Reed Hapke and Josh Esler

I Hate This F***ing Game

News EN ↓ 68 episodes

A new podcast about all things golf hosted by two lifelong friends one of whom is a former professional. We'll talk about the love of this game and what it has done for us in our lives. We'll talk this week's events. We'll look back on the previous week. Share stories from the golf course. Discuss news from the world of golf. Maybe have a few laughs. And everything in-between.

Author

Reed Hapke and Josh Esler

Category

News

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

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Episodes

S2E27- Feel v. Real 08.07.2026

On this week's episode Reed and Josh are getting back from their 4th of July weekends. Josh was out in Colorado and hit some balls while Reed played the excellent Mt. Prospect Golf Club.  Next, they discussed the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run. They looked at some old guys still kicking some ass and at a fan favorite in Max Homa getting back into some god form. Reed and Josh talk Ben Kohl...

S2E26- Viking Blood 01.07.2026

On this week's episode Reed and Josh open the show talking about their own golf lives. Josh recently played in a scramble with a client and Reed hit the driving range with his kids. Next, Reed and Josh discussed the Travelers' Championship, Keith Mitchell, professional driving range courtesy, and the winner, Viktor Hovland! This was his 8th career win on tour and the first with in mom watc...

S2E25- Bad Fans, Good Wyndham 24.06.2026

On this week's episode the guys open the show talking about their own golf lives. Josh is nearing full health and swinging well. Reed still sucks and is looking for consistency. Next, they break down the US Open at Shinnecock Hills. They talk the course, they talk about Paige Spiranic, cursing and golf etiquette. Then they turn their focus to the Long Island fans and the winner, Wyndham Clark....

S2E24- Ready for Shinnecock 17.06.2026

Back with a full episode this week! On this week's episode Reed and Josh open the episode by catching each other up on their golf lives. Josh is nearing 100% physically and looking forward to some competition. Reed talks about his time at Disney and some low scores. The guys break down the RBC Canadian Open. Are they worried about Brooks and his numb thumb? How do we handle the bad voices in o...

S2E23- A Magical Place 10.06.2026

Josh had a flight to catch and Reed was in a Disney Resort bathroom but they got in an abbreviated episode. No catching up on each individual's golf week, they'll be saving that for the next episode so they guys dove right into the PGA TOUR golf. JT Poston was impressive all week during The Memorial. His 65 on Friday set the pace. How did he do it? How did he eventually have to grind his w...

S2E22- Asses to Walls 03.06.2026

On this week's episode, the boys start the show with Josh helping Reed with his swing. Recently, Reed sent over some swing videos for analysis and they began the show by discussing what Josh was seeing in the swing. Reed and Josh both admit they didn't see a lot of golf this week, but they checked in on J.J. Spaun's game, the almost victory of mini-tour legend, Eric Cole, and talked ab...

S2E21- The Volatility of Golf 27.05.2026

On this week's episode of the I Hate This F***ing Game Golf Podcast, Reed and Josh start the show catching everyone up with their golf lives. Josh is just getting back from a boys' trip to Boston and Reed is out on the range grinding away. Next, they look at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch. Wasn't the course supposed to be harder? Does it really matter when guys are this goo...

S2E20- Hard Work Paying Off 20.05.2026

On this week's episode Reed and Josh open the show talking about their own golf lives. Josh is back on out the course playing and using one eye to do it! Then they dove into an excellent PGA Championship. One of the best in years. The discussed the course: the rough and the greens. What the PGA needs to continue to do with this Championship? Both Reed and Josh laud the winner: Aaron Rai! An al...

S2E19- We're All Golf Psychos 13.05.2026

On this week's episode, Reed and Josh get everyone caught up on their golf journeys. Josh is getting healthier by the week and getting more and more on the course while Reed is out playing when he gets the chance. They talk in-depth about the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow: Alex Fitzpatrick making a solid run since earning his tour card, Rickie Fowler making a move, all sorts of putting t...

S2E18- Strong Quads 06.05.2026

On this week's episode Reed and Josh start by checking in on their own golf games. Josh is back to swinging some clubs now that his vision has improved and Reed played like complete ass. In the week that was, Reed and Josh look at what Brooks Koepka has been up to and they discuss the PGA Professionals competing at Bandon Dunes. Next, they get into the win by Cameron Young. Are we looking at a...

S2E17- Brothers Gotta Hug 29.04.2026

On this week's episode Reed and Josh look to recap the Zurich Classic and the big win for the Fitzpatrick Brothers. Especially for younger brother, Alex Fitzpatrick. The guys also discuss playing multiple spots and its benefits to one's golf game. In previewing the Cadillac Championship at Doral, Reed and Josh discuss the scheduling problem of the PGA Tour and what the future might hold fo...

S2E16- The Death of a League 23.04.2026

The post Masters tournament has been really good in recent year and the boys dive into the RBC Heritage. They talk club throwing and Max Homa. They talk the re-re-emergence of Scottie Scheffler (like he was ever gone) and they talk the winner, Matt Fitzpatrick. Josh breaks down Fitzpatrick's unusual chipping style and they talk his clutch shot on the first playoff hole. Then, Reed and Josh loo...

