The Shotgun Start
Episodes
Cam’s “regression,” Birdie fest brouhahas, and the Memphis blender
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a peppy Monday episode celebrating the return of golf in 2022. Andy and Brendan react to Cam Smith’s outrageous play, remarking on his #gainz...
Putting the P in PXG, ESPN’s curious calculations, and Bryson’s cap
07 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode is a bite-sized reaction to the first official PGA Tour round of 2022. Andy and Brendan delight in the re-introduction to PGA Tour...
Hemisphere debates, carbon drivers, and asking the tough questions on Kapalua field
05 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The PGA Tour is back and this Wednesday episode is a rambling discussion focused mostly on the return to golf at Kapalua, one of our favorite annual t...
PIP Paranoia and a 2022 Prospectus
02 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Shotgun Start is off and running in 2022 with this Monday episode. Andy and Brendan review some of their New Year’s weekend exploits, and ponder...
Year in Review Part 10, presented by Precision Pro Golf
28 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There was never a doubt! The Year in Review concludes with Part 10 covering the Olympics up through the final tournament of the PGA Tour season that d...
Year in Review Part 9, presented by Precision Pro Golf
22 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hey, the year is rapidly winding down and so is the Year in Review. In this installment, Andy and Brendan pick up with some post U.S. Open fallout, ri...
Pondering the PNC, Tiger & Charlie, and the R&A’s flex
19 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This peppy Monday episode reacts to the Tiger and Charlie show in Orlando on Sunday. Andy and Brendan begin first with some subtle but notable thirsty...
Year in Review Part 8, presented by Precision Pro Golf
17 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy and Brendan close out the week with a PUNCHY Year-in-Review episode covering the stretch from the Kokheads Colonial triumph through “Rahmbo’s...
Year in Review Part 7, presented by Precision Pro Golf
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The three-man weave and the Year in Review roll on, with Kyle Porter author of the recently released book, A Normal Sport, back joining to review the ...
Year in Review Part 6, presented by Precision Pro Golf
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a three-man weave for the latest installment of the Year in Review, with Kyle Porter of CBS and author of the recently released book, A Normal ...
Year in Review Part 5, presented by Precision Pro Golf
08 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Year in Review continues and this part takes on the 2021 Masters, from Woosie’s valiant bid to make the cut, Ollie’s successful and emotional ...
Tiger’s taking cuts and a Hovland harbinger
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We interrupt the Year In Review for a Monday episode that reacts to the Hero happenings down in the Bahamas. Andy and Brendan discuss some of the chip...
Year in Review Part 4, presented by Precision Pro Golf
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Year in Review continues with the GOLD STANDARD, a “big event,” the purest test in golf, and the leadoff hitter in the Season of Championships...
Year in Review Part 3, presented by Precision Pro Golf
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Year in Review rolls on, with Part 3 swinging us from the West Coast over to Florida. This part picks up with the succinctly named and amply enter...
Tiger talks, Bryson oils up, and the Asian Tour pokes the bear
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This late Monday episode was planned as another installment of the Year in Review, but Andy and Brendan could not shut up about some of the recent dev...
Year in Review Part 2, presented by Precision Pro Golf
26 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Black Friday edition of the Year in Review is a quick companion piece to Wednesday for your Thanksgiving holiday travels, and it’s brought to y...
Year in Review Part 1, presented by Precision Pro Golf
24 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The annual Year in Review series is back, and earlier than normal this year thanks to sponsor Precision Pro. This episode begins with some quick comme...
The Tiger activation, Dubai Drama, the Ko show, and some other spicy takes
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Monday episode is an amusing jaunt through a surprisingly full weekend of golf news. Andy and Brendan begin first with the Tiger Woods swing vide...
Embracing the fall series, and writing a Ryder Cup book with Shane Ryan
19 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We are joined by the estimable Shane Ryan for this Friday episode. Shane is at the RSM Classic this week in Sea Island, and jussssst finished a 40-day...
The worst day of the week, and the Town Crier rings his bell in Dubai
17 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode begins with a tale of Andy claiming he just played golf in the worst weather he’s ever experienced on the course. Then he and...
