Drop Zone - GOLF Podcast

How Mizzen+Main got Phil Mickelson to dance on TV

You all saw it. On Twitter or ESPN or CNN or elsewhere. Phil Mickelson dancing and dodging golf balls in a Mizzen and Main dress shirt. How did that come together to become the campaign of the year? How did it inspire Mizzen and Main to keep spending commercial dollars? There is a pretty clear path for this story, but some of it will surprise you. Mizzen and Main CEO Kevin Lavelle joins us to break down the brilliant spot and how they convinced Mickelson to do it.

Cameron Champ, Sam Burns and Joaquin Niemann

We sat down with all three cover stars on the January issue of GOLF Magazine to delve into their rise to the elite ranks of the golf world. For Champ, that means what he learned throughout his win at the Sanderson Farms this fall (31:43). For Burns, it was quite the moment playing with Tiger at the Honda Classic (20:20). For Niemann, well, the kid just turned 20. Him being a Tour card holder is incredible in itself. Enjoy the podcast and check out the story in the newest issue of GOLF Magazine.

Matt Parziale // Bermuda Golf

2017 Mid-am champ Matt Parziale joins us from the Goslings Invitational to recap his year and the event he and Dylan Dethier played in. We kick off the show with a discussion on the courses we played in Bermuda before getting Parziale involved (13:20) to break down his wild 2018 season, getting some crystal at the Masters and finishing as low-am at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock.

Tiger v. Phil — Pick a side!

It's Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson week and whether or not you're crazy about the event, we're here to preview it. We break down the good and the bad in the run up to it, talk about dream scenarios, discuss the prop bets and make a case why each player will win. Happy Thanksgiving!

'Equipment Woj' Jonathan Wall

In a move he likened to "MJ joining the Wiz," longtime PGA Tour equipment guru Jonathan Wall is bringing his equipment scoops to GOLF.com. So, on the first day of his new gig, Wall also joined the podcast to talk about his new gig, why he nerds out over equipment, the appetite for equipment content and why you're annoying him by sliding into those DMs.

Jup Life!

We spent a week in Jupiter, Fla. the "international golf capital of the world," according to Dylan. We did all things golf, from hanging at the Bear's Club with a certain Player of the Year to dining (not just once but twice) at The Woods Jupiter. We lived that Jup Life and we're here to break it all down for you.

Team USA: Where the hell are we right now?

It's an important question to ask, now that plenty of news has been shared about a not-so-happy American team room. Apologies to the fans of the Shipnuck-Bamberger podcast. Zak and Dethier have been substituted this week to break down the Patrick Reed fire, the DJ-Brooks alleged fight and discuss how the captainship should be decided moving forward.

Ryder Cup Preview from the French Countryside

Looking out over the French countryside, Sean Zak and Dylan Dethier preview all things Ryder Cup. Will Tiger Woods be the best player in Paris? Will Phil Mickelson be the worst? How likely is an American blowout? They also break down their round at the "Augusta of France."

Brendan Steele 2.0

3-time Tour winner Brendan Steele joins Alan Shipnuck to talk about all things, beginning with how Google stock propelled his golf career. Other topics include Steele overcoming the belly-putter ban, the failings of the USGA, his money matches against Phil Mickelson and how he owns the Safeway Open.

Stewart Cink

Stew Cink sits down with Alan Shipnuck to discuss his career both past and present. Yes, that includes the traumatizing 2001 U.S. Open at Southern Hills as well as his triumph over Tom Watson at the 2009 Open at Turnberry. Cink delves into his family life, his mental game battles and how he sees himself on the PGA Tour today.

Sergio Garcia

Sergio Garcia sits down with Alan Shipnuck to talk about all things, starting with the Ryder Cup. Will he make the team? Would he accept a duty as assistant captain? Will it bring out the best in his game? The conversation spans many other topics, including his new life as a Texan, how golf has changed, the resurgence of Tiger Woods and Sergio's future endeavors.

Dustin Johnson + Drop Zone, Ep. 3 (ft. Tyrrell Hatton)

Audio from Drop Zone Ep. 3 is included, and the two hosts sit down with Dustin Johnson to talk about his mentality on many things: his press conferences, his look, his place in the world of athletes and more. DJ joins us at the 17:40 mark.

Shipnuck & Bamberger from St. Louis

GOLF's senior writers recap the PGA Championship from Mama's on the Hill in St. Louis. That means a lengthy discussion on the fire within Brooks Koepka, the firepower of Tiger Woods and if Shipnuck will run into some friendly fire at the Ryder Cup in Paris.

