There's no shortage of division at the top of the men's game but even tawdry discussions about money can't sully the brilliance golf can offer up. Join Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri for a look at the Good, The Bad and The Ugly of golf in the mid 2020's. Sign up for Geoff's excellent newsletter The Quadrilatral here (https://quadrilateral.substack.com)

TV commentators get their fair share of criticism but few can take issue with New Zealand's Frank Nobilo who joins episode 130 of State of the Game. Nobilo is as thoughtful and articulate as any analyst in the business and he's also not afraid to speak his mind on everything from 'rollback' (he doesn't like the term) to his controversial belief that golfers are overpaid. There's also a bonus Mac O'Grady story in this episode for those who are into that sort of thing. Links mentioned on this episode: Geoff Shackelford's 'The Quadrilateral' (https://quadrilateral.substack.com)

There's probably not a lot left to say on the LIV Golf situation but when you get the chance to pick the brains of someone as smart as Joe Ogilvie you grab it.

David Eger joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to discuss the Tiger Woods Masters ruling, state of the Champions Tour, politics among the game's governing bodies and more on episode 31 of State of the Game

Mike CLayton, Geoff Shackelford and Rod Morri welcome Golf World Editor Jaime Diaz to the show this week to talk all things Tiger Woods, golf media and the State of the Game...

Geoff Shacklford and Mike Clayton join host Rod Mori as they chat with GolfWeek architectiure editor brad Klein about hie new book Wide Open Fairways: A Journey Across the Landscapes of Modern Golf

Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton join host Rod Morri in a chat with TV analyst and former player Judy Rankin

On this epsidoe Mike Clayton, Geoff Shackelford and Rod Morri catch up with two former USGA staffers who have formulated two simplified sets of rules for the game.

Mike Clayton and Geoff Shackelford join host Rod Morri to discuss all things golf from The Open Championship and US PGA to the new USGA TV deal with FOX in the US.

Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri are joined by special guest Geoff Ogilvy to talk all things Muirfield, Open Championhsip and golf in general...

Mike Clayton, Geoff Shackelford and host Rod Morri are joined by Australian Touring Professional and US Open participant Mathew Goggin to get his take on Merion and the state of the game more generally.

Jeff Silverman, author of a soon to be released book on the great Championship moments at Merion Golf Club, joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to give some fascinating insights into the host course of next week's US Open venue.

Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton join host Rod Morri to discuss the anchoring ban, racism in the game and how the Rio course is progressing as the clock ticks down to 2016....

It's happening too slowly for many but it does look like it IS happening. Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton join host Rod Morri to discuss the 'under the radar' distance announcement, TPC Sawgrass, the Saudi League and more.

On this episode of State of the Game we welcome special guest Tony Johnstone, six time European Tour winner and now TV commentator, as he joins Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to talk all things State of the Game plus tell a few stories form the glory days of the European Tour....

Adam Scott had a nation cheering with his Masters victory but it was only one intriguing storyline from a tournament that always seems to produce drama.Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton join Rod Morri to review one of golf's great weeks....

More than just a golf tournament the year's first major brings together everybody who is anybody in golf. Join Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and host Rod Morri as they discuss what's likely to happen on and off the course at this year's US Masters

PGA of America President Ted Bishop has ben vocal in his stance against the proposed anchoring ban. On this episdoe Bishop explains the thinking behind that stance as well as the possibility of bifurcation.

On today's episode Mike Clayton, Geoff Shackelford and John Huggan join host Rod Morri to discuss the surprise announement by Tim Finchem that the US PGA Tour would oppose the proposed ban on anchored putters. The team also discusses Rory McIlroy's poor play since switching to Nike and the Australian PGA's move to a golf course not in the country's top 100

Bifurcation, slow play an the Vijay Singh banned substance debacle...all that and more on 2013's first episode of State of the Game with Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton....

Two monumental announcements were made this week: The Old Course at St Andrews is under the surgeon's knife and anchored putting will be outlawed in 2016. Host Rod Morri is joined by Geoff Shackelford, John Huggan and Mike Clayton to dicsuss two of golf's biggest announcements in recent memory (and be prepared for a healthy dose of outrage)...

