Talking Golfgetaways: Your Golf Getaways Podcast

Anyone who’s listened to Talking GolfGetaways over the years knows that Scotland is Mitch Laurance’s soul home. Not only for its connections to the game and its history, but for its welcoming, kind and wonderful people who are so willing to share Scotland’s gifts.  On this special episode of Talking GolfGetaways, co-hosts Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch and Producer Kris McEwen are joined by Scotsman Greg McCrae, who has spent all but his first 5 years living and working on the Isle of Arran, is responsible for sharing the joys of golf and community with a rapidly growing social media base, and who, along with others talked about on the pod, helped guide Mitch on his most recent and first-time trip of discovery to the west of Scotland and to the Isle of Arran and down Kintyre. A week of memorable days that every golf traveler would relish when visiting Scotland. Read the full blog post about the episode here. Here you’ll find a list of terrific people and content who find Arran as wonderful as Mitch did. Pl

A short drive from Augusta, GA is the quaint, beautiful town of Aiken, SC, known for its iconic horse businesses of breeding, training, and showing. It's also home to one of the truly great, historic golf courses in the Southeast, Aiken Golf Course, which in the past couple of years has gone from "Hidden Gem" to "Must Play" for anyone who loves the game., One week after playing, and being enthralled once again by, AGC, Mitch (and Darin and Kris) are joined by AGC owner Jim McNair, Jr., who, along with his father Jim, Sr. before him, have shepherded this affordable, welcoming, and challenging municipal course for 65+ years, and are finally getting the recognition for a lifetime of passion and service to the golf community they so richly deserve.  Jim shares the history of his beloved golf course, which dates back to 1912, as well as his father's involvement which began in 1959. He discusses the various challenges and iterations of AGC, leading up to the late '90s and his decision to completely "reawaken" the

Mitch Laurance, Darin Bunch, Kris McEwen and podcast friend Joe Sas talk about planning return trips to Gamble Sands, the skyrocketing Pacific Northwest golf destination where David McLay Kidd’s new Scarecrow course opens Aug. 1.

The final Talking GolfGetaways podcast of 2024 is a most inspirational one, as Mitch, Darin and Kris connect with Isaiah Mwesige, CEO of the Afriyea Golf Academy in Uganda. It's a wonderful hour spent with someone who's life story is one of turning a heartbreaking beginning into a passionate, dedicated life of service, spreading the joy and lessons of golf to thousands of children and their parents across Uganda and beyond. Isaiah also talks about a new and exciting endeavor, Visit Uganda Golf & Safari, that will offer golfers an ultimate GolfGetaway to "The Pearl of Africa." Truly an unforgettable podcast. 

Darin, Mitch and Kris hit all the hotspots — from the Pacific Northwest (Gamble Sands, Chambers Bay, Bandon Dunes and more) to a Michigan buddies trip plus a very cool experience in Pinehurst with two future stars of the game — in this hourlong Summer Recap episode of Talking GolfGetaways that covers courses, food, friendship and all kinds of fun.

On this episode of Talking GolfGetaways, Mitch, Darin and Kris talk with Robbie Wooten, golf and destination marketer extraordinaire, about his relationship with Mike Strantz, with incredible stories about the architect and his courses, including Tobacco Road and Tot Hill.

Looking for a value option for your next buddy trip? “Talking GolfGetaways” discusses Tucson, Arizona as a place to save a few bucks and find some great golf and gambling when the weather turns warm each year. Plus: An update on Grass Clippings night golf in Scottsdale; an unbelievable golf house in Flagstaff; and an unforgettable trip to Black Jack’s Crossing on the Texas-Mexico border. 

Longtime GolfTripExperts team member (and prolific list-maker) Eric Hart joins “Talking GolfGetaways” to discuss his latest project — transitioning from the golf-content world to running Wild Marsh Golf Club in Minnesota. Eric, Mitch, Darin and Kris discuss the rewards and challenges of golf operations in this episode with a unique “behind the scenes” insight into what it takes to create and sustain a successful, affordable golf experience. 

Mitch Laurance, Darin Bunch, Vic Williams and Brian Oar (golf photographer extraordinaire - drink) reunite for the first time in 10 years to visit one of the true under-the-radar golf destinations in the United States — St. George, Utah (with a stop in Mesquite, Nevada along the way). From the brand-new megaresort at Black Desert to the 27 holes (and amazing condo) at Sand Hollow to the David McLay Kidd-reimagined Entrada to the video-game-fever of Wolf Creek, this foursome of longtime friends (along with an appearance from producer extraordinaire Kris McEwen) discuss the ins and outs of creating a high-desert buddies trip in one of the most picturesque inland settings you’ll find anywhere. 

Wil Mayo joins the Talking GolfGetaways team for a special episode discussing the Rams Hill golf experience in the Southern California desert, plus the views and night sky, House on the Hill luxury lodging (with all-night golf simulator included), future of the project, cookies, tacos and more. Meanwhile, co-host Darin Bunch ends the episode with two unrelated stories — his on-again, off-again hopes to attend The Masters and “truck full of beer” that will make you want to buy a raffle ticket at your next charity tournament. 

Brian Benitz joins Mitch, Darin and Kris to talk about his new Arizona golf project — Grass Clippings — which has gone viral in many ways for its night-play lighted greens and all-around fun, adding a new twist to golf travel in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area. 

Get behind-the-scenes insight into the ultimate golf road trip as Patrick Koenig joins Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch fresh off his latest — and record-breaking — cross-country Recreational Golf Vehicle journey. 

Mitch, Darin and Kris unpack their summertime visit to Sand Valley Golf Resort, featuring everything from “grillmaster” dinners, a first look at The Lido and a love for the vibe, people and amazing variety of experiences throughout the Wisconsin property

After 180-plus podcasts and a cavalcade of stars, Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch are hanging up their mics (for now). Join them for some final reflection — and thanks to the many amazing places and wonderful people who have scripted their golf-travel journey.

It’s a family affair on the latest “Talking GolfGetaways” podcast as Kiley Nakagawa and his amazing kids — 10-year-old Blake and 12-year-old Khloe — join Mitch and Darin to discuss how the game of golf is taking them the new places every week, both literally and figuratively.

Golfer, traveler, and author Jim Hartsell joins “Talking GolfGetaways’ for a wide-ranging discussion on his love for the lesser-known golf of Scotland and the history of Sweetens Cove.

Golf nomad and roving photographer Matt Cardis joins Talking GolfGetaways to talk about life on the road during the pandemic, capturing the soul of the game in pictures, exploring the golf world and beyond — including his annual monthlong residency at Rams Hill Golf Club in Southern California.

As the highly anticipated 43rd playing of the Ryder Cup approaches, to be played over the visually stunning, wildly imaginative and (especially if there’s a fair amount of wind) testing Straits Course at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wis., there may be no one more qualified to share insights and thoughts on the course and the upcoming competition than Mark the Caddie (full name withheld to protect the mystery of his ever-growing Twitter @caddietales fan popularity). Mark joins host Mitch Laurance and co-producer Kris McEwen (Darin Bunch grinding away on his growing media-consulting empire) for a lively, fun and incredibly informative edition of Talking GolfGetaways.

Mitch Laurance and producer Kris McEwen (Darin Bunch being on assignment) welcome Dr. Bern Bernacki, President of the Golf Heritage Society, for a second visit to the show. Bernacki offers a wealth of knowledge not only about the Society’s upcoming 50th Anniversary National Convention but about classic golf courses around the country that are open for public play.