives, and how we define greatness.

You’ll also hear about Bob’s recent round with Sam Bettinardi of Bettinardi Golf, played just outside the legendary Butler National in Chicago — a behind-the-scenes look at two gear guys swapping stories and shots.

Finally, Bob takes on a hot-button topic: Do more expensive clubs actually make you better? He unpacks the myth pushed by some club fitting competitors and shares what really matters when it comes to performance, value, and finding the right clubs for your game.

From major championship mindset to gear talk that matters, this episode is full of sharp insights and straight talk from someone who’s been in the game for over 30 years.