Fore Play

Two interviews. That’s the show. We got Bubba Watson (00:06:15) in studio discussing his new book, “Up and Down,” and his simple hope that the book will help at least one other person. We discuss Bubba’s public recognition, his sideline status as a two-time Masters winner, and him “eight mile-ing” himself via the book. Then Matt Every (00:39:37) joins to discuss joining golf TV broadcasts, the ups and downs of a career, getting suspended and deciding to follow around Oasis for three months, and much more. Buckle up!

The weather community has been deceiving us for years. We react. Also, Greg Norman is becoming the face of a possible competing global golf league, Lucas Herbert breaks through in Bermuda, Riggs returns from Bandon, Frankie found himself in an escape room and much more. In From The Gallery: What are the chances Tiger Woods plays in the 2022 Masters? What is the best golf club for self defense against an intruder? Is it acceptable to bring a rangefinder to spectate a golf tournament?

Congratulations are in order for our very own Frankie Borrelli for getting engaged! We chat about Justin Thomas and Matthew Wolff congratulating Frankie on taking this monumental life step, the terminal velocity of golf balls in space, the absolute Fyre Fest going on in Bermuda, could the Fore Man Scramble win a U.S. Open in Championship conditions playing all four days, @UseGolfFacts is at it again, and tons more.

Live from the final Barstool Classic stop of the year at Cherry Valley on Long Island, we’ve got a lot to discuss. Frankie has again assumed the position of rockstar. Hideki Matsuyama won in Japan after calling his game less than a 1 out of 10. Trent went full Nashville. We debate how gravitational pull works and if/when there will be a golf course on the moon.

Skateboarding icon Ryan Sheckler (01:14:44) joins the show. Like all of us, he’s got the golf bug and he’s got it bad. We delve into being a child prodigy, turning pro at age 14, cool skateboarding vs golf lingo, and the similarities between improving one’s golf game and learning new tricks. Before Ryan, we discuss Riggs’ trip to Prairie Dunes in Kansas, not being a morning podcast and much more.

Rory wins and, naturally, delivers several fantastic quotes. Rickie contends. Morikawa threatens. Also — it’s spooky season. Do you like to be scared? Terrified? Anxious watching movies or shows or walking through haunted houses? Have you watched Squid Game? Should we create Golf Squid Game? When will golf one day figure out golf coverage?

Riggs takes the squad on a historical journey looking into the rules of golf over the past 800 years. Some old school rules blow our minds and make us consider bringing them back. In news, Bryson changed his putting based on the study of where one strikes the dimple on a golf ball… and Frankie is all for it. We also get an update on Frankie’s elbow (not good), Tiger Woods, and more.

Alfonso Ribeiro (01:14:13) joins the show for the third time. Again, he’s incredible, insightful, and full of great stories. But most importantly, our very own Trent Ryan has proven to be a national heartthrob. He stole the hearts of every female in Boston with his live show appearances last week… complete with his luggage. We discuss Trent’s “pop,” new footage of Tiger Woods, Frankie’s wounded arm, Sungjae’s victory, Wolff’s solid play, JR Smith’s college golf debut, Phil improving to 3/4 on the Senior Circuit, and much more.

Guests galore. First, we’re joined by Sub-Par host, former PGA Tour player, and roaster of Lurch, Colt Knost (00:11:37). We discuss the Bud Cauley incident, the MJ lunch photo, get some great stories, and find some true common ground. Then, as we’re on with Colt, Sam Burns (00:52:45) joins the show fresh off winning the Sanderson Farms. We discuss favorite restaurants on the road, hunting, LSU football, pizza reviews, Trent’s bunker woes, and much more.

Lurch had lunch with MJ (like, the real Jumpman 23) and watched football at Justin Thomas’ house. Frankie had surgery. Riggs gave a speech at Oakmont’s famed SWAT party. Date Trent emerged and may permanently replace Trent Ryan. All this plus Bones is leaving TV to caddie full-time for JT, Bubba and Ted Scott split up, Bryson shined at the World Long Drive and much more.