Golf's most compelling event somehow seems to just keep getting better. Geoff Shackelford, John Huggan and Mike Clayton join host Rod Morri to break down events at Medinah, with Clayton even claiming his mum could captain the Ryder Cup....

Join Rod Morri, Geoff Shackelford and John Huggan as they break down the most exciting week in golf, the Ryder Cup. The team also give their final verdict on the just concluded FedEx Cup and why the format still isn't quite right.

The year's final major is run and won so now it's time to rank them. Hear from the State of the Game team Mike Clayton, John Huggan and Geoff Shackelford as they break down the Grand Slam events of season 2012, from Bubba's hooked wedge at Augusta to Rory's doinating peroformance at Kiawah Island.

The Mickelson mess, the Norman missive, the distance report, beer throwing at Phoenix, falling TV ratings...take your pick we discuss it all with Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton on Ep 119 of State of the Game.

Lorne Rubenstein has been one of the game's great chroniclers for more than 30 years but after this week's Canadian Open will file his final weekly column for Toronto's Globe and Mail newspaper. Rod Morri caught up with Lorne to get his thoughts on the state of the game as he looks back on more than three decades of experience.

Geoff Shackelford and John Huggan join host Rod Morri to look back at the US Open, analyse the US Tour's new secondary tour sponsor, the new event in Turkey giving Tim Finchem and George O'Grady a headache and the chances of The Open returning to Royal Portrush. All that an moreon the latest episode of State of the Game.

While the US Open unfolds at Olympic this week there will be plenty of talk about the 1955 event at this venue and the incredible upset victory of Iowa club profesional Jack Fleck over Ben Hogan. Neil Sagabiel of the Armchair Golf Blog has written a fabulous book about events leading up to, and during, that remarkable Open and joins Rod Morri and Mike Clayton to talk about the five year publishing journey that led to Golf's Longest Shot: Jack Fleck, Ben Hogan and Pro Golf's Greatest Upset at the 1955 US Open. Chock full of interesting tid-bits and details, and a hole by hole account of the play-off itself, The Longest Shot is a must read for anybody with an interest in the history of golf.

In this special combined episode of TalkinGolf and State of the Game Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and John Huggan join host Rod Morri to talk US Masters, Augusta National politics and Mike Clayton's amazing golf odyssey taking in some of America's very best golf courses. 

The most anticipated US Masters in years gets underway this week and, like everyone else with an interest in the game, we at State of the Game are keen to talk about it. Join Rod Morri, Geoff Shackelford and John Huggan as they break down the field, the course and the lingering controversy over Augusta's lack of female members which has reared its head again this year.

It's the biggest golf course design announcement in history and this week on State of the Game co-hosts Geoff Shackelford and Rod Morri catch up with Gil Hanse to discuss his winning design for the 2016 Olympic Games golf course.

Does your club have a problem with slow play? Well today's episode of State of the Game is a must listen. Host Rod Morri is joined by blogger Geoff Shackelford and Scotland on Sunday columnist John Huggan as they meet John Small, a tournament organiser and inventor fom Australia whose Solution 240 product is achieving remarkable results in eliminating slow play at two Sydney golf clubs.

Former touring professional turned golf course designer, New Zealand's Greg Turner is one of the more articulate members of the golfing fraternity. This week he joins host Rod Morri and co-host Mike Clayton to discuss the joy of the short par-4, the impact of the professional game on golf more broadly and why the 1970s and 1980s will be viewed historically as a bleak time in golf course development.

The USGA - and Tiger Woods - are talking banning the belly and long putter. Join host Rod Morri, co-hosts John Huggan and Mike Clayton and long time broomstick putter user Craig Spence as they dissect just how dificult - or even desirable - that might be.

Could the USGA be preparing to take on golf's major manufacturers over distance? New USGA President Glen Nager was talking tough on the issue at last week's USGA annual meeting and Geoff Shackelford was there. Join Shackelford and host Rod Morri as they dissect what looks to be a brave new era for the game's govrning body in the US. Also this week a John Huggan interview with player manager Andrew "Chubby" Chandler discussing the new US Tour Q School proposal and it's potential effects on world golf.

It was the most intriguing tournament of the year on multiple fronts but does the Sandbelt Invitational have a future? Tournament Director and State of the Game co-host Mike Clayton joins Geoff Shackelford and Rod Morri for an in depth and behind the scenes look at the event that had golf nerds the world over salivating.

