Ten Golf Podcasts Properly and Correctly Ranked

Note** Over the past year I've become absolutely fascinated (and damn near obsessed) with podcasts, so much so that I'm currently subscribed to 40 and counting. I truly feel this type of content is the new wave in which brands, public figures and news outlets can reach their audience with evidence of this already being a powerful marketing tool. Podcasts are unlike traditional radio or television because in order to download an episode or listen to produced content, the listener truly needs to seek out the content they are looking for, making this appointment and on-demand audio listening. If you're a hockey fan, you seek out hockey content and are not strapped down to listening to basketball or baseball talk. Think of it like watching the disgraced and pathetic Sports Center (example from this morning actually). I was riding my indoor bike watching the live edition of the show at 7am and the first 50 minutes was filled with basketball and NFL combine talk only. At 7:51am they showed the first hockey highlight from the night before and spent exactly one minute talking hockey. With podcasts, you're able to skip the crap you don't care about and go directly to what is of interest.

That being said, I pride myself on being the first to listen to new episodes of podcasts no matter which show it is. Favoring the Barstool line of shows, of course, I am often motivated to listen to the newest episodes because I'm then able to interact with the hosts on Twitter. This can be said for other podcasts I subscribe to, and no other genre does this more than golf podcasts. Hence we come to the topic of my blog: ranking the top ten golf podcasts in my own (and correct) opinion. I pose this question to you first, did you even know there were ten golf podcasts out there? I didn't think so...Without further ado, here is my list accompanied with pros and cons and a featured episode which I found particularly interesting. Unfortunately, none of these shows help you fundamentally with your game, but enjoy anyways.

Honorable Mention: 

Talk of the Tour by PGA Tour

Under Par - Planning this blog didn’t so much require actually finding podcasts, but to actually give thought and insight into the rankings for which they’re placed. Like the title of the blog states, these are in fact correct rankings and my explanations will prove it. That being said, I set aside two honorable mentions to make everyone feel good about themselves, and it shouldn’t be surprising that these two spots went to more generic shows with other mediums being the prime source of content (magazine, website, etc). My first honorable mention goes to ‘Talk of the Tour’ which is produced by the PGA Tour. Pros of this show include fantasy insight, interviews with PGA Tour professionals as well as swing coaches and editors of PGATour.com. This show is typically produced twice a week and features Jon Swantek and fantasy insider Rob Bolton as the regulars.

In the Bunker - The downside of this show is it appears very technical and oftentimes uninteresting. The reasoning is mostly fantasy related, as well as the two talking about their personal lives and what they have going on down the road. Also episodes are usually 30-40 minutes, about 20-25 minutes short of the sweet spot I enjoy of just over an hour.

Featured Episode - The featured episode I highlighted is an interview with PGA Tour pro Morgan Hoffman, who was recently diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Morgan explains his interests on and off the course, his plan to play his full schedule moving forward and how a diagnosis of this magnitude will not slow him down from living an adventurous and fulfilling life.

Golf Digest Podcast by Golf Digest

The Golf Digest podcast is usually hosted by Alex Myers and Joel Beall and they dig into the previous week's tournaments and give their fantasy predictions for the upcoming week. There are rare interviews with PGA Tour pros, but this is a good show for getting the latest news in the golf world and an inside look on your fantasy lineup.

Under Par - This is a very basic show with strong evidence to backup fantasy predictions from two editors at Golf Digest. Alex is also one of the most savvy social media managers at the magazine and often gives a comical look on the social side of golf.

In the Bunker - Any episode that drops can also be read on GolfDigest.com or in the magazine produced monthly. Each episode only about 30 minutes long and offers only the basic of news.

Featured Episode - One of the rare interviews with a tour pro included Tony Finau, where the Golf Digest guys dug into Tony's upbringing in Utah, his path to the PGA Tour and the bond he shares with his family. Golf essentially kept Tony off the street in a rough area of Salt Lake City and it proved him well as he is one of the longest hitters on tour. He also has some of the best style in the game.

Countdown:

10. Golf.com Podcast by Sports Illustrated

Under Par - Very similar to the Golf Digest podcast in that anything you hear on an episode you can read in Sports Illustrated. Alan Shipnuck and Sean Zak are usually the hosts and they focus on the unconventional story, example being a hidden gem of a local golf course somewhere in rural America, a club pro who has seen it all and the like. 

