State Of The Game

Latest Episodes:

SOG 132: Fast swings, slow play...musings on golf Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

They've never swung the club faster yet never moved so slowly on the course...speed in all the wrong places at the top of the game is just one of the issues covered in this episode of State of the Game with Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri.

SOG 131: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of modern golf Sep 19, 2024

Show notes

There's no shortage of division at the top of the men's game but even tawdry discussions about money can't sully the brilliance golf can offer up. Join Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri for a look at the Good, The Bad and The Ugly of golf in the mid 2020's.

SOG 130: Frank Nobilo Jan 06, 2024

Show notes

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.

Links mentioned on this episode:
Geoff Shackelford's 'The Quadrilateral'

SOG 129: The Politics of Public Golf with Dan Andrews Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

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.

SOG 128: Digging Deeper on Saudi Arabia with Dr Joshua Ralston Oct 15, 2023

Show notes

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.

Buy Mackellar Magazine here https://www.mckellarmagazine.com. You won't regret it.

And listen to the Mackellar podcast here.

Dr Josh Ralston on The Bag Drop podcast

SOG 127: WTF Is Going On? Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

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 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 Mar 18, 2023

Show notes

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.

SOG 125: It's Been A While Feb 02, 2023

Show notes

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, 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 links below.

Pre order the new Geoff Shackelford book in the US at Amazon and in Australia at Booktopia.

SOG 124: Seven Mile Beach Update Sep 08, 2022

Show notes

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!)

SOG 123: The Open with Matt Griffin Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

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.

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