Golf And Politics

Katie Harbath joins Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth for a fascinating conversation about the evolution of social media, politics, and the impact technology is having on American democracy. A former Facebook executive, longtime political strategist, and author of "Disrupting Politics: A Front Row Seat to the Collision of Technology and Democracy", Katie has had a front-row seat to the transformation of political campaigning over the past two decades. She first worked alongside Matt during Bob Ney's 2006 congressional campaign before helping shape Facebook's role in political communication around the world. The conversation covers how social media changed political campaigns, why algorithms reward increasingly extreme content, and whether technology is bringing Americans together or pushing them further apart. Katie also shares her perspective on AI, misinformation, Big Tech accountability, and the challenges facing lawmakers as they try to keep up with an industry that moves faster than government. Plus, the group looks back on the early days of digital campaigning and discusses the future of technology and democracy. Learn more about Katie's book, "Disrupting Politics", and follow her work at anchorchange.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2026 midterms are shaping up to be a major test for both parties. On this episode of Golf & Politics, Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth are joined by Republican pollster John Rogers and Democratic political veteran Brad Cheney to break down the races, the polling, and what could determine control of Congress. The panel discusses President Trump’s declining approval ratings, the divide between traditional conservatives and Trump Republicans, and why the economy, tariffs, and the war with Iran could reshape the political landscape. They also examine key Senate races, along with the impact of candidate quality, primary elections, and voter turnout. Plus, the group gets into polling margins of error, prediction markets, undecided voters, and the challenge of figuring out which party has the advantage heading into Election Day. With perspectives from both sides of the aisle, this is a wide-ranging look at what to watch in the 2026 midterms and why the outcome may be closer than the headlines suggest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Luke Savage is a professional pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization, a former TCU baseball standout, and the man behind one ambitious golf challenge: playing golf in all 50 states in 50 days. On this episode of Golf & Politics, Luke joins Matt and Rob from the road to talk about the logistics of pulling off this trip, playing some of the country's best courses, and spending the first 50 days of his marriage traveling across America with his wife. The trip is about more than golf. Luke is raising money for Play Yellow, supporting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and helping provide critical care for kids across the country. From sleeping in the car before playing Bethpage Black to his favorite courses so far, a six-pound Chipotle food challenge, and what he's learned about the country along the way, Luke shares the stories behind this incredible adventure. Follow Luke: @LukeSavage.13 on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Support the cause: https://helpmakemiracles.com/lukesavage2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Parker is joined by Oklahoma State Representative Anthony Moore to recap an unforgettable golf trip through Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. From the unforgettable experience of playing Ballybunion to the challenge of Royal Portrush, the guys break down their favorite courses, memorable shots, wild weather, and the places that made the trip special. Along the way, they share stories about an unexpected 36-hole day at Waterville, late nights in Irish pubs, a visit to Ireland's parliament, and Senator Chuck Hall's remarkable turnaround at Turnberry. They also discuss the upcoming midterm elections and what the political landscape could mean for Republicans. It's a conversation about great golf, great people, and why some golf trips stay with you long after you get home. 🧠 Topics Covered The 2026 midterm elections and the political outlook in Oklahoma Reviewing 10 golf courses across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland Why Ballybunion stands out as a special golf experience Royal Portrush, Waterville, Ardglass, Turnberry, and more Irish pubs, travel mishaps, and the stories that made the trip memorable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Golf & Politics, Matt and Rob sit down with Daniel Belk, an entrepreneur and former Division I track athlete who set out to play Golf Magazine’s Top 100 public courses in a single year. Daniel is already 53 courses into the journey, traveling the country in an RV and working with a $70,000–$85,000 budget. He breaks down how he’s managing the logistics, where the money goes, the courses that have stood out, and why the experience has become about much more than simply checking courses off a list. The conversation also gets into Daniel’s approach to rating courses, the role of social media in his journey, entrepreneurship, and the importance of staying present