The Lambo Open, The Anchor Cup, and the Oil Man
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy and Brendan are back from the weekend in one piece -- barely, as one host did fall off the back of a moving truck. They begin by talking Houston ...
Slugger re-surfaces, Euro Tour re-brands, and Ben Rothenberg on tennis
12 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode begins with some quick discussion around Slugger White joining up with Greg Norman and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Investments, as w...
A coffee shop quibble and ‘the Reagan Memorial
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy is in Brendan’s neck of the woods for this episode and he is plagued by Brendan-levels of execrable wifi, so this one runs short. They begin wi...
Hovland’s Cave, Nakajima’s next, and the Alker Quandary
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Victory Monday episode begins with an appreciation of Cleveland and Illinois weekend sports success, but not of Bert Bielama’s coaching tactics...
A November night’s AMA
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode begins with some quick thoughts on the Mayakoba actually not being that bad. Then it’s on to questions from the audience, rangin...
The Butterfield Boys, An Enlightened Prince, and a Saudi Shark
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This hybrid Monday episode delights in a first of the month recording, which prompts both a recap of Halloween and an assessment of November and where...
Saudi shuffling and the annual SGS golf Halloween costumes brainstorm
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode begins with the news of the week, perhaps month, and perhaps year, that greater movements are afoot with the Saudi Golf League, an...
Is this the worst field in PGA Tour history?
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a light schedule for the week, but that does not mean there’s nothing to talk about on this Wednesday episode of the Shotgun Start. Andy and ...
A wide-ranging chat on garage sales
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This delayed Monday episode is full of life, extracting every ounce out of a global golf weekend on multiple tours. But first, there are ample details...
Justin Ray on who made 2021 leaps, data walls, and other metrics
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our Q4 Friday guest series continues with the great Justin Ray, perhaps the only *essential* follow in all of golf twitter. The premise of the chat wa...
Zozo returns to Japan, Aussies get creative, and “Rickieville”
20 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode is a quick whip through the schedule for the week, starting with the Zozo Championship on the PGA Tour. Andy laments the no-cut...
The Prince’s Return, SAS overruns, and the Summit cinch
18 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Monday episode begins by reacting to Rory McIlroy’s rousing weekend in the desert, where he got to 25-under for his 20th PGA Tour victory. Begi...
The Future of the European Tour and its schedule with John Huggan
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode begins with some reaction to Phil’s indignant tweets about the news of the USGA rule on driver length, and a not-so-subtle threa...
Shrinking shafts, JR Smith show, Players purse bump, and CJ Plaque ‘desert golf’
13 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode promptly goes off topic, discussing the “preemptive” rain delay in Chicago, October not being as good as September, and if ...
Did the Phil show cannibalize the PGA Tour, Sungjae’s arc, and a Schenk Lineup
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This punchy Monday episode reacts to a Bears win, a Browns loss, and a healthy serving of worldwide golf over the weekend. Andy and Brendan begin by p...
Friday Mailbag, gambling on youth sports, and a Vegas Invitational flashback
08 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode begins with a quick check-in on some of the tournament action this week before transitioning to a mailbag. Andy and Brendan put th...
Is the Town Crier required to make an Urban proclamation?
06 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode begins with an apology about the missing Monday episode and some ample clean-up from the weekend on Sam Burns, the Dunhill, Cel...
Bones is back, and Fall schedule/Sanderson status with Will Bardwell
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode begins with a quick update on Baton Boy Sr. playing over at the Dunhill, Mr. October finding his sweet spot, and news that Bones i...
The Asswagon breaks down and Kevin Clark of The Ringer joins to talk Bears-Browns
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode begins with some sad news about an SGS favorite getting sold for parts. Then Andy and Brendan offer some Ryder Cup clean-up wit...
Sunday at the Ryder Cup: Drinks, Tears, Thanks, and Takes
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our week in Sheboygan comes to an end with an American rout at the Ryder Cup. This recap episode is once again live from the Bixby Bus. It begins with...
