Golf And Politics

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 learned building and selling businesses, and why creating a truly great golf club is about much more than designing a great golf course. We dive into the vision be...

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 greens.

We cover:

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 serving at the Pentagon under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

The conversation digs into:

Whether 2026 is shaping up to be a wave year

The strength (and limits) of Donald Trump’s influe...

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:

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, chiefs of staff, and policy leaders from both parties—often off the record and far from the cameras. Why? Because governing without trust doesn’t work.

We dig into:

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 on high-profile races like Ron DeSantis (2018) and Brian Kemp, and why most candidates still misunderstand voter contact.

We cover:

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 management and mindset. We also dive into why focusing on the next shot matters more than dwelling on the last one, and how structured practice can save golfers time, money, and frustration in the long...

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 golf courses from those that rely solely on length or conditioning. Craig shares his perspective on playing and studying well-designed courses, as well as competitive experiences, and how architecture exposes strengths and weaknesses in a golfer’s game.

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 courses fit into a long-term strategy rather than a rushed checklist. Rob shares insight from playing hundreds of courses worldwide, while Matt breaks down how election years, trav...

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 Valley, Oakmont, Shinnecock, Bandon Dunes, England, and beyond. We also discuss the Golf & Politics Cup, the competitive moments that mattered, and how the event continues to grow heading into 2026.

To...

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 mini-tours

The brutal economics of professional golf

The mental toll of Q-School, Monday qualifiers, and razor-thin margins

Why great pl...

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 negative ads tap into our survival instincts, and why 2024 became a perfect case study for understanding voter behavior. From the culture-war ad that shifted the race to the collapse of shared truth in the media, t...

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 is dominating trends, and why great golf is as much about people as it is about architecture.

We dig into: ⛳️ What defines a great panelist 🏆 The methodology behind the Top 100 🧠 Recency bias and how t...

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, injuries, success, bad tee shots, big wins, deep conversations, and the bond that forms when you walk 18 with someone you don’t always agree with. This one hits the heart of what Golf & Politics is all...

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 Vehicle), and capturing the spirit of the sport and the people connected to it.

We dive into:

⛳ The day he crossed paths with President Bill Clinton at Sleepy Hollow 

🚐 How an RV, a...

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 gratitude and perspective.

Then they get into the big questions:

    • Why does the government keep shutting down?

    • Does “fiscal responsibility” mean anything anymore?

    • Could Congress ever pass a real bu...

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).

🔑 Highlights:

What shifted with Hispanic and younger minority voters

Is “Trump fatigue” already affecting Republicans?

Did Democrats crack the affordability message?

Are candidate quality and authenticity finally mat...

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 MG Cup brings together clients, friends, and family to raise money for pediatric cancer through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. This year’s event generated more than $50,000 — and the stories behind the s...

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 golf’s most innovative brands — including the moment he almost ran for mayor of Eugene, how a viral Facebook argument helped launch L.A.B. into the spotligh...

This week on Golf & Politics, Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth sit 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 golf’s most innovative brands — including the moment he almost ran for mayor of Eugene, how a viral Facebook argument helped launch L.A.B. into...

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 teamed up with the Nightbirde Foundation — every net birdie raised money for women fighting breast cancer — so expect some real-talk about public service, and some genuine on-course moments.

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🧠 Topi...

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 the inaugural bipartisan showdown.

Along the way, Matt and Rob share behind-the-scenes stories, reflect on what made this Cup special, and talk about the future of golf as both a game...

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.

This conversation encompasses everything from golf as an economic driver to the LIV vs. PGA debate, the future of course design, and why golf remains one of the best ways to...

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 George opens up about his journey to the bench, lessons learned from politics and life, and the way golf reveals character both on and off the course.

It’s part competition, part st...

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 growing up in DC politics to bucket-list golf courses, the power of golf in building real relationships, and the biggest cultural changes on Capitol Hill over the past two decades.

They talk architecture, the importance of insti...

