In the Footsteps of Giants

Martin and Des tackle the over hyped LIV Golf claims head on and also debate the problems facing the LIV golfers maintaining OWGR ranking over the next couple of years, why Greg Norman will get ousted as CEO and what the remaining PGA Tour players really think. After this podcast we want to concentrate on real golf played by real competitors and look forward to both the Scottish Open and the Open...

Martin and Des review the epic contest for the US Open that saw Matt Fitzpatrick become a deserved major winner, and also discuss how the LIV Golf defectors fared when asked to play a real tournament rather than a meaningless exhibition. Also on the episode how did Martin fare with his new irons on their first competitive outing, how did Des fare as a caddy in a pressurised environment and which L...

After a tumultuous few days in golf Martin and Des reflect on the good, the bad and the ugly. The good includes the sensational performance from Linn Grant to win the DP World Tour Swedish Mixed tournament and Rory battling it out in Canada with Justin Thomas and Tony Finau. The bad includes the awful golf at the inaugural LIV Golf event, the treatment of the press corps and the car crash press co...

Martin and young Mike tackle the ever changing golf landscape in one of the most fast moving weeks of recent times. Special guest is Jamie Weir of Sky Sports who recently undertook a face to face interview with Greg Norman and asked some of the questions that so many of us want to know the answers. We discuss the seismic and turbulent few days ahead of LIV Golf's first event at Centurion Club...

This episode was recorded prior to our conversation with Alan Shipnuck which has already been released as "Two men and a biographer called Alan", so we have attempted to edit out some of the crossover material. The episode features Martin, Des and young Mike comparing notes about 2022's second major, the USPGA , some updated information about LIV Golf (really the SGL) and then shari...

Martin and Des welcome a very special guest onto the podcast, Alan Shipnuck, whose new book "Phil, the rip roaring (and unauthorized) biography of golf's most colorful superstar" is the most anticipated golfing story....ever! Extracts from the book were released in February and were the catalyst for Phil's hiatus from the PGA tour. We get to ask Alan many questions but even the...

Martin, Des and young Mike get together to discuss the BetFred British Masters and the Wells Fargo Championship, both of which were held over tough courses but where was the excitement? Sergio blows a gasket and reveals that he might not be playing much more on the PGA Tour, is his annoyance justified? More names are revealed for the upcoming LIV Golf Invitational Series opener (really the SGL) an...

Martin and Des share their thoughts on the RBC Heritage from Harbour Town and explore whether bias affects their enjoyment of this particular event. Recorded just after the first PGA player confirms seeking a release to play the inaugural LIV Golf event (really the SGL) in June, are the flood gates about to open or will we continue to be underwhelmed? The boys debate which opening hole in Northern...

Martin, Des and young Mike share their opinions on the 2022 Masters from Augusta. Many debating points including was Tyrell Hatton right to criticise the course setup, should relief be granted from fixed TV towers, is Tiger the greatest competitor of all time in any sport, should Bo have been blamed by Shane and is Rory now on course to win big in 2022. However, congratulations go the Scottie Sche...

Martin, Des and young Mike reflect on the Dell WGC Matchplay event from Austin, Texas. Opinions on the course, the format, the good, the bad and the ugly from this event which hoisted Scottie Scheffler to the world number 1 position.  Additionally the boys reflect on reaching the milestone of 50 ITFOG episodes and pick out a few of their favourite topics and guests since we launched in September 2...

Martin and "young Mike" discuss many of the recent events in golf as Des recovers from his St Patrick's Day revelries. Originally intended to drop on Paddy's Day but held back as more information finally surfaced from Greg Norman @ LIV Golf (really the SGL) and has now put dates, courses and prize funds onto our radars.  The boys also recap the weirdly difficult Bay Hill Invita...

Martin, Des and young Mike discuss recent events around Riviera, the Honda Classic and the ongoing drama surrounding Phil Mickelson's spectacular fall from grace. With Phil (and his shadowy co-conspirators) running for cover after the Alan Shipnuk revelations, where next for Greg and the SGL. Sponsors have deserted Phil but will he be alone in facing fallout over the proposed breakaway league...