Saturday at the Ryder Cup: Beer chugging-gate
26 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Saturday night episode begins with Andy and Brendan pondering whether they should decamp from Sheboygan and hit the road in the Bixby Bus to go t...
Friday at the Ryder Cup: Is this over?
25 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s Friday! And not just any Friday, but a Friday with real, actual Ryder Cup matches to dissect and delight in after a full day at Whistling Strai...
Thursday at the Ryder Cup -- Lineups set, Opening ceremony amusements
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This special Thursday episode reacts to finally, at long last, getting some real lineups to discuss after an interminable week of pre-match ceremony. ...
Weds at the Ryder Cup: Can we talk about this astronaut mannequin?
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode comes to you live from the Bixby Bus in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Andy and Brendan offer some initial thoughts after walking around...
A *new* world No. 1 at the Fortnite, Dutch Boy Toffer, and RV reconnaissance
20 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Before the madness of the Ryder Cup and a flurry of episodes later this week, this truncated Victory Monday episode is a quick reaction to the weekend...
The annual SGS over-unders episode
17 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This was an early mid-week recording for the Friday episode, with Andy on solo dad duty and Brendan with school golf outings to tend to and the flurry...
Awards angst, Fortnite Tent Championship, and Bryson’s ‘wrecked hands’
15 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode begins with some trepidation about transportation for next week as the Shotgun Start goes on the road for the Ryder Cup. Then t...
No one has ever ‘waited all day for Sunday night’
13 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Sunday episode was recorded during halftime of the Bears-Rams game and begins with some questions about Andy Dalton, specifically, “why?” The...
U.S. Ryder Cup team finalized, and a Spotlight on the BMW PGA at Wentworth
10 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode begins with some reaction to Steve Stricker finalizing his roster for the Ryder Cup this month. Andy and Brendan praise the picks,...
It’s coming home...to Ernie’s masterpiece
08 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This punchy Wednesday episode begins with a celebration of a golf achievement the likes of which we will not see again, the “Chase for 83” ending ...
Solheim grading, match play rules drama, and Net Tour Champ flops
06 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Monday episode comes out late reacting to the holiday finish of the Solheim Cup, where Europe cruised to a victory at Inverness. Andy and Brendan...
Solheim study, Ryder Cup 1st mate Phil, and Cantlay crushes Net Tour Champ format
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This early Friday episode begins with a discussion on best practices for unboxing videos and some Brendan anxiety over that. Then it’s on to the eve...
The Brooksy Bylaw, Net Tour Championship, and Burly Boy Journeyman
31 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode gloriously falls on the first of the month, so you can imagine Andy’s giddiness. Brendan’s mood is also lifted by the fact ...
Exploring the limits of podcasting potential
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Even by Shotgun Start standards, this is a bit of an experimental episode. With Brendan up in Baltimore covering the BMW Championship, and the late fi...
2021 majors come to a close, Tuesday finish for the good of the game, and Boise drama
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Monday episode begins with a tale from the road, as a family vacation gets off to a rough start. Then it’s on to the Women’s Open at Carnoust...
Nerves-less Nelly, was DJ’s spare driver on the ferry, and Flashback to St. Andrews
19 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode begins with some wedding talk before Andy and Brendan get to the golf. On golf, they begin with the Women’s Open, where Nelly Ko...
Carnoustie coffee golf, Playoffs confusion, and Big Daddy journeyman
17 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode begins with the event of the week, the Women’s Open at Carnoustie. Andy and Brendan highlight some of the key tee times and d...
Alternate lines at Oakmont, over-dramatizing the Top 125, and KFT card watch
16 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Monday episode reacts to a full and diverse weekend of golf offerings, starting with the U.S. Amateur. Andy and Brendan review the revolving door...
U.S. Am reactions, OWGR reform, golf’s field of dreams, and Flashback to Watts Gunn
12 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This summer hours Friday episode wanders around, starting with some thoughts on the early bracket matches at the U.S. Amateur. Chicago may have a new ...
Superfluous caps Top 10, Superfluous “ue” at U.S. Am, and Journeyman of the Week
11 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode is a wide-ranging look at all the games within the game this week -- the top 125 to make the playoffs, the ISP Top 10, the Risk...
