Episodes
This week Geoff Shackelford and Lawrence Donegan discuss Rory MCIlroy's resignation from the PGA Tour's policy board, the latest news from the negotiations over the future of professional golf, and disaster that was Netflix's first foray into live golf streaming. Also, we give a shout out to Youth on Course - leading the way in actually growing the game, as opposed to talking about growing the game.
Published 11/16/23
Feels like the money men (and it's mostly men) have been dominating the golf world this past week. Geoff Shackelford and Lawrence Donegan dissect the news that the PGA Tour is in the final stages of finding a "private equity partner" that will fund its future as a for-profit business and take a look at the shortlist. The made-for-TV TGL golf league is gearing up for a January launch. What do Shack and Lawrence think of the idea? Find out here.
Published 11/08/23
This week Geoff Shackelford and Lawrence Donegan discuss the genius of Royal Melbourne, more rumours as the VC big cats circle the world of pro golf, Luke Donald and 2025 Ryder Cup. They are joined by Friend of the Pod David Jones - aka UKGolfGuy - to discuss Golf magazine's world top 100 ranking list.
Published 11/01/23
This week Geoff Shackelford and Lawrence Donegan the 2023 Asia Pacific Amateur at Royal Melbourne and the latest developments in the "Framework Agreement"machinations. The main event, however, is a chat with Alan Shipnuck about his new book on the LIV business, LIV and Let Die.
Published 10/25/23
OWGR Chairman Peter Dawson announces LIV Golf is ineligible for world ranking points. Shackelford and Donegan discuss the (very plausible) case he makes. Our hosts also check in on how the "framework agreement" between PIF and the PGA Tour is doing, and celebrate the news that Portmarnock GC may have made its way onto the Open rota. A fun-packed show.
Published 10/12/23
This week Geoff Shackelfordand Lawrence Donegan discuss the biggest story of there week in golf. And also takealook back at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, the golf and all the off-course shenanigans.
Published 10/02/23
On the eve of the 2023 Ryder Cup, Geoff Shackelford and Lawrence Donegan are joined by Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post to look ahead to next week's contest in Italy. We also touch of on the touchiness of the modern day professional golfer.
Published 09/25/23
After a summer hiatus, your favorite smarty-pants golf Podcast is back. We catch up on Shackelford and Donegan's summer travels, discuss the Ryder Cup and drop a few hints about the hints currently circulating that suggests the PGA Tour, in the parlance of the 1950s American domestic drama, might be "fooling around" with someone else while the PIF is pre-occupied with avoiding scrutiny from the US Senate.
Published 09/20/23
In a special show the legendary Mike Clayton joins Shackelford and Donegan to discuss the PGA Tour's decision to ignore years of negotiations with, an accommodations by, the USGA and R&A, over a proposal to roll back the ball "elite competition golf". It's an elevated chat, even though we say so ourselves.
Published 07/28/23
A feisty episode this week, with Geoff on his way to the bookies to collect on the stunning Sepp Straka EW bet and Lawrence gets Rory's putting "coach: Bad Faxton off his chest (not literally, of course). Good fun.
Published 07/25/23
With Geoff Shackelford stymied by technical issues, Lawrence Donegan is joined by the legendary Mike Clayton to take a look ahead to this week's Open at Royal Liverpool. And a for a very special "Royal Liverpool" Friend of the Pod segment, we are joined by golf coach Alex Murray, whose insight on Tiger Woods' preparations for the 2006 Open could change the way golf historians will look back on Tiger's famously "strategic"approach when he won at Hoylake that year. A must listen.
Published 07/20/23
This week Geoff Shackelford and Lawrence Donegan got together immediately after the Senate Committee hearing into the PGA Tour/Saudi "arrangement" to discuss what was said and, more stunningly, what was revealed in the documents released by the committe. We also talked about the 2023 US Women's Open at Pebble.
Published 07/11/23
A very special show this week as Lawrence Donegan talks to Geoff Shackelford about his 2023 US Open week at Los Angeles Country Club, a major championship played on a George Thomas course that Geoff helped restore to its former glory. Some great insights and anecdotes from Shack. A must listen.