Roadtrippin' To Bellerive

Sean Zak and Dylan Dethier are back on the road to another major. After driving to the Masters from New York, they drive to the PGA Championship from Chicago. It's much shorter, but the conversation is hopefully just as good: Tiger, POY, Bellerive, conditions, a random course in Illinois and much more.

Shipnuck & Bamberger from St. Andrews

Alan Shipnuck and Michael Bamberger recap the British Open from the Rufflets Country House in St. Andrews. Of course, that means some talk of Francesco Molinari, but it also means a break down of Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, how Carnoustie held up, past ventures to the Open, and playing St. Andrews at midnight.

British Open Preview

Sean Zak and Dylan Dethier preview the year's third major by breaking down what the course has to offer, what the vibe is like at a British Open, the favorites and sleepers, and much more. Bear with us, the audio quality isn't as great as it normally is for us. We're outfitting our new studio at the moment and hopefully will have it up and running perfectly in the coming weeks.

Shipnuck & Bamberger: U.S. Open Recap

Alan Shipnuck and Michael Bamberger weigh in for the final time on all things U.S. Open. That means Phil Mickelson's memorable Saturday, the USGA's forgetful Saturday, Tiger Woods's forgetful performance, DJ v. Brooks v. Fleetwood and the rest. Enjoy!

Greg Norman

The Shark joins the podcast this week to talk about the upcoming debut of his radio show on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio. Greg Norman will host a monthly show that delves into not just golf but many other topics with the biggest names from Norman's rolodex. Fireside chats are the vibe he's going for with names from all industries — politics, sports, business or otherwise. We discuss that, the latter stages of his career, his friendship with Seve Ballesteros and much more.

In the Mag: June

This week's podcast dives into the June issue of GOLF Magazine, and in particular three feature stories. We've got the battle of Tiger v. Rocco from 2008, what it's like to hang out (and workout) with Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka, and what it takes to win a U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. Those, of course, are just the topics. Tune in for many, many more details. Michael Bamberger on Tiger v. Rocco — 0:45 Alan Shipnuck on DJ/Brooks/Joey D — 14:45 Jeff Ritter on Winning at Shinny — 31:30

Emma Talley

Emma Talley will be — or at least she should be — one of the fan favorites at this month's Women's U.S. Open at Shoal Creek. The 24-year-old is a member at the private club and will have more course knowledge than the rest of the field combined. Talley is a rookie on the LPGA Tour and a former U.S. Amateur and NCAA champion. She's also a Christina Aguilera fanatic. Enjoy this quick convo with her about all those things and more.

In the Mag: May

This week we dive into three stories from GOLF Magazine with the three writers, Alan Shipnuck, Michael Bamberger and Ryan Asselta. We learn about the eccentric Tour coach Tony Ruggiero, how a golf club in Erie, PA handled a brutal winter, and the many layers behind that classic Matt Kuchar smile. Shipnuck takes us to the range with a struggling Smylie Kaufman, Bamberger takes us through a blizzard in Pennsylvania and Asselta takes us to life lessons with the father of two, Kuchar.

The Making of Caddyshack

Everyone’s favorite golf movie was shot in 1979, released in 1980 and riddled with behind-the-scenes cocaine usage. Yep, that was the making of Caddyshack. Author Chris Nashawaty joins the podcast to discuss his new book 'Caddyshack: The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella Story.' As Chris knows well, there was all kinds of hilarity involved in making a golf comedy, and not just heavy drug use. There was a young guy named Bill Murray in one of his first breakout roles, there was the actual casting of a gopher, and then there was Rodney Dangerfield perpetually pissing off Ted Knight. All that and more is included in Chris's book, which comes out next week. Until then, enjoy this conversation.

Recapping the Masters from Waffle House

Senior writers Alan Shipnuck and Michael Bamberger recap the Masters from a Waffle House on Washington Road. In some ways, it's the perfect setting to recount everything from the Masters week that was. Bamberger and Shipnuck dive into the stories they wrote throughout the week, Patrick Reed's Masters moment, the charges of Spieth and Fowler, the disappointment from Tiger and Rory, and much more.

Masters Preview

Senior writers Alan Shipnuck and Michael Bamberger preview the first major of the year like only they know how to. That means story after story, like almost running over Tiger Woods, working out with Rory McIlroy (and Wozniacki), sneaking into Butler Cabin and much, much more.

Roadtrippin' to the Masters

We did it. Instead of an easier and quicker form of travel — flying — we drove from New York City to Augusta, GA. Along the way, we stormed the borders of Pine Valley, crushed Monster drinks and talked Tiger with Brendan Porath of SB Nation, fooled around on The Cradle at Pinehurst and then played an unassuming course in rural South Carolina for just $9 (with a cart, no less). It was quite the trip, and we documented it all, previewing the Masters as we went. Enjoy!