Summary of “The Matt Jones Show” Episode 8 - Life on the PGA Tour with Aaron Fleener

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Matt Jones Show
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Episode: Episode 8 - Life on the PGA Tour with Aaron Fleener
• Release Date: June 25, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 8 of The Matt Jones Show, Kentucky Sports Radio Host Matt Jones welcomes Aaron Fleener, a seasoned caddy from Glasgow, Kentucky, who has been caddying for PGA Tour golfer J.T. Poston. The conversation delves into Aaron’s journey from writing bachelor recaps for Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) to his current life on the PGA Tour, offering listeners an insider’s view into the world of professional golf caddying.

Aaron Fleener's Background and Transition to Caddying

Aaron Fleener shares his transition from a procurement officer for the state of Tennessee to becoming a full-time PGA Tour caddy:

[05:25] Aaron Fleener: "I always had wanted to be a caddy. It was just like one of those things that it's tough to get your foot in the door."

His friendship with Kent Bull, a talented golfer and mutual friend, played a pivotal role in this career shift:

[06:17] Aaron Fleener: "He's really good friends with my youngest brother and he went to middle Tennessee and I was in Nashville. So, you know, we kept in touch."

Life as a PGA Tour Caddy

Aaron provides a comprehensive overview of his life on the PGA Tour, emphasizing the camaraderie and discipline required:

[08:54] Aaron Fleener: "We are literally right beside each other every moment of every day for 19 weeks of that year."

He highlights the balance between treating caddying as a job and enjoying personal time:

[10:18] Aaron Fleener: "That year we just kind of said, let's treat this as a job. Like, let's really lock in when we're playing, and then when we're at home, we can, you know, hang out, party, hang out with our friends, whatever."

Memorable Moments with PGA Legends

One of the standout moments in Aaron’s career was being paired with Tiger Woods at Liberty National in New York:

[02:28] Matt Jones: "Yeah. I mean, in my lifetime. Yeah, in my lifetime. What. I mean, the, the sports superstars, it's like Michael Jordan and Tiger, like, those are the two biggest of our lives."

[03:29] Aaron Fleener: "He's about to get in this van with us."

Aaron describes the humbling and memorable experience of interacting with Tiger:

[03:32] Aaron Fleener: "He couldn't be nicer, like, introduced himself. He's like, you know, congrats on the win last week... It was awesome."

He also shares a special photo with Tiger, which holds sentimental value:

[02:04] Aaron Fleener: "So that was the one and only time we've been paired with him... It's just something cool to have around your house."

Challenges and Insights of Caddying

Aaron discusses the demanding nature of caddying, especially on tough courses like Oakmont:

[27:27] Aaron Fleener: "Oakmont for sure. I've been there twice now... you just know exactly what you need to know and, like, you know how to go out there and figure it out."

He emphasizes the importance of handling pressure and maintaining professionalism:

[13:29] Aaron Fleener: "You have to try to separate your personal feelings versus your on-course interactions... If you take everything personally, you're going to burn out pretty fast."

Relationships and Networking in the PGA Tour

Networking plays a crucial role in Aaron’s career, enabling him to build lasting relationships with players and industry figures:

[12:00] Aaron Fleener: "Most guys are just getting locals that, you know, don't speak English. So like we hung out with the players all the time."

He underscores the significance of being well-connected to secure caddy positions:

[18:32] Aaron Fleener: "Knowing agents, knowing the players, girlfriends, wives, families, and the players themselves is very important... That's kind of how I got the job with JT."

The Caddy-Golfer Dynamic

Aaron elaborates on the delicate balance required in the caddy-golfer relationship, highlighting communication and mutual respect:

[20:15] Aaron Fleener: "It depends on how they communicate together... their personalities don't mesh well."

He advises new caddies on maintaining professionalism and understanding the player's needs:

[22:57] Aaron Fleener: "Don't micromanage every second of it. Just know when to speak up and not to speak up."

Compensation and Endorsements

Aaron provides insight into how caddies are compensated, detailing the financial aspects of the role:

[37:38] Aaron Fleener: "Usually anywhere from like, probably 1800 to 3000 [USD]... We pay our own expenses that way."

He explains the additional earnings through percentages on player’s earnings and endorsements:

[38:05] Aaron Fleener: "Most guys make somewhere 7, 8% of the earnings, and then a win usually gets you paid 10% on that."

Additionally, Aaron discusses his personal endorsement deals, which complement his income:

[38:49] Matt Jones: "You do like underwear, don't you? Don't you do underwear?"

[38:53] Aaron Fleener: "The underwear is not going anymore. But we did that for two years... I have, like, Elijah Craig deal as well. And then our hats with megacorp."

Impact of PGA Tour Changes and LIV Golf

The conversation touches upon the recent shifts in the golf world, particularly the emergence of LIV Golf:

[40:30] Aaron Fleener: "It was just weird because there were so many unknowns... It did nothing but good for everybody on our tour because it raised our purses."

He reflects on the resilience of the PGA Tour amidst these changes:

[41:20] Aaron Fleener: "I think it makes the majors a little bit like, a little better when they're all back together. Like, it gets a little more fire into that."

Personal Stories and Kentucky Connection

Aaron shares heartfelt anecdotes about his grandmother, Meemaw, a fervent Kentucky fan:

[29:11] Aaron Fleener: "So that was a crazy week. We missed a cut that week, unfortunately, but it was awesome... She's 94 now."

Matt Jones adds context about Meemaw’s legendary status among Kentucky fans:

[30:04] Aaron Fleener: "She's my grandma. That's me ma."

Aaron speaks fondly of his interactions with Meemaw during tournaments, highlighting her unwavering support:

[31:48] Matt Jones: "She's been to like, 50 or something, right?"

[31:48] Aaron Fleener: "Yeah."

Favorite Moments and Players

Aaron shares his favorite memories, including pairing up with Si Woo Kim, known for his humor and aggressive playstyle:

[43:26] Aaron Fleener: "Probably. I mean, I've been asked this question and it's answer is always Siwoo Kim."

He also humorously contemplates Ricky Fowler as a hypothetical President of the United States, praising his leadership qualities:

[44:22] Aaron Fleener: "I would probably go with Ricky Fowler, honestly... He's very thoughtful, keeps to himself, and everybody respects him."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Matt Jones expressing admiration for Aaron’s dedication and successes as a PGA Tour caddy. Aaron’s insights offer a unique perspective on the intricacies of caddying, the importance of relationships, and the evolving landscape of professional golf. His personal stories and passion for Kentucky sports add warmth to the conversation, making it an enriching listen for both golf enthusiasts and general audiences alike.

Notable Quotes:

• Aaron Fleener on Networking:

  [18:32] "Knowing agents, knowing the players, girlfriends, wives, families, and the players themselves is very important."

• Aaron Fleener on Treating Caddying as a Job:

  [15:16] "I treat my work as work... I take the job seriously and I take showing up ready physically... seriously."

• Aaron Fleener on Handling Pressure:

  [13:29] "You have to try to separate your personal feelings versus your on-course interactions."

• Aaron Fleener on Favorite Golfers:

  [43:35] "I just think he's well respected by everyone... He's a very thoughtful... and I think he would be a good leader."

This detailed summary encapsulates Aaron Fleener’s experiences and insights as a PGA Tour caddy, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of his role, challenges, and the vibrant world of professional golf.