Published 06/21/23
Geoff Shackelford look ahead to this week's US Open at LA Country Club's North course.
Published 06/13/23
Geoff Shackelford and Lawrence Donegan discuss the joint announcement by the PGA Tour and Saudi's Public Investment Fund that they are going into business together, to hell with the promises, the faux morality and the moral blackmail. It was hard to know where to start with the shit show to end all shit shows, but we gave it our best shot.
Published 06/07/23
The brand new edition of McKellar magazine is out!! And so is Shackelford's new book!! To celebrate these great events, Geoff and Lawrence finally solve every problem still facing the game of golf, amateur and professional. All in the space of an hour. You are so welcome.
Published 06/02/23
Geoff and Lawrence look ahead to Glory's third last shot of 2023 on the the wonderfully restored Oak Hills golf course. They also discuss a fresh injection of nastiness in the LIV/PGA Tour battle with the news that the US Department of Justice's is making a serious effort to investigate anti-trust allegations against the PGA Tour.
Published 05/18/23
After a health-induced hiatus, Geoff Shackelford and Lawrence Donegan discuss the big events of the week in golf - Tiger's "retirement", European Tour cracks the whip on LIV, the "carpet bombing" TV coverage of major championships, the rise and rise of No Laying Up, Donald Trump's dodgy dealings with the Saudis attracts the interest of special counsel Jack Smith. A great conversation this week.
Published 05/12/23
This week Geoff Shackelford and Lawrence Donegan looolook back at the first women's major championship of the year, and bring some breaking news (kinda) on the future Open Championship hopes of beloved member of the championship rota. They are joined by Friend of the Pod, Stanford men's golf coach Conrad Ray, who offers his insight on the rapidly changing landscape (to say the least) of college golf. Be prepared to become well-informed.
Published 04/27/23
The brand new edition of McKellar magazine is now available for sale and to celebrate the occasion Geoff Shackelford and Lawrence Donegan dial up the "hot take" factor in their regular look back on events in golf - Slow play! Patrick Cantlay! Harbour Town! Brooks Kopeka's splayed left hand! Scotty Scheffler - nice guy, or not? What's next for the CEO of Symphony Ventures ! Fred Ridley! And please buy the new issue of McKellar. here is the...
Published 04/19/23
This week regular host Lawrence Donegan is joined by the Aussie legend Mike Clayton for a Master's week podcast about all things golf. They are joined from Augusta by this week's Friend of the Pod, Geoff Shackelford.
Published 04/05/23
The 2023 Masters is almost upon us. Geoff Shackelford and Lawrence Donegan look ahead to what promises to be a fantastic week at Augusta National Golf Club.
Published 03/30/23
In the latest episode our intrepid hosts discuss this week's big events in golf - the demise of the World Matchplay, belt tightening at LIVGolf , the changing face of golf's "media establishment", and Rory McIlroy's ability to identify and ride that wave, plus his frankly stunning (and smart) intervention in the ball rollback debate. Friend of the Pod is Nick O'Hern, matchplay conqueror of Tiger Woods and one of shortest hitters to ever make a serious living on the PGA Tour.
Published 03/23/23
This week our intrepid hosts wander through the thick undergrowth of the week in golf, celebrating the wonders of state and local golf associations and berating the conspicuous capitalism of college golf team that fly private. What are we teaching these kids? We look back at the Players and ahead to Scottie Scheffler's Masters champions' dinner. Our Friend of the Pod is Geoff Shackelford, author of 2004 "classic" (it says here) The Future of Golf which looked forward to the day when  USGA and...
Published 03/17/23
This week Geoff and Lawrence are joined by Friend of the Pod, Joe Ogilvie, one of the smartest, most thoughtful guys to ever play in the professional ranks. Joe, once touted as a future PGA Tour commissioner, gives us his thoughts on the tour's proposed schedule changes  for 2024, both the good and the baffling, and what one version of the future might hold for LIV.  It is definitely an "elevated" discussion. Before that, our co-hosts talk women's college golf, NBC's coverage, and this week's...
Published 03/08/23