Last month Ran Morrissett published a list of 147 courses he nominated as 'Custodians of the Game'. The venues all promote the simplest and most joyful elements of the game, from width and playing angles to walking and simple green keeping practises. But the pre-amble to the list was at least as - if not more interesting than - the list itself and Ran joins Mike Clayton and host Rod Morri to discuss his thinking when putting together his list.

Sometimes there is so much to talk about you don't need a guest and episode 81 of State of the Game comes at just such a time. From the Tiger/Phil big money match to reactions to Bellerive to Inbee Park's slap in the face from one of the game's biggest manufacturers and the possibility of a PGA and PGA Tour merger, its all happening in the world of golf. Join Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and host Rod Morri for an unfiltered take on important recent happenings in the world of professional golf.

Mike Clayton and Rod Morri are joined by former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart to discuss the state of Scottish, and world golf. Coltart won the 1997 Australian PGA at NSW Golf Club, a tournament made famous by another incident involving Clayton himself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl_Nny8TwNM

It's been a couple of weeks but the controversy from the US Open continues to bubble with many believing the USGA has lost a significant amount of credibility after happenings at Shinnecock Hills. Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton join Rod Morri to discuss the long term fallout from the 118th US Open as well as some Ryder Cup chat and more memories of Peter Thomson. For the reprint of Thomson's book mentioned, https://www.slatterymedia.com

Peter Thomson was a giant of the game, not only in Australia but around the world. His five Open titles put him among the greats in history but his contributions to golf extend far beyond simply his brilliance with clubs in hand. His writings on the game and key role in establishing golf in parts of the world previously unknown sets him apart from his peers and he will forever be cherished. In Episode 78, Mike Clayton remembers the Peter Thomson he knew, sharing first hand stories of times spent with the great man as well as some of Thomson's most interesting thoughts from his book A Life In Golf. Anyone with an interest in golf would be well advised to read Thomson's musings (copies of the book can be purchased through Slattery Media), his thoughts on everything from the golf swing to the courses the game is played on and the impact of technology a worthy addition to any golf library.

2006 US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy joins Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to talk about the new and intriguing Byron Nelson host venue Trinity Forest. With the course dominating pre-tournament talk, Ogvily outlines some of the reasons Trinity Forest will be an entertaining and important test this week. We also get some thoughts on whether he will consider a career as a commentator once his playing days are over  and there's a bonus 10 minutes of 'fly on the wall' chat as Ogilvy and Clayton shoot the breeze about the professional game.

PGA Tour player and course architecture junkie Zac Blair joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri on Episode 76 to talk the distance debate, course architecture, The Buck Club project and more.

Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton join host Rod Morri to break down the ball debate which has broken out in the recent weeks.

Billy Dettlaff is a retired golf professional who has produced a stunning new book on the history of his craft. The extraordinary end result is a book of both stunning beauty and historical importance. Billy joined Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri on Episode 74 to discuss the book, Doctors of the Game, while there was also some banter about what impact, if any, Tiger Woods' comments on the ball may have.

It's been a while but Episode 73 is worth the wait as Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri are joined by Geoff Ogilvy to talk Presidents Cup, players not marking on the green before opponents hit their shot, where the best crowds in the world are to be found (this one was a surprise) and plenty more.