Forward Press: Looking Ahead To Golf's Light Labor Day Week

We do a lot of looking back on the web, so with that in mind check out my column at GolfDigest.com looking ahead to the week.

Granted, it doesn't seem like the best week to preview tournaments and other goings on, but as you'll see the lack of Thursday PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, Web.com or Champions Tour golf means some fun Golf Channel programming.

And how to find Patriot Golf Day-friendly golf. That, and more in the Forward press.

(BTW this is the first of hopefully many, so the themes and content will vary, but I'm open to suggestions and tips for this early week table-setting-minded column.)

State Of The Game 59: The 2015 Open And UK Golf

It's just Rod Morri asking Mike Clayton (still in the UK) and myself questions about The Open at St. Andrews, links golf and more. But there's just so much to talk about!

As always you can get it on iTunes or wherever podcasts are distributed.

Or get the MP3 here.

Check out past shows here. Or listen below:

Video: Taking Your Golf Pilgrimage To East Lothian

Two years ago I filed this piece for Golf Digest about the importance of making East Lothian ("Scotland's Golf Coast") the sight of your golf pilgrimage. Not only does the area afford several of the most important places that shaped the game's history, but the opportunity to set up shop in one general area to enjoy a more centrally located golf vacation beckons.

After playing Glen Golf Club this evening (aka North Berwick East Links), I'm more convinced than ever that this is the planet's most idyllic place to experience the links game at its purest and most diversified. What a perfect, breathtaking and endearingly bizarre set of holes. (More on Glen tomorrow).

In the meantime, here's an UnShackled video to encapsulate my feelings for this special place. Check it out...

Callaway Live At 6 PM Pacific Time Monday: You've Been Warned

Callaway's new Live show hosted by Harry Arnett kicked off with a wonderful half-hour chat involving broadcasting legend Dick Enberg, who sounds as good as ever.

Episode 2 at a TopGolf featured some great visuals but audio problems that turned several people into Marcel Marceau impersonators, an issue I know won't be replicated Monday from Callaway's Carlsbad headquarters when yours truly steps into the Lion's Den.

And yes, technology questions are on the table, which should make this awkward...in a fun way!

Tune in at 6 PM Pacific Time, that's 9 Eastern for those of you East Coast elite who aren't used to doing the math.

Here's the link. And it should be viewable on all devices.

State Of The Game Podcast 55: Another Magnificent Masters

Gil Capps, author of The Magnificent Masters and overseer of Golf Channel's Editorial Research Unit, joined us again to recap the Masters and talk about a few other matters with Rod Morri, Mike Clayton and myself.

Yes, we are a few weeks past the Masters but this is often the best time to reflect and I think you'll enjoy the discussion. Gil's book on the 1975 Masters is now available in paperback.

As usual, you can listen here, download the MP3 here, listen via iTunes or subscribe to the show there too. Or listen here:

Video: Part 2 Of Pebble vs. Riviera

Through 9-holes the match is all even after Pebble Beach's ocean stretch of holes 7-9 walzed over Riv's architecturally disrepaired stretch, setting up the toughest call of the day: Riviera's 10th vs Pebble's 10th. Both American classics...who will start the back off with a win?

UnShackeled part 2:

Video: (1) Pebble Beach Vs. (2) Riviera

The Brothers Morrissett introduced me to the joys of using match play to settle the most vital debate of all: "which course is better." By no means a perfect argument-settler, match playing holes somehow ends up working itself out over 18 holes.

In another installment of the UnShackeled series, I match up the two best designs on the PGA Tour and two of my favorite courses on the planet (even if both have seen betters days architecturally, something that factors into this match).

So here goes, the first nine of top seed Pebble Beach taking on Riviera. The back nine and match victor will be resolved tomorrow.

Video: Torrey's 3rd, 4th, 5th UnShackeled

Longtime readers may recall a while back various informal surveys of how the site could be better and high on the list was more video and in particular, more architecture.

I'm not sure this will satisfy that desire entirely, but this is a pilot for a series of web-friendly videos in that vein. With the Farmers Insurance Open soon to start, there is no better time to look at the underwhelming stretch of holes 3-5 at the overwhelmingly beautiful Torrey Pines South.

Play begins Thursday, but in the meantime, my quick take on what should be a stellar three hole stretch.