Golf And Politics

Halfway through 2026, we're back with one of our favorite episodes of the year. Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth break down the five best new golf courses they've played so far this year—from legendary championship venues to hidden gems and some of the most exclusive clubs in the country. But we don't stop there. We also reveal the most overrated golf courses we've played in 2026, discuss what separa...

What does it take to build one of the most talked-about new golf clubs in America? In this episode of Golf & Politics, we sit down with Rod Trump, founder and chairman of High Pointe Golf Club, to discuss the remarkable journey from caddie to successful entrepreneur—and ultimately to restoring and reimagining Tom Doak's first golf course. Rod shares how golf shaped his career, the lessons he learn...

In this episode of Golf & Politics, we dive deep into one of the most important—and overlooked—stories in the game today. We sit down with Will Smith, co-founder of the National Links Trust, to explore the intersection of golf, history, and power in Washington, DC. From restoring historic municipal courses to preserving access for everyday golfers, this conversation goes far beyond fairways and gr...

In this episode of Golf & Politics, Matt and Rob sit down with Sean O’Brien — former congressional chief of staff, Obama campaign operative, Pentagon speechwriter, and former speechwriter for Joe Biden. Sean shares what it was really like working in Rahm Emanuel’s office during the 2006 wave, running a rebellious Blue Dog-style congressional operation, writing speeches aboard Air Force Two, and se...

This week, we start with one of the wildest comeback stories in modern sports. Anthony Kim — after disappearing for a decade, battling addiction, injury, and mental health — shoots 63 in Australia and beats Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. For a guy who didn’t even own clubs for 10 years, it was electric. Not just a golf story — a life story. We also break down: Scottie Scheffler’s absurd consisten...

In this episode of Golf and Politics, we sit down with Cori Kramer, longtime Washington insider and President of Center Forward, to talk about something increasingly rare in American politics: building trust across divides. Cori shares her journey from Capitol Hill staffer to leading one of DC’s most influential bipartisan organizations, where she’s spent the last 15 years convening lawmakers, chi...

What does golf teach us about winning elections? In this episode of Golf & Politics, we play nine holes at Split Rail Golf Club outside Fort Worth with Drew Ryan, founder of Campaign Sidekick, to break down what actually wins campaigns: discipline, ground game, calculated risk, and authenticity. As the Texas wind kicks up, Drew shares lessons from building Campaign Sidekick from scratch, working o...

In this episode, Matt sits down with Ross MacDonald, owner of Tour Quality Golf in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to talk about what smart practice really looks like and how everyday golfers can improve by utilizing Trackman. Ross breaks down how TrackMan technology, monthly combines, and data-driven feedback help golfers identify exactly where they’re losing strokes—from wedge play and gapping issues to course...

In this episode of Golf & Politics, Colton Craig joins Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth for a deep conversation on golf course architecture, strategic design, and how great courses shape the way the game is played. The discussion centers on why timeless golf architecture prioritizes decision-making over raw power, how course design influences risk-reward choices, and what distinguishes truly great go...

In this New Year episode of Golf & Politics, Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth sit down to map out what a great golf year actually looks like — from realistic travel planning to chasing bucket-list courses without turning golf into a job. The conversation covers how to plan golf trips around work, family, and seasons, why over-planning can ruin the joy of the game, and how some of the world’s greatest...

In our annual Christmas episode, we look back on 2025 — on the course, off the course, and everywhere in between. With Christmas right around the corner, we reflect on the best golf courses we played this year, our favorite trips and memories, and what made this season special. We break down our top golf courses of 2025, first-time plays, favorite holes, and unforgettable trips to places like Pine...

In this episode of Golf & Politics, Matt sits down with Stephen Carney, a former professional golfer who competed on PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latin America, before stepping away from the game and rebuilding his life off the course. Stephen opens up about: Starting golf later than most elite players — and catching up fast Junior golf, college golf at the University of Tulsa, and the grind of mi...

This week on Golf & Politics, Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth sit down with Brent Buchanan — president of Cygnal and one of the most accurate pollsters in modern politics — to break down the forces shaping America’s political landscape and the emotional currents driving voters today. Brent takes us inside his new book, America’s Emotional Divide, unpacking why emotions—not logic—steer decisions, how...

