The 19th Hole Golf Show

Brooks Koepka won his second major of 2018 in perhaps of one of Tiger Woods' best-ever major duels (even in a losing effort) at the PGA Championship at Bellerive. We go over the fantastic showdown between the two, throwing in Adam Scott and Justin Thomas. We go over the clutch shots, the big moments and what it all means for Koepka and Woods, as well the Ryder Cup. Then Ryan's GNN compatriot and f...

On this week's show, Ryan talks about the devastating news Jarrod Lyle has stopped treatment for his third battle with leukemia and is pursuing a style of hospice treatment as he prepares to die. It's an emotional opening segment, and hopefully one which pays tribute to the Aussie's remarkable life and fight. In the second half of the show, Ryan delves into the latest quibbling controversies in go...

On this podcast, we look back on The Open, from Francesco Molinari's win, to Tiger Woods' brush with a 15th major title, to Jordan Spieth's collapse, to the amazing venue that is Carnoustie. Where do we go from here? How is the Ryder Cup affected? Then Ryan is joined by author Tom Coyne to talk about his new book "A Course Called Scotland," in which Coyne chronicles a personal 57-day journey playi...

On this week's podcast, Ryan shares his adventures over the week in Indiana and Illinois. First, Ryan talks about his amazing experience at French Lick Resort and West Baden in Indiana, including playing with Elizabeth Szokol in the Donald Ross Classic pro-am. Then Ryan digs in on the US Senior Women's Open, spending Friday at Chicago Golf Club to watch JoAnne Carner, Hollis Stacy, Juli Inkster, J...

On this edition of the show, Ryan shares stories from the final Quicken Loans National. He talks about the life and death of the tournament, and he digs into the Sunday experience walking with Tiger Woods for likely the final time in his hometown.  Then Ryan welcomes Scott Tomasello from the Myrtle Beach World Am to talk about the experience of playing in the event (come join us!), as well what to...

Ryan recaps the 2018 US Open from Shinnecock Hills, kicking things off with what seemed to set apart Brooks Koepka from Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose and the rest of the weekend contenders. Then he gets into the Phil Mickelson debacle and shares his nuanced view on what happened, including why Mickelson deserved to be disqualified. Finally, Ryan talks about the USGA's setup choices throughout the we...

On this episode, Ryan digs in on his recent piece on seeking a feeling of belonging in golf, as well the overwhelming outpouring of reaction to the article. While he feels golf at the elite end has a potentially toxic culture for the sport, the idea of being a golf snob isn't exclusive to being wealthy. Ryan also commits to bringing more stories of golf as most of us experience it.

On this episode, Ryan talks about his experience of playing Shinnecock Hills Golf Club for US Open preview day. He takes you on a complete tour of the Southampton, N.Y., club, including the current setup, the demands on each hole and what players can expect inside the ropes as they battle for the national championship.  This was a likely once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Ryan is beaming with exc...

On this episode of the show, Ryan talks about the potential impact on professional golf of legalized and regulated sports betting in the wake of the landmark Supreme Court decision. What could go wrong? What do we know so far? Then Ryan digs in on AT&T Byron Nelson host Trinity Forest, raving about the Coore-Crenshaw design outside in Dallas.

On this episode, Ryan digs into the fun of the Zurich Classic, as well the great winning moment shared by the Jutanugarn sisters at the LPGA's Los Angeles event. It's a segue into talking about the beauty of golf being for the player whatever the want it to be -- and the truth that no one person should try to commandeer what the sport means.  Then Ryan is joined on National Golf Day by friend and...

This episode is all about the 2018 Masters, of course. Patrick Reed wins, and the story about more than him winning. It's about how he got to this point, what he changed about his approach to Augusta to get the green jacket, how his past informs his present and future, and what's next for a guy who is beloved on American teams but wasn't beloved on Sunday. We dig into Alan Shipnuck's Sunday night...

On this episode, we're joined by Snell Golf founder Dean Snell to talk about his new MTB Red and MTB Black golf balls, his company four years into it, as well the experience of making golf balls for the average golfer. Dean is always a great guest, and his insights into the golf ball and the golf business are a must-listen. Ryan also shares his experiences in Houston for a few days, including play...

On this episode, Ryan talks about the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and gets into the annual complaining about the round-robin format. Should we be longing for the days of single elimination, or is there a unicorn format out that which would make everyone happy? (There isn't.) Ryan also gets into the latest comments from Rory McIlroy and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan about fan behavior.