Zach Johnson (00:20:08) and Entourage creator Doug Ellin (00:59:18) join the show. First, Trent confesses his undying fandom to fellow Cedar Rapids native, 2-time major winner and recent Ryder Cup vice-captain Zach Johnson. We discuss Iowa, the famous eyes open Claret Jug picture, and get details on what it’s like on the team earpieces during the Ryder Cup. Then, Doug Ellin joins to discuss the differences between Hollywood then and now, how Entourage is received today and his thoughts on it, and tells stories about he and the crew through the years.

USA dominates the Ryder Cup. Riggs was as wrong as any human being could be. We break it all down live from the 18th green at Whistling Straits.

Dylan Dethier, senior writer for Golf.com and Golf Mag, joins us live from Whistling Straits to break down Ryder Cup prep. Who’s looking sharp? Who’s not? What differs this week from any other week? How does it affect the players? Plus, Frankie & Trent continue to grill Riggs on his European “fandom.”

Emotions are high. Tempers are flaring. Expectations are high. It’s Ryder Cup week and we’re here for it. Frankie and Trent confront Riggs about his European fandom. Riggs aggressively defends himself. The squad goes through possible pairings, possible outcomes, possible drama, course setup, captains’ strategy and much more. It’s here. It’s time.

The Bandon trip continues. Reviews of Sheep Ranch and Old MacDonald in severe wind. Caddies Dillon & Jared join us. We rank the Bandon courses. Plus, Brooks Koepka has some concerning comments about the Ryder Cup. Paul Azinger responds. Bryson’s hands are “wrecked” from World Long Drive prep. Much to discuss.

Live from Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon. We’ve played Bandon Trails, Pacific Dunes, and The Preserve, and we lived to talk about it: 40mph winds, spectacular views, lost golf clubs, links conditions, exposing audio, elite drones, gaping holes, spreading apart, and much more.

Kevin Kisner is not on the Ryder Cup team. Riggs is now a European Ryder cup fan, and Kirk Minihane (00:05:29) joins Trent and Frankie to grill him on his stance, his plan, and his disloyalty. How will he hold up if USA wins? Will he try to join the celebration? Will he continue his European fandom if Europe wins? Is he rooting for Sergio Garcia to beat Brooks Koepka down the stretch if that determines the 2021 Ryder Cup? Then we’re joined by former top-10 tennis player in the world, Mardy Fish (01:15:13), who takes us through his new Netflix documentary and what it was like competing against Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and others.

We have a solution for the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup playoffs format, and we’re enlisting Lurch to create a deck we can send to the PGA Tour. This, naturally, leads to a discussion on work decks and the misery of corporate lexicon. Following the weekend, there’s much to talk about — Cantlay wins the FedEx Cup; Europe wins the Solheim Cup; Koepka withdraws from the Portnoy match; Bryson likens himself to Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk; the crew is soon visiting Bandon Dunes; we’ve got our next Fore Man Scramble match; and much more.

As contentious of a show as we’ve had all year. Fellow podcaster vs fellow podcaster. Man vs man. Is the Tour Championship scoring stupid or does it make sense? Are the analogies for it good or bad? Is the Tour lame for banning fans from yelling “Brooksie?” Is Riggs a turncoat for threatening to root for Europe if Kiz isn’t on the U.S. Ryder Cup team? Is he a coward for reaching for ways out of it? Is golfer tracker Twitter clouded by drama? This and much, much more in a long, heated show.

What a playoff. Bryson falls to Patrick Cantlay and there’s plenty of chatter to go around. “Patrick, stop walking please.” Bryson allegedly having a confrontation with a fan post-round. Cantlay draining putts. Rory throwing clubs. In East Lake talk, Riggs finds himself on a rare island discussing the Tour Championship scoring format. Finally, Brandon Wu (01:30:12) joins the show to discuss life on the Korn Ferry Tour, what it means graduating to the PGA Tour, and much more.