The Fire Pit Podcast

Brandel Chamblee has long been the most polarizing commentator in golf, taking tough stances on everything from Tiger Woods’s rules controversies to Saudi Arabia’s encroaching influence on the professional game. But Chamblee shows a softer side in this wide-ranging conversation with co-hosts Geoff Ogilvy, Michael Bamberger and Alan Shipnuck, reflecting on his own playing career, the changing role of the media and the love of his life: the golf swing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest Fire Drill podcast, Alan Shipnuck, Ryan French, and Michael Bamberger discuss Viktor Hovland’s win at the HERO World Challenge or as Ryan calls it, “a glorified buddies trip.” They explain what Adrian Meronk’s victory at the Australian Open will do for his World Ranking and Olympic status as well as a deep dive into how the media shaped the tail end of Tiger’s career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wishbone Brawl is one of the purest events in golf. “Perfect” is how one onlooker summed it up. “It’s the unicorn of golf events,” says John Ashworth, the “caretaker” of Goat Hill Park, the municipal golf course in Oceanside, Calif., and the annual host of the tournament. The Wishbone Brawl consists of four professionals playing a mini municipal using vintage equipment in front of an animated crowd that’s not confined by ropes, kids and dogs are everywhere, and all money raised supports junior golf. When people talk about “growing the game,” this is it on so many levels. What you’ll hear in this podcast are all the relevant audio moments throughout the day, which starts with a warm-up session on the driving range and ends with the post-round interviews on the 18th green. In between are some walk and talks on the course and throughout play with the players and some notables in the gallery. And you’ll hear the occasional reacts from the crowd after key moments in the match. The teams are Xander Schauffele and Dean Wilson versus Fred Couples and Geoff Ogilvy. They’re playing persimmon woods. The format is best ball of the twosome. It’s Nov. 19th, a perfect Saturday morning in San Diego, the crowd size is estimated to be 1,000 adults, another 250 kids and about 40 dogs. All of the proceeds are going to support North County Junior Golf, which is based out of Goat Hill Park, and the other half of what’s raised goes to support the Goat Hill Park Caddie and Leadership Academy. “This is community golf at its best,” said Ogilvy. “This is as much fun as I’ve ever had playing golf.” We hope you enjoy listening to the show as much as we did watching it. And as much as Ogilvy had playing in it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Alan Shipnuck, Geoff Ogilvy and Michael Bamberger sit and listen in awe as Michael Murphy, the wildly alert 90-something writer, takes over the show. Murphy is the man who invented golf’s most original player-philosopher, Shivas Irons, from his landmark novel/treatise, “Golf in the Kingdom.” Ogilvy, who has read the book innumerable times, looks like he is talking to a golfing god as he listens to Murphy. Shipnuck and Bamberger, who once had the privilege of walking the Pebble Beach dunes with Murphy, ask Murphy about Woods and Hogan and why the game has such a hold on us, and explore why his slender book captures more about the game’s complex beauty than any other golfing treatise ever written. Murphy is an utter inspiration and he is spellbinding in this podcast. Need a good listen? Allow us to offer, “Need A 4th?!”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest Fire Drill podcast, Alan Shipnuck, Ryan French, and Mike Bamberger discuss the Global Player of the Year (hint: he just won in Australia) and the fatuous PIP payouts. There are also lively diversions about Corey Pavin, Greg Norman, Sean O'Hair and much much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every NFL fan knows Trey Wingo, the excitable host and commentator on various TV and radio shows dedicated to the real national pastime. But Wingo is just as fanatical about golf, and he displays his knowledge and passion in this conversation with co-hosts Geoff Ogilvy, Michael Bamberger and Alan Shipnuck. Wingo recounts how he fell for the game, spars with the hosts over his favorite courses and offers insight on the most golf-crazy players and coaches around the NFL.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan Shipnuck, Michael Bamberger, and Ryan French break down the final week in golf before the holiday season begins. Jon Rahm wins on the DP Tour but Rory takes the Race to Dubai without winning a single DP event. Lydia Ko’s hall of fame career before the age of 26, Adam Svensson’s win at the RSM and his connections with the Big Money Classic and the crew presents their solutions to the current OWGR situation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coming off his career-altering victory in Egypt, Andy Ogletree returns to the Fire Drill to discuss what led to the breakthrough and where he goes from here. He provides valuable context in the Asian Tour’s increasing influence in world golf as well as fun travel stories of an innocent abroad.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Other than his otherworldly skill at golf, Joel Dahmen is just like us. A native of Clarkston, Wash. (population 7,229), he likes cold beer and football and, presumably, apple pie. While Tiger Woods’s maniacal workouts led to a physique that resembles a martini glass, Dahmen is unbothered by his dad bod. Think of him as the pro next door.  In this episode Dahmen speaks candidly about his long road to the PGA Tour and the stress that comes with having to fight for his job. He talks about what he learned moonlighting as a caddie for a friend at Q School, and takes listeners behind the scenes of Max Homa’s baby shower. As a member of the Player Advisory Council, Dahmen sheds light on the Tour’s boardroom machinations and what Jay Monahan is like behind closed doors. At every turn he is self-deprecating and amusing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest Fire Drill, Alan Shipnuck, Ryan French, and Michael Bamberger drill down on a huge week, including winners like Finau, Fleetwood, Korda, Harrington & Ishikawa. They discuss the larger meaning of Andy Olgetree’s win on the Asian Tour, the Alex Fitzpatrick Q School drama and the Phil and Pat Perez scandal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.