The 19th Hole Golf Show

We kick off the 2019 golf year with a new episode going over Xander Schauffele's big win at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

Some key takeaways and questions from the win:

Then we look at the Sony Open in Hawaii and the big adjustment players have to make going from Kapalua to Waialae Country Club. We also look at Justin Rose's schedule choices, the big field for the Desert Classic and how that might lead to a new title sponsor.

Finally, we dig in on the two biggest new golf rules in 2019: the option to putt with the flagstick in with the ball on the green, as well the new drop heights. Ultimately, these new rules help make golf better for most.

In this episode of the show, we talk golf course architecture with architect Nathan Crace. Nathan is a fascinating guy and a great Twitter follow, as well now a podcast host of his own "The Lipouts Podcast."

The conversation centers on Nathan's current portfolio of work, what it looks like and how it has progressed over the years. We discuss his beginnings as an architect, building his own three-hole course in his parents' Indiana backyard so he could play the game. Nathan shares his influences, including a great story about Bob Cupp.

We dig in on the flood of architectural opinions on social media, what they might miss and the tribal nature of favoring certain styles over others. Nathan takes a step back as we discuss the multi-dimensional nature of really understanding architecture as opposed to taking a more binary approach.

Finally, we talk about Nathan's new podcast and his great work at The Refuge in Mississippi, the things that are keeping him most busy these days.

In the first-ever mailbag show dating back some 16 years, Ryan answers a variety of questions from listeners and Twitter followers about The Match, Tiger vs. Phil, the Official World Golf Ranking, scramble order preferences, which tees to use and so much more. Ryan also recaps the weekend full of redemptive stories from Danny Willett's win in Dubai, to Lexi Thompson's demon-exorcising win on the LPGA, to Charles Howell III ending a 12-year winless skid.

In this episode, Ryan talks about his experience at TPC Danzante Bay and the Villas del Palmar in Loreto, Mexico. He gets into the first-night fears passing hurricane remnants might ruin the whole trip, to the gorgeous reveals on the Rees Jones-designed course to the quirks and fun of being at an in-progress resort in an isolated part of Baja California.

On this episode, Ryan recaps his round at The Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. It was a round that came together somewhat by happenstance but turned out to be a fabulous day on one of the best golf courses on the planet. Ryan talks about strategy and architecture around the George C. Thomas design, compliments one of the best batteries of par 3s in the world and goes into some of the cultural aspects of the club.

This episode is dedicated to all things post-2018 Ryder Cup. We dig into why the Americans lost, ranging from analyzing their play and pairings, to digging into the interpersonal conflicts, captain's decisions and unfortunate circumstances which partially led to the Americans continuing a losing skid in Europe since their last win there in 1993. 

Ryan gets into what Jim Furyk could have done differently (not much) given the hand he was dealt, where this Ryder Cup leaves the Ryder Cup Committee and its leaders, as well figures the lineage of future American captains.

On this episode, Ryan reviews and recaps Tiger Woods' Tour Championship win, taking you back through the comeback to this point and recognizing the absolute absurdity that is his 80th PGA Tour win. Spinning forward, it's easy to imagine Tiger doing some things that seemed months ago to be out of reach.

Then Ryan makes his predictions for the Ryder Cup, looking at the Friday fourball matches and making an overall prediction from there. Can the Americans end a generational losing streak in Europe?

The FedEx Cup is changing in a big way starting next season, and Ryan breaks down the changes and assesses if they actually accomplish what the PGA Tour is hoping they'll do. Then Ryan digs in on Congressional's 15-year commitment to PGA of America events, Keith Foster's restoration of the Blue Course and why these venues are announced 20 years in advance. Finally, on the eve of the Ryder Cup, Ryan talks about why the Ryder Cup is so important as a marker for his career and offers thanks for going on this journey in golf.

This episode is all about my experience playing the Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap (Not For Me) Championship. I talk through the process of getting back into competitive golf, the nerves, the breathing, the whole process. I recap some of the highs and lows from four competitive rounds in the Grand Stand, including a massive downpour, a super round at Grande Dunes, getting my game back and meeting 12 really fun playing partners over four rounds.

Grand Strand native Mitch Laurance joins me in the second half of the show to talk about his experience finishing fifth in his flight at the World Am. He also digs into the pride of the region in hosting this event, as well what he took away from playing three of four rounds with new Ben Hogan Golf irons and Knuth Golf woods.