The Shotgun Start

Friar Tuck, Joey D, and the Pissbear

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A Bixby-fueled early morning recording begins with a discussion of fast food preferences and an analysis of more dumb officespeak before addressing an...

The Kokrakheads get their fix, Phil “pops” the Senior Tour, Omar Uresti returns

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Brendan and Andy react to the breakthrough win for Jason Kokrak after 10 years and 232 starts on the PGA Tour. Unsurprisingly, there’s a sudden digr...

The Shadow Creek problem and the Westy conflict

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andy and Brendan close out the week with a lengthy discussion on Shadow Creek after the first round of the CJ Cup. But first, Brendan issues an apolog...

The fake St. Andrews and a fake Cup

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Wednesday episode begins with the tale of Andy getting a speeding ticket somewhere in rural Iowa before transitioning to a Brendan apology for hi...

Speedy Sei Young gets her major, Hoodie Hatton, and Bryson vs. Fitzy

12 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andy and Brendan begin this Victory Monday with some brief comments on their 4-1 football teams and then some not-so-brief comments on the practice of...

A chat with The Ringer’s Kevin Clark, Bryson Gilmore, and Chicken Nugget Country Club

09 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ringer staff writer Kevin Clark joins for a wide-ranging and amusing discussion on golf, the NFL, and the prospects for two specific teams in the Grea...

A major in a bathroom sink, the true PGA, and a Crooked Cat omission

07 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Wednesday episode begins with some thoughts on what new equipment we might see rolled out in the annual PGA Tour stop in Las Vegas, as well what’...

Sergio’s Chicken Championship, Waterlogged Westy, and the Little Engine

05 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After assessing the triumphs and ruins of another NFL Sunday, Brendan (begrudgingly) and Andy go into Sergio Garcia’s impressive win to rocket up th...

The Shoe Incident, Sabbo’s Swanky RV, and a Dirt McGirt story

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

SGS closes out the week with some tales from the road as Andy drives around the country. There’s been another shoe incident and it’s a good one. T...

The Milk Carton Crew, Mississippi trivia, and the honourable backboard

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrate this week’s National Coffee Day with a subscription to the Shotgun Start Blend at Bixby, and Andy might be sending you a free bag of beans...

Victory Monday!

28 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andy is brimming with enthusiasm and confidence for the Nick Foles era, even if it means his over wager for Mitch Trubisky starts is in trouble. Brend...

The Shirtless Shaper, The Bad Boys of Golf, and the arm lock argument

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There’s little to talk about so this Friday episode is a slalom run of stupidity as Brendan and Andy swerve back and forth from topic to topic. They...

The Johnny Morris Infomercial, Mike Davis gets into design, and Puntacana problems

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The seriousness of U.S. Open week is out the window for this Wednesday episode as Brendan and Andy weave their way through the cornucopia of oddities ...

A U.S. Open of chocolate milk, thicc rough, and a Thicc Boi

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andy and Brendan pour themselves a glass of chocolate milk and sidle up to the microphone to react to a dominant Sunday performance by Bryson DeChambe...

Shane Bacon joins to set up Sunday at the U.S. Open

20 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Saturday night episode reacts to the third round at Winged Foot and ponders what’s to come Sunday in the final round of the U.S. Open. Brendan ...

Reactions to Shovel Boy and Thicc Boi leading at U.S. Open midpoint

19 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Winged Foot punched back on Friday at the U.S. Open and Andy and Brendan react to the setup and our leaderboard at the 36-hole mark. They marvel at Pa...

Scoreable Winged Foot, Lost boy Spieth, and flailing Phil

17 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Brendan and Andy react to the opening round at Winged Foot, where 21 players posted scores under par and Justin Thomas set the pace with a 65. At the ...

A golf podcast about the U.S. Open (and Cody Parkey)

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The 2020 U.S. Open is here and this episode is an extended preview with a couple distinguished guests, Billy Draddy, creative director at Summit Golf ...

Backboard Inspiration, Stew Cink climbs to the mountaintop, Scheffler WDs

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It is Victory Monday for only one half of the Shotgun Start thanks to some late heroics from Mitch Trubisky. The Browns, however, provided no such her...