On this edition of The 19th Hole, Ryan Ballengee is back from his golf trip and winning the Old Greensburg Cup, and Tiger Woods is back, too!  We talk about Tiger Woods' tremendous run at the Valspar Championship and reflect on how amazing his rise to nearly winning in just four 2018 starts really is. What's next for Woods? Can he win at Bay Hill? (Of course he can.)  Ryan also kicks off the show...

This episode is all about two big stories coming out of The Honda Classic. First, we talk about Justin Thomas' win and the preceding ejection of a surly fan on the 16th hole on Sunday. Was JT thin-skinned or did he do the right thing? We talk about why golf tournaments are thought different than other sporting events, and why that might be wrong.  We also look at Tiger Woods' 12th-place finish at...

On this episode of the show, Ryan starts by talking about the latest developments in a potential golf ball rollback. Reading the tea leaves, is what Mike Davis of the USGA and Jack Nicklaus considering a reasonable, practical solution? You'll be surprised why Ryan takes the manufacturers' side on this. Also, we talk about the 17th hole at The Honda Classic's host PGA National. Is it getting out of...

On this episode, Ryan welcomes Brainstorm Golf founder Vikash Sanyal to discuss his company's Happy Putter Eye Align series and why it'll help you make more putts. We also discuss putter innovation, as Vikash's career has seen him lead Odyssey Golf and Never Compromise -- and now Brainstorm Golf -- as innovators in the game. Ryan also starts the show by talking about Paige Spiranac's appearance in...

On this episode, Ryan Ballengee is joined by author Anthony Pioppi to discuss his new book, "The Finest Nines: The Best Nine-Hole Golf Courses in North America." We talk the history of nine-hole courses in the U.S. and Canada, why they became rarer over the years and how they could be the foundation for the future expansion of golf. Ryan also gets into the resurgence of the West Coast swing, and h...

Ryan starts the show with a review of the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando and proposes how to make the show accessible to you. Then we dig in on JB Holmes' slow play incident at the Farmers Insurance Open and the PGA Tour's disappointing response. Check out our show sponsors, including  2UNDR  (GNN20 at checkout to save 20%),  Ship Sticks  (click for 20% off), Health IQ and  Happy Putter  (GNN10 f...

We kick off this week's show dissecting the Golf Channel-IATSE strike, why it happened, how it played out and when it might get resolved. Then, Ryan looks at the Sony Open in Hawaii playoff and wonders why Patton Kizzire and James Hahn had to play the same boring hole four times out of six they played in sudden death instead of cutting right to the great Redan 17th at Waialae Country Club. Check o...

After some kids' illnesses and school weather closures, Ryan's back to talk about Dustin Johnson crushing it at the Tournament of Champions and how scary his best game is compared to everyone else in the world.  Ryan also shares several of our new sponsors for this year, including 2UNDR (GNN20 at checkout to save 20%), Ship Sticks  (click for 20% off), Health IQ and Happy Putter (GNN10 for a 10% d...

Welcome to 2018! For the first show of the year, Ryan talks about the amazing possibilities for what could happen in golf this year, starting at the Tournament of Champions. Then we dig into the nature of equipment signings, including the unique, very public case of Sergio Garcia signing with Callaway Golf. Check out our show sponsors: 2UNDR, making the only golf-performance underwear (and really...

Tiger Woods came back and looked good at the Hero World Challenge, and Ryan Ballengee reviews his return. Also, what's next for Woods in 2018? Then, Ryan looks into some shady tactics by a PR firm that is a chance to showcase that sometimes what you're seeing and reading isn't what it seems.

Tiger Woods is back (again) at the Hero World Challenge, and Ryan lays out what he thinks are the goals for the week and the measuring stick for Woods in the future. Can a 42-year-old guy with a major in 10 years become what he once was? Also, Ryan details a huge potential shakeup of the 2018-19 PGA Tour schedule, which could see maybe eight events change in some fashion.

On this episode, Ryan Ballengee looks into the comments made by Bridgestone CEO Angel Ilagen that the time is now for a pro-only, scaled-back golf ball. Is something in the works? Also, we look at the run of future major site announcements from the USGA and PGA of America. Why are they making unprecedented future announcements so soon?