In the Bunker - Inconsistent schedule, but when they do come out they are worth listening. The most recent episode dug into a panelist of Tiger enthusiasts and predictions were made on his 2018 season. Episodes are anywhere between 35-45 minutes long.

Featured Episode - Anytime you can focus an entire podcast on discussing the likes of one Eldrick Woods, people should listen. With the amount of buzz surrounding Tiger this season, you're going to get your fair share of coverage in the nontraditional media and podcasts are evidence of that.

9. ShackHouse by The Ringer

Under Par- Golf Channel contributor Geoff Shackelford and The Ringer's Tim House play off each other in a humorous way and dive into more of the political side of golf, as well as the history and old guard of who's who on the tour. Shack is always the first to revert back to keeping golf a gentlemans game, hesitates at the thought of any new rule changes and laughs at the new age field featuring the likes of Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth dethroning the legends of the game. Shack wants to keep golf at its purest form and it shows in the episode, whenever they decide to release one.

In the Bunker - Entirely too political, and Tim House is kind of a lunatic. He's a descendant of Bill Simmons, and we all know how he turned out in anything besides writing. The episodes drop whenever the two get a spare minute, which means about once a month. Shack is a longtime Californian and is very partial to hyping the west coast swing events, especially at Riviera, but will talk down to events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open (did you guys know I attended this year? Just saying...) Episodes about 40 minutes typically.

Featured Episode - Shack and House do a fine job recapping the year in golf, and this includes both the PGA Tour and the Web.com Tour. There aren't too many memorable episodes which come to mind, hence why I picked a broad episode like this one.

8. Bros on Golf by Bro Bible

Under Par- Ten years ago if you asked me if I knew what BroBible was, chances are I'd look at your funny. You'd get this funny look because my response would be similar to if you asked me if I knew what Barstool Sports is today...obviously I know what it is. However, these days BroBible isn't exactly what it used to be in terms of its following, yet there is a pretty cool golf podcast hosted by Jon Mason and Jason Cammerota. In fact, they produced a podcast that was actually in the top three episodes I heard of all these shows combined because of the guest they decided to have.

In the Bunker - Inconsistent, they haven't released an episode in 2018 and they're short. Plain and simple, 25-30 minutes.

Featured Episode - Like I mentioned above, Pat Perez graced the Bros on Golf podcast with his presence and he tells the most incredible story about him turning down a pair of rare Air Jordan golf shoes. Perez is a guaranteed hit on each podcast/radio show/interview he participates in and his personality is unlike anyone else on tour.

7. Tour Junkies by 18 Birdies

Under Par - The occasional interview with a PGA Tour pro is always a homerun with hosts David Barnet and Pat Perry. Growing up in the shadows of Augusta National, these guys feed well off each other and anytime they involve their wives and how much they can't stand how obsessed they are with golf (and each other) they always generate a laugh. Episodes range from 60-75 minutes long.

In the Bunker - This is a podcast devoted 98% to daily fantasy sports and solidifying your fantasy lineup for each week. Again, there are a few occasional interviews (Kevin Kisner, Bob Parsons, etc) but for the most part it's all fantasy lineup analysis. Since I'm not the best at playing DFS, I listen mostly for the humor between the husbands and wives.

Featured Episode - The 'Kiz" is no doubt their favorite guest whenever they have him on, and he certainly does not disappoint. He's just a good old Georgia Dawg who grew up in South Carolina and enjoys swinging the sticks with his boys.

6. Erik Lang Show by Erik Lang

Under Par - The founder of Skratch Golf, one of the funniest accounts on all of Twitter, Lang takes a dip into the podcast pool and only recently launched this show on his own. Through the first five-ish episodes, each one over an hour long.

In the Bunker - Hard to tell this early in production, but so far I haven't had any cons to speak of. Lang comes off as a bit of an intellectual and can be hard to actually hear him speak on occasion.

Featured Episode - The first episode I listened to featured none other than the director of perhaps the greatest golf movie of all-time, Happy Gilmore. The first thing I learned about Dennis Dugan was that he played the commissioner of 'The Tour' in the movie. I love when that happens in movies and tv by the way, similar to when Larry David makes numerous cameos in actual episodes of Seinfeld. Keep an eye on this podcast.