SGS Spotlight on Payne Stewart and ‘99 U.S. Open with author Kevin Robbins

13 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s about three months later than planned, but it’s U.S. Open week and the Shotgun Start is grateful for that. To get in the mood for the nationa...

A backboard bonanza, Anchor Site angst, and Tyler Duncan’s tweets

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

First off, the Shotgun Start is making a wine blend with Smith Devereaux and they could use your creativity in coming up with a name for it. Next, thi...

Poppy’s Hot Tub, Grocer Open field notes, PGA Tour (and Browns/Bears) over-unders

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After an interminable offseason, Andy and Brendan return in the best shape of their lives for this episode. But first, Andy has to get off one more qu...

The Gaslighting Cup, a big day for Low Gross, and where’s the bonus money?

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Brendan and Andy return from the holiday weekend break to react to the season-ending FedEx Club Championship. But first, they discuss John Catlin’s ...

The Low Net Cup, the Kaymer question, and POY drama

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A hectic week at SGS and the odd Friday to Monday schedule resulted in this delayed Wednesday episode, which serves as a preview for the 2020 Tour Cha...

Playoffs fever, Overpraising trees, and the Leishman problem

31 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The FedExCup is on a roll. Andy and Brendan start the week recapping the dramatic Jon Rahm vs. DJ playoff after a fantastic championship on a firm and...

Praise be to firmness, the deep dish dilemma, and Cam Champ’s voice

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Friday! Brendan and Andy begin this episode with some personal tales on life, death, and napping. Then they move to the challenging conditions ...

Bryson’s fake dog content scandal, the second-stop appeal, and Bombs in the Ozarks

25 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s BMW Championship week and the Shotgun Start would typically begin with a preview lamenting the PGA Tour erasing the history of the great Wester...

The Return to Podcasting

23 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

“Back on the mic, Andyyyyyyy Johnsonnn!” New father Andy re-joins the Shotgun Start for this Monday episode and he comes prepared with an agitated...

Peak Coffee Golf, Bryson on the science of sound, and a nuclear family take

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Great friend of the SGS, Shane Bacon, joins for this Friday episode that winds from unsolicited parenting advice for new dad Andy to the joys of watch...

Playoffs!, Heath Slocum Appreciation, and Brad Bryant Stories with Sean Martin

18 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

PGA Tour dot com’s Sean Martin joins Brendan for this Wednesday episode as Andy’s paternity leave commences. It begins with a quick golf book reco...

Buying your own hot air balloon, Strafaci family heritage, and Bandon love

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Our golf cup runneth over in this lengthy Monday episode. Brendan and Andy begin with the U.S. Amateur, which served as a backdrop for the telling of ...

A Spotlight on the “Original Bubba,” U.S. Amateur legend

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The SGS Spotlight is back! With the U.S. Amateur this week, this Friday episode focuses on Bubba Dickerson, who won the U.S. Am during a legendary run...

Tacko Tuesday, Primetime Bandon, and when Anchorman called someone else cheater

11 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s major championship week! Brendan and Andy, coming down from the high of the first major of the year, jump right back in the pool for a preview ...

The Morikawa Era, Brooksy talks then fades, and the DJ Dilemma

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It took longer than anyone expected to get there, but the first major championship of the year delivered. Andy and Brendan return for one more daily r...

Shane Bacon joins to preview PGA Sunday and talk Phil on TV

09 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The great Shane Bacon joins for this loopy Saturday night discussion on the PGA Championship. But first, a debate about the proper sized coffee mug an...

PGA Midpoint Reaction: MLV’s Moment

08 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This late Friday episode reacts to another full day at the PGA Championship and slowly morphs into a Flashback Friday on the fast life of Mike Lorenzo...

Legend of Jeff Hart, Zatch Watch, Todd Watch, and figuring out how shafts work

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Friday episode reacts to a full day of the first major championship in more than a year. A favorite son of the SGS, Brendon Todd is yet again on ...

Low Zach Johnson, and other PGA Picks

05 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A bonus podcast brought to you by the Shotgun Start Blend at Bixby Coffee features a picks and fantasy chat unlike any other. Brendan and Andy welcome...

PGA Preview: Mark Twain quotes and a Jaco Van Zyl retrospective

04 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Major championship golf is back! And Brendan and Andy are grateful to have it so they begin with a discussion on Ryan Moore skipping to rest for the C...