Martin, Des and young Mike (ITFOG's resident young person) discuss the extraordinary weekend of events both on and off the course.  TPC Scottsdale put on a golfing show of epic (and somewhat unusual) proportions which included not one, but two aces at the infamous 16th hole. The resulting celebrations will not be quickly forgotten. Charley Hoffman went off the deep end over a ruling, a new to...

Martin and Des welcome golf's premier musical parodist, Sam Harrop, to the podcast. Sam is well known for writing songs that capture the pain and pleasure experienced by Tour professionals trying to win golf tournaments. Over the last year Sam has produced songs for both the US Open and the Ryder Cup, only this month he performed some songs at the PGA show in Orlando. However, Sam is more tha...

Martin and Des welcome "young Mike" back into the studio to discuss some early season stories. Who is Ashkay Bathia? What makes Danielle Kang cool? What was in Rory's head on 18 this past Sunday. Is Victor Hovland the best new golfing superstar?  How can you root against Richard Bland? Is Torrey Pines played too often? Plus, ahead of this week's Saudi International we discuss o...

Martin and Des welcome John (aka Duvet) and Johnny (aka BJ) into the studio to discuss golf in Abu Dhabi. The Renegade Players celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2019 with a short tour to the Emirate where we played both Abu Dhabi National and Yas Links. For some it was a return, for others it was a new adventure, but for all of us it was damn hot. How hot was it? How much water can you drink in...

Martin welcomes Des back to the studio after his unfortunate Christmas mishap. The boys discuss golf related injuries and some topical golfing stories including Patrick Reed signing with PGX, the insane scoring at the Sony Open, the field for the upcoming Saudi Invitational and their excitement for the upcoming HSBC Championship from Yas Links, Abu Dhabi (a course the boys played in 2019 detailed...

With Des still on the injury list Martin catches up with our north American correspondent, The Commander, to discuss the Tiger Woods effect, the upcoming 2022 PGA and DP World Tour schedules and predict who will win the majors next year.  We wish all ITFOG listeners a happy and safe new year. We hope that 2022 will finally see us return to more normal times and allow us to plan new golf trips with...

Martin explains Des's absence from our Christmas episode whilst being joined by fellow Renegade Gary (aka Cueball) to bring a golfing flair to the 12 days of Christmas. 2021 has seen many golfing highlights and stories and we revisit a number of these. Is it possible to find 12 quality rhyming phrases to fit the Christmas concept? With special thanks to friend of the show Sam Harrop for allow...

Martin and Des welcome Mike, a long time fan of the show, into the podcast studio to discuss his top 10 courses (played) and his top 5 target courses (bucket list). However, the discussions also cover the PGA/DP World Tour strategic alliance, the PGL proposals plus developments with the Saudi backed/Greg Norman fronted SGL. What is the best way forward for the players, what is best for us fans who...

The golf season is winding down and the Renegade Players Tour played it's last "major" of the season over a long weekend at Druids Glen, Druids Heath and Powerscourt. Three very different courses and we were warmly welcomed to all, but was everything perfect with both our golf and the late season condition of the courses. Replacing our planned Moroccan adventure (Covid delayed) was...

Martin and Des host a discussion with fellow Renegades John and BJ about the increasing reality of major change/disruption coming down the golfing track. This week has seen the announcement of the DP World Tour (a revamped European Tour) but more ominously the announcement of further developments on the Saudi backing to the Asian Tour and how Greg Norman's ideas may finally challenge the domi...

The final instalment of our epic South African road trip in 2014. The Renegades leave George for Johannesburg and the last stage of our search to find the Palace of the Lost City. Possibly one of the most enjoyable, fascinating, exciting and brilliantly bonkers locations we have ever visited, the unique Sun City Resort. Martin, Des and a very special guest discuss golf, breakfast, zip lines, safar...

The second instalment of our adventures in South Africa in 2014. The golf was thrilling but we were looking for more adventure so Thor and the Dentist headed off to dive with great white sharks while the others sampled the vineyards surrounding Stellenbosch. Then it was 440km off down the coast to Fancourt where we played all three of their courses, went to an Ostrich farm (including two Renegades...

The first of three episodes detailing an epic road trip in South Africa in 2014 when 6 Renegades set off to find the fabled lost city of our youthful imaginations. Arriving in Capetown we were blown away by the beauty of this fabulous country and the friendly welcome we received. However, the first sign we encountered on our first golf outing brought us back to reality, " Beware Mamba"!...