State Of The Game
131 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 77 ratingsState of the Game was one of the first golf podcasts to hit the internet and remains one of the most respected. Hosted by Rod Morri and boasting two of the game's most important voices in co-hosts Mike Clayton and Geoff Shackelford, State of the Game is the go to podcast for untainted and unfiltered analysis of the game at every level. If you're looking for swing tips and gear reviews you've come to the wrong place but for thoughtful discussion about the big issues facing the game you'll find this a comfortable home.
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Episodes
SOG 130: Frank Nobilo
January 05, 2024 20:00 - 1 hour - 61.8 MBTV 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. Links mentioned on this e...
SOG 129: The Politics of Public Golf with Dan Andrews
October 25, 2023 19:00 - 1 hour - 43.7 MBPublic 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.
SOG 128: Digging Deeper on Saudi Arabia with Dr Joshua Ralston
October 14, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBLIV 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. Sign up for Geoff's excellent Quadrilateral substack here (https://quadrilateral.substack.com) Buy Mackellar Magazine here https://www.mckellarmagazine.com. You won't regret it. And listen to the Mackellar podcast here...
SOG 127: WTF Is Going On?
June 08, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 80.8 MBDespite 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 the Georgee Thomas designed LACC next week plus the release of co host Geoff Shackelford's latest book.
SOG 126: Grab A Drink Because This One Is All About The Ball
March 18, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBIt'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.
SOG 125: It's Been A While
February 02, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 74.2 MBEven 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, a Seven Mile Beach update 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 ...
SOG 124: Seven Mile Beach Update
September 07, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBLet'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 ...
SOG 123: The Open with Matt Griffin
August 04, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBTheodore 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.
SOG 122: Enough LIV, Time To Talk the Old Course
July 06, 2022 21:45 - 1 hour - 58 MBIt 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.
SOG 121: Joe Ogilvie talks LIV Golf
June 22, 2022 23:00 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBThere'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.
SOG 120: Distance Insights and more
March 18, 2022 20:00 - 1 hour - 61.9 MBIt'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.
SOG 119: Well That Escalated Quickly
March 03, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 65.6 MBThe 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.
118: Is The Sandbelt Invitational the Future of Golf?
December 28, 2021 01:00 - 1 hour - 63.7 MBIt 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.
SOG 117: Golf's Hot Mess: Greg Norman, Saudi Arabia, The PGL and the PGA Tour
November 10, 2021 17:00 - 1 hour - 63.2 MBHaving trouble keeping up with who's who and what's what in the tumultuous world of rival golf leagues? Join the club. Thankfully, State of the Game co-host Geoff Shackelford is across it all as he joins Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to explain the evolving world Golf Order, the green reading book ban and the intriguing Sandbelt Invitational.
SOG Ep 116: So Yeon Ryu
October 17, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 54.5 MBIn 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.
SOG 115:Ryder Cup Preview With Andrew Coltart
September 15, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 52.3 MBIt'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.
SOG 114: Lawrence Donegan On McKellar, Matchplay and More
August 30, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 52.8 MBMcKellar 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. To take advantage of the special offer at the McKellar website (https://www.mckellarmagazine.com/shop/), enter SOTG...
SOG 113: Richard Gillis and Golf's New World Order
August 12, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 52.5 MBFor 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. If you...
SOG 112: PGL v PGA Tour
June 11, 2021 21:00 - 1 hour - 58.3 MBWashington 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.
SOG 111: Hideki and the PIP
April 24, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 45.8 MBThe 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.
SOG 110: Distance Insights
February 09, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 45.1 MBGeoff 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.
SOG 109: Super Sized Golf With Phil Blackmar
January 17, 2021 02:00 - 1 hour - 60 MBHe 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 (https://pblackmar.wordpress.com/2021/01/02/golfs-biggest-self/) and the rest of Blackmar's blog posts here. (https://pblackmar.wordpress.com) Also, make sure to sign up for Geoff Shackelfor...
SOG 19: Super Sized Golf With Phil Blackmar
January 17, 2021 02:00 - 1 hour - 60 MBHe 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 (https://pblackmar.wordpress.com/2021/01/02/golfs-biggest-self/) and the rest of Blackmar's blog posts here. (https://pblackmar.wordpress.com) Also, make sure to sign up for Geoff Shackelfor...
SG 108: The Masters With Lukas Michel
November 18, 2020 19:00 - 1 hour - 50.2 MBA look at the 2020 Masters from both inside and outside the ropes when Lukas Michel joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri.
SOG 107: Brandel And The Claytonites
October 29, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 51.3 MBOn 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. Find Daniel's book on Amazon here (https://www.amazon.com/Timeless-Game-Some-Thoughts-Topics/dp/B08CWB7QYH/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=A+Ti...
Ep 106: Will Winged Foot Be The Turning Point In The Distance Debate?
September 22, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBIt'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.
Ep 105: Geoff Ogilvy, The Bryson Debate and More
July 03, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 63.1 MBWill 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. Links menitoned on this episode: Sandy Jamieson's brilliant 1Club (https://1club.golf)concept The TalkinGolf Network (https://talkingolf.com) The Thing About Golf (https://talkingolf.com/show/the-thing-about-golf/) ...
