SOG 117: Golf's Hot Mess: Greg Norman, Saudi Arabia, The PGL and the PGA Tour

SOG 130: Frank Nobilo: TV commentators get their fair share of criticism but few can take issue with New Zealand's Frank Nobilo who joins episode 130 of State of the Game. Nobilo is as thoughtful and articulate as any analyst in the business and he's also not afraid to speak his mind on everything from 'rollback' (he doesn't like the term) to his controversial belief that golfers are overpaid. There's also a bonus Mac O'Grady story in this episode for those who are into that sort of thing. by State Of The Game

90 min listen

SOG 129: The Politics of Public Golf with Dan Andrews: Public golf facilities around the world are under pressure as a recent announcement to shut down half of Moore Park in Sydney, one of the nation's busiest public courses, proves. So what are the politics of public golf in a world where cities face increasing housing pressure? Former Victorian Premier and avid golfer Dan Andrews joins the pod to discuss how golf can better make its case in the debate over how we use our public space. by State Of The Game

64 min listen

SOG 128: Digging Deeper on Saudi Arabia with Dr Joshua Ralston: LIV Golf has brought Saudi Arabia into sharp focus for golf and golfers but how much do we really know about the Kingdom and how it works? Dr Joshua Ralston from the Edinburgh University School of Divinity joins the pod to discuss some of the big, ethical questions facing golf. by State Of The Game

88 min listen

SOG 127: WTF Is Going On?: Despite almost no detail of how it will play out the announcement by the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund that they have ceased legal hostilities and will instead join forces has rocked the golf world. What does it mean? Who knows but there is much to speculate on. It's also not the only thing happening in the golf world with a most intriguing US Open coming up at LACC next week and co host Geoff Shackelford's latest book being released. by State Of The Game

118 min listen

SOG 126: Grab A Drink Because This One Is All About The Ball: It's taken 126 episodes and lord knows how much drinking by you, the loyal SOG listeners, but finally the USGA and R and A have listened and the ball is going to be rolled back. Sure it's not enough and of course it's too late but it's a step in the right direction and that's cause for celebration. by State Of The Game

88 min listen

SOG 125: It's Been A While: Even for State of the Game it's been a long break and even for us it's a long episode. But there was a lot to get through with Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton on Episode 125 including (but not limited to) The Australian Summer of Golf, LIV, the changing nature of digital media, how architecture has become more mainstream and plenty more as well. There's also some chat about Geoff's upcoming book Golf Architecture For Normal People which you can pre order at the links below. by State Of The Game

108 min listen

SOG 124: Seven Mile Beach Update: Let's leave the parlous state of world golf behind for a while and get back to talking one of our favourite topics here on SOG: course architecture. On Ep 124 Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri welcome Mike Devries and Mat Goggin for an update on the highly anticipated Seven Mile Beach project in Hobart, Tasmania. For those playing the drinking game Ep 124 will be disappointing...you can leave the bottle opener in the drawer as there's not a single mention of distance (or even LIV Golf!) by State Of The Game

84 min listen

SOG 123: The Open with Matt Griffin: Theodore Roosevelt said it best in his 'Man in the Arena' speech more than 100 years ago and we took note in this episode of State of the Game. Matt Griffin, who teed up at the 150th Open, joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to talk all things St Andrews. by State Of The Game

85 min listen

SOG 122: Enough LIV, Time To Talk the Old Course: It won't go away but LIV Golf and all its implications can take a back seat for the next two weeks as golf hopefully celebrates everything good about the game with an Open Championship at the Old Course. Come along for the ride as Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton talk all things St Andrews. by State Of The Game

84 min listen

SOG 121: Joe Ogilvie talks LIV Golf: There's probably not a lot left to say on the LIV Golf situation but when you get the chance to pick the brains of someone as smart as Joe Ogilvie you grab it. by State Of The Game

85 min listen

SOG 120: Distance Insights and more: It's happening too slowly for many but it does look like it IS happening. Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton join host Rod Morri to discuss the 'under the radar' distance announcement, TPC Sawgrass, the Saudi League and more. by State Of The Game

90 min listen

SOG 119: Well That Escalated Quickly: The Mickelson mess, the Norman missive, the distance report, beer throwing at Phoenix, falling TV ratings...take your pick we discuss it all with Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton on Ep 119 of State of the Game. by State Of The Game

96 min listen

118: Is The Sandbelt Invitational the Future of Golf?: It was the most intriguing tournament of the year on multiple fronts but does the Sandbelt Invitational have a future? Tournament Director and State of the Game co-host Mike Clayton joins Geoff Shackelford and Rod Morri for an in depth and behind the scenes look at the event that had golf nerds the world over salivating. by State Of The Game

93 min listen

SOG Ep 116: So Yeon Ryu: In a world of all too often non-descript players, Korea's So Yeon Ryu stands out. Intelligent, thoughtful, eloquent and funny - all in a second language - what a treat it was to welcome the former World Number One to episode 116 alongside Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri. by State Of The Game

79 min listen

SOG 115:Ryder Cup Preview With Andrew Coltart: It's that time in the golf cycle again....the interminable wait for the Ryder Cup to get underway. With a week and a bit to go before the first ball is struck former European Tour player now Sky Sorts commentator Andrew Coltart joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to talk all things Whistling Straits and more. by State Of The Game

