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© 2025 Rod Morri
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The podcast network for serious golfers. TalkinGolf launched as an online audio show way back before podcasts (or even the iPhone) were a thing. We've been on an extended break since 2012 but now we're back and creating new and interesting content each week as well as a sprinkling of some of the best stuff from the archives.
127 Episodes
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I’m thrilled to introduce a podcast that has been on my mind for seven years. Allan Robertson, the King of Clubs and the original Champion Golfer, is one of golf’s most fascinating yet untold stories, until now. I’m deeply grateful to Bill Williams for igniting this journey and to Roger McStravick for bringing it to completion.
For the next hour and a half, let me borrow your ears. I promise you’ll learn, you’ll laugh, and you’ll be captivated by the legend who has long waited in the shadows.
If you’re in North America, you can purchase Roger McStravick’s book, Allan Robertson: The King of Clubs, at Auld Grey Toun Golf Books & Collectibles: www.auldgreytoungolf.com.
I wish I could take credit for this wonderful podcast, but it is brought to us by our friends at the Top 100 Clubhouse Podcast. This is a brilliant podcaston the history of golf's oldest golfing society, Royal Burgess.
Make sure to check out their podcast!
I thought we could finish out the year with five short golf history stories.
Five amazing stories that are likely too short to be a full length podcast.
The Five Stories:
1. How the Western Golf Association Almost Convinced the USGA to Change Their Name
2. How a Newspaper Misprint May Have Cost a Golfer a Major
3. A Mental Lapse in the 1950 US Open Playoff
4. The Quirky Story of the First Playoff in Major Championship History
5. The Golfer Who Refused to Win a Major
Delightful and short stories sure to entertain. Happy New Year Everyone!
Today on the show we are joined by author, Kevin Cook to discuss his new book: The Tiger Slam: The Inside Story of the Greatest Golf Ever Played. This show will go down as an instant classic - an unbelievable journey to Tiger's most dominant stretch of golf.
A special thanks to Simon and Schuster for connecting me with Kevin Cook.
TalkinGolf History #123 and Part 2 of the History of Scotty Cameron.
We start this episode discussing the partnership with Titleist and jump into Tiger Woods and his famous Scotty Cameron putter which has won 14 of his 15 majors. We end the episode discussing the collectibility of Scotty Cameron putters and what to look for in an investment.
If you havent done so already consider joining up for our free weekly newsletter, the SOCIETY.
You can sign up for free at Thesocietyofgolfhistorians.beehiiv.com/subscibe
I thought you might enjoy a little history that you might carry around in your golf bag. This is a two part podcast on the History of Scotty Cameron - arguably the most famous clubmaker in the history of the game of golf.
Our guest for today's show is Scotty Cameron expert and collector, Bill Vogeney who's friends call him "Vog" (pronounced Vogue). I know you will thoroughly enjoy this two part series on Scotty Cameron.
As always let me know your thoughts on twitter. My handle is @shistorians.
If you haven't yet, please consider signing up for our free history newsletter. You can sign up at: TheSocietyofGolfHistorians.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Interlachen CC is one of America's great golf courses and it has been a great host to some of golf histories great moments. Today on the podcast we are blessed to be joined by golf course architect, Andrew Green, who will discuss the amazing reno-restoration of Interlachen CC. Andrew's wonderful interview will be intertwined with the golf history of Interlachen as told by two of their historians - Jim Hicks and Brad Sherman.
Its an amazing golf podcast with a couple of unsolved mysteries. Trust me you will love it!
The Society of Golf Historians is flying to Scotland in August of 2025 and we want you to join us!
Today on the show we are joined by the President and Co-Founder of PerryGolf, Gordon Dalgleish, who shares the early history of PerryGolf and how it was one of the early pioneers in the golf travel industry.
Gordon and I then pivot to discuss The Society of Golf Historians Trip to Scotland with Gordon providing some color into some of the Open's most famous venues.
