In the Footsteps of Giants

After an astonishing weekend's golf at Whistling Straits and a record win for team USA, Martin reviews the Ryder Cup with preview guest Pat and the Commander who brings a US perspective to the events. Who was each team's best player, did the lack of European fans give the US team a bigger home field advantage, did the fans stray beyond the bounds of sportsmanship, did Europe bring pistol...

Martin and Des reflect on the Fedex Cup results, celebrate the European ladies triumph in the  recent Solheim Cup and preview next week's Ryder Cup at the legendary Whistling Straits. Joining them on today's show is regular listener Pat who turns out to have plenty of opinions and facts to back them up. Who will pair with Bryson, does Brooks even want to be there, can the Postman deliver...

In June 2021 Martin, Des and their fellow Renegade Pete (aka Slap) spent an afternoon on the golf course with David McNeilly, who has caddied for Sir Nick Faldo, Nick Price, John Daly, Padraig Harrington and Alex Noren to name but a few. David sat down after the round to discuss life on tour, his Ryder Cup experiences and who was a joy to work for and who was not! We could have happily chatted for...

Against all odds Martin and Des return for a second season of their podcast "In The Footsteps Of Giants". This season 2 preview briefly reviews some surprises from season 1, and gives listeners some insight into what is coming over the months ahead. We hope you all stick with us as we chase down more courses that the pros have played and speak with a range of guests who enjoy the golfing...

Part 2 of our summer special focuses on tournament week for the 2019 Open Championship which culminated in Ireland going mental as Shane Lowry won on home soil. His win was after much drama, excitement, some home fan disappointments, but the most memorable Open Championship of our lives. Martin & Des continue their conversation with John Bamber, Chairman of the Championship Committee and, in r...

Martin and Des sit down with John Bamber, Chairman of the Championship Committee that delivered the Open to Royal Portrush in 2019. Most of us simply saw a spectacular event on the north coast gem that is Royal Portrush, but for John and his team tournament week was the culmination of nearly a decade's work. Part 1 of our double header summer special focuses on what it took to get the Open ba...

Des and Martin welcome their close pal Cueball back to the podcast studio and discuss his recent lucky escape. On the eve of the US Open the boys also share their thoughts on the Brooks/Bryson rivalry, the Torrey Pines course, the proposed PGL golf league, cicadas and just how motivated is John Rahm to win big after his recent Covid enforced withdrawal while leading after 54 holes. This episode is...

Finally welcoming guests back into the studio Martin and Des share the podcast with Johnny (aka BJ) and stories of his first experience as a Renegade being on a US tour. Arizona 2017, "The Half Hour From Everywhere Tour", featured 8 rounds of desert golf plus a few adventures along the way. Find out what happened when we went ballooning, how did Des offend the Navajo nation and did Scott...

Martin and Des rejoice in Rory's return to winning ways and discuss the big call from caddy Harry Diamond that was an essential part of victory. On the eve of the USPGA at Kiawah Island's Ocean Course the boys catch up with the Commander who played the course with Martin in 2017, to share some memories of one of our very best golfing experiences. Add in some lively debate on the merits o...

As lockdown in Northern Ireland eases, but continental travel remains uncertain, Martin and Des talk about options to tour closer to home in 2021. Des undertakes his biggest monologue on bifurcation to date while Martin waits to get a word in edgeways. Studio guests returning soon as relaxations roll out and the Renegade Players can once again dust off tales of prior adventures and plan new challe...

As lockdown starts to ease and golf is once again allowed Martin and Des ponder what unusual golfing challenges need to be considered by their fellow touring Renegades. A discussion on rules and gamesmanship plus a few stories and digressions fill out this episode as we wait for guests to be allowed to return to the studio. Interact with us via twitter @ITFOG_podcast

Martin and ITFOG's North American correspondent The Commander review the 2021 Masters. See where we were right and where we were obviously wrong as we total up the scores from our predictions episode. Let us know your opinions via our twitter site @ITFOG_podcast.

Martin & Des take a good look at the upcoming Masters, the first major of 2021. Looking for better insight the boys hear from Ross who attended the Masters a few years ago and time has not dulled his recollections. USA correspondent "The Commander" also returns to discuss probable outcomes and play a leaderboard draft game against the podcast hosts. Can you get too much of the world&...