JT takes WGC-Preferred Lies, Kang takes Inverness, Brooksy takes a dive?

03 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It was the first weekend since March where it felt like we had a full helping of golf, and this Monday episode slowly and aimlessly works through most...

The ants go marching one by one, relief! Relief!

31 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Friday episode begins with a discussion on Brooksy and his opening 62 as a sign that major season is nigh. Is he back? Did he ever leave? Is he r...

LPGA is back, WGC Swampass, and PGA Tour “expands” gambling relationship

28 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This is a shorter Wednesday episode with Brendan nursing multiple injuries and in concussion protocol while on vacation. The golf schedule this week, ...

More like Stinky Note classic, TPC problems, and PGL is back

26 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andy and Brendan begin this week praising Michael Thompson and the story of his first win in seven years on the PGA Tour. It’s an amazing testament ...

Comparing DJ vs. Romo vs. Beef WDs, SponCon rants, BdJ the Birdie King

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Friday episode begins with one final story to cap what became a Miguel Angel Carballo theme week. Then Brendan and Andy get to the initial golf f...

Lumpy’s moment, All-time Jacks, and a fall West Coast swing

21 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Wednesday preview begins with an apology Tour to Argentinians, canals, and Ernie Els’ golf course design philosophies. Then Brendan and Andy ge...

Gentleman Jon gets a W, Jack rips up his course, and Bryson’s OB-gate

20 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Much like Bryson on Friday, this Monday episode is a re-load after some computer troubles resulted in another lost tape. Andy and Brendan begin with t...

Swedish Pancakes, BB Guns, and Jack fights back

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Friday! If you need to finish out your week with podcast segments on Carl Pettersson and Bart Bryant, you’ve come to the right place. This we...

A Norwegian once talked to me about Norway

14 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Wednesday episode meanders about before an event with the strongest field ever on the PGA Tour tees off in Columbus. This quickly devolves into a...

Charity Open madness, Tape Delay sadness, WGC Swampass badness

12 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The PGA Tour is not only Back on the Tee, it is on an incredible hot streak in this Return to Golf. Brendan and Andy offer their initial reactions to ...

Breaks of the green, Brooksy’s GIF usage, and Flashback to David Gossett

10 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Friday episode begins with a ramble on whether the PGA Tour is doing enough to capture the wider sports fan’s attention as it appears other spo...

Zoo golf, the Baby Sea Lion, and spotlight on “human progress”

08 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Workday Charity Open week, but first Brendan has to get some behind-the-scenes detail from Andy on the long-awaited cold brew tutorial finally ...

A beefy tipping point, Cameraman does job, and Rickie left his heart in Detroit

06 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a Bryson-heavy Monday episode, as Brendan and Andy first thank all their sponsors for the opportunity to podcast. Bryson’s win in Detroit is ...

A love of charity, Rickie gets activated, and Flashlight on a Detroit public treasure

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Friday episode begins with an apology wrapped in a rant about backlash over amusement at the 3-1-3 Challenge. Brendan makes it clear he is not no...

The Backboard Classic, Missed opportunities in Detroit, and USGA-NBC marriage

01 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This rollicking Wednesday episode begins with a birthday shoutout and an odd discussion on couples going by one merged name. Also, an MLGT shared titl...

DJ ends #ToddWatch, NBC takes over US Open, Phil’s trademarking

29 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Monday episode begins with some initial reactions to DJ’s win at the Travelers, but is promptly interrupted by some breaking news about the bro...

Do you think Tiger worries about pirates?

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Friday episode begins with a discussion on the Covid-related withdrawals from the Travelers since the last episode. Should the Tour play on? Or c...

You can stand under my umbrella

24 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Wednesday episode begins with a discussion on the fraught with peril practice of deliberately shrinking your shirts. Eventually, there is discuss...

Webb vs. Boo Stopper, Brooksy train chugging, the Watney test

22 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Monday episode begins with Webb Simpson shattering the record books. He is the new best player in the world (by some metrics) and also broke Bria...

Kraken leashed, Impediments loosened, and Flashback on Boo

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Friday episode begins with a discussion on grapes and where they fall in the fruit rankings. There’s also a brief announcement about another ru...