The trip will be unlike any other - PerryGolf is scheduling the golf, hotels and travel accomodations and I am scheduling the extracurriculars which include walking tours of St Andrews, a live recording of the TalkinGolf History Podcast and some things I dont want to share in the media (but will be amazing).
When you think of the American Dream - that wonderful tale of a rags to riches story - few can beat the story of Calvin Peete. From climbing into trees in orchards, to shattering his elbow, to becoming a pool shark , then a golf hustler to a Vardon Trophy winner, and Players Champion on the PGA Tour - Calvin's story is a tale of the struggle to become someone in this world.
This podcast was only made possible by Gordon Hobson and his wonderful book, Calvin Peete, Golf's Forgotten Star.
As we close in on the 124th playing of the US Open at Pinehurst, I thought it would be a great time to rollback the podcast to a show we recorded during the pandemic.
Recorded and filmed from Golf Club Atlas Headquarters in Pinehurst, NC, this podcast includes the Founder of Golf Club Atlas, Ran Morrisett, Kyle Frantz Golf Design, former President of the Donald Ross Society, Brad Becken, CEO of Story Lounge Film Company and current President of the Donald Ross Society and myself.
A great podcast that celebrates Pinehurst and the genius of Donald Ross.
We welcome author Peter May back to the podcast to discuss his latest book: "Changing the Course: How Charlie Sifford & Stanley Mosk Integrated the PGA."
A wonderful expansion on the DocuPod I recorded years ago by the title: "The Caucasian Clause." Peter May's study of the events that took place between 1896 and 1962 was thorough and tells the story, while not a happy one, of the creation of the PGA, the PGA Tour and the PGA Championship we know today.
We welcome back Golf Historian, Greg Lamb for the second part of this two part podcast - "The Myths of the Masters.'
We started part 1 talking about assassinations and we end this podcast with the possible location of both the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail - can you name another podcast with this much range?
Tune in - and enjoy some good stories, sprinkled in with some great golf history.
If you haven't yet sign up for our free weekly newsletter: The SOCIETY Newsletter.
Subscibe here: https://thesocietyofgolfhistorians.beehiiv.com/subscribe
This show is dedicated to proving or disproving some of the many myths that surround Augusta National and the Masters. We welcome back golf historian, Greg Lamb who joined us last year for our show: "Before Augusta National."
This show will be a two part podcast. Please enjoy the lighthearted story telling of "The Myths of the Masters."
Welcome to season 6 of the TalkinGolf History Podcast- I sincerely apologize for the delay to kick off this new exciting season. Today we have a special show...another edition of VaughnCon where we get extremely blunt on our golf course architcture takes. This is a jointly owned podcast between TalkinGolf History, the Donald Ross Society and Golf Club Atlas. Our special guest today is Jason Straka of Fry-Straka Design.
Someone of you asked for it and now all of you have to live with it;) Episode #113 dives into my mini-museum known lovingly as the Golffice. I break down my history with these historical items - tell a bit of their backstory and answer listener questions on how to build your own collection and the rehashing some of my terrible mistakes..."yes I could have bought Ben Hogan's clubs 15 years ago and would have made a profit of $350,000 had I sold them today."
The Golffice is my happy place and now I am going to share it with all of you.
It didnt get a lot of press a couple of months ago, but the restoration of the famed Cobbs Creek Golf Course is underway in Philadelphia. This public golf course was once one of the shining lights of public golf when it was designed and with Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner on their dozers, I wouldnt bet against Cobbs Creek becoming a beacon for how cities can embrace their public golf courses.
What gets lost in this big story is how the dreams of two men (Cirba and Bausch) are about to come true. This is a story of how passion can overcome all odds.
The History of LIV Golf shares the early history of this rebel golf tour that whether you like it or hate it has changed the professional game of golf. We are joined on the podcast by journalist and author, Alan Shipnuck to discuss his new book, "LIV and Let Die."
