iSeekGolf Podcast

There is a lot to like about golf in Australia but the game isn't without its challenges. Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt joined Bruce Young and Rod Morri on episode 45 of the podcast to discuss everything from funding of the organisation's elite programs to the future of the Men's and Women's Australian Opens. Also explained is the concept of One Golf, a bold plan to bring all the nation's golf administrators together under one banner, a plan which hasn't been met with universal endorsement but which Pitt believes will be the reality sooner than later.

Special Guest: Stephen Pitt.

There was a time when 'golf media' meant print magazines but that time is long past. The internet might have changed the industry we know as media more than any other and the way golf is reported on has changed along with it. Respected Canadian golf writer Lorne Rubenstein has been in the industry more than 40 years and brings a unique perspective not only to this topic but technology more generally as well as some fascinating insights into the game. Lorne is co-author of Tiger Woods' book about his 1997 Masters victory and has some interesting takes on how the second part of Tiger's career might pan out.

Special Guest: Lorne Rubenstein.

Rob Collins and Tad King are at the cutting edge of golf course design and their project at Sweetens Cove in Tennessee has met with almost universal critical acclaim. The nine hole course has been a labour of love and, along with Winter Park in Florida, could be at the forefront of setting the trend for affordable but entertaining golf of the future. Rob chats about Sweetens Cove but also course architecture more generally as well as the importance of up and coming designers such as King Collins golf getting the chance to show off their skills. A fascinating interview subject, Rob is a breath of fresh air and will undoubtedly be a guest again in the future.

Special Guest: Rob Collins.

Geoff Shackelford is one of the game's most outspoken commentators through his popular blog, regular appearances on Golf Channel and his several books on the game. All of which made his 2003 book Grounds For Golf the ideal starting point for the ISG Podcast Book Club. Hosts Rod Morri and Adrian Logue take an in-depth look through this excellent resource which includes beautiful illustrations by noted golf course architect Gil Hanse. Also mentioned in the discussion is an episode of the Feed The Ball podcast with Derek Duncan chatting to Robert Trent Jones Jr and an episode of The Golfers Journal podcast featuring Tom Coyne. Coyne's book, A Course Called Ireland, will be the subject of Episode Two of the ISG Book Club next month.

The New Zealand Open is an important tournament in this part of the world with an enviable list of winners including Peter Thomson nine times and Kel Nagle seven. But in a game that is becoming increasingly expensive to run at the professional level, this once proud event was in danger of falling into obscurity until Michael Glading and his team got involved in 2011. Hosted in Queenstown and run as a four day pro-am event similar to Pebble Beach and St Andrews, the New Zealand Open is now clawing its way back to significance and Glading joins the podcast this week to explain not only how its come this far but how the tournament will remain relevant in the future. Also, don't forget it's just one week till the inaugural episode of the #ISGPod Book Club so if you haven't already, grab your copy of Grounds for Golf by Geoff Shackelford and tune in next week.

Special Guest: Michael Glading.

"It's not the history of golf," says author Matt Cleary. "It's A history of golf. And a short one at that." In an entertaining and informal wander through some of the great stories and characters that make up golf's rich past, Matt Cleary has removed the stodge from history and replaced it with a brilliant and readable retelling of some of the game's great stories. From giants of the game such as Greg Norman to founders like Old Tom Morris, it's not comprehensive but it does keep one turning the pages. Matt talks about the joy of researching the book and finding out plenty he didn't already know but also about the difficulty of what to leave out (including a great story involving our own Bruce Young, vision of which you can see here.)Matt's book can be bought from his website and is a fantastic gift for any golf enthusiast.

Special Guest: Matt Cleary.

"Golf is the only game that you can't decide beforehand how long you want to play for. We're changing that." So says Pascal Stolz, CEO of eGull Pay golf, a radical and fascinating concept where golfers get to pay by the hole for the amount they play. Pascal has a long history in both golf and technology and brings the two together in a way that could well change the way we think about consuming the game.

Also, this week sees the launch of the ISGPod Book Club where we'll delve into various areas of the game and industry that is golf. Episode One will be out the week of Jan 30 and the book we'll be looking at is Geoff Shackelford's Grounds For Golf, an excellent introduction into the world of golf course architecture and the impact it has on the game. For those interested in coming along for the ride on this adventure, you can download the book here.

Special Guest: Pascal Stolz.

Mark Hensby was one of the ISG Podcast's most entertaining guests when he appeared on Episode 8 of the show but has found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week. Hensby released a statement overnight regarding his one year suspension for refusing a drug test in October and joins Rod Morri to explain hat happened in this special episode of the #ISGPod.

Special Guest: Mark Hensby.

While we might not have the technical skills of the top players even double digit handicaps can improve their golf simply by thinking better on the course. Nick O'Hern made a career out of managing his mind and emotions better than the rest and his book - Tour Mentality: Inside the Mind of a Tour Pro - can help you do the same. In Episode 37 of the ISG Podcast O'Hern recounts how he toppled Tiger Woods twice at matchplay as well as offering some pointers on how average golfers can score better and enjoy the game more. Nick's book is available at his website and makes an excellent Christmas gift for yourself or anyone else who loves the game.

Special Guest: Nick O'Hern.

Bryden Macpherson's second ISG Podcast appearance is as entertaining as his first, the 27-year-old again showing remarkable insight and maturity despite a heartbreaking close call at qualifying for next year's European Tour. Bryden finished second on the China Tour money list by less than $160 Australian, enough to mean the difference between a trip to the world's second richest Tour and another year toiling on the world's smaller circuits. But with a healthy dose of perspective Bryden has already shrugged off the disappointment and not only is he already looking forward to next year but has some excellent insight into the three Summer of Golf winners as well as the comeback of Tiger Woods.

Special Guest: Bryden Macpherson.