SGS Spotlight: The 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The special Wednesday edition of the Shotgun Start is a Spotlight on the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont, and is sponsored by the U.S. Open Victory Club, th...

Grandstanding receipts!, Dad’s Day Gift Guide ;) and Harbour Town Preview

16 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s bonus week on the Shotgun Start. There will be four episodes, including a spotlight on a past U.S. Open celebrating the national championship o...

Duck taped Spieth, Berger’s triumph, and celebrating a successful return

14 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The PGA Tour made a strong return this weekend and Andy and Brendan are back to recap a real, actual golf tournament. They offer their initial reactio...

Thicc golf back, Spieth golf back, and Flashback to a Colonial hothead

12 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Friday and PGA Tour golf is back. This episode begins with Brendan and Andy soaking in a joyous and eventful first round at Colonial. First, An...

Return

09 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Golf is back and so is the normal, or approximately normal, Wednesday episode of the Shotgun Start. Brendan and Andy express their excitement, concern...

SGS Spotlight on Jose Maria Olazabal

08 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week brings the exultant return of golf, and Brendan and Andy will back to the normal tournament show and routine on Wednesday, digging into Colo...

Mushroom mispronunciations, OWGR inequities, and Flashlight on Se Ri Pak

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Friday episode begins with Brendan and Andy announcing their caption contest winners from Instagram for B. Draddy polos, which leads to an amusin...

SGS Spotlight on Calvin Peete, a makeshift feeder tour, and the Workday Open

03 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Wednesday episode begins with a few comments from Brendan and Andy on the current protests in the country, golf’s poor history with race, and h...

Milkshake Swing, Coffee Pot, Shark Money Pot, and Bubba’s AirBNB

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Following the two-hour Ernie Els Spotlight on Friday, this episode is a quick Monday whiparound on some golf news odds and ends. Brendan and Andy firs...

SGS Spotlight: Ernie Els Part II

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Friday! This week-wrapping episode begins with a discussion of the new Manor Swing that will bring the return of the Euro Tour and our beloved ...

A Jumbo Ozaki Spotlight and do The Match’s high ratings matter?

27 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With both hosts worse-for-the-wear, the Part 2 Spotlight on Ernie Els is pushed to Friday. This Wednesday episode begins with some debate on the excit...

“This one’s for you, Workday!”

25 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A smiling Brendan and Andy hop on the horn and chat about all things Match 2 in what was a great day for golf in the spotlight. They review the all fo...

Medalist preview ramblings and the Euro Tour’s new “Manor Swing”

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This holiday weekend Friday episode rolls into the weekend with some pleasant news from Andy’s round in Minnesota this week, tales of conference cal...

SGS Spotlight on Ernie Els, Part 1

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Wednesday episode begins with a quick reaction to news that the U.S. Open will have no open qualifying this year. Then Brendan and Andy start to ...

Reactions to golf’s return and grading the Seminole match

18 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andy and Brendan get together shortly after the conclusion of the Driving Relief match at Seminole to reflect on the return of televised golf. It star...

An ebullient Seminole match preview, PXG apparel critiques, Flashlights to bygone PGAs

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This joyous Friday episode starts with praise and thanks for the return of golf this weekend with the skins match at Seminole on Sunday. Brendan and A...

Flashlight on “Little Sluman,” Ryder Cup mayo sandwich, new Tour health guidelines

13 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Wednesday episode goes in several different directions, from news of the day to two separate “Flashlights” at the end. Brendan and Andy begin...

“Zatch & Beefy,” Medalist match reactions, Vijay vs. the KFT

10 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Monday episode starts with a focus on weather talk as the ultimate small talk crutch, especially in our current quarantine moment. Tiger’s pet ...

An SGS Spotlight on “Gentle” Ben Crenshaw

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Friday episode features our SGS Spotlight for the week and the subject is Ben Crenshaw. As usual for these Spotlights, it’s long, but take it i...

“Flashlight” on Bobby Clampett, “Peak” decades, the Seminole Match

06 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Wednesday episode begins with a discussion on tacos, overrated components of tacos, and the delivery vessels of tacos. We then transition to the ...

Card security and jumbo points, Hadwin’s lament, and apologies to Dell

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Monday episode primarily takes on the status developments across the various Tours. But we first begin with an apology to Dell for our naivete fr...