Nelly’s gold, Prancing in Memphis, Hurried Harris and Befuddled Bryson
09 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Monday episode begins with feelings of vindication and delight over some high-profile confusion on the Home of Golf during the final round teleca...
Applauding Aditi, Hoping for Herman and Henson, and Bashing Bryson
06 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode is another AM recording to work around the overnight Olympics, which Andy and Brendan immediately jump into at the top. They start...
Defending medalists, Schedule moves & playoffs tinkering, and Journeyman of the week
04 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode begins with a preview of the women’s golf competition at the Olympics, and a quick rebuttal to any notion that it’s unfortu...
A Boy from Bratislava grows up to be the Silver Slovak
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A triumphant Monday episode begins with some “we’ll always remember where we were” reminiscences about a legendary Saturday night and Sunday mor...
We got ourselves a game -- C’mon Rory!
30 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday morning episode is full of life with the race for Low Rory absolutely heating up at Kasumigaseki with 36 more holes to play for the gold m...
Olympics optimism, Australia apologies, and Eastern elitism
28 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode begins with Andy bringing up the hot water Brendan found himself in with the entire continent of Australia. They transition to ...
Captain America goes to Tokyo, Minjee gets a major, and #DoddWatch
25 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Monday episode is held together by scotch tape with Andy recording from the bar at a golf course and Brendan on a phone from the beach. But it’...
Summer hours and Friday story time
23 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode begins with the building anticipation for a lifelong dream realized, Rory Sabbatini representing Slovakia in the Olympics. Andy an...
Bottled water’s major, Seniors at Sunningdale, Bandon becomes an ‘Armlock Site’
21 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode begins with some congratulations for Andy North, Jerry Kelly, and Bucks fans everywhere. It also begins with Andy asking some h...
A recap of The Open, where Collin Morikawa defeated Pressure
18 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The seventh men’s major championship in less than a year is in the books, and Collin Morikawa bookends his PGA last August with an Open Championship...
Saturday at the Open with Shane Bacon
17 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Saturday episode features Golf Channel’s Shane Bacon who fills in for Brendan Porath who attended the final of the U.S. Girl’s Junior Amateur...
Friday at The Open, where there’s a new Big Jon Thomson
16 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode begins with the obvious: is Barbasol sponsoring an opposite field event changing people’s shaving cream purchasing habits? Andy ...
Thursday at The Open: Sucky drivers, Yippy putts, and Blueberry boys
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This lively Thursday afternoon episode comes in hour 14 of the first round of The Open and was fueled by the Shotgun Start and Westy Island blends at ...
The Open Preview, where shouting fore is now a controversial topic
13 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode revels in the return of golf’s oldest major championship and a style of golf that we see far less than we should. Brendan beg...
Split Screen Scottish, DQ via Merch Tent rumors, and Open WD train
11 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Monday episode wanders around for the first 10 minutes or so, discussing the abundance of golf and the apparent meager options for television cov...
Coffee Golf delights, British Open via the world feed, and Flashback on Monty
08 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode was recorded early before a road trip, so it focuses primarily on the Scottish Open. Andy and Brendan react to some of the early s...
The Match that wouldn’t end, Baton tricks on links turf, and new awards
07 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy and Brendan could not wait any longer, so this was recorded as the Match at Moonlight Basin was on the 14th hole or so and still finishing up som...
Bryson skips town, Phil tweets away, and Match 4 Preview
05 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This holiday weekend episode begins with some first-week insights from the first ever Coffee Pot. Then Brendan and Andy offer some reactions to the Ro...
Timmmmmmmmmmmmm!?!
02 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy and Brendan are back with some more juice for this Friday episode, starting with questions about the kind of people who choose to go to the bar a...
We forgot to hit record
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It was late to begin with and then Brendan and Andy discovered at minute 43 that they had neglected to hit the record button on the first attempt at t...
How to record a podcast during a neverending par-fest of a playoff
28 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy and Brendan had enough of the pillow fight between Harris English and Kramer Hickock, so they just hit the record button hoping it would end befo...