Ep 104: What Will Become Of The European Tour?
April 14, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 41.2 MBWith 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...
Ep 103: The Corona Virus Episode
March 19, 2020 23:00 - 54 minutes - 24.9 MBIt'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.
Ep 102: The Show We Never Thought We'd Have
February 06, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 31.7 MBFinally. 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.
Ep 101: The Premier Golf League Bombshell
January 27, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 42 MBNot 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 poten...
SOG Ep100: And they said we'd never make it...
January 21, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 30.7 MBIt 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 podcasts to choose from, 'fan media' is apparently a thing and both the European and PGA Tours have different leaders. But the ball still goes too far, lots of players still don't 'get it' and Mike Clayton is still - despite what Miguel Angel Ji...
SOG Ep 099: A Very Special Announcement
October 16, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 32.8 MBState of the Game co-host Mike Clayton has some very special news to share on episode 99 of the show. After almost 10 years alongside Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Cocking and Ashley Mead in the OCCM design firm the former European Tour player has departed the company in search of new opportunities. First up is an announcement that he will be a collaborative partner with two of the world's best known and most highly respected designers, Frank Pont and Mike DeVries, in a new venture called CDP Golf. The...
SOG Ep 098: Distance, Money and Brandel Chamblee
September 03, 2019 00:00 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBGeoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and host Rod Morri delve into recent happenings in the world of golf and analyse what it means for the bigger picture. From the distance debate (of course) and changes in the PGA Tour schedule to whether a $15 million payday is off putting and is the LPGA playing courses that are too easy? All that comes under the microscope as well as Brandel Chamblee's surprise switch of position back to advocating for bifurcation of the professional and amateur game. Links m...
SOG Ep 097: The Open Washup And Is Something Happening With The Ball?
July 26, 2019 18:45 - 1 hour - 43.3 MBThe success of Royal Portrush, Xander Schauffele and the driver controversy, are the authorities planning to do something about the ball in the autumn and why you can't say anything bad about Memphis. All that and more in episode 97 of State of the Game. Links mentioend on this episode: Geoff's story on the Distance Report (https://golfweek.com/2019/07/17/golf-distance-report-martin-slumbers-technology-driven-game/?utm_source=smg&utm_medium=wasabi&utm_content=home-latest-news) Mark Giannotto...
SOG Ep 096: McGinley Takes Irish Open Back To The Future
June 27, 2019 19:00 - 1 hour - 32.1 MBThere is much excitement among architecture types about next week's Irish Open at the famed Lahinch in County Clare. Tournament host Paul McGinley joins Episode 96 of the show to explain how he plans to take the event back to the future making the on-site experience one that far exceeds watching on TV. The 2014 Ryder Cup captain says tournament goers can expect a festival atmosphere in the tiny town of Lahinch as the entire week will be a celebration of the game. Special Guest: Paul McGinley.
SOG Ep 095: Expect A Spiritual US Open At Pebble beach
June 09, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 23.3 MBAs the Old Course is to Scotland so Pebble Beach is to America and a US Open on the Monterey Peninsula is something a bit special. Join Pebble beach devotee Geoff Shackelford alongside Mike Clayton and Rod Morri for a breakdown of what role the course might play at this week's 119th US Open as well as some discussion on the Hank Haney controversy from last week's US Women's Open and what the fallout might mean in the bigger picture. Links mentioned on this episode: Geoff Shackelford's story f...
SOG Ep 094: Barnbougle Dunes Course Study Tour
May 29, 2019 03:00 - 1 hour - 30.9 MBIt always promised to be an interesting experiment and it was. The inaugural State of the Game Golf Course Study Tour to Barnbougle Dunes earlier this month had a bit of everything but, as expected, the highlight was the chance to sit down with Mike Clayton for an 'unplugged' podcast/Q&A session. Clayton touches on everything from how the Barnbougle project got off the ground to stories from the European Tour from the 80's and 90's. Its everything you'd expect it to be and more and if you mi...
SOG Ep 093: Bob Denney on AW Tillinghast
May 08, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 25.6 MBWith the PGA Championship set to return to the Bethpage Black course in New York next week there will be plenty of discussion about course design AW Tillinghast. While known mostly as a course architect, Tillinghast had many more strings to his bow including a well known - though little understood - tour of the US during the depression years to advise courses on more financially sustainable management practises. What is less known is the extensive records he kept of that period and PGA Histor...
SOG Ep 092 Master Coach Denis Pugh
May 02, 2019 18:00 - 1 hour - 21.1 MBDenis Pugh is a 40 year overnight success story. In his early years as a coach his theories were often scorned but having worked with more than 200 touring professionals - including Colin Montgomerie, our own Mike Clayton and of course the reigning Open Champion Francesco Molinari - his thirst for knowledge and communication skills have been proven. Denis talks everything from what it takes to succeed at the top level in the modern game to how he helped Molinari go from merely very good to tr...
