Jim “Bones” Mackay was in Florida last week carrying someone else’s bag in front of the TV cameras. Only this wasn’t a tournament, and Mackay wasn’t working as a caddie. For several seasons now, Mackay has been host of the “Playing Lessons” series now on NBC Sports Next’s GolfPass. Last week’s show, which will be released later in the year ahead of the Paris Olympics, featured major champion Celine Boutier as the featured pro.
Other pros who have walked the fairways with Bones for the series include Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Sophia Popov, Keegan Bradley, Patty Tavatanakit and Patrick Cantlay.
Golfweek caught up with Mackay at ChampionsGate to talk about his role in television. While he’s currently caddying for Justin Thomas, Mackay did recently work as lead analyst for a PGA Tour telecast. He’ll also be an on-course reporter for next week’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur on NBC.
Here are excepts from that conversation:
