State Of The Game

Latest Episodes:

SOG Ep 092 Master Coach Denis Pugh May 03, 2019

Show notes

Denis 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 truly elite.

Special Guest: Denis Pugh.

SOG Ep 091 The Masters Big Picture Apr 22, 2019

Show notes

Tiger 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 Mar 02, 2019

Show notes

Is 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 R&A Chief Martin Slumbers

Watson and Seve at St Andrews (19.03 is the start of the drama at the 17th):

Information and booking form for the Barnbougle Dunes Course Study Tour

SOG Ep 089: Saudi Arabia, Hao Tong Li and Augusta National Feb 01, 2019

Show notes

The 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 course may be moving back in the right direction. You can find Geoff's excellent 2010 piece, which is referenced on the episode, here. To get in on the Barnbougle Dunes Course Study Tour click here.

SOG Ep 088: Lucy Li and the Rules of Amateur Status Jan 11, 2019

Show notes

Most 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 has some thoughts on Royal Melbourne where he is caddying in this week's Master of the Amateurs tournament, we ask if Adam Scott might be the saviour of the Presidents Cup and for those playing the drinking game at home the advice is to go easy in the early stages. Also, don't forget our course study tour to Barnbougle Dunes with Mike Clayton coming up in May. You not only get to play some holes with Mike but also have the oportunity to pick the brain of one of the the game's most interesting thinkers and forthright speakers on any and all things golf. It will be golf nerd heaven so for more details and to book your place download the brochure and booking form here.

SOG Ep 087: Ru Macdonald and the power of Instagram Dec 23, 2018

Show notes

Interested 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 is the best and makes his case - with the help of Scottich Golf Podcast 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 below) as well as plenty of good advice on how to use the platofrom fo those who are new to it. Also, keep an eye out for Mike Clayton's promised Instagram Story in coming weeks to promote the 2019 SOG Golf Course Study Tour to Barnbougle Dunes. Follow Mike here and check out details of the Tour, including a brochure and booking form, here. You can follow Geoff Shackelford here, Ru Macdonald here and Rod Morri here (though not much content there yet). And below is the suggested accounts to follow discussed on the show. Full marks to Geoff Shackelford for uncovering Walter Geoffrey the French bulldog, easily the pick of the non golf suggestons!
Gary Lisbon golf photography
Bob Menery
Jon Cavalier (Links Gems)
Cruden Bay Golf Club
Sweetens Cove Golf Club
AirSwingMedia
European Tour
Erik Anders Lang
Christian Hafer (Hafe Life)
Castles of Scotland

Special Guest: Ru Macdonald.

SOG Ep 086: Richard Gillis and Over The Top TV Dec 16, 2018

Show notes

Golf 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 with Mike Clayton and lots of talk about GCA and the game more broadly for less than $1500. All you have to do is get yourself to Launceston airport and the rest is taken care of. Check out the information page, send us an email using the link at the bottom and we'll be in touch to finalise details.

Special Guest: Richard Gillis.

SOG Ep 085: Golf's New Rules Nov 22, 2018

Show notes

Golf'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, Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania. Three days of golf including playing holes with Mike Clayton and be part of recording an episode of the State of the Game podcast. Check out the GCA Tours tab at the top of the page for pricing and other details then click the link to register your interest via email.

SOG Ep 084: The Euro Tour and Saudi Arabia Nov 15, 2018

Show notes

Should 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 days.

SOG Ep 083: Jason Day Architecture Critic Oct 14, 2018

Show notes

Is 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 hope you enjoy Episode 83 of State of the Game.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected