In the Footsteps of Giants – Details, episodes & analysis

Final summer repeat for 2024 as we will return with new episodes from next week. A fun episode from season 1 where Martin and Des select their overseas "dream nine" from courses we have played. Many of our listeners will have their own lists and we are happy to discuss those via our X portal @ITFOG_podcast or via Instagram @ITFOG.
This episode is dedicated to my mum who passed away in May 2023 but was on this episode talking about introducing me to golf when I was 10 years old. I will forever be grateful to her.

We are keeping an eye on golfing news/events during our summer break but while we are away from the ITFOG complex we thought that reposting part 2 of our chat with John Bamber, Chairman of the Championship Committee for the 2019 Open at Portrush, would generate excitement for next year's return to the north Antrim coast.
New episodes coming in September but until then enjoy your summer.
Interact with the podcast via our X portal @ITFOG_podcast or via Instagram @ITFOG

The USPGA is in the books and Xander has his first major, Bryson gave it a good try on behalf of LIV albeit coming up just short and Viktor emerged from his slump to show us the player we have all come to love. However, surprisingly these were not the biggest stories from Valhalla, Rory's news of impending divorce kicked off the week, Jimmy Dunne resigned from the PGA Advisory Board citing "lack of progress" with the PGA/PIF deal as his reason and then Scottie Scheffler got arrested and briefly jailed before getting bailed out and heading back to the course. Martin and Des try to make sense of the year's second major. Interact with the podcast via our Twitter/X link @ITFOG_podcast or via Instagram @ITFOG

In June 2021 Martin, Des and their fellow Renegade Pete (aka Slap) spent an afternoon on the golf course with David McNeilly, who has caddied for Sir Nick Faldo, Nick Price, John Daly, Padraig Harrington and Alex Noren to name but a few. David sat down after the round to discuss life on tour, his Ryder Cup experiences and who was a joy to work for and who was not! We could have happily chatted for hours but hopefully you will enjoy this insight from a man who has been inside the ropes for nearly 50 years. Interact with us via twitter @ITFOG_podcast

Against all odds Martin and Des return for a second season of their podcast "In The Footsteps Of Giants". This season 2 preview briefly reviews some surprises from season 1, and gives listeners some insight into what is coming over the months ahead. We hope you all stick with us as we chase down more courses that the pros have played and speak with a range of guests who enjoy the golfing challenge as much as we do. Interact with the podcast via twitter @ITFOG_podcast.

Part 2 of our summer special focuses on tournament week for the 2019 Open Championship which culminated in Ireland going mental as Shane Lowry won on home soil. His win was after much drama, excitement, some home fan disappointments, but the most memorable Open Championship of our lives. Martin & Des continue their conversation with John Bamber, Chairman of the Championship Committee and, in reality, the man who delivered the Open. What was his week like as the biggest sporting event in NI history unfolded right in front of his eyes? Interact with the podcast on Twitter @ITFOG_podcast

Martin and Des sit down with John Bamber, Chairman of the Championship Committee that delivered the Open to Royal Portrush in 2019. Most of us simply saw a spectacular event on the north coast gem that is Royal Portrush, but for John and his team tournament week was the culmination of nearly a decade's work. Part 1 of our double header summer special focuses on what it took to get the Open back to Northern Ireland in 2019 and some of the obstacles the team overcame.  Interact with the podcast via Twitter  @ITFOG_podcast 

Des and Martin welcome their close pal Cueball back to the podcast studio and discuss his recent lucky escape. On the eve of the US Open the boys also share their thoughts on the Brooks/Bryson rivalry, the Torrey Pines course, the proposed PGL golf league, cicadas and just how motivated is John Rahm to win big after his recent Covid enforced withdrawal while leading after 54 holes.
This episode is our season 1 finale and we take this opportunity to thank all our listeners for sticking with us as we develop the podcast. Season 2 will be back in September but we have two summer specials just ahead of the Open where our special guest is John Bamber, the man who delivered the Open to Royal Portrush in 2019. Have a great golfing summer and hopefully joining us for season 2 in September. Interact with us via Twitter @ITFOG_podcast

Finally welcoming guests back into the studio Martin and Des share the podcast with Johnny (aka BJ) and stories of his first experience as a Renegade being on a US tour. Arizona 2017, "The Half Hour From Everywhere Tour", featured 8 rounds of desert golf plus a few adventures along the way. Find out what happened when we went ballooning, how did Des offend the Navajo nation and did Scottee's putter face a watery grave. Interact with us via our twitter page @ITFOG_podcast

Martin and Des rejoice in Rory's return to winning ways and discuss the big call from caddy Harry Diamond that was an essential part of victory. On the eve of the USPGA at Kiawah Island's Ocean Course the boys catch up with the Commander who played the course with Martin in 2017, to share some memories of one of our very best golfing experiences. Add in some lively debate on the merits of the proposed PGL, some rules you should know,  commentary on the newly published top 100 golfing destinations, a few predictions for 2021's second major, and you have all you need for another packed podcast. Interact with us on Twitter @ITFOG_podcast