5. First Cut by Kyle Porter and Chip Patterson

Under Par - Now we're getting into the top five of this perfect list, and we kick it off with CBS Sports Kyle Porter and Chip Patterson. In my opinion, Kyle is one of the best golf writers out there (in fact he's just about the only golf writer at CBS Sports) while Chip is usually a correspondent for college football and NASCAR. Kyle spends a lot of episodes educating Chip on the history of various pros, document historical finishes from tournaments and is an all around golf junkie.

In the Bunker - Haven't said this yet, but there's a lot of awkward silence in these episodes. Whether Chip doesn't understand a question or Kyle takes too long to give an answer because he's overthinking, it can sometimes be unbearable, but still good. Episodes usually 30-45 minutes.

Featured Episode - Much like ShackHouse, the First Cut gives really good recaps and this is what I chose to highlight in this show. Lots of grades, lots of hypothetical awards and predictions are made and Chip's laugh is amazing.

4. The Clubhouse by Shane Bacon

Under Par - Shane Bacon is one of the most talented golf figures in media, as he has a hand in so many projects not even he can keep everything straight. He has a newsletter that drops twice a week, is an anchor for PGA Tour Live and a correspondent for Fox golf. He also covers a lot of junior/amateur events and has one of the coolest podcasts out there when it comes to golf.

In the Bunker - Shane is a busy man, so episodes are short and sweet. He has some solid connections which lead to interesting interviews, most recently with the unbeatable Bernhard Langer on the senior tour.

Featured Episode - Shane was able to score an interview with Bones McKay almost immediately after splitting with Phil 'The Thrill' Mickelson. While it was a mutual separation, Bones sheds light on why they ended their partnership and his plans for the future. Turns out he's one of the best correspondents for NBC Golf and the Golf Channel and is an all around solid dude. Hopefully one day he'll link up on Justin Thomas' bag.

3. Foreplay by Barstool Sports

Under Par - My top three picks could be toss ups, simple as that. When it came to humor, Foreplay takes the top spot in that it's their mission to be a podcast by the common golfer, for the common golfer. They had a recap episode of the Waste Management Phoenix Open that I've listened to probably ten times already. 98% of the episodes feature interviews (David Feherty, John Daly, Patton Kizzire, Brandel Chamblee and Danielle Kang to name a few). Their Masters recap from last year is a three part series which I also listen to on the regular today. It is also worth noting their first ever episode featured an interview with the stud Ollie Schniederjans, the hatless wonder with incredible flow. What a way to begin a show.

In the Bunker - Hosts Trent and Riggs are so different that they're similar, from personality to actual golfing ability. The only con I have is I wish episodes were released twice a week, however with their recent video documentary entitled 'Cousins Weekend' with Barstool founder Dave Portnoy's parents, this made up for all the lost episodes and then some.

Featured Episode - Had to throw the WMPO recap episode on there, what a wild time.

2. No Laying Up by No Laying Up

Under Par - The first to the golf podcast game, Soly, Tron, DJ and Big Randy are the OG's of the space. Interviews are incredible, they're ridiculously knowledageable of golf architecture and have passionate golf voices. They've started getting into a routine of Monday episode drops with full tournament recaps. Some episodes vary in length but for the most part these are all must listens.

In the Bunker - I'm not particular to a lot of the golf course design episodes, or the round recaps from their trips to Asia or Europe. I like hearing interviews with the pros and keeping it OG at the Kill House.

Featured Episode - Their most recent interview included noneother than the top ranked golfer in the entire galaxy, Dustin Johnson. Other interviews include my twin Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Jason Dufner and more A-list golfers.

1. Member Guest by Member Guest

Under Par - Member Guest is everything I could want in a podcast, plain and simple. Only being on air for about two months, this show features PGA Tour pro Brendan Steele, bassist for Linkin Park Dave Phoenix Farrell, and the man...Mark. This is a show deisgned to incorporate golf, music, pop culture and a range of inteews which so far include Keegan Bradley, Jon Curran, LP lead singer Mike Shinoda and Green Day drummer Tre' Cool.

In the Bunker - None, I love it and need more of it.

Featured Episode - The Mike Shinoda episode brought everything from golf, to discussing Linkin Park both past and present and is real as it gets. Give it a listen for yourself, hell just give everything a listen because it's all good. FORE!