Golf on TV is big business and its in the midst of some dramatic change. Sports business writer and consultant Richard Gillis joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to explain the concept of ‘Over the top TV’ and why the game’s two biggest Tours – and Tiger Woods – are rushing to be a part of it. Also, for the golf course architecture nuts, places are now open for our Golf Course Study Tour to Barnbougle Dunes with Mike Clayton in May 2019. Three days of golf including playing with Mike Clayton and lots of talk about GCA and the game more broadly for less than $1500. All you have to do is get yourself to Launceston airport and the rest is taken care of. Check out the information page (https://stateofthegame.fireside.fm/gca-tours), send us an email using the link at the bottom and we’ll be in touch to finalise details.

Golf’s new rules come into effect in less than two months but how many people are really ready? USGA Manager of Rules Outreach & Programming Joe Foley joins Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri to discuss that plus lots more including backstopping and the potential for bifurcating the game’s equipment rules. Also, we are excited to announce our inaugural Golf Course Architecture golf and live podcast Tour will take place May 3-5 next year at one of the game’s greatest public venues, Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania. Check out the GCA Tours tab at the top of the page for details and click the link to register your interest via email today.

Should the European Tour be playing a tournament in Saudi Arabia? Simple question, complicated set of answers. Geoff Shackelford, Mike Clayton and Rod Morri are joined by Middle East expert Arthur MacMillan to discuss the as yet unnamed Saudi event and what its future might be in the wake of the murder of journalist Jamal Khassoggi.

Jason Day says architects are to blame in the distance debate but SOG co-hosts Geoff Shackelford and Mike Clayton beg to differ. Hear their thoughts on that as well as how the handicap system is killing golf’s adventurous spirit, why the PGA Championship likely won’t be coming to Australia – or any other country – any time soon as well as the fascinating media experiment behind the Phil Mickelson/TIger Woods match.