CSGA (March 29): In the age of coronavirus, let’s hope a golfer’s greatest hazard is cabin fever.
With that in mind, we investigate golf podcasts, of which there are zillions on subjects ranging from instruction to golf history to architecture and course construction. Some are great. Some are great depending on that episode’s guest. Some are funny. Some are educational. Stick with one or skip around, there’s plenty to investigate.
If you’re used to highly produced podcasts such as Radio Lab, set your sights a bit lower. With most golf podcasts, it’s not about the production, it’s about the conversation. What follows is not a ranking or a rating. Think of it as a sampler. The great thing about podcasts is that episodes are archived. You can catch up on good episodes you’re missed.
The podcasts, most monthly, are grouped somewhat by subject, but that’s difficult with golf podcasts, because many range far and wide. They are found on different services. We’ve linked to help you find them.
Our list is not exhaustive. Let us know about podcasts you like.
General
No Laying Up. An informal survey of Connecticut competitors put this one at the top of the list. NLU’s menu is “all things golf.” We’ll add, with a sense of humor. It’s done by Phil “Big Randy” Lande and Todd “Tron Carter” Schuster. Spinoff: Shotgun Start.
Golf Digest Podcast. The strength of this Golf Digest’s podcast is its variety and the Digest staff. Equipment, fitness, some architecture, instruction and lots on the tours, it covers the gamut, with editors who know their beats.
GOLF Podcast. From Golf Magazine and golf.com. The fact that writers Michael Bamberger and Alan Shipnuck appear on this one, along with host Sean Zak, makes it worth your time.
On the Mark, from PGA Tour. Mark Immelman has experience as a broadcaster, instructor, college coach and author, and he gets some very good guests to talk about all of those things and more. Immelman has also partnered with Kyle Porter of CBS on the First Cut podcast, a weekly, that also gets into betting and fantasy golf.
Forward Press Podcast from GolfWeek. Cheshire’s David Dusek, a senior writer at GolfWeek hosts, and produces a podcast with a ton of variety and good guests: Tour players male and female, caddies, writers, industry leaders.
The Golfer’s Journal. Not from the USGA, but rather an ancillary project of the quarterly Golfer’s Journal, a publication dedicated to “quiet” feature-length journalism. Interesting mix of instruction, architecture and news, with host Tom Coyne.
State of the Game. Most podcasts air weekly, usually in the middle of the week. State of the Game is less regular. But with host Rod Morri and co-hosts Michael Clayton and Geoff Shackelford, it’s usually worth the wait. Smart and thoughtful. https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/state-of-the-game-talkingolf-productions-RPstCYhf5Xj/
Hank Haney Podcast. Haney, former Tiger Woods coach and author of the tell-all The Big Miss, lives to stir things up. His podcast, generally on the issue—or scandal— of the day, does the same. Good guests and Hank knows his stuff.
Brandel Chamblee Podcast with Jaime Diaz. Chamblee is outspoken, often controversial, and Diaz challenges him. Good combination on issues like the distance debate. Other podcasts from Golf Channel: Rory & Carson, with Rory McIlroy and Carson Daly; Feherty; 4-1-1with Chantel McCabe, 1 Up Podcast with Gary Williams and the Golf Central Podcast and College Golf Talk. Some monthly, some weekly.
Get a Grip, with PGA Tour Player Max Homa and journalist Shane Bacon. We like this one for Max’s perspective: A young player very appreciative for being where he is….on tour, having fun, into it. Bacon and Homa take questions, too.
Erik Anders Lang Podcast. Quirky mix of “Travel, Fashion, Comedy.” One week Architect Gil Hanse or Tom Doak, the next a segment on watches. Personal, experiential, philosophical in spots. https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-erik-lang-show
Next on the Tee. Broadcaster Chris Mascaro’s podcast is one of the oldest, with more than 350 episodes. Mix of tour pros and high-level instructors, with quite a few female guests, including, of late former LPGA Tour player and administrator, Jane Geddes.
The Back of the Range Podcast, hosted by Ben Adelberg is weekly, almost always one guest to an episode, with a good mixture: From Jack Nicklaus to Clemson Coach Larry Penley, and everybody in between.
