Biography

Life is full of ups and downs, good and bad, but it wouldn’t be fun any other way.” Living his life by this optimistic philosophy, Gary McCord persisted through years of mediocrity before finding great success in many aspects of the world of golf. An outstanding player, announcer, instructor, author, speaker, and even actor, Gary McCord has become a golf celebrity.

Gary McCord is well known for enduring 23 years and 422 tournaments on the PGA Tour without nabbing a single victory. A man of good humor, he boasted a “NO WINS” license plate for years to poke fun at his own less-than-glamorous career as a professional golfer.

Trapped in the headlights of bankruptcy,” as he liked to describe it, McCord pursued other avenues of golf, and found himself launched into the world of broadcasting. He scored big when a CBS executive tossed him a headset and asked him to do commentary – giving him only 15 minutes to prepare. A friend of failure, McCord jumped in with no fear and impressed CBS with his performance. Seventeen years later, Gary is still providing color commentary for CBS. Fans and critics alike praise him for his knowledgeable perspective, refreshing humor, and sometimes irreverent wit towards a game that is known for taking itself too seriously.

In 1998, Gary McCord celebrated his 50th birthday by joining the Champions Tour. He took the tour by storm with two impressive wins in 1999, including the Toshiba Senior Classic and Charles Schwab Cup Championship, his first and last events of the year. Over the past few years Gary has continued his excellent play, finally proving himself to be an extremely talented golfer.

Gary has also established himself as a talented author. In January 2006 he released a third edition of the best-selling instructional manual Golf for Dummies and has delighted fans with his autobiographical collection, Just a Range Ball in a Box of Titleists.

Non-golfers might recognize McCord for his appearance in the Kevin Costner movie, Tin Cup, in which Gary played himself and served as a technical director. In preparation for the movie, Gary gave Costner golf lessons along with Peter Kostis, a friend, fellow CBS announcer, and co-founder of the Kostis-McCordLearningCenter. Gary enjoyed his taste of Hollywood so much that he is now helping write and produce an upcoming film based on the life of golfer/gambler “Titanic” Thompson and is also working on a pilot for an upcoming television sitcom.

Currently Gary plans to maintain his busy schedule by playing on the Champions Tour, broadcasting for CBS, working on his movie and sitcom, speaking at corporate outings, and enjoying the “ups and downs” of his very busy, very fun life.

Read More

Videos

Request Availability

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Golf for Dummies

This speaker tailors this topic for each event. Please let us know if you'd like us to source a topic description.

Life's Ups and Downs, Goods & Bads: It Wouldn't be Fun Any Other Way

This speaker tailors this topic for each event. Please let us know if you'd like us to source a topic description.

Golf, Humor, Motivation

This speaker tailors this topic for each event. Please let us know if you'd like us to source a topic description.

Booksby Gary McCord

Just a Range Ball in a Box of Titleists

Golf for Dummies

Blog Posts

Cultivating a Confidence Mindset and Go From Chaos to Triumph

Transform chaos into strategic success with a confident mindset—insights from mindset keynote speaker Andrew Busch.

Read More

The Power of Love: How Connection and Communication Drive Success

Love is more than romance—it’s about communication, growth, and connection. Discover how they drive success in your relationships and in life.

Read More

Motivational Speakers for Youth Empowerment: Inspiring the Next Generation

Fueling the Fire of Youth Empowerment Looking for the best motivational speakers for youth empowerment? We've got some great keynote speakers for you. In a world where young people face unprecedented challenges—social media pressures, economic...

Read More

Top Financial Speakers: Navigating Finance with Wisdom and Heart

Redefining Wealth Beyond Numbers: The Role of Top Financial Speakers In a world where the tumultuous tides of economic change challenge our every anchor, understanding finance transcends mere balance sheets and stock portfolios. It becomes a dance—a rhythm...

Read More

Creating a Loyal & Unified Team That Thrives Together

Build a loyal team that works together with insights from leadership expert Dennis Snow on customer experience.

Read More

The Power of Vulnerability: How True Leaders Build Trust and Growth

How embracing vulnerability leads to personal and professional growth, as leadership expert Rashmi Airan shares insights on building trust and resilience.

Read More

Related Speakers

Reviews & Ratings

Here's how toHit the mark with the perfect speaker!

1. Schedule a call

We’ll connect so we understand your needs to curate a selection of great speakers.

2. Book your speaker

We’ll manage all the details so you will be confident with your choice.

3. Wow your audience

Inform & educate your participants to ideas that transform their work & personal life.

Schedule a Call

Blog Posts

 

Cultivating a Confidence Mindset and Go From Chaos to Triumph

In today’s volatile environment, how can leaders transform chaos into a strategic advantage? The answer...

Read More

The Power of Love: How Connection and Communication Drive Success

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about love, chocolates and flowers—it’s about the relationships that define our...

Read More

Motivational Speakers for Youth Empowerment: Inspiring the Next Generation

Fueling the Fire of Youth Empowerment Looking for the best motivational speakers for youth empowerment?...

Read More

Top Financial Speakers: Navigating Finance with Wisdom and Heart

Redefining Wealth Beyond Numbers: The Role of Top Financial Speakers In a world where the...

Read More

Creating a Loyal & Unified Team That Thrives Together

What if your team’s service could be as magical as Disney’s, where employees feel valued...

Read More

The Power of Vulnerability: How True Leaders Build Trust and Growth

Struggling to create an open, transparent atmosphere within your teams? Trust might not be the...

Read More