Drop Zone - GOLF Podcast - podcast cover

Drop Zone - GOLF Podcast

Every week, GOLF’s writers run through the 10 most interesting topics in the sport. Featuring Dylan Dethier, Sean Zak, Claire Rogers, James Colgan, Michael Bamberger and special guests.
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Episodes

Will The 2024 Ryder Cup Be A Disaster?

The PGA Championship at Bethpage Black showcased the fan frenzy that comes with hosting a major golf tournament in New York. But was it an indication that crowds are becoming too mean spirited? Instruction Editor, and Team Europe super fan, Luke Kerr-Dineen wrote an article claiming the event has him "terrified." Host Dylan Dethier asks important questions regarding who's to blame, how it can be fixed, and why it matters.

May 23, 201919 min

Watching The PGA With Koepka's Girlfriend Jena Sims

What was it like to watch the PGA Championship alongside Brooks Koepka’s girlfriend Jena Sims? Jessica Marksbury got that opportunity this weekend. She joins Dylan Dethier to give some behind-the-scenes insight into Team Koepka and how they took in the action at Bethpage Black.

May 21, 201925 min

Brooks Koepka's Major Statement

Alan Shipnuck and Michael Bamberger host their PGA Championship recap - during the final few holes of the major! The senior writers discuss Brooks Koepka's career and the statement he's made by winning his fourth major in his last eight tries, where he goes from here, and his relationship with long-time friend Dustin Johnson.

May 20, 201936 min

The Legend of Bethpage Black

Writer Paul Rogers first played Bethpage Black in college, and he's returned nearly a dozen times since. In this episode, host Dylan Dethier asks Rogers the pain and pleasure of the Black: what magic makes it so special, why it's become a legendary major venue, and what we can expect when the pros tee it up this week for the 2019 PGA Championship.

May 15, 201931 min

PGA Championship Preview

The PGA Championship is upon us, much earlier than usual. Alan Shipnuck and Michael Bamberger discuss the tournaments move to May along with Tiger Woods after his Masters victory and Brooks Koepka's game.

May 13, 201939 min

Bethpage Black's Mysterious Warning Sign

The PGA Championship heads to one of the toughest courses in America and home to one of the most iconic signs in the sport: Bethpage Black's 'Warning' sign. While the messaging is clear, its origin is not. Josh Berhow hosts this investigative podcast as he tries to uncover the truth of who put up the sign and when. But as you'll find out, memories can be fleeting.

May 13, 201917 min

Evolution of Course Design

Paul Stringer discusses the art and process of golf course designs as well as it's future and global expansion in the sport. Dylan Dethier hosts and has a conversation with the Executive Vice President of the Nicklaus Companies. GOLF.com and Nicklaus Companies are both affiliates of 8AM Golf.

May 08, 201929 min

Rory McIlroy at 30

Rory McIlroy turned 30 Saturday. What does that number mean for him? To understand who Rory is today, we look back on who he was as a 19-year-old reaching the PGA Tour for the first time. Michael Bamberger joins Sean Zak to break down McIlroy's career and where he might go from here.

May 06, 201923 min

Playing and Staying at Pinehurst

In this travel episode, Ashley Mayo discusses the full experience of playing and staying at one of the most renowned resorts. Sean Zak asks fan questions and Ashley fields them based on her visits to Pinehurst.

May 03, 201928 min

Anthony Kim Sighting

The latest Anthony Kim sighting reminded the golf world of the sport’s most mysterious star. Alan Shipnuck breaks down Kim's career and disappearance — plus what it’s like tracking him down for a story.

Apr 25, 201920 min

Masters Preview: Shipnuck & Bamberger

It's Masters week! Senior writers Alan Shipnuck and Michael Bamberger talk all things Augusta. Who is the man to beat? How will Tiger fare? What does the month of March tell us about how April will play out? All that and more.

Apr 08, 201932 min

The Ultimate Bandon Dunes Experience

In this travel episode, Ashley Mayo discusses the full experience of playing and staying at the premiere golfing destination. Sean Zak asks fan questions and Ashley fields them based on her seven visits to the rugged Pacific coast of southern Oregon.

Mar 28, 201941 min

Bob Vokey, March Equipment Roundup

In this episode, equipment editor Jon Wall sits down with wedges legend Bob Vokey to discuss how he became a preeminent figure in the short game. Vokey's career is a long and fun one, and obviously no one can tell it quite like him. ALSO: We tease ANOTHER podcast that you will want to subscribe to: A Podcast Unlike Any Other. Enjoy!

Mar 12, 201931 min

How to develop a strong mental game

Luke Kerr-Dineen and Debbie Doniger are joined by Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott, two women at the forefront of golf psychology. The quartet break down various ways you can get an edge mentally toward playing your best golf, starting with choosing the correct coach.

Feb 11, 201940 min

Jordan Spieth talks shoes with Jon Wall

Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth recently sat down with Jon Wall to break down the launch of the Spieth 3 shoe he'll be wearing in 2019. Spieth was intimately involved with the design of the Under Armour shoe, and he details the conversations he had with the UA team to create a shoe he would benefit from in the course of play. He also swapped texts with Steph Curry along the way. Such is life when you've graduated to having your own shoe line.

Feb 06, 201920 min

Sergio Garcia, January equipment rundown

Equipment editor Jon Wall sits down with Sergio Garcia to talk about his career, his transition to Callaway clubs, his depth of wedge-grinding knowledge and much more. Wall also shares his thoughts on what's new around the equipment world, like what is Justin Rose doing with Honma? And how about Rickie Fowler's golf ball change? Enjoy!

Jan 22, 201924 min

Relaunching GOLF Magazine

GOLF Magazine is new, improved, bigger and better than it has ever been. The February issue marks a new era for one of the standards in golf media, so go check it out for yourself. Until you can get it in your hands, listen as editor in chief David Denunzio and creative director David Curcurito explain everything that is different and better about the new mag, from the size and the font to the images and stories within.

Jan 14, 201925 min

Shipnuck & Bamberger Preview 2019

Senior writers Alan Shipnuck and Michael Bamberger preview the new season in only the way they can. They kick off the podcast detailing Shipnuck's most recent feature story and break down how they expect the season to go, changes to Augusta National, and how the major season will be remembered.

Jan 11, 201949 min

Bold Predictions for 2019

25 minutes of predictions for how the 2019 golf year will play out, from Tiger Woods to Brooks Koepka and — gasp! — the Americans LOSING the Presidents Cup. Enjoy!

Dec 31, 201826 min

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.

Dec 20, 201832 min

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.

Dec 11, 201839 min

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.

Dec 04, 201838 min

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!

Nov 19, 201838 min

'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.

Nov 05, 201832 min

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.

Oct 16, 201847 min

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.

Oct 03, 201835 min

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."

Sep 25, 201837 min

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.

Sep 05, 201843 min

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.

Aug 29, 201850 min
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