In this episode of Golf & Politics, Rob Ellsworth and Matt Parker sit down with Simon Holt — CEO of 8AM Travel, co-host of Destination Golf, and steward of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 rankings. From Pine Valley to Royal County Down, Japan to New Zealand, Simon pulls back the curtain on how rankings are created, what truly makes a world-class course, how recency bias affects ballots, why firm-and-fast...

This week on Golf & Politics, Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth flip the script — handing the mic to show producer, Shanbu. In this warm, honest, and often hilarious Thanksgiving special, the guys reflect on gratitude, golf highs and lows, political reality, business challenges, personal growth, and what really matters as another year winds down. Rob and Matt get real about family, faith, failure, inj...

On this episode of Golf & Politics, Matt and Rob sit down with one of the most fascinating personalities in the game: golf photographer, storyteller, and record-setting adventurer Patrick Koenig, author of The United States of Golf. Patrick shares how he left a conventional career behind to chase a dream—playing over 500 golf courses in a year, criss-crossing America in his RGV (Recreational Golf...

In this Veterans Day–recorded episode of Golf and Politics, Matt and Rob welcome back their very first guest — former Congressman Bob Ney — for a brutally honest deep dive into Congress, shutdown politics, fiscal chaos, and the future of American governance. Before the politics, the guys honor the veterans in their lives and share personal stories that set the tone for an episode rooted in gratitu...

This week on Golf & Politics, Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth break down key takeaways from statewide races across the U.S., including what Democrats’ strong night in Virginia and New Jersey means heading into 2026. They’re joined by Republican pollster John Rogers and Democratic lobbyist Brad Cheney to unpack what happened, why it happened, and what both parties should panic about (or celebrate)....

This week on Golf & Politics, Matt and Rob finally return — and they’re breaking down one of the coolest traditions in corporate golf: The Majority Cup (MG Cup). What started as a small outing among friends has grown into a 14–year legacy of competitive golf, meaningful relationships, and major impact. Hosted at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia and Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh, the M...

This week on Golf & Politics, Matt Parker sits down with Sam Hahn, co-founder and co-CEO of L.A.B. Golf, to unpack one of the most revolutionary stories in modern golf — how a street musician from Eugene, Oregon, turned his passion for tinkering with putters into a company that’s redefining the way players roll the rock. Sam shares the unlikely journey from local music venues to leading one of gol...

On the first episode of our new series Birdies and Big Ideas, we’re at Twin Hills Country Club in Oklahoma City, asking one big question: Why should someone run for state representative? Matt Parker tees it up with Rep. Anthony Moore, Rep. John Kane, and consultant Jackson Lisle to talk campaign life, community service, family sacrifices, and how golf teaches perseverance and leadership. We also t...

The first-ever Golf & Politics Cup is in the books — and it didn’t disappoint. In this episode, co-hosts and team captains Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth look back on an unforgettable week at Gray Bull Golf Club in Nebraska. From the electric opening matches to the all-important head-to-head battle between the captains, this recap dives into the drama, the camaraderie, and the big takeaways from th...

In this special episode, co-hosts Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth host their very first roundtable discussion at the first-ever Golf & Politics Cup from Gray Bull Golf Club in Nebraska. Joined by friends, teammates, and guests from both sides of the aisle, they recap the practice round, share personal golf stories, and dig into how the game connects to community, politics, and even personal growth....

In this special on-course episode of Golf & Politics, co-host Matthew Parker tees it up with his Republican teammate Judge Matthew George for a complete 9 Holes, 9 Questions at GrayBull Golf Club during the G&P Cup. As the two play through all nine holes, the conversation moves from law and public service to faith, family, and golf, blending competitive energy with thoughtful reflection. Judge Geo...

In this special on-course episode of Golf & Politics, co-host Rob Ellsworth hosts his first-ever “9 Holes, 9 Questions” interview with long-time friend and fellow Blue Wave teammate Jamie Gillespie, live from GrayBull Golf Club in Nebraska during the G&P Cup. Jamie—Democratic lobbyist, Fox executive, and golf nut—brings sharp wit and serious wisdom to a conversation that covers everything from gro...