Golf And Politics

On this episode of Golf & Politics, Matt and Rob sit down with Daniel Belk, an entrepreneur and former Division I track athlete who set out to play Golf Magazine’s Top 100 public courses in a single year.

Daniel is already 53 courses into the journey, traveling the country in an RV and working with a $70,000–$85,000 budget. He breaks down how he’s managing the logistics, where the money goes, the courses that have stood out, and why the experience has become about much more than simply checking courses off a list.

The conversation also gets into Daniel’s approach to rating courses, the role of social media in his journey, entrepreneurship, and the importance of staying present instead of constantly worrying about what comes next.

And because this is Golf & Politics, Matt and Rob get into a bigger question: after traveling to dozens of courses and meeting people all over the country, does Daniel still have hope for America despite the political divisions we see online?

Plus, Daniel takes on the 10-Round Split, Shotgun Nine, his most controversial golf opinions, his dream foursome, and the ridiculous lengths he’s gone to for a tee time.

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On this episode of Golf & Politics, Matt and Rob sit down for a candid conversation about the Oklahoma governor’s race, the Republican Party, President Trump, and where American politics goes from here.

Matt reflects on the incredibly close Oklahoma governor’s race and the experience of spending 20 months working on the Gentner Drummond campaign. The conversation then expands to Trump’s influence over the Republican Party, the challenges facing Republicans heading into the midterms, and whether the party has delivered on the promises that helped bring Trump back to the White House.

Matt and Rob also discuss political polarization, immigration, foreign policy, tariffs, the role of social media in politics, and the need for politicians to disagree without treating each other as enemies.

At the end of the day, the conversation comes back to something both Matt and Rob agree on: politics can be competitive without losing sight of the country and the people it is supposed to serve.

And, of course, there’s golf. The episode closes with a look ahead to the next G&P Cup at RTJ.

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With Oklahoma’s Republican primary runoff just days away, Golf & Politics sits down with four candidates competing for statewide office.

Gentner Drummond joins us in the final stretch of the governor’s race to talk about his military service, ranching background, political independence, integrity, and why he says he wants to be a statesman rather than a politician.

Bob Sullivan discusses the Oklahoma insurance market, why he believes Oklahomans are paying too much for property and casualty insurance, and his decision not to accept money from insurance companies or insurance PACs.

John Pfeiffer breaks down what the Labor Commissioner actually does, Oklahoma’s workforce challenges, and his proposal to bring the state’s Workforce Commission under the Labor Department.

And Robert Franklin explains why he believes his decades in Oklahoma public education make him the right choice for State Superintendent.

The Republican primary runoff is August 25.

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Louis Jackson joins Golf & Politics for another round of Nine Holes, Nine Questions at the Landrunner Golf Classic.

Jackson, a longtime friend of the program and a candidate for the Oklahoma State House, talks about his lifelong interest in politics, growing up in Lawton, why he decided to run for office in 2026, and what it takes to actually build a campaign from the ground up.

Along the way, we get into knocking 1,200 doors, raising $60,000 in his first two weeks, the importance of golf as a place to build relationships, what most voters don't understand about campaigns, working in politics, and why Jackson considers Richard Nixon one of the most underrated presidents in American history.

Plus: plenty of golf, a dream foursome, and a few lessons learned on the course.

Learn more about Louis Jackson: votelouisjackson.com

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Bryson DeChambeau's controversial two-stroke penalty stole the headlines at The Open, but it was far from the only story coming out of Royal Birkdale.

This week, Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth break down why the course produced both record-low rounds and a winning score of just 10-under. Rob also shares his firsthand perspective from playing Royal Birkdale and every Open rota course in Europe.

They also discuss:

Do you think the R&A got the Bryson ruling right?

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Halfway through 2026, we're back with one of our favorite episodes of the year.

Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth break down the five best new golf courses they've played so far this year—from legendary championship venues to hidden gems and some of the most exclusive clubs in the country.

But we don't stop there.

We also reveal the most overrated golf courses we've played in 2026, discuss what separates great golf architecture from great conditioning, and explain why some of golf's biggest names don't always get it right.

Then we shift to politics, sharing the biggest political events that have personally impacted each of us this year—from Capitol Hill to Oklahoma's governor's race—and offer a behind-the-scenes look at how campaigns, endorsements, and lobbying really work.

In this episode:

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What does it take to build one of the most talked-about new golf clubs in America?

In this episode of Golf & Politics, we sit down with Rod Trump, founder and chairman of High Pointe Golf Club, to discuss the remarkable journey from caddie to successful entrepreneur—and ultimately to restoring and reimagining Tom Doak's first golf course.

Rod shares how golf shaped his career, the lessons he learned building and selling businesses, and why creating a truly great golf club is about much more than designing a great golf course. We dive into the vision behind High Pointe, working alongside legendary golf architect Tom Doak, the importance of culture and membership, and what separates the world's greatest clubs from the rest.

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In this episode:

If you enjoy conversations about golf architecture, legendary golf clubs, course design, entrepreneurship, and the people shaping the future of the game, follow us on social media.

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In this episode of Golf & Politics, we dive deep into one of the most important—and overlooked—stories in the game today.

We sit down with Will Smith, co-founder of the National Links Trust, to explore the intersection of golf, history, and power in Washington, DC. From restoring historic municipal courses to preserving access for everyday golfers, this conversation goes far beyond fairways and greens.

We cover:

This episode isn’t just about golf—it’s about community, opportunity, and who the game is really for.

If you care about the future of golf, you need to hear this.

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In this episode of Golf & Politics, Matt and Rob sit down with Sean O’Brien — former congressional chief of staff, Obama campaign operative, Pentagon speechwriter, and former speechwriter for Joe Biden.

Sean shares what it was really like working in Rahm Emanuel’s office during the 2006 wave, running a rebellious Blue Dog-style congressional operation, writing speeches aboard Air Force Two, and serving at the Pentagon under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

The conversation digs into:

Whether 2026 is shaping up to be a wave year

The strength (and limits) of Donald Trump’s influence in GOP primaries

Candidate quality vs. national mood in midterms

Redistricting, the Latino vote, and the hidden battlegrounds

Early 2028 Democratic possibilities, including Mark Kelly and Mitch Landrieu

It’s candid, and it’s a rare behind-the-scenes look at how campaigns and power actually work.

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This week, we start with one of the wildest comeback stories in modern sports. Anthony Kim — after disappearing for a decade, battling addiction, injury, and mental health — shoots 63 in Australia and beats Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. For a guy who didn’t even own clubs for 10 years, it was electric. Not just a golf story — a life story.

We also break down:

Then we pivot to presidential golf history.

From Woodrow Wilson playing 1,000 rounds, to Eisenhower practically living at Augusta National… to JFK’s talent, LBJ using golf to pass legislation, Nixon quitting for optics, Clinton rebuilding the White House putting green, Obama’s smack talk, and Trump’s serious game. Golf has always been a great tool fr connecting with others.

If you love the game beyond just the leaderboard, this one’s for you.

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