Geoff Shackelford, John Huggan, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri today launch State of the Game, their new podcast exploring issues effecting the game of golf. Among topics discussed on this first episode are: why the distance obsession has hurt the game, why a roll back of the ball might not be as far off as we think and why professional golf really i important to the health of the game...

Having trouble keeping up with who's who and what's what in the tumultuous world of rival golf leagues? Join the club. Thankfully, State of the Game co-host Geoff Shackelford is across it all as he joins Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to explain the evolving world Golf Order, the green reading book ban and the intriguing Sandbelt Invitational.

In a world of all too often non-descript players, Korea's So Yeon Ryu stands out. Intelligent, thoughtful, eloquent and funny - all in a second language - what a treat it was to welcome the former World Number One to episode 116 alongside Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri.

It's that time in the golf cycle again....the interminable wait for the Ryder Cup to get underway. With a week and a bit to go before the first ball is struck former European Tour player now Sky Sorts commentator Andrew Coltart joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to talk all things Whistling Straits and more.

McKellar Magazine co-founder Lawrence Donegan joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to talk about his recent trip to Scotland, the performance of his son Niall at the British Boys Championship, the success and future of McKellar magazine and more. And there's a special reward for those who stick around till the end, after you hear it click the link below and enjoy. To take advantage of the special offer at the McKellar website (https://www.mckellarmagazine.com/shop/), enter SOTG in the coupon code at checkout

For just the second time in its 12-year history, State of the Game bears an 'Explicit' badge this week. Why, you ask? You'll need to listen to find out but among the topics covered are: Is 'Strategic Alliance' really just code for a PGA Tour takeover of the European Tour? And if so, is that a bad thing? One of sports business' best analysts Richard Gillis joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri on Episode 113 to dissect what's happening at the top end of professional golf. If you have any interest in the business of sport, no matter what level, subscribe to the Unofficial Partner (https://www.unofficialpartner.com) newsletter and tune in to their podcasts twice a week.

Washington journalist and golf nut Arthur MacMillan joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to chat Premier Golf League, Jon Rahm and Covid, the US Open and plenty more.

Public golf facilities around the world are under pressure as a recent announcement to shut down half of Moore Park in Sydney, one of the nation's busiest public courses, proves. So what are the politics of public golf in a world where cities face increasing housing pressure? Former Victorian Premier and avid golfer Dan Andrews joins the pod to discuss how golf can better make its case in the debate over how we use our public space.

The impact of Hideki's win in his homeland and the PGA Tour's Player Impact Program. Plenty to talk about when eight time major winning caddy and Japan resident Tom Watson joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri for Episode 111 of State of the Game.

Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton have been two of the most consistent and credible voices in the distance debate for the past 20 years and with the governing bodies looking likely to finally act, they have their say on Episode 110.

He writes too infrequently but when Phil Blackmar puts pen to paper it is always worth reading. The former PGA Tour player turned Golf Channel analyst joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri on Episode 109 to talk about his most recent blog post, Golf's Biggest Self. You can read the post here (https://pblackmar.wordpress.com/2021/01/02/golfs-biggest-self/) and the rest of Blackmar's blog posts here. (https://pblackmar.wordpress.com) Also, make sure to sign up for Geoff Shackelford's new email newsletter The Quadilateral (https://www.thequadrilateral.golf) to keep up with all things Majors related from one of the game's few truly independent voices.

A look at the 2020 Masters from both inside and outside the ropes when Lukas Michel joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri.

On Episode 107 we welcome author Daniel Wexler to discuss his latest book A Timeless Game but quickly run off topic into the future of golf in urban centres, equipment technology and the distance debate and there is some pontificating early on about Brandel Chamblee's personal attack on co-host Mike Clayton and those who agree with his views on the game. Find Daniel's book on Amazon here (https://www.amazon.com/Timeless-Game-Some-Thoughts-Topics/dp/B08CWB7QYH/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=A+Timeless+Game&qid=1604004500&sr=8-1)

It's the topic everyone is talking about but not everyone is Mike Clayton and Geoff Shackelford. Two of the most respected voices in the game weigh in on Bryson, Winged Foot and the future of golf.