instead of constantly worrying about what comes next. And because this is Golf & Politics, Matt and Rob get into a bigger question: after traveling to dozens of courses and meeting people all over the country, does Daniel still have hope for America despite the political divisions we see online? Plus, Daniel takes on the 10-Round Split, Shotgun Nine, his most controversial golf opinions, his dream foursome, and the ridiculous lengths he’s gone to for a tee time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Golf & Politics, Matt and Rob sit down for a candid conversation about the Oklahoma governor’s race, the Republican Party, President Trump, and where American politics goes from here. Matt reflects on the incredibly close Oklahoma governor’s race and the experience of spending 20 months working on the Gentner Drummond campaign. The conversation then expands to Trump’s influence over the Republican Party, the challenges facing Republicans heading into the midterms, and whether the party has delivered on the promises that helped bring Trump back to the White House. Matt and Rob also discuss political polarization, immigration, foreign policy, tariffs, the role of social media in politics, and the need for politicians to disagree without treating each other as enemies. At the end of the day, the conversation comes back to something both Matt and Rob agree on: politics can be competitive without losing sight of the country and the people it is supposed to serve. And, of course, there’s golf. The episode closes with a look ahead to the next G&P Cup at RTJ. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Oklahoma’s Republican primary runoff just days away, Golf & Politics sits down with four candidates competing for statewide office. Gentner Drummond joins us in the final stretch of the governor’s race to talk about his military service, ranching background, political independence, integrity, and why he says he wants to be a statesman rather than a politician. Bob Sullivan discusses the Oklahoma insurance market, why he believes Oklahomans are paying too much for property and casualty insurance, and his decision not to accept money from insurance companies or insurance PACs. John Pfeiffer breaks down what the Labor Commissioner actually does, Oklahoma’s workforce challenges, and his proposal to bring the state’s Workforce Commission under the Labor Department. And Robert Franklin explains why he believes his decades in Oklahoma public education make him the right choice for State Superintendent. The Republican primary runoff is August 25. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Louis Jackson joins Golf & Politics for another round of Nine Holes, Nine Questions at the Landrunner Golf Classic. Jackson, a longtime friend of the program and a candidate for the Oklahoma State House, talks about his lifelong interest in politics, growing up in Lawton, why he decided to run for office in 2026, and what it takes to actually build a campaign from the ground up. Along the way, we get into knocking 1,200 doors, raising $60,000 in his first two weeks, the importance of golf as a place to build relationships, what most voters don't understand about campaigns, working in politics, and why Jackson considers Richard Nixon one of the most underrated presidents in American history. Plus: plenty of golf, a dream foursome, and a few lessons learned on the course. Learn more about Louis Jackson: votelouisjackson.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryson DeChambeau's controversial two-stroke penalty stole the headlines at The Open, but it was far from the only story coming out of Royal Birkdale. This week, Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth break down why the course produced both record-low rounds and a winning score of just 10-under. Rob also shares his firsthand perspective from playing Royal Birkdale and every Open rota course in Europe. They also discuss: Whether Bryson deserved the penalty Why Rory vs. Bryson is becoming golf's biggest rivalry What makes links golf so different from American golf How social media has changed both golf and politics Do you think the R&A got the Bryson ruling right? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Halfway through 2026, we're back with one of our favorite episodes of the year. Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth break down the five best new golf courses they've played so far this year—from legendary championship venues to hidden gems and some of the most exclusive clubs in the country. But we don't stop there. We also reveal the most overrated golf courses we've played in 2026, discuss what separates great golf architecture from great conditioning, and explain why some of golf's biggest names don't always get it right. Then we shift to politics, sharing the biggest political events that have personally impacted each of us this year—from Capitol Hill to Oklahoma's governor's race—and offer a behind-the-scenes look at how campaigns, endorsements, and lobbying really work. In this episode: ⛳ Our Top 5 New Golf Courses of 2026 🏌️ The most overrated courses we've played 🏛️ Behind-the-scenes political stories you won't hear elsewhere 🎯 Golf architecture, strategy, and course design 👀 Honest opinions, hot takes, and plenty of debate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices