Drop Zone - GOLF Podcast

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!

Jim Nantz

As we inch closer and closer to the first major of the year, who better to have on the podcast than the voice of the Masters himself, Jim Nantz. The longtime broadcaster caught up with Alan Shipnuck this week just before heading to San Antonio for the Final Four. Nantz has covered the Masters for CBS for more than 30 years now. Is this the most hyped Masters in his tenure? It just might be. But ask him who'd he'd like to see win and the answer might surprise you. He and Shipnuck cover all things broadcasting, Butler Cabin, his prep and those precious few words he says to accompany golf's most historic moments.

Rewatching the Masters: 1968

Haven't you heard? Final round broadcasts of the last 50 Masters tournaments are now available on YouTube. In an ode to the Rewatchables Podcast from The Ringer, GOLF.com set out to explain the details that have been lost in time...until now. Sean Zak, Jeff Ritter, Alan Bastable and Dylan Dethier break down one of the most unintentionally riveting moments in Masters TV history: when Bob Goalby won the 1968 Masters...because Roberto De Vincenzo signed an incorrect scorecard.

Roger Maltbie

Roger Maltbie is in his 27th year as a reporter and analyst for NBC Sports. 27 years of analyzing putts, chips, approaches and drives. He joins the podcast this week to talk about his run as a broadcaster, his favorite moments covering the action and what it means to have Tiger Woods back playing again. Come for that, stay for some stories about the 1987 Masters, where Maltbie began the back nine as the leader, only to miss out on a playoff by a single stroke.

Christina Kim

Christina Kim has long been the LPGA's biggest personality. Known for her Kangols and brassy pronouncements, Kim has another side, too. She is an old-school purist when it comes to the game, and more philosophical and pensive that her saucy tweets might suggest. A free-spirited California girl with traditional Korean parents, she has spent nearly half of her 34 years on the LPGA, in a constant state of reinvention. Kim recently sat down with Alan Shipnuck to reflect on the state of the game and her place in the universe, among many other topics.

Jessica and Nelly Korda

The Korda sisters have always been in a hurry. Jessica, now 25, made the cut at the 2008 U.S. Women's Open at the age of 15 and was a full-time pro on the LPGA three years later. Nelly, 19, won her very first pro event on the Symetra tour in 2016, and spent last year as an LPGA rookie, making 19 of 23 cuts. And so far in 2018, they've been the talk of the town. After off-season jaw surgery and a brutal recovery, Jessica won her first start back. The very next week, Nelly battled Michelle Wie down to the final hole before losing by one. Afterward, she dissolved into her sister's arms, in a moment that revealed the depth of their bond. They talked about all of this and much more when Alan Shipnuck sat down with the Korda sisters at the Founders Cup in Phoenix for what they said was their first-ever joint interview.

Tony Finau

Tony Finau is a big man with soft hands and a gentle voice, but his courtly manner belies the violence he visits upon his golf ball. Finau, a lanky 6'4", leads the PGA Tour in driving distance at 323.7 yards a pop, what will be a record if he can maintain it for a full season. But this 28 year-old is more than just a slugger, as a polished all-around game has him 7th on Tour in stroke average and having already enjoyed four top-6 finishes this season. The journey to stardom has been long and circuitous for a man of color who grew up hand-to-mouth in Salt Lake City. Finau sat down with Alan Shipnuck last week in Mexico City to discuss how far he's come and where he's headed.

Things We Must Discuss

This week, Dylan Dethier and Sean Zak break down all the relevant topics in the golf world. Was JT right to have a fan ejected? No. Why would the USGA choose a 2-hole playoff? It's a brilliant idea. Is Tiger really that impressive thus far? All that and much more.

The State of Tiger Woods

In this episode, we play a game with Tiger Woods. Three GOLF.com staffers come together for a State of the Union on the most popular golfer in the world. With five topics and one point per topic, they present arguments for, against and in relation to Woods's current state. Come for the points, stay for the mute button.