Women
The Women of Golf Podcast. Weekly, with Ted Odorico and LPGA professional Cindy Miller. Not many podcasts devoted to women in golf or to interviews with women such as the one WOG did recently with golf pioneer Renee Powell. The LPGA has also done On the Tee podcast, but it is infrequent.
Fairway Tales Podcast, from PGA of America. Stories about girls and women in golf. Interviews with Henni Zuel, who does all those interviews with Tiger for GOLFTV, and Chantel McCabe of Golf Channel are among recent episodes.
European View
McKellar Golf Podcast. John Huggan and Lawrence Donegan, founders of the new throwback, longform McKellar Magazine are both knowledgeable and outspoken, with a European viewpoint. Any podcast with a ‘Moaning Drive’ segment we like.
Pepper Pod. More European perspective from European tour player Eddie Pepperell and broadcaster Andrew Cotter. Looking at the majors and international competition from a Old Country perspective with guests that have included of late European Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington. Our vote for best logo.
Edgy
Fore Play Podcast. Sam Riggs Bozoian is the Commissioner of one of golf’s more irreverent podcasts from Barstool Sports. He and “Luggage Guy Trent” do a show that dares to ask questions such as, “If you finish a hole and say, ‘I shot a six’ does that make you a moron?” Fun. Edgy. Not for the persnickety.
Club Pro Guy. From a man who says he “made more than a dozen cuts on the Mexican Mini Tour, including the famed Yucatan Masters,” Club Pro Guy gets some good, and smartly chosen guests. They range from well-known—Champion Tour player Scott McCarron—to not so—caddie and former player Kip Henley. Inside and fun.
History
Talking Golf History, from the Society of G olf Historians, with Connor Lewis. Nice recent edition is focus on golf legends…players and leaders who have changed the game. You’ll learn something here.
Architecture
The Fried Egg. A great source of things architectural, with a bit of fitness and golf business tossed in. The creation of Illinois native Andy Johnson, The Fried Egg is strong on architecture—the making of Sawgrass, Tom Doak, Pete Dye—but may stray to general topics and issues, too. Johnson partners with Brendan Porath on the Shotgun Start podcast, with a wide range of topics.
Turfnet Renovation Report. Our of the mainstream, and that’s a good thing. Turfnet Renovation Report, with Connecticut native and author (The Finest Nines) Anthony Pioppi, goes into the weeds on golf course architecture and renovation. His conversation last year with Scott Ramsay on Yale’s refurbishment was a gem. If you like this, also check out Turfnet’s Turfgrass Zealot podcast. Industry publications Golf Course Magazine and Golf Industry Magazine also have podcasts.
Feed. The. Ball. with Derek Duncan. Another podcast devoted to course architecture and not just the names you know. Recent episodes with upcoming renovation expert Tyler Rae and Kyle Hegland, the superintendent at Sand Hills Golf Club. Nice.
Equipment
No Putts Given by My Golf Spy. If you don’t get enough equipment news from Golf Digest and GOLF pods, my Golf Spy is your next stop. Founder Adam Beach, pretty much stays on the golf gear topic, with segments on Best Drivers, Top Products at the PGA Show, etc. If you’re a gear-head, worth a listen. https://soundcloud.com/mygolfspy
Fitness/Instruction
18 Strong, where co-founders Ryan McMullen and Jeff Pelizzaro cover a lot of ground, using interviews with instructors, psychologists and trainers to provide tips and advice.
Golficity and its several hosts has a number of podcasts on general topics, some instruction one in particular, with almost 40 episodes, on physical preparation: Fitness for the Fairways. Worth checking out.
Junior/College
Only One Shot. Title of this podcast, hosted by former tour professional Jim Gallagher, Jr., is also the title of Mississippi instructor V.J. Trulio’s book for junior and college golfers. The podcast addresses that topic with good advice for young players.
Junior Golf Kies, with Matt Kies. Addressed to parents and players who want to know more about the road from junior golf to college.
Junior Golf Blueprint. Host Matt Walter is at his best when interviewing individual college coaches on how they evaluate and recruit golfers.
5 Under with Roger Knick. Youngest podcast on the list, for sure, and the most local. Knick is the Founder of Golf Performance Center in Ridgefield. He uses his staff and former students to talk instruction, college golf, fitness and mental-side training.