Martin and Des take a look back at the 2021 Players Championship and then review the newly published top 100 courses in Ireland. With staycations likely to be a feature of 2021 the boys discuss which courses should interest you most on your home turf. Hear about the hole in one that never was, the legendary golfer who admired Scottee's practice regime, be amazed at one of our listener's...

Part 2 of the Illinois and Wisconsin roadtrip sees the boys leave Sand Valley for the 257 mile drive back to Chicago. Discover why TD hated the journey, why there is nothing better than a beard, where is our recommended Blues club, is American improv comedy any good, where should you stay (the Drake Hotel is the correct answer) and what should you wear for a dusk architectural river cruise? Additi...

Martin & Des take the opportunity to talk about everything to do with the Players Championship. Can Rory win back to back Players, who has multiple wins in the tournament, who hates 17 the most, why did Pete Dye regret bringing goats onto the property, will Bryson De Chambeau make the cut and what record does Bernhardt Langer hold. An episode filled with lots of stuff about one of our favourit...

In 2019 four Renegades took on an awesome roadtrip through Illinois and Wisconsin which included four major championship venues. Martin and Des are joined by fellow Renegade "TD" to discuss a tour that visited Erin Hills, Whistling Straits and Sand Valley before heading back to the mighty city of Chicago and an awesome day at Medinah followed by Olympia Fields. Discover the unique venue...

As 2021 starts to unfold Martin and Des discuss the talking points surrounding the start of this season such as, will Tiger make the Masters, why is Rory not winning, what the heck is bifurcation, should Trump courses be excluded from majors, did Patrick Reed cheat and should sponsorships be lost over overheard comments. Additionally Roberto De Vicenzo is the answer, but what was the question? Int...

Martin and Des undertake the monumentally difficult task of selecting their all time favourite overseas holes making up their dream nines. Regular listeners will not be surprised at all the choices but suspect some will cause debate. Also meet the podcast's oldest guest as she talks about introducing one of your hosts to golf. Interact with the podcast on Twitter @ITFOG_podcast

Martin and Des welcome back Trapper to talk about the eventful 2007 tour to Spain which included a half completed resort, a lost wallet, a carnival in Barcelona and a chance meeting with the Undertones. Throw in a football match between Barcelona and Sevilla and you have the makings of an eventful 5 day tour. Follow/interact with us on Twitter @ITFOG_podcast.

Martin and Des discuss the origins of the ideas behind the Renegade Players Tour with original Renegade Willie, an average golfer but a great tennis player. Find out how the RPT operates, our mirroring of world golf with four Majors, the origins of the Sinnerton Cup and some surprising tennis trivia. Interact with us via Twitter @ITFOG_podcast. A very merry Christmas to all our listeners and our b...

Martin and Des discuss their top golf movies, say goodbye to 2020 and look forward to 2021 by finding out what new year's golfing resolutions their fellow Renegades have adopted, as well finding out who makes the cut for their 2021 fantasy fourballs. With contributions from podcast regulars Duvet, Trapper, Cueball and the Commander it is time to be positive and look to the future. With thanks...

Martin and Des wish all their listeners a merry Christmas whilst dispensing their opinions on the presents no serious golfer wants to receive. What are the top excuses for hitting a bad shot and who will win the 4 majors in 2021. The boys finish off their year by answering a few of the listeners questions. Interact with our Twitter page @ITFOG_podcast.

It's November 2001, the first full Renegade Players Tour to the USA albeit the pathfinders had done their research in May 2000. As with many tours this one had its' surprises including gatecrashing the World Golf Hall of Fame Induction for Greg Norman. 11 men toured but only 10 flew out together. Martin and Des welcome Pete, "the lone traveller", to the studio to explain. Inter...

Today's episode sees Martin and Des discuss what you need to do to run a good golf tour and avoid a few pitfalls. Also the boys discuss their "Dream Northern Ireland Nines" and add another golf club to the rapidly filling Equipment Bin. Follow and interact with the guys on Twitter @ITFOG_podcast.