The third and final episode of the Rise and Demise of the Ben Hogan Golf Company. John Barba of MyGolfSpy joins us once again to tell the final chapter of this iconic brand, but unlike our other Rise and Demise stories, this brand may yet rise again!
If you enjoyed part 1 of the Rise and Demise of the Ben Hogan Golf Company, then I highly suggested you find a quiet place to seclude yourself from the outside world and get ready for an insane golf history tale which includes sabotage, a Texas revolt, the acquisition of Pebble Beach and a plan to make it a private course for the Japanese Elite!
Buckle up for The Rise and Demise of the Ben Hogan Golf Company Part 2 with special guest John Barba of MyGolfSpy.
We are once again joined by John Barba of MyGolfSpy to dive into another historical tale from the golf manufacturing business.
Today on our show we dive into Part 1 of the Rise & Demise of the Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company. This epic tale starts in 1953 and sadly ends in 2022 with the last and perhaps final demise of this famous brand.
I have no idea how to describe this episode other than to say that Vaughn Halyard and I started this podcast after playing Landmand for the third time and we had no agenda or a script.
This is a bit different from our past podcasts, so if you are listening for the first time its not quite what we normally deliver, but I felt it was still worth publishing especially in its raw form. Just two friends who love golf history and golf design.
In this episode we celebrate the 2023 Open Championship and its host club, Royal Liverpool. We are joined by a familiar voice, Joe McDonnell who rejoins us on the podcast to talk about his home club.
We tend to think of links golf as something eternal - something that is unchanged - or perhaps created by Mother Nature. Today we dive into all of the changes that have occurred at Hoylake and how the course has evolved to the course that will host this year's Open.
With the Open Championship returning to Royal Liverpool, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to reshare the amazing history of John Ball, Junior. Ball was the first amateur in history to win a professional major and he was the most prolific winner of the Amateur Majors in golf history.
This is the story of Hoylake's original hero - the man that helped bring the Open to Royal Liverpool - the golfer who became the first Englishman to win the Open.
The underrated, John Ball, Junior.
Episode #104 welcomes back the USGA, with USGA Golf Historian, Katie Boyce who joins the show to discuss the History of LACC, the history of golf in Los Angeles and the USGA in California.
We hope you enjoy this wonderful pre-US Open podcast!
In episode #103 we kickoff where we left off in episode #102 - we make the turn to discuss Andrew Green's transformational restoration of Oak Hill's back nine and mix in some history you might not get anywhere else.
We are joined by renowned golf course architect, Andrew Green to discuss the history and restoration of the Donald Ross classic, Oak Hill's East Course which will be the host of the 2023 PGA Championship.
On this podcast we dive into the front nine - how they changed over the years, how Andrew and his team restored them and then we sprinkle in a little bit of history behind each golf hole for measure.
TalkinGolf History Episode 101 dives into the rich history of the events that transpired before Bobby Jones purchased the land that Augusta National sits on today. We are joined by golf historian, Greg Lamb who shares the property's unique history - from the Native Americans who lived on the land, to the land owners who tried to make a business out of it, to the public golf resort that nealry happened here, to a retired golfer looking to design his first golf course.
Its been 5 years in the making...our 100th Episode!
Today we dive into the History and Restoration of Belleair CC, which happens to be my home club. Belleair has not only a fascinating golf history, but has just been restored to one of the best Donald Ross' courses in the United States.
Our panel for this show includes:
Myself, Connor T. Lewis, the Founder of the Society of Golf Historians
Vaughn Halyard, the MC for this show, my producer and Board Member of the Society of Golf Historians
Hal Bodley, former President of Belleair CC, Chairman of the Restoration Committee and the author of Belleair's 125th Anniversary Book
Jason Straka of Fry-Straka Design, who was the masterful architect who helped reno-restore Belleair's West Course in 2022.
Only one episode from our 100th show! And #99 is a doozy! Vaughn Halyard and I welcome the President of the Donald Ross Society, Brad Becken to talk about his new book, "The Golf Course Architecture of Donald Ross" which is now available for purchase at www.ClassicsofGolf.com. I promise there is something for everyone on this show- I learned a lot and I hope you do too!
We filmed and recorded this show on location at Belleair Country Club.
In Episode 98, golf historian Dave Moore joins the show to share the tragic story of US Amateur Champion, Eben Beyer who conquered the game of golf but was struck down in his youth by radium poisoning. It goes down in golf history as one of golf's saddest stories.
What better way to kick off season 5 of the TalkinGolf History Podcast than with an unplanned podcast with my dear friend Vaughn Halyard. We had just concluded our round on the newly restored Belleair CC and Vaughn wanted to to go public with his thoughts.
What follows is a funny podcast where Vaughn and I talk about Donald Ross' Belleair CC, our travels across the country sharing golf history through storytelling and where this podcast should go in 2023.
This episode concludes our three part series on the History of AW Tillinghast. We kick off Part 3 with golf historian, author and Tillinghast expert, Phil Young as we enter into the Great Depression, Tillinghast's bankruptcy and his much maligned work with the PGA of America.
We end with a high note as I ask Phil: "What three courses would one have to play to best understand the genius of AW Tillinghast?" His answer may surprise you.
This is the last episode of Season 4 - thank you for listening!
Golf Historian, author and AW Tillinghast expert, Phil Young joins us on the show for Part 2 of the History of AW Tillinghast. In this episode we dive into some of Tilly's most famous designs, as we ponder the question of Tilly's genius and whether it was divine genius - ie... did he just inherently understand strategic golf design or did his architecture evolve?
Stick around for the end of the show where Phil riffs on 6 of Tilly's great designs.
1This is Part 1 of a series of podcasts dedicated to the History of AW Tillinghast. In our first installment we dive into Tilly's early years, his golf career, we explore a theory that he might have been bi-polar and end this first show his break out golf design that helped catapult his career.
We are joined by Tillinghast historian and author, Phil Young.
In our second episode of "A Golf Historian's Scavenger Hunt we explore the course that changed golf in America and the ruins of America's Home of Golf, then we dive into the most famous golf match perhaps in golf history and then end with the location of a match that may have determined where golf was born!
A great show made even better by the music that matches the eras:
Story #1: Scott Joplin playing Pineapple Rag in 1908
Story #2: Theme song to the movie, Caddyshack, "I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins
Story #3: John Helmich Roman's, "Drottingholmsmusiken" written in 1744
Ralph Guldahl for a period of 4 to 5 years was the greatest golfer on the planet - even outshining his more famous peers Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson. Today on the podcast, with an assist from Warren Rogan, host of Sports Forgotten Heroes and his guest, Dr Tony Parker we share the story of the forgotten great...Ralph Guldahl.
If you like this story and just love sports, Warren Rogan's show, Sports Forgotten Heroes may be the show for you. Check it out and thank me later.
For episode #91 we welcome back golf course architect, Rob Collins to share the story of his latest creation, Landmand. You are about to get an insiders glimpse into how every hole at Landmand took shape.
This pod will be a classic - and I truly believe Landmand will become a legend. A special thanks to my production partner: Story Lounge Film Company.
On Episode 90 we interview half of the dynamic duo that make up King Collins Golf Design, Rob Collins.
On this two part podcast we dive into Rob's personal golf history, the incredible history behind King Collins' first design, Sweetens Cove and finally a teaser of Episode #91 the birth of Landmand.
This podcast was made with Story Lounge Film Company.
Golf Historian and author, Stephen Proctor joins us again to recount his sabbatical to play the Old Tom Morris Trail in Scotland. Proctor played 18 courses that Old Tom Morris designed or renovated and he joins the podcast to share his insights into the design mind of Old Tom Morris and the trip of a lifetime.
John Barba of MyGolfSpy joins us for the exciting conclusion of the Rise & Demise of MacGregor Golf. The company has started its death spiral, but there is a ray of hope on the horizon. How does a golf course design deal help bring an end to MacGregor? Listen to find out...
Once again we are joined by John Barba of MyGolfSpy fame to help us tell the amazing story of MacGregor Golf - a company that had the opportunity to be the greatest golf equipment company of all-time and yet met with the demise of so many other great companies that showed promise.
This show will be aired in two parts.
The final half of my interview with St Andrews Golf Historian, Roger McStravick as we complete our two hour walk through the cobblestone streets of St Andrews.
We welcome back St Andrews Golf Historian, Roger McStravick to TalkinGolf History to give our listeners a walking tour of the Auld Grey Toon that will be hosting the 150th playing of the Open Championship.
A very special thanks to Monty Python and the Holy Grail for adding some much needed humor to the podcast.
I had planned an amazing podcast from the archives of the US Open and the era of the Great Transition, but unfortunately I just didnt have the time to deliver the story the way it needed to be told. Instead, for the first time in show history, I am re-airing a show from our first season: The Champion Who Lost His Lind - the amazing and tragic story of two time US Open Champion, Johnny McDermott.
This was the first ever storyline podcast in golf podcast history and while the production quality is not what I deliver four years later - I promise you the story is not one to skip over.
This is the story of how the PGA of America's Caucasian Clause came to be and how it was banished in 1961, and how three men fought back against professional sports only racist bylaw.
This podcast tells the stories of triumph and misery which take place from 1896 to 1962.
A special thanks to our musicians
Matty Cupelli - "Touch"
Music Fellows - "Dream"
MRTN - "Searching"
MRTN - "Fragile"
Three amazing artists and four amazing songs which help us tell this story.
A fabulous interview with the man St Andrews' Golf Historian, Roger McStravick once called, "the Bernard Darwin of our times,"
My friend, golf historian and author, Stephen Proctor joins the show to talk about his new book, "The Long and Golden Afternoon," how the book connects his previous book, "Monarch of the Green" and in the process he shares his own golf history and a preview of his upcoming sabbatical walking in the footsteps of Old Tom Morris.
I am joined by authors, historians and golf course architecture enthusiasts, Mike Cirba and Dr. Joseph Bausch to discuss the amazing history and the future restoration of Philadelphia’s first public golf course, Cobbs Creek.
TalkinGolf History proudly presents Episode #80: The Champion Without a Major, which tells the story of Sam Byrd - a man who once won a World Series with Babe Ruth, a man Bobby Jones once called the "greatest driver of the golf ball he ever saw" and the only man to ever play in both the World Series and the Masters.
If that isnt good enough for you - listen in and hear the amazing story of how Babe Ruth contributed to modern day golf instruction!!!
An amazing episode with returning guest, John Fischer.
The first and hopefully not the last of a series we call, "A Golf Historian's Scavenger Hunt," where your host Connor T. Lewis will discuss historical artifacts from all over the world - share their story and how hard it would be for you to view that item.
This episode will take you to Chicago Golf Club, Oakmont CC and Seminole Golf Club for a show that we think will be unlike any other. Come for the history and stay for the great stories. An insiders look into strange artifacts and how they shaped the game of golf.
A special thanks to the artists who were so kind to allow the show to use their music:
Oak Studios presents "I Just Want Quiet"
Harry Lightfoot presents "Return Triumphant"
Johnny Easton presents "Purpose"
Another great episode from our series on the birth and death of great golf companies. We welcome back John Barba of MyGolfSpy to the show to tell the unbelievable story of Penfold Golf - the company that wouldn't die...until it did.
If you are a fan of James Bond, you may remember that James Bond played a Penfold Hearts Golf Ball.
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Skip to 9:50. The real podcast starts there.
Great podcast and based upon what I learned here, I predict Greg Norman will do for LIV golf what he did for MacGregor Golf. It's history repeating itself. The Saudis don't give a damn about golf. The Saudis are the equivalent of all those companies that had no ties golf, but wound up buying MacGregor.