SGS Spotlight on Davis Love III with Shane Bacon, Part II

01 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We open this podcast with some further comments on the Sumo Citrus phenomenon, offer some friendly content plugs, and then roll into the second half o...

SGS Spotlight on Davis Love III -- Part I with Shane Bacon

29 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Wednesday episode begins with some brief discussion on MJ vs. LeBron to stir the pot in Chicago, as well as some brief comments on the Ryder Cup ...

The Walk Up Music Quiz returns, Tiger v. Phil, and essential Shotlink services

27 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Monday episode is a departure from the heavy reading and listening on Nick Faldo of last week. We begin with some more reaction to The Match II b...

SGS Spotlight on Nick Faldo: Part II with Sean Martin

23 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

An early recording of this Friday episode begins with some quick musings on the Match II as well as a tease for another Andy walk-up music segment he’...

Nick Faldo spotlight Part 1 with Sean Martin, Extra Thicc Bryson and Finchem makes HOF,

22 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Wednesday episode begins with a brief rundown of the scant news from the past few days. That scantness gives us occasion to discuss Bryson DeCham...

One million tests, Mike Clayton on the glory days of the European Tour

20 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Monday episode begins with a brief reaction to the news from a Guardian report that the PGA Tour is hoping to secure 1 million coronavirus tests ...

Pilgrim Rick, Nicklaus knockout, and the new PGA Tour schedule

17 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Friday episode begins by answering and discussing a few messages from listeners. What happens if Jack Nicklaus’ putter toss knocked out Doug Sa...

Winged Foot Fiascoes: Re-living Sunday at the 2006 U.S. Open

15 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This is a different style episode for the Shotgun Start, focusing on the final round of the U.S. Open the last time it was at Winged Foot. The episode...

The Masters rewind experiment, 10 events we want saved, more AMA

13 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Brendan and Andy return from the weekend with our golf appetites satiated in a way by the Masters Rewind on both ESPN and CBS. We discuss why this wor...

A Friday funhouse of random ramblings

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It was a long week for Brendan and Andy, who are walking wounded into this Friday episode and just start talking about a sundry of topics before movin...

SGS Spotlight on Fred Couples and Masters qualifying clarified

08 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Wednesday episode begins with some brief news on Bryson releasing a fancy video with his Masters scripting despite the fact that there is no Mast...

Eamon Lynch joins to discuss the new golf schedule

06 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This quick pop-up podcast takes on the wave of schedule announcements that came from the various organizations on Monday. Eamon Lynch, a columnist at ...

Have you ever been to the zoo? AMA Part 1

06 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A break from the SGS Spotlight pace of the past couple weeks to follow up on a call for Ask Me Anything questions from the end of February. We tried t...

SGS Spotlight on the great redass Curtis Strange and New makeshift schedule plans

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This portly Friday episode begins with the latest news on what may come of a 2020 men’s golf schedule. We cover Golf Digest’s report that The Open...

A SGS Spotlight on Sleepy Sandy Lyle and PGA Tour plans to increase field sizes but keep pace of play

01 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Wednesday episode begins with news of a PGA Tour memo to players indicating that they should still plan to be back in action at Colonial in mid M...

SGS Spotlight on the Wee Welshman Ian Woosnam and Phil v. Tiger match rumors

30 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A delayed Monday episode begins with Phil Mickelson’s tease that he’s working on a potential The Match-type event with Tiger Woods. This gives us ...

SGS Spotlight on Vijay Singh and Sunny Abacoa’s moment, Brandel-PGA tiff

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Friday episode begins with an appreciation of the great Sunny “Abacoa” Kim getting the stage he deserves after his MLGT win with the rest of ...

A David Duval Spotlight with Sean Martin and the Olympics canceled but Rosey has a watch

25 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Wednesday episode disposes of some brief news before a lengthy dive into the life and career of David Duval with special guest Sean Martin, Senio...

A Mark O’Meara Spotlight, the commish works for free and TV programming wishes

23 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A Monday episode begins with news that PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan will forfeit his salary as golf is suspended. We briefly discuss this and als...

A SGS Spotlight on the legend of Halimony Sutton, MLGT Betting and a Sasquatch Flashback

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Friday episode begins with a reader submission on how a relatively middling player could use this layoff to then make a #brandactivation splash w...