The Story of Vokey Wedges

The story of Vokey wedges begins with its namesake, Bob Vokey, a now 78-year-old man who isn't even close to retirement. Vokey's name or initials have been stamped on the back of every Titleist wedge of the past 15 years. His name competes against industry behemoths like Callaway and TaylorMade, which is ironic because Vokey could have easily — impossibly easily — become a TaylorMade brand. Tune in for details on that, and how a Montreal kid with no college degree slowly made his way up the golf equipment ladder.

Fred Couples

Former Masters champion Fred Couples joins to talk sports, sports and more sports. It'll be something he needs to get used to as Couples is embarking on a radio venture with SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio in 2018. Couples will host The Fred Couples Show on a monthly basis beginning this week. He details his plans for the show here in addition to the topics below: 1:35 - The Fred Couples Show 7:30 - Tiger Woods's return to Torrey Pines 10:45 - What it's like trying to play competitive golf amid back injuries 13:30 - The Senior British Open at St. Andrews 18:30 - His prospects as a Ryder Cup captain 23:30 - The Ryder Cup experience

Kevin Na

Kevin Na is 34 years old, which means he still has plenty of golf ahead of him. It also means that he's been a professional golfer for half his life. Na turned pro as a junior in high school, "because I wanted to make some money," he said, jokingly, to Alan Shipnuck. The two dive deep on a number of topics that Na has faced in his career, like slow play, his struggles with the yips, his lone career victory, and much more.

John Ashworth

Some guys just have it, that hard-to-define but unmistakable cool factor that draws people to them. Arnold Palmer had it. Fred Couples has it. And so, too, does John Ashworth. At 58, Ashworth is ruggedly handsome and projects an appealing surfer-dude mellowness, sprinkled with the karmic wisdom of a yogi. In fact, the surf culture has had a deep impact on this Southern California native, and it shows in the relaxed vibe of his new passion project, Linksoul. Alan Shipnuck sat down with Ashworth to talk all things golf fashion, golf passion projects, his playing days, professional caddying days, and much more.

BOLD Predictions for 2018

2018 is almost here, so GOLF.com assembled a group of five fortune tellers to predict how 2018 will shake out. Five fortune tellers making predictions at the same time. Hopefully that isn't too much for your earbuds. We make predictions for Rory's world ranking, Jordan Spieth's legend, Phil Mickelson's wardrobe, Tiger Woods' schedule and Team Europe's Ryder Cup chances. Agree with us? Disagree? Let us hear about it.

Wayne Westner, Troubled Off the Tee

Nearly one year ago, Wayne Westner — the best golfer you've never heard of — wrote a farewell note to his family and pointed a 9mm handgun to his head. His death was international news for the golf world, sensationalized in his homeland of South Africa, but left to just a paragraph or two elsewhere. Alan Shipnuck set out to find the story of Westner, once one of the most promising athletes in South Africa. What he found was a deeply philosophical, deeply troubled man who spent much of his life searching for perfection in the golf swing. Did he ever find it? Listen to Shipnuck's take on the podcast and find out for yourself by reading the story on GOLF.com.

What's the value of a muni? On the life and death of Lakeshore Golf Course

For so many golfers, the city- or county-owned course, better known as a “muni,” is a sacred part of the game. But nowadays, new stories pop up every day of cities considering shuttering their courses for other, more profitable opportunities...things like commercial real estate, public housing, or even just an open public park that a greater percentage of the population could take advantage of. It’s natural that cities across the country are eager to balance their budgets, but munis occupy valuable places in their communities, too. They’re beloved by those who play them, they open the game of golf to the general public, and they preserve open green space. So how do you choose a side in this debate? How do you weigh the meaningful experiences of muni golfers against the economic priorities of an entire city? In short: what’s a Muni worth? We explore that question through the lens of Lakeshore Golf Course in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.