State Of The Game
The Golf Podcast That Talks About Stuff That Matters
About the show
State of the Game was one of the first golf podcasts to hit the internet and remains one of the most respected. Hosted by Rod Morri and boasting two of the game's most important voices in co-hosts Mike Clayton and Geoff Shackelford, State of the Game is the go to podcast for untainted and unfiltered analysis of the game at every level. If you're looking for swing tips and gear reviews you've come to the wrong place but for thoughtful discussion about the big issues facing the game you'll find this a comfortable home.
State Of The Game on social media
Episodes
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SOG 131: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of modern golf
September 19th, 2024 | 1 hr 20 mins
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.
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SOG 130: Frank Nobilo
January 6th, 2024 | 1 hr 30 mins
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.
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SOG 129: The Politics of Public Golf with Dan Andrews
October 26th, 2023 | 1 hr 3 mins
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.
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SOG 128: Digging Deeper on Saudi Arabia with Dr Joshua Ralston
October 15th, 2023 | 1 hr 28 mins
LIV Golf has brought Saudi Arabia into sharp focus for golf and golfers but how much do we really know about the Kingdom and how it works? Dr Joshua Ralston from the Edinburgh University School of Divinity joins the pod to discuss some of the big, ethical questions facing golf.
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SOG 127: WTF Is Going On?
June 8th, 2023 | 1 hr 57 mins
Despite almost no detail of how it will play out the announcement by the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund that they have ceased legal hostilities and will instead join forces has rocked the golf world. What does it mean? Who knows but there is much to speculate on. It's also not the only thing happening in the golf world with a most intriguing US Open coming up at LACC next week and co host Geoff Shackelford's latest book being released.
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SOG 126: Grab A Drink Because This One Is All About The Ball
March 18th, 2023 | 1 hr 28 mins
It's taken 126 episodes and lord knows how much drinking by you, the loyal SOG listeners, but finally the USGA and R and A have listened and the ball is going to be rolled back. Sure it's not enough and of course it's too late but it's a step in the right direction and that's cause for celebration.
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SOG 125: It's Been A While
February 2nd, 2023 | 1 hr 48 mins
Even for State of the Game it's been a long break and even for us it's a long episode. But there was a lot to get through with Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton on Episode 125 including (but not limited to) The Australian Summer of Golf, LIV, the changing nature of digital media, how architecture has become more mainstream and plenty more as well. There's also some chat about Geoff's upcoming book Golf Architecture For Normal People which you can pre order at the links below.
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SOG 124: Seven Mile Beach Update
September 8th, 2022 | 1 hr 24 mins
Let's leave the parlous state of world golf behind for a while and get back to talking one of our favourite topics here on SOG: course architecture. On Ep 124 Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri welcome Mike Devries and Mat Goggin for an update on the highly anticipated Seven Mile Beach project in Hobart, Tasmania. For those playing the drinking game Ep 124 will be disappointing...you can leave the bottle opener in the drawer as there's not a single mention of distance (or even LIV Golf!)
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SOG 123: The Open with Matt Griffin
August 5th, 2022 | 1 hr 24 mins
Theodore Roosevelt said it best in his 'Man in the Arena' speech more than 100 years ago and we took note in this episode of State of the Game. Matt Griffin, who teed up at the 150th Open, joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to talk all things St Andrews.
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SOG 122: Enough LIV, Time To Talk the Old Course
July 7th, 2022 | 1 hr 24 mins
It won't go away but LIV Golf and all its implications can take a back seat for the next two weeks as golf hopefully celebrates everything good about the game with an Open Championship at the Old Course. Come along for the ride as Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton talk all things St Andrews.
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SOG 121: Joe Ogilvie talks LIV Golf
June 23rd, 2022 | 1 hr 24 mins
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.
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SOG 120: Distance Insights and more
March 19th, 2022 | 1 hr 30 mins
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.
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SOG 119: Well That Escalated Quickly
March 3rd, 2022 | 1 hr 35 mins
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.
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118: Is The Sandbelt Invitational the Future of Golf?
December 28th, 2021 | 1 hr 32 mins
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.
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SOG 117: Golf's Hot Mess: Greg Norman, Saudi Arabia, The PGL and the PGA Tour
November 11th, 2021 | 1 hr 32 mins
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.
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SOG Ep 116: So Yeon Ryu
October 18th, 2021 | 1 hr 19 mins
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.