In this on-course episode of Golf and Politics, Matt Parker tees it up with Brian Bingman, Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner and longtime public servant, for a 9 Holes, 9 Questions round at The Oaks Country Club.

From campaign trail stories and leadership lessons to reflections on the oil & gas industry, regulatory transparency, and the shift in Oklahoma politics over the last 30 years, Commissioner Bingman shares wisdom with humility.

We also hear about his favorite golf destinations, his bucket-list rounds, the time Tom Coburn helped save his political career, and which vote he wishes he could take back.

In this special G&P Cup preview, we turn the spotlight on the Republican team. Host Matt Parker introduces his squad of conservative golfers heading into the inaugural Golf & Politics Cup in Nebraska. From seasoned politicos to Republican office holders, each teammate shares their background, golf game status, and what they’re most excited about for the bipartisan showdown.

Co-host Rob Ellsworth faces a Shotgun 9 of tough, funny, and politically-charged questions from the Republican side — from transgender athletes and Title IX to Trump loyalty, immigration policy, the national debt, and more. Despite the barbs, this episode is full...

Get to know the Democratic side of the first annual Golf & Politics Cup in this exclusive preview episode! It’s the Democratic Team reveal for the first-ever Golf & Politics Cup! Rob is joined by his seven handpicked teammates — a crew of gritty competitors and longtime golf buddies — as they gear up for an epic match play showdown in Nebraska against Matt’s Republican Team. There’s deep dives into the personalities, golf resumes, and political perspectives of Team Blue. Then things get rowdy when Republican host Matt Parker faces the heat in a “Shotgun 9” political grilling.

With serious match...

In Part 2 of the Parker Improvement Project, Matt gets into the highs and lows of chasing golf improvement—offering a transparent look into his quest to break through from a 4-handicap to scratch and how the mental and emotional side of the game often matters more than mechanics.

With help from coach Maggie Roller, and friends like Casey Lang and Nick Kirsch, Matt revisits his on-course failures, strategic adjustments, and personal breakthroughs heading into his club championship and the Golf & Politics Cup.

From swing struggles and on-course meltdowns to powerful lessons in humility, gratitude, and pe...

In this special episode of Golf and Politics, Matt and Rob unveil the first annual Golf and Politics Cup (G&P Cup)—their Ryder Cup-style showdown set for August at GrayBull Club in Nebraska, a new top-ranked course. They reveal their full eight-man teams, including vice captains Nick Kirsch and Casey Lang, and share insider scouting reports, from scratch players to fiery grinders ready for match play pressure.

The hosts break down the event format, from best ball to alternate shot to singles matches, and debate strategy, handicaps, and team uniforms. Along the way, they drop hilarious st...

In this special on-course episode of Golf and Politics, Matt is joined by PJ, Alex, and Fritz Wenzel of Ring Digital for Nine Holes, Nine Questions during the Nightbirde Foundation Charity Outing at Virtues Golf Club. From humble beginnings in journalism and law to building a successful family-run digital firm serving top political and corporate clients, the Wenzels share their journey, lessons learned, and plenty of laughs along the fairways.

They discuss golf’s role in family bonding and business networking, the secrets to building a business that thrives, and their takes on Trump’s agenda, congressional dysf...

In this episode of Golf and Politics, Rob and Matt reunite to unpack a whirlwind few weeks of golf—both as players and fans. From LIV Golf at Rob’s home course, RTJ, to a bucket-list golf adventure across Scotland, and a reflective look at their own game stats and progress in 2025, this episode blends insight, laughter, and some seriously enviable travel stories.

Rob shares candid impressions of LIV Golf in person, including surprises about the vibe, music, course setup, and how it compares to the PGA Tour. Then, he takes us on a deep dive into nine...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Mike Blackham, Golf and Politics dives deep into Mike’s recent golf adventure through England’s elite courses, from his beloved Sunningdale to iconic tracks like Royal St. George's, St. George's Hill, and St. Enodoc. Mike and Rob break down why England’s diverse golf scene—featuring both heathland and links courses—might just be the most underrated golf destination on the planet.

