Washington Post reporter Rick Maese breaks down the Trump administration’s termination of the lease held by the National Links Trust for operation of the three golf courses on National Park Service land in Washington, DC. The conversation traces the timeline, the ambiguous notice of default, and what those moves could signal for the future of these […]

Washington Post columnist Barry Svrluga joins the podcast to unpack the unfolding controversy surrounding Washington, D.C.’s three public golf courses at Langston, Rock Creek Park, and East Potomac. Barry breaks down what the Trump administration’s notice of default against the National Links Trust means for the 50-year lease, why affordable public golf in the nation’s […]

Josh joins to discuss Where the Fairway Ends, his Nova Scotia golf road-trip book with his dog, his Weird Golf map project of unusual courses throughout the country, and his plan to build a cross-country golf course inspired by Australia’s Nullarbor Links. weirdgolf.com

Lauren Greenlief has long been one of the faces of Virginia amateur golf — a seven-time state Golfer of the Year and the 2015 U.S. Women’s Mid-Am Champion. Fresh off another impressive run at the 2025 Mid-Am, she joins the pod to talk about staying competitive at the highest level while managing a demanding full-time […]

The summer of 2025 proved a major challenge for golf course superintendents across the Mid-Atlantic, as relentless heat and pounding rains pushed every aspect of course care to its limits.  Worthington Manor Superintendent, Rob Randall joins to reflect on the season’s challenges, sharing how various grass types stood up to the test, why clear communication […]

Fresh off a week on the west coast, where he volunteered at Cypress Point and was able to play some of the best courses the Golden State has to offer, David Lee joins the Surrender Birdies pod for a second time. We discuss his experience volunteering at the Walker Cup, and his getting to play […]

With the PGA Tour descending on Caves Valley GC this week, we are joined by Bernie Najar, the Director of Instruction at the prestigious club.  We discuss the upcoming BMW Championship, the recent renovations to the course, and the challenges it presents to players. He shares insights from his extensive experience in golf instruction, including […]

Ford Martin breaks down his rise in the world of adaptive golf, from overcoming neurogenic club foot to earning a global top-10 ranking. He shares how his background in lacrosse shaped his competitive mindset, walks us through the process of qualifying for elite adaptive events and recounts some of his achievements in golf including winning […]

With the US Adaptive Open set to take on Woodmont Country Club’s South Course, architect Joel Weiman joins the pod to talk about his work at the Rockville club. A veteran of over 20 years at MacDonald Design Group, Weiman started his own design firm in 2023 and has continued making an impact on courses […]

Rob McNamara reflects on his unforgettable experience qualifying for the 1983 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club as a 17-year-old high school senior, sharing stories about competing on one of golf’s toughest stages as a teenager. He describes the pressure and excitement of playing alongside legends and how that moment shaped his lifelong passion for […]