We know that golf has become a global game and so has the dissemination of information about it. For the last few years the folks at TalkinGolf Radio in Australia have built a library of podcasts, for your listening and learning enjoyment, from interviews with a variety of notables in the game of golf.

Australian Rod Morri moderates these heady conversations along with the help of Geoff Shackelford of Golf Digest/Golf Channel/Geoff Shackelford.com, Mike Clayton a former Aussie touring professional now turned golf course designer, and Scottish columnist John Huggan. They cover an array of golf stuff that matters in unvarnished conversations without editorial constraints-this means no holds barred-they tell it like it is.

These world wide conversations come out about every fortnight with distinguished guests including authors, course architects, and dignitaries of the game. Their 39 episodes, each about an hour in length, have covered slow play, how money is ruining the game, marketing and the business of golf, bifurcation of the rules, Golden Age course architecture, and lots more. Guests have included golf analyst Judy Rankin, architect Gil Hanse, authors Mark Broadie and Curt Sampson, PGA of America President Ted Bishop, and Ran Morrissett one of the protagonists of GolfClubAtlas, the premier course architecture website.

I particularly enjoyed the conversation with Gil Hanse (episode 6) from 2012 right after he was awarded the task of designing the Olympic Course in Rio.  It gives your a real sense of the design/build approach his firm employs in all their design projects.  There is a wonderful rambling conversation between Morri, Clayton, and Shackelford (episode 32) about the charm and intrigue of Royal Melbourne.  The conversation (episode 39) with Ran Morrissett, the editor of GolfClubAtlas, is a treasure trove of content.  It covers everything from sand based course architecture with the restoration of Pinehurst #2  to the solace of playing with hickory clubs.  This man knows what is good golf and is not afraid to share his opinion.

You can subscribe to these podcasts for free through Apple iTunes/State of the Game or by downloading the free Apple Podcast app.

This is heady stuff that will fascinate the golf devoted. Perfect companion for a long ride to beach or a quite hour of golf meditation in your favorite easy chair.

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State of the Game

Talkin Golf Radio
May, 2014