PODCAST · sports
50 Things That Changed Golf
by Golf Digest
The 50 Things That Changed Golf podcast is hosted by Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy. Each episode dives deep into moments and events in golf history that have shaped the sport we all love. Every two weeks, join for a walk back in time, with some humour and made-up awards mixed throughout.
Episodes
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Episode 11: The Origins of Golf
There are a lot of myths and legends about how the game of golf started. In this episode of "The 50 Things That Changed Golf" podcast, Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy dive deep into the various theories to discover the truth about the origin of golf. From the Netherlands to the battlefields of…
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Episode 10: The Presidents Cup
In this episode, Shane and Jamie dive deep into the creation of The Presidents Cup. Join us in 1994 as the PGA Tour and other groups race to develop an all-new, team match play event. All the usual awards, accents, stats, facts and more. The 50 Things That Changed Golf podcast is hosted by Shane...
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Episode 9: The 1983 Rebellion
In the ninth episode of “The 50 Things That Changed Golf” podcast, Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy revisit the 1983 rebellion that nearly tore professional golf apart. This is the story of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer’s battle with PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman over the future of the Tour, a...
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Episode 8: Karsten Solheim and The Anser putter
In this episode of "The 50 Things That Changed Golf" podcast, Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy dive into a single club that had a giant impact on golf. This is the story of Karsten Solheim, the founder of Ping, and the Anser putter he designed in 1966. Full of stories, facts, accents and the usual…
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Episode 7: Young Tom Morris: The First Tragic Superstar
When Young Tom Morris died on Christmas Day in 1875, he was just 24 years old, and his more famous father, Old Tom, would outlive him by more than 30 years. But in those 24 years, Young Tom had an incredible impact on the sport. He was golf's first celebrity, but more than that, he was the first...
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Episode 6: Tiger Woods’ 2000 U.S. Open Victory
In the sixth episode of the Golf Digest podcast, 50 Things That Changed Golf, Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy travel back to the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, dominated by Tiger Woods. The 50 Things That Changed Golf podcast is hosted by Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy. Each episode dives deep into...
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Episode 5: The 2004 U.S. Open
In the fifth episode of the Golf Digest podcast, 50 Things That Changed Golf, Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy travel back to the controversial 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. The 50 Things That Changed Golf podcast is hosted by Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy. Each episode dives deep into...
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Episode 4: John Daly
In the fourth episode of the Golf Digest podcast, 50 Things That Changed Golf, Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy travel back to the 1991 PGA Championship, won by John Daly. The 50 Things That Changed Golf podcast is hosted by Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy. Each episode dives deep into moments and…
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Episode 3: OWGR
It's episode 3 of the "50 Things That Changed Golf" podcast and we're diving deep into the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). Join hosts Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy as they break down the amazing origin story of the rankings, the influence of Mark McCormack, how the OWGR has evolved and…
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Episode 2: 2019 Masters
In episode 2 of the all-new "50 Things That Changed Golf" podcast, Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy travel back to 2019 and Tiger Woods' memorable fifth Masters victory. Relive all the drama and details of one of the most famous weeks in the history of major golf. You can also watch 50 Things That...
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Episode 1: 1996 Masters
In the first episode of our new Golf Digest podcast, 50 Things That Changed Golf, Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy travel back 30 years to the 1996 Masters. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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The time the Ryder Cup almost died
In the early 1980s, there came a point where the Ryder Cup governing bodies had seemingly tried everything, but nothing worked. The matches weren't competitive, the U.S. players were losing interest, and the chief sponsor of the European team dropped out, leaving them with no money to continue....
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Three mid-century Ryder Cup maniacs
Buried in Ryder Cup history, in the middle of the last century, are some enormous personalities, and today we're looking at three of them who rise to the level of "maniac"—which we mean as a compliment. These three stories encompass incredible human resilience in the face of tragedy, outrageous,...
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The Tour Championship: 40 years of success and failure
In 1987, PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman announced the first-ever Tour Championship, and 20 years later, new commissioner Tim Finchem kicked off the first-ever playoff series. What problem was it trying to solve, and where has it succeeded or failed in four decades of change? On this week's…
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The Tiger Killer: The fascinating life and times of Y.E. Yang
For a man who did something so astounding—becoming the first and only golfer to beat Tiger Woods on Sunday at a major from behind—we know very little about 2009 PGA Champion Y.E. Yang. As it turns out, the Korean body builder turned golfer has a surprisingly great story, and one of the most…
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The English drought (curse??) at the Open Championship: What gives?
In 1992, Nick Faldo held off John Cook at Muirfield to win his third Open Championship. As it happened, this is the last time an English golfer ever captured the Claret Jug. The 33-year ongoing drought that ensued can't be explained by lack of talent or depth—England has had three world no. 1...
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America's Ryder Cup Restoration, Part 2: The Rise of Azinger
Following the blowouts of 2004 and 2006, the lowest point in US Ryder Cup history, the Americans needed a visionary leader. Tiger Woods was out with a knee injury, Europe was stronger on paper, and there was no reason to expect anything but more misery. Which is precisely when Paul Azinger rose…
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America's Ryder Cup Restoration, Part 1: The Miserable Years
In 2008, after a disastrous start to the decade, the American Ryder Cup system faced a big problem: How do we start winning again? This series documents how they recovered from their lowest point to become a force again and start winning. In part one, we dive deep into the nightmare: The awful...
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Weird Oakmont: How the ghosts of Pittsburgh still reign at America's toughest course
Oakmont Country Club will hold its tenth U.S. Open next week, and a tour of its past champions shows how the hardscrabble philosophy of its founders still prevails, and maybe even exerts a supernatural influence on this brutal, glorious track. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See...
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Rory, Tiger, and Tom: The great equipment controversies
What happens when a winner's equipment is found to be nonconforming after the fact? The answer is, "nothing," at least in terms of the result. But as we'll see from the case of Rory at Quail Hollow, Tiger at Disney, and Tom Watson (twice!), things get more complicated in the court of public...
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The PGA Championship's Match Play era, and a ridiculous record you never knew existed
For about 40 years in major championship history, winning the PGA required a test of endurance that seems absurd today. In the midst of tracking down the record holder for most holes played in a major, we ran into more than a few wild stories. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See...
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Rory and Northern Ireland: The Complicated Relationship
In a place where nobody escapes politics, Rory McIlroy has done his best to stay neutral, despite a tragic family history with the Troubles. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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When Jim Murray fought Augusta National on race
L.A. Times Pulitzer Prize winner Jim Murray was one of the most celebrated sports columnists of his era, at a time when columnists held more influence and power by far than they do today. His humor and insight were legendary, but a lesser known element of his story is the personal boycott he led…
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Facing the Music: Players who speak to the media after tough losses
From Greg Norman to Jordan Spieth, there is a long tradition of players speaking to the media after tough losses, but it's a tradition that is being lost in the modern game. Today we look at some of the most fascinating instances of player-media interaction after heartbreak, and how it made all...
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How the four majors became the four majors
In 1934, when the first Masters tournament was held, nobody in golf would have been able to tell you what the "majors" were, and if they had an opinion, it would likely include amateur events that were quickly losing prominence. By 1974, and the advent of the Players Championship, the four modern...
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Tiger vs. Sergio: The Great Feud (Part 2)
The final part of our short series, chronicling the latter half of their rivalry and the infamous fried chicken incident. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Tiger vs. Sergio: The Great Feud (Part 1)
It started at the turn of the century and ran hot for 15 years. From the PGA Championship at Medinah the 2013 Players Championship, there wasn't an ounce of love lost between the two superstars. In Part 1, we examine the origins of where it all went wrong. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz…
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Revolutions Part 3: Life After Tiger, the Great Schism
The story of the last 20 years of professional golf is the story of growth's consequences, and is highlighted by the emergence of LIV Golf, the PGA Tour's new rival. We ask the tough question of whether this golf schism was an inevitable consequence of Tiger's rise, and the decision at the…
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Revolutions Part 2: The Tiger Slam, aka the best golf ever played
As the game's greatest player finalized a swing change that would take him from merely sensational to transcendent, and began playing a revolutionary new style of golf ball months ahead of most of his competitors (who wouldn't adopt the Titleist Pro-V-1 until October of 2000), golfing audiences...
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Revolutions Part 1: Arnold Palmer, IMG, and the early disruptors
This three-part podcast series attempts the big task of summarizing how the world of golf, from the professional to the recreational, has evolved over Golf Digest's existence. As it happens, 1950 is a decent starting point when you're telling that particular story. Hosted by Simplecast, an…
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The Terrible, Wonderful History of Q School
Since its introduction in 1963, the PGA Tour's Q School has routinely been one of the most dramatic, heart-wrenching golf tournaments on the planet. This is where careers are made, and where just as often they're broken before they have a chance to soar. Where did it come from? How has it…
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What we knew about Chi Chi Rodriguez, and what we didn't
On Aug. 8, Chi Chi Rodriguez passed away at age 88 and left behind him a legacy of a player whose reputation and personality exceeded his relatively modest success. That's how he would have wanted it: Rodriguez was an entertainer at heart, and he always had a joke or an elaborate celebration up…
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The Bizarre Early Days of Olympic Golf, 1900-1904
Long before Scottie Scheffler took gold in Paris, and more than a century before Justin Rose won in Rio, Olympic golf existed in the very early history of the Olympic games. This is the incredibly strange story of Olympic golf in 1900 and 1904, when chaos and confusion ruled, and only rarely gave...
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Early Golf History Part 2: The Rise of the Clubs
In the second part of our early history series, we hone in on Scotland, and take you from the 1400s all the way to the rise of the first clubs—including the ascendancy of St. Andrews—that transformed the sport entirely and laid the groundwork for what it is today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz...
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Early Golf History Part 1: Is Golf Really Scottish?
Where did golf come from? The easy answer to that question is "Scotland," but the historical record isn't quite so clear. Going back to the 1300s, surviving documents and drawings suggest the story is more complicated than we thought. This week, we're investigating the earliest origins of the…
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The Charming Choke: Jean Van de Velde's collapse, 25 years later
July marks the 25th anniversary of one of the two most notorious collapses in major championship history when Jean Van de Velde lost a three-shot lead on the final hole at Carnoustie. In the wake of Rory McIlroy's loss at Pinehurst, the Frenchman's late meltdown feels more relevant than ever; not...
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The US Open champ who died in a jail cell
Cyril Walker put together the four rounds of his life in 1924 at the U.S. Open in Oakland Hills, defeating Bobby Jones in the final round and etching his name in golf history. So why don't more of us know him? The sad reality of Jones' life is that he fell into a spiral not long after his…
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The Real Payne Stewart, 25 Years Later
This summer marks the 25th anniversary of Payne Stewart's triumph at Pinehurst in the 1999 U.S. Open, and as fate would have it, the National Open is back in at no. 2. In this podcast, we examine the life of Payne Stewart in living color, up to his great victory in North Carolina and his tragic...
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The last triumph of Vintage Rory: Valhalla, 2014
We've spent a decade wondering when Rory McIlroy will win his next major, but as the PGA Championship heads to Valhalla, we turned our eyes backward, to the last time he pulled it off. On that hot, humid Sunday in Kentucky, Rory asserted his will and claimed his throne atop the sport ... and it…
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Sam Snead's 82 PGA Tour Wins: A Hostile Analysis
Before the professional of Tiger Woods ever began, a PGA Tour committee met and determined that Sam Snead had accumulated 82 official wins in his PGA Tour career. As fate would have it, this is the exact number Tiger has landed on as his career seems to be winding down. In this podcast, we go…
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De Vicenzo's Masters gaffe, and who was really to blame
When Roberto De Vicenzo signed an incorrect scorecard to lose the 1968 Masters, it represented not just his failure, but the failure of several individuals and institutions, including Augusta National itself. This is the story of what really happened that day on the course, and why De Vicenzo is...
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Cliff and Frank: A Bizarre Augusta Story
What happens when two men who are each forces of nature, in their own way, clash at the most prestigious championship in American golf? When one is rich and handsome and headstrong, but the other is the lord of Augusta National? When Cliff Roberts, the chairman of Augusta, and Frank Stranahan…
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The OWGR: Past, Present, and Rocky Future
The Official World Golf Ranking has never enjoyed the prominence it has today, but it's not the good kind of prominence. With some of the world's best players no longer receiving points since they're with LIV, the OWGR is under fire, and even LIV-neutral observers think it might be dying. But…
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The Iron Will of Pete Dye
If you only knew the late Pete Dye as a funny and somewhat crotchety old man, and if you only know a little about his life's work, from Sawgrass to Whistling Straits, you might not have the sense of his hard edge—how he pursued his creative visions with zealous focus, and how we would say what he...
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The Lasting Anger of Charlie Sifford
If there's a Jackie Robinson of golf, the title goes to Charlie Sifford, the first black man to be a full member of the PGA Tour. Every part of his journey was difficult, from the obstacles that kept him from competing with the best players in the world until he was almost 40, to the virulent...
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Anthony Kim's enduring mystery
It has been almost 12 full years since Anthony Kim last hit a shot on the PGA Tour, and in that time, he managed to almost disappear completely. But the legend around him has grown in his absence, and now, as he's on the precipice of possibly playing once again, we look at the life and career of...
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How Andy Gardiner got left behind while his big idea became LIV Golf
The idea that is currently splitting professional golf in half was born around 2010, scribbled in a feverish bout of inspiration on yellow legal pads. The author was Andy Gardiner, a corporate finance lawyer, and ideas weren't his only strong suit. Over the next decade and more, Gardiner used his...
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Ghosts of Southern Hills: The Murder of Roger Wheeler
In May of 1981, in the parking lot of Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a man named Johnny Martorano killed his 19th victim. His target was the millionaire businessman Roger Wheeler, owner of a company called Telex that employed 5,000 people in Tulsa alone. Wheeler had been…
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The Mystery of Montague: The best golfer who refused to play
The saga of John Montague is one that simultaneously feels like pure fantasy but is also purely American. In 1932, Montague appeared in Beverly Hills seemingly out of nowhere, and through his jaw-dropping golf game, became friends with the biggest stars in the world. Word of his exploits spread…
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The Accusation: Tom Watson and Gary Player at the '83 Skins Game
The word "cheat" is golf's one-syllable powder keg, and whenever it appears, fireworks follow. That was the case at the first-ever Skins Game, in Arizona in 1983, when Tom Watson pulled Gary Player aside along with a rules official to privately accuse him of breaking the rules at a critical…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The 50 Things That Changed Golf podcast is hosted by Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy. Each episode dives deep into moments and events in golf history that have shaped the sport we all love. Every two weeks, join for a walk back in time, with some humour and made-up awards mixed throughout.
HOSTED BY
Golf Digest
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does 50 Things That Changed Golf have?
50 Things That Changed Golf currently has 491 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is 50 Things That Changed Golf about?
The 50 Things That Changed Golf podcast is hosted by Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy. Each episode dives deep into moments and events in golf history that have shaped the sport we all love. Every two weeks, join for a walk back in time, with some humour and made-up awards mixed throughout.
How often does 50 Things That Changed Golf release new episodes?
50 Things That Changed Golf publishes regularly with 491 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to 50 Things That Changed Golf?
You can listen to 50 Things That Changed Golf on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts 50 Things That Changed Golf?
50 Things That Changed Golf is created and hosted by Golf Digest.
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