They discuss the difference between England, Scotland, and Ireland trips, share crazy travel stories (including Rob’s 27 hours solo in an English rental car), and explain why London’s heathland go...

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Golf and Politics welcomes Mike Blackham — world traveler, elite golfer, and one of the few people on Earth closing in on completing the World Top 100 golf course list. Mike shares his journey picking up golf in his late 20s and what he's learned about golf culture, club access, and course architecture along the way. From Augusta and Pine Valley to international B-side hidden gems, we dive into the passion (and sacrifice) behind the world top 100 golf quest.

The conversation then shifts gears into a wide-ranging and honest debate on the current st...

In this wide-ranging episode of Golf and Politics, Rob sits down with Tony Russo—a top Washington lobbyist, former collegiate golf standout, and the undisputed No. 1 golfer in American politics. From playing alongside Michael Jordan, Jack Nicklaus, and Greg Norman, to his early days on Capitol Hill working for Senator Joe Biden, Tony shares unforgettable stories from a life that’s crossed paths with legends in both golf and politics.

Tony opens up about his personal journey—surviving leukemia in law school, leaving pro golf behind, and finding purpose through family, faith, and bipartisan friendships. They also discus...

This week on Golf and Politics, co-host Rob Ellsworth sits down with Scott Furlong, longtime superintendent of the iconic Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, to talk turf, tournaments, and the truth behind maintaining a world-class course. Recorded on the eve of LIV Golf Virginia, Scott shares what it takes to host back-to-back global events like the Solheim Cup and LIV Golf, and how weather, politics, and even immigration policy affect the game from the ground up.

With over 25 years at RTJ, Scott blends stories of mentorship, grit, and perfectionism with a behind-the-scenes look at how agronomy is...

In this episode of Golf and Politics, Matt sits down with Mitch Marczewski, founder of the Nightbirde Foundation, to explore how charity golf tournaments are a force for good—and a model for effective fundraising. Inspired by the legacy of his sister Jane “Nightbirde”, a breakout star from America’s Got Talent, Mitch shares the emotional journey of turning tragedy into tangible hope for women battling breast cancer.

They break down what it really takes to host a profitable charity golf outing, from securing sponsorships to managing logistics at top-tier courses like The Virtues Golf Club. Whether you’re a...

In this episode of Golf and Politics, Matt breaks down Scottie Scheffler’s dominant win at the PGA Championship and what it means for his trajectory toward golf greatness. Is Scheffler the next to complete the career Grand Slam? Matt makes the case. He also takes on critics of LIV players, defending Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau from what he calls lazy media narratives.

Plus: a deep dive into the Parker Improvement Project—Matt’s personal mission to reach scratch by year’s end. He shares his stats, setbacks, practice plan, and lessons learned from battling inconsistency off the...

In our 50th episode of Golf and Politics, we celebrate the milestone with tech entrepreneur and longtime friend of the show Jake Ward. From his time on Capitol Hill to founding multiple companies and trade associations, Jake brings a rare mix of policy savvy, startup hustle, and serious golf chops.

We dive into Jake’s golf life—his game, his favorite courses, and the rise of club culture in places like Daniel Island and Bandon Dunes—before shifting into a wide-ranging conversation on technology in golf, the future of AI, and how data privacy and digital policy affect...

Golf and Politics is back with 9 Holes, 9 Questions as co-host Rob Ellsworth joins Matt Parker on the Par 3 course at LaFortune Park in Tulsa. Rob opens up about his lifelong love of golf, his bond with his late father, his battle with stage 4 cancer, and his journey from Republican Hill staffer to Democratic lobbyist.

As Matt and Rob trade shots and stories, they dive into the personal, the political, and the power of saying “yes” to life’s second chances. You’ll also hear Rob’s thoughts on the changing landscape of American politics, municipal golf’s role in comm...