S2E15- A Tale of Two Masters 15.04.2026

Masters. The boys talked all about it. They started the discussion with the Masters Par 3 contest and how special it really is. Not many sports have such a light hearted, fun event before one of their biggest events. Reed and Josh start the Masters tournament discussion on Brandan Holtz from Illinois. They then talked LIV players: the good (Tyrrell Hatton) and the bad (Sergio Garcia). They discuss...

Masters Mini Pod 11.04.2026

With two rounds in the book, what do you do? You podcast about it. We're halfway through the Masters and so far, it's all about Rory and his impressive performance so far. Reed and Josh talk about his game and what to expect for the rest of the tournament. Will it be a run away? Will someone rise up to challenge Rory? We'll all just have to tune in and watch the final two rounds. Enjoy...

S2E14- The Glories of Masters' Week 09.04.2026

The boys were able, somehow, to get this one in. With Josh on a family vacation and Reed sitting in his car at work, they got the episode in. This one was no fuss, no muss. They talked Augusta National and the Masters's all episode long. They looked at the Augusta Woman's Amateur. They looked at Rory and his seemingly adoration of being Champion for this week. They looked to the driving ra...

S2E13- The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly 01.04.2026

This week's title sums it up. Reed and Josh talk about the Good. Reed posts his Personal Best round. Gary Woodland gets back into the winners' circle. Very inspirational stuff coming from Gary Woodland knowing all he had to battle just to get back to this point. Then the boys talk The Bad: the Tiger Woods situation. It is all very problematic and Reed and Josh try to wade through the story...

S2E12- You Need Your Eyes to See 25.03.2026

Josh and Reed are back at it in this week's episode. At the start, Josh gives a bit of an update to his health before the guys review The Valspar at Copperhead. They discussed Brandel Chamblee and Paul McGinley's thoughts tempo, golf architecture, and bifurcation. There was some really excellent stuff from the Golf Channel Crew. Josh and Reed quickly looked at the upcoming event: The Texas...

S2E11- That Double Vision 19.03.2026

This was a special one folks. Live. From the hospital. Josh! That's right. Josh is still dealing with some things and was STILL able to get some time to drop a pod. That's dedication. On this week's episode, the boys discuss The Players Championship at the world famous TPC Sawgrass. They talked Ludvig and the winner Cam Young. They also discuss the idea that TPC Sawgrass has the best f...

S2E10- A Second Shot Course 12.03.2026

On this week's episode Josh is back! Everyone gets to listen to actual golf expertise!  The guys break down the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Was Akshay Bhatia anchoring the putter? Does it even matter? They discuss the thrilling final round before preview The Player Championship at the famous TPC Sawgrass. They discuss the top 10 players and why they'll win or won't win. In Golf News th...

S2E9- We'll Do It Alone 05.03.2026

With Josh feeling under the weather, Reed had to do this episode solo. He began the episode by talking about his wonderful experience promoting the podcast at the Chicago Golf Show. He then talked about his range session at the Golf Dome and hitting bombs. Reed re-capped The Cognizant Classic with a heavy (heart) focus on Shane Lowery. A brutal loss for a really good guy. Reed previewed the Arnold...

S2E8- Amateur Hour 25.02.2026

In an absolutely packed episode, the boys cover it all. Reed and Josh begin the show talking about the Genesis Open. The changes to #4. What makes Poana greens so difficult to putt on? Why is #10 hard to score on? They also talk about another Scottie Scheffler slow start and why it's not a big deal. Reed and Josh also give flowers to the winner: Jacob Bridgeman. Next, they look to the Cognizan...

S2E7- The Anthony Kim Story 18.02.2026

There was so much to talk about on this week's episode. First, Josh lets everyone know he's gearing up for his own tournament season. Reed fills everyone in on what he's been working on in his golf game. They discuss the ATT Pebble Beach Pro Am as well as look forward to the Genesis Invitational at Riveria. But this episode was all about Anthony Kim. The boys talk at length about Antho...

S2E6- Golf is Redemption 11.02.2026

On this week's episode Reed and Josh talk everything the Phoenix Open had to offer. The fans. The grounds. The winner. And Hideki Matsuyama. They then previewed the ATT Pro Am at the iconic Pebble Beach before getting into some Golf News. Should The Players be the 5th Major? Should we stop removing the trees? All covered in Golf News. Reed and Josh end with some Questions from the Internet.

S2E5- We're All Justin Rose Fans 04.02.2026

Technical difficulties indeed! But we're still on time. On this week's episode Reed and Josh talk the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. They talk at length about the return of Brooks Koepka and recap the impressive victory by Justin Rose. Next, they previewed the Waste Management in Phoenix and looked at people who are not Scottie Scheffler. In Golf News there was much to discuss inc...

S2E4- The Hunger to Win 28.01.2026

On this week's episode Josh and Reed recap The American Express at La Quinta. They talk the low score, Blades Brown, and another dominating victory by Scottie Scheffler. Next, they previewed the Farmers Insurance at Torrey Pines and the PGA season debut of Brooks Kopeka. In Golf New, Josh and Reed talk about the role of LIV in the game of golf as well some of the top golf newsmakers from 2025...

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