Drop Zone - GOLF Podcast

Ludvig's Big Win, What Golf TV Ratings Mean, Was LIV's $5 Billion A Bargain?

What people missed from Ludvig Aberg's win at Torrey Pines, what golf fans really want, whether Tiger Woods is right, what kind of win LIV Adelaide was for LIV, what's next for professional golf, whether LIV's $5 billion spend was a bargain, where we'd cut "inefficiencies" from professional golf and much more on this week's episode of the Drop Zone.

Enjoy!

 

HOSTS: James Colgan, Dylan Dethier, Sean Zak

PRODUCERS: John Sodaro, Darren Riehl

Golf Stuff That Matters w/ Michael Bamberger ft. Tiger, Trump, Spieth, Phoenix, Genesis, More

Dylan Dethier and Michael Bamberger bridge the gap between the WM Phoenix Open and the Genesis with a wide-ranging chat on 30-somethings in golf, iPhones, Tiger, Trump, Spieth, the LPGA commissioner, cut lines and where the PGA Tour should be careful. Enjoy!

Hosts: Dylan Dethier, Michael Bamberger

Producer: Darren Riehl 

What Rory's Win Means, Pro Sends Odd Email, Inside a PGA Tour Meeting, Stories from Pebble

Our James Colgan and Dylan Dethier were on the ground at Pebble Beach, where they officially declare golf season OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY. They bring back some stories, tackle a couple tough Rory-related questions, take you inside a PGA Tour meeting, dive into CBS broadcast changes, explain a strange email calling out the Tour's most popular player and much more.

Enjoy the listen — and if you want to make our day, leave a five-star rating. See you next week! 

Hosts: Dylan Dethier, James Colgan, Sean Zak
Producers: Darren Riehl, John Sodaro

State of Golf w/ Michael Bamberger

Michael Bamberger joins Dylan Dethier to tackle the state of golf, from the pro game all the way down. What to make of Justin Thomas' letter? Is TGL real? What would they ask Phil Mickelson? Has Michael dabbled in YouTube Golf? How can they fix slow play? What's the best spot at Pebble Beach? What to make of Tiger Woods? And what person — and event — has them excited about the golf season?

Hosts: Dylan Dethier, Michael Bamberger, Sean Zak
Producers: Darren Riehl, John Sodaro

Solving Slow Play, What LIV's Deal Means, TGL's 4 Challenges

The Drop Zone crew deep-dives the beginning of the golf season, solves slow play (sorta), breaks down LIV's game-changing TV deal (or is it?), tackles the TGL's successes and challenges and much more. From FS1 to the American Express to the Minnesota Muskies, this has a little something for everyone. Dive in!

 

Hosts: Sean Zak, Claire Rogers, Dylan Dethier, James Colgan
Producers: Darren Riehl, John Sodaro

TGL Takes, Lessons From Hawaii, NFL-Golf Comps, ex-LIVer gripes

The Drop Zone had boots on the ground at TGL's launch. They talk pleasant surprises, mandatory changes, room for improvement and more. They dissect TV ratings and lessons from the PGA Tour's Hawaiian Swing, break down an ex-LIV player's gripes and finish with some NFL-Tour pro comps. Dive in!

Hosts: Sean Zak, Claire Rogers, Dylan Dethier, James Colgan
Producers: Darren Riehl, John Sodaro

Inside Xander Schauffele's Cave | World No. 2 Talks Majors, Stalactites, More

Xander Schauffele sits down with Dylan Dethier to explore an epic two-major 2024 and talk process, lifestyle, happiness, goals and what's next. In the new Drop Zone's first interview. Take a trip inside the head of the World No. 2 — we think you'll like what you find. Enjoy!

 

You can watch Schauffele's Warming Up interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pXPcDb8u1k&t=435s.

 

 

Dylan welcomes your feedback at dylan_dethier@golf.com.

We Fixed the PGA Tour! Plus TGL Predictions, Tiger's PIP Legacy and More

It's the start of the 2025 golf season, and the Drop Zone gang discusses the beginning of the PGA Tour season, latest news on a potentially massive shift to the PGA Tour playoffs (27:59), their (forced) optimism for the TGL (41:40), and the PIP Program's legacy of mega Tiger Woods paydays. (14:09)

Email Us! sean.zak@golf.com

Hosts: Sean Zak, Claire Rogers, Dylan Dethier, James Colgan
Producers: Darren Riehl, John Sodaro

Red-Hot 2025 Golf Predictions: LIV Wins, Grand Slams, Leadership Changes, More

Golf is facing a pivotal 2025, and as the New Year arrives the GOLF.com crew drops their biggest predictions for the year ahead on the PGA Tour, LIV and LPGA — even if they probably won't come true. From the major championships (a new grand-slam winner at the U.S. Open?) to the boardroom (a surprising PGA Tour CEO hire), to the latest from Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth, the gang gives their boldest takes for the year ahead.

Enjoy! Subscribe and throw us a rating! And [groans] we'll see you next year!

Hosts: James Colgan, Dylan Dethier, Claire Rogers and Sean Zak
Producer: Darren Riehl
Editor: John Sodaro

Tiger Up Close, Claire's Florida Adventure, TGL, LIV, Showdown, more

What are we gifting to pro golfers this Christmas season? What's next for Tiger? What does the TGL setup look like? What do we make of the Showdown? Claire checks in from her month in Florida, where she's seen it all firsthand. James chimes in with intel on LIV's Fox deal. Ring in the holidays with a little Drop Zone. Dive in!