SOG Ep 091 The Masters Big Picture
April 22, 2019 03:00 - 1 hour - 32.6 MBTiger Woods winning his fifth green jacket was something special but The Masters is about so much more than just the 72 holes each year. Join Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri as they break down what the 2019 Masters means in the bigger picture, from changes to the course (in particular the fifth hole) to media, technology and the role of the Augusta National Women's Amateur. Oh, and there's a brief mention of the possibility that distance might be an issue as well.
SOG Ep 090: Old Course Rough and Rules, Rules, Rules
March 02, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 30.5 MBIs golf going into meltdown or are we just having a rough patch because of the new rules? Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri delve into the seemingly weekly rules snafus in the professional game while also touching on the 'enhanced' rough we can expect at the 2021 Open at St Andrews and what might happen if the pro game made its own rules. Links mentioned in this episode: John Huggan talks to (https://www.golfdigest.com/story/political-issues-in-and-out-of-golf-have-ra-chief-martin...
SOG Ep 089: Saudi Arabia, Hao Tong Li and Augusta National
February 01, 2019 00:00 - 1 hour - 30.6 MBThe storm over the European Tour's visit to Saudi Arabia is only intensifying but it's not the only controversy bubbling in golf. There is still lots of disquiet over the penalising of Hao Tong Li in Dubai as well as discussion about Lucas Herbert's explanation of his actions in removing loose impediments with his club in wasteland at the same event. It's not all bad news though, with Geoff Shackelford believing changes to the 5th hole at Augusta National made public this week suggest the cou...
SOG Ep 088: Lucy Li and the Rules of Amateur Status
January 10, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 21.2 MBMost were expecting a rules controversy early in 2019 but few could have predicted what has transpired with 16-year-old Lucy Li. The world's number nine ranked non-professional player looks all but certain to be stripped of her amateur status after appearing in an online video ad promoting the Apple watch in direct contravention of the rules.The USGA is yet to release a formal decision but SOG co-host Geoff Shackelford says in many ways the issue is one of the USGA's own making. Mike Clayton ...
SOG Ep 087: Ru Macdonald and the power of Instagram
December 22, 2018 21:00 - 1 hour - 26.2 MBInterested in golf course architecture and wondering the best social media platform to indulge your passion? Golf Channel regular, popular blogger and SOG co-host Geoff Shackelford says Instagram (https://www.instagram.com) is the best and makes his case - with the help of Scottich Golf Podcast (http://scottishgolfpodcast.com) host and European Tour Social media team member Ru Macdonald - on episode 87 of SOG. There are a bunch of Instagram accounts menitoned in this episode (find the list be...
SOG Ep 086: Richard Gillis and Over The Top TV
December 15, 2018 19:00 - 1 hour - 27.5 MBGolf on TV is big business and its in the midst of some dramatic change. Sports business writer and consultant Richard Gillis joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to explain the concept of 'Over the top TV' and why the game's two biggest Tours - and Tiger Woods - are rushing to be a part of it. Also, for the golf course architecture nuts, places are now open for our Golf Course Study Tour to Barnbougle Dunes with Mike Clayton in May 2019. Three days of golf including playing wi...
SOG Ep 085: Golf's New Rules
November 22, 2018 04:00 - 1 hour - 67.1 MBGolf's new rules come into effect in less than two months but how many people are really ready? USGA Manager of Rules Outreach & Programming Joe Foley joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to discuss that plus lots more including backstopping and the potential for bifurcating the game's equipment rules. Also, we are excited to announce our inaugural Golf Course Architecture golf and live podcast Tour will take place May 3-5 2019 at one of the game's greatest public venues, Barnb...
SOG Ep 084: The Euro Tour and Saudi Arabia
November 14, 2018 20:00 - 1 hour - 48.5 MBShould the European Tour be playing a tournament in Saudi Arabia? Simple question, complicated set of answers. Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri are joined by Middle East expert Arthur MacMillan to discuss the as yet unnamed Saudi event and what its future might be in the wake of the murder of journalist Jamal Khassoggi. There's also some thoughts on Rory McIlroy's commments on the European Tour, some Tiger observations and a heartwarming story about Mike Clayton from his playing ...
SOG Ep 083: Jason Day Architecture Critic
October 14, 2018 03:15 - 1 hour - 82.4 MBIs the handicap system killing golf's adventurous spirit? Will we ever see George Thomas' 'course within a course' concept catch on? Does Jason Day have any credibility when he suggests architects are to blame in golf's distance debate? Is the Tiger/Phil match just the first in what could become a new golf franchise? All this plus some chat about the Ryder Cup course, Tiger Woods' unusual interview at Le Golf National and we ask if there is simply too much professional golf being played? We h...
Episode 82: SOG Ep 82 Ran Morrissett
September 13, 2018 00:59 - 1 hour - 60.4 MBLast month Ran Morrissett published a list of 147 courses he nominated as 'Custodians of the Game'. The venues all promote the simplest and most joyful elements of the game, from width and playing angles to walking and simple green keeping practises. But the pre-amble to the list was at least as - if not more interesting than - the list itself and Ran joins Mike Clayton and host Rod Morri to discuss his thinking when putting together his list.