Is there such a thing as hot weather food?
25 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode is late but it’s a fairly evergreen ramble about the structure and shortcomings of professional golf, at multiple levels. Andy a...
Morrrre majors, Joey Crawford Championship, and a chat with Cam Smith
23 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode begins with an unplanned discussion on the U.S. Open’s identity. Has some of the luster of the championship been taken away w...
Sunday at the U.S. Open: Rahm’s win, Bryson “off the rails,” and Torrey postmortem
21 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After a brief wait for the flyover to clear through, Andy and Brendan begin with the last episode on the 2021 U.S. Open. It’s been a week, but they’...
Saturday at the U.S. Open: Rotisserie chicken, still bad. Torrey Pines, still constipated.
20 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This loopy Saturday episode is energized by the third round finish at Torrey Pines. Granted, there wasn’t much movement, as defined, but there was s...
Friday at the U.S. Open: Bryson’s dreams, Dick Bland Brigade, and Torrey bunching
19 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday night episode is a debrief at the midpoint of the U.S. Open. Andy and Brendan react to Dick Bland, long an SGS notable, taking the freakin...
Thursday at the U.S. Open: Torrey, Telecasts, and Richard Bland
18 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a quick reaction to day one at the U.S. Open, with only one mic turned on for it. Brendan and Andy jump into what felt like an uneven ...
Torrey foibles, Bomb-and-Gouge, Brooks v. Bryson, and Hanglider impacts
16 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode serves as your official U.S. Open preview. Andy and Brendan begin with some player reactions to the course setup so far, gettin...
An SGS Spotlight on the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With the U.S. Open return to Torrey Pines, and a possible end to this era of the championship going to publicly owned venues, this Spotlight episode f...
Palmetto Pukefest, Chicago’s new favorite son, and Nevada Bob’s boy
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Monday episode begins with a review of the puking down the stretch at the Palmetto Championship. Brendan and Andy discuss the Higgo potential, th...
An SGS Spotlight on “The Merry Mex,” Lee Trevino: Part 1
13 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This special Spotlight episode ahead of U.S. Open week is dedicated to Lee Trevino. This is Part 1 of what will likely, hopefully be a two-part Spotli...
#TainWatch, Rough videos return, and games within the game
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode opens with a discussion on the proliferation of craft burger places, as well as the amusement over the animated Andy that appeared...
Palmetto Poofers, Faz’s Portfolio, and a PGL PR Push
09 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the second recording of the day for Brendan and Andy so they are a little punchy. They begin with one of the most absurd and incongruous pairin...
Golf’s lengthiest couple of days
08 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This special Tuesday episode recaps U.S. Open Final Qualifying, whipping around from site to site with some amusing anecdotes. They begin with a #scoo...
Yuka’s starpower, Using the “choke” word, Rahm’s WD, and Broosky-gate
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is a packed Monday episode that begins with praise for Yuka Saso’s playoff victory to become the youngest U.S. Women’s Open champion. Her ear...
Timepiece appreciators, X-man’s armlock angst, and Eye on Olympic
04 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This late Friday episode was plagued by technical difficulties but should see the light of day in some form or fashion. Andy and Brendan begin with th...
Olympic intel, Aging Burly Boys, and Tinkering Jack
02 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Wednesday episode goes long on the U.S. Women’s Open but begins with the in-progress NCAA finals, which will pit Oklahoma vs. Pepperdine on Wed...
The Social Security Slam, Tartan and Power Wagons, and Feng adoration
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Monday episode begins with some unexpected animal content. Then Andy and Brendan get into the dawn of the Jason Kokrak era following his win over...
A Spotlight on the what ifs of the 2005 U.S. Women’s Open
29 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy and Brendan return to an old favorite format, the SGS Spotlight. The subject of this episode is the 2005 U.S. Women’s Open at Cherry Hills, won...
Spencer Hall joins on Brooks vs. Bryson, shorts vs. pants, and Bjorn vs. his temper
28 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Friday episode features a most special guest host in Spencer Hall of EDSBS and Shutdown Fullcast infamy. Is golf Spencer’s forte or area of int...