Scottie’s Arrest Zapruder, Tiger’s Tree Handshake, Rory Encounters: Golf 2024 Year In Review

The Drop Zone crew presents "The Zonies," a chaotic awards show celebrating the most memorable moments of 2024 — plus some you'd forgotten. From Tiger Woods shaking hands with a tree to Scottie Scheffler's Louisville arrest to Bryson's viral ensemble and even LIV's brush with food poisoning, zip through the best of the season.

Want more? Rate, review and subscribe — we appreciate you guys.

Is Scottie Worth $765 mil? Plus Tiger Lessons, Creator Talk, Random Major Contenders

Is Scottie Scheffler worth Juan Soto-level money? The Drop Zone rundown starts there and zips through Scheffler's latest win (and latest change!), lessons from Tiger Woods, the Hero's existence, Kevin Kisner's hiring, the arrival of the Creator Council and more. Dylan runs you through the year's random major championship contenders, the crew gives you some half-baked bets and we leave it there.

 

If you're happy the Drop Zone is back, we'd love you to subscribe, rate, review — we deeply appreciate it!

LIV’s Latest Moves, Predicting Tiger, Phil Mickelson’s Beef

The Drop Zone Rundown is here! What's LIV scheming as Hot Stove season begins? What will Tiger Woods say as he reappears? What's Phil Mickelson's beef with NFTs — and how does it involve this podcast? Plus: what to make of Bryson's ace, what the LPGA needs to do next, whether Dylan needs to open his eyes, a TGL story to watch and more. 

Major Drop Zone Announcement

Welcome back to The Drop Zone. We introduce our new crew and let you know how and when we are going to be dropping the all new Drop Zone. 

Morikawa vs. Hovland, Grading LIV’s Season, Predicting the Future

Dylan Dethier and Sean Zak recap the weekend by finally — properly! — rating Collin Morikawa (2:00). Then they work through the news with 5 Questions (21:00) to recap LIV's first full season and predict the future before drafting teams from the LIV Leftovers (58:10). Enjoy! (And respond to our prompt on Spotify) 

PGA Tour-LIV Future, Ryder Cup Fallout, PGL? | 7 Golf Quotes, Unpacked

Dylan Dethier and Sean Zak take a dive into golf's current events by deciphering seven quotes about the PGA Tour, the PGL, LIV, the Ryder Cup and more. Take a tour of golf's tours, their murky futures and their uncertain partnerships with the Drop Zone crew. Enjoy!

RYDER CUP GRADES: Players, captains, course

Europe’s beatdown of the U.S. Ryder Cup team deserves a full breakdown. Dylan and Sean grade the players, the captains, the golf course and share stories and insight from a week in Rome. Enjoy!!

RYDER CUP PREVIEW: Who’s gonna win?!

The Drop Zone brings you behind the scenes at the Ryder Cup from on the ground in Italy — and cruise through some hypotheticals. How would USA's B Team look? Which players would the other side trade for? What favors Team USA? What favors Team Europe? How do the teams stack up — and what will make the difference? And...who wins? Enjoy!

Buy or Sell?! Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup Burning Questions

Justin Thomas is BACK. Buy or Sell? Team Europe should be favored. Buy or Sell? The Ryder Cup shouldn't be in Rome. Buy or Sell? Sean and Dylan break down the Solheim and Ryder Cups as they tackle questions about best players, best teams, best venues and more. Enjoy!

 

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Wild Forgotten 2023 PGA Tour Moments, Ryder Cup Picks

Tiger Woods did what this year? Ohhh, right. Dylan and Sean draft their 5 moments each that you might have forgotten from the 2023 PGA Tour season, from Tiger to Rory McIlroy to Patrick Reed to Augusta National and more. Plus they deep-dive Team Europe completing its Ryder Cup roster. Who were the last guys in — and the biggest snubs? Enjoy!

Ryder Cup Reactions! Snubs, Surprises, Sadness

The U.S. Ryder Cup team is complete! Zach Johnson’s six captain’s picks are in. Dylan and Sean break down who should feel grateful, who should feel snubbed and what the selections show about the philosophy behind this year’s team. Plus Justin Thomas takes and a Keegan Bradley homage. Enjoy!

Hovland Insanity, Tour Champ Preview, U.S. Ryder Cup Drama

Viktor Hovland shot...61?! Sean was at the BMW Championship, Dylan's at the Tour Championship and they're here to break down what's happening in the final weeks of the PGA Tour season, from Hovland's closing stretch to the Tour Championship's stakes to the implications for the U.S. Ryder Cup team going forward. Enjoy!

Brandel Chamblee’s Unfiltered LIV Takes, ’Merger’ Reaction

Brandel Chamblee joins Dylan Dethier for Part 2 of their interview — and it's a scorcher. Chamblee explains how he found out about the PGA Tour's agreement with the PIF, goes deep on his original objections to LIV and to Saudi influence in golf, shares unfiltered thoughts on Phil Mickelson and more. Enjoy the listen!

Brandel Chamblee’s Origin Story

Brandel Chamblee joins Dylan Dethier in Part 1 of our two-part interview, and they start at the VERY beginning. How did Chamblee’s childhood predict his future? How did he find golf? What would he have changed about his future? And how does he make such compelling golf television? Hear answers to all of the above — in Chamblee’s own words. Enjoy! And subscribe to get Part 2 when it drops…

Playoff Drama, Bryson’s 58, What’s Next?!

As the Wyndham Championship brought a close to the PGA Tour season, Sean and Dylan got together for a wide-ranging session encompassing the race for the final playoff spot, Lucas Glover's win-in-progress, Bryson DeChambeau's 58, Justin Thomas' Ryder Cup hopes and much more. Enjoy!