76 min listen

SOG 114: Lawrence Donegan On McKellar, Matchplay and More: McKellar Magazine co-founder Lawrence Donegan joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to talk about his recent trip to Scotland, the performance of his son Niall at the British Boys Championship, the success and future of McKellar magazine and more. And there's a special reward for those who stick around till the end, after you hear it click the link below and enjoy. by State Of The Game

77 min listen

SOG 113: Richard Gillis and Golf's New World Order: For just the second time in its 12-year history, State of the Game bears an 'Explicit' badge this week. Why, you ask? You'll need to listen to find out but among the topics covered are: Is 'Strategic Alliance' really just code for a PGA Tour takeover of the European Tour? And if so, is that a bad thing? One of sports business' best analysts Richard Gillis joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri on Episode 113 to dissect what's happening at the top end of professional golf. by State Of The Game

77 min listen

SOG 112: PGL v PGA Tour: Washington journalist and golf nut Arthur MacMillan joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to chat Premier Golf League, Jon Rahm and Covid, the US Open and plenty more. by State Of The Game

85 min listen

SOG 111: Hideki and the PIP: The impact of Hideki's win in his homeland and the PGA Tour's Player Impact Program. Plenty to talk about when eight time major winning caddy and Japan resident Tom Watson joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri for Episode 111 of State of the Game. by State Of The Game

67 min listen

SOG 110: Distance Insights: Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton have been two of the most consistent and credible voices in the distance debate for the past 20 years and with the governing bodies looking likely to finally act, they have their say on Episode 110. by State Of The Game

66 min listen

SOG 109: Super Sized Golf With Phil Blackmar: He writes too infrequently but when Phil Blackmar puts pen to paper it is always worth reading. The former PGA Tour player turned Golf Channel analyst joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri on Episode 109 to talk about his most recent blog post, Golf's Biggest Self. You can read the post here by State Of The Game

87 min listen

SG 108: The Masters With Lukas Michel: A look at the 2020 Masters from both inside and outside the ropes when Lukas Michel joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri. by State Of The Game

73 min listen

SOG 107: Brandel And The Claytonites: On Episode 107 we welcome author Daniel Wexler to discuss his latest book A Timeless Game but quickly run off topic into the future of golf in urban centres, equipment technology and the distance debate and there is some pontificating early on about Brandel Chamblee's personal attack on co-host Mike Clayton and those who agree with his views on the game. by State Of The Game

75 min listen

Ep 106: Will Winged Foot Be The Turning Point In The Distance Debate?: It's the topic everyone is talking about but not everyone is Mike Clayton and Geoff Shackelford. Two of the most respected voices in the game weigh in on Bryson, Winged Foot and the future of golf. by State Of The Game

82 min listen

Ep 105: Geoff Ogilvy, The Bryson Debate and More: Will Bryson DeChambeau change the game? What is the role of mentors in golf? How much time should a US Open champion spend on YouTube and Instagram looking at golf swings? All that and more on Episode 105 of State of the Game with Geoff Shackelford, Geoff Ogilvy and Mike Clayton. by State Of The Game

82 min listen

Ep 104: What Will Become Of The European Tour?: With professional golf on hold for the foreseeable future only one thing is certain: the pay for play game will look very different on the other side of the Corona Virus pandemic. Can the European Tour survive the current crisis and if not will it be the PGA Tour or the Premier Golf League that becomes its saviour? Just one of the myriad questions pondered when Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri are joined by sports business expert Richard Gillis on Episode 104 of State of the Game. by State Of The Game

95 min listen

Ep 103: The Corona Virus Episode: It's all anybody's talking about. Including us. The Corona Virus has touched every facet of life, golf included, and is going to do so for the foreseeable future. What does it mean for professional and recreational golf? Who knows? Certainly not Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri but we chat about it anyway. by State Of The Game

55 min listen

Ep 102: The Show We Never Thought We'd Have: Finally. That's been the predominant response to the Distance Insights Report released earlier this week, a document that may well change the shape of the game for decades to come. Among the most vocal agitators for action on this issue for the past two decades have been Mike Clayton and Geoff Shackelford and on Ep 102 they have their say on the report and what it means. by State Of The Game

68 min listen

Ep 101: The Premier Golf League Bombshell: Not for the first time a World Golf Tour has been proposed with the noble intention of having 'the best play against the best more often'. Premier League Golf has been in the planning for several years and many of the world's top players have admitted to being interested. But can the PGA Tour put a stop to it and if not what would that mean for the Tour and the rest of world golf? Join Geoff Shackelford - the journalist who broke the story - Mike Clayton and Rod Morri as they ponder the potential fallout. by State Of The Game

84 min listen

SOG Ep100: And they said we'd never make it...: It was exactly eight years ago today we released Episode One of 'The golf podcast that talks about stuff that matters' and 100 shows later has anything really changed in the game? The answer - as always - is both yes and no. There are dozens more golf podcast to choose from and a movement of apparently 'fan media' but the ball still goes too far, lots of players still don't 'get it' and Mike Clayton is still - despite what Mguel Angel Jimenez might say - the most interesting man in golf (as well as being among its greatest contributors). Episode 100 is not a look back show but if you're in the market for an interesting experiment head to the back catalogue and have a listen to that first episode and you'll hear many of the same themes resonate in the game in 2020. by State Of The Game

65 min listen

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SOG 117: Golf's Hot Mess: Greg Norman, Saudi Arabia, The PGL and the PGA Tour

SOG 117: Golf's Hot Mess: Greg Norman, Saudi Arabia, The PGL and the PGA Tour

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