Talking Golfgetaways: Your Golf Getaways Podcast

What motivates a rugby player to load up the sticks for a three-month continuous golfing journey across Mongolia? A spirit of adventure and love of the game. Adam Rolston talks about playing “The Longest Hole” across the Southeast Asian wilderness in one of the greatest feats of golf you can possibly imagine.

Golf-package expert (and golf photographer extraordinaire) Brian Oar talks about Kauai and the wealth of golf, hotels, beauty and culture the Hawaiian island has to offer, plus the “aloha spirit” that makes Kauai a perfect destination for traveling golfers.

Michael Beard returns to “Talking GolfGetaways” for an Emergency 9 episode detailing some of his (and his wife Carol’s) favorites from their extensive golf travels, including the best of Northern Ireland and New Zealand, plus their goal of golfing in all 50 states.

“Talking GolfGetaways” friend Michael Beard and his wife Carol recount an epic journey to play the best of Australia and New Zealand over the course of a month earlier this year and offer highlights, tips and ideas for working with a tour operator to build your ultimate golf getaway.

We take a break from whiskey talk with Journeyman Distillery’s Bill Welter long enough to get his answers to our famed “Emergency 9” questions, which include highlights of his golfing life (and actually residency) in Scotland, growing up in Indiana, unforgettable golf in southern Michigan and an epic story about a bogey-free round at famed Pine Valley.

Journeyman Distillery owner Bill Welter visits “Talking GolfGetaways” to give us an overview of how life’s journey led him into the spirits business — and how the game of golf has led him to some of the greatest places on the planet, including St. Andrews and Tasmania, among others.

Co-hosts Mitch and Darin recount a recent visit Down Under with tips on what you should know before leaving for Australia, bucket-list courses you must visit (Kingston Heath, Royal Melbourne, Barnbougle Dunes, Cape Wickham) and a few under-the-radar finds you’ll never forget (like Ratho Farm).

Two Scotland favorites plus two Canadian up-and-comers make the list when Bandon Dunes Director of Golf Jeff Simonds joins the “Talking GolfGetaways” podcast for his Emergency 9 golf-travel answers. Plus, an unforgettable Chicago steak and shoes that make your feet feel heavenly.

We’re talking socks, boxer shorts, meatloaf, Guinness ice cream floats, Puerto Rico lodging, Bandon Dunes and the Badger State all on this Emergency 9 episode of “Talking GolfGetaways” with guest Ryan Heiman, creator of iGolfReviews.

In another hilarious episode with our friend Akbar Chisti, the founder of Seamus Golf can’t stop talking about Goat Hill Park in Oceanside, California, plus offers up his other candid answers to our Emergency 9 golf-travel quiz, including why he loves great showers (making him a kindred spirit to co-host Darin Bunch).

Global Golf Post’s Ron Green Jr. returns to “Talking GolfGetaways” with answers and insight into our Emergency 9 golf-travel questionnaire from his years of covering and, more importantly, playing the game. Highlights include Royal Dornoch, Northern Ireland and Maui’s Kapalua and more.

In one of the funnier “Talking GolfGetaways” episodes ever, Augusta Golf Show’s John Patrick joins Mitch and Darin for an Emergency 9 like no other with nods to Pebble Beach, Whistler, Pinehurst’s Holly Inn and the classic Palmetto Golf Club, where the game dates back to 1892.

Masters Week guest Cameron Wiebe, general manager at Champions Retreat outside Augusta, Georgia, returns to take on the famed “Talking GolfGetaways” Emergency 9 golf-travel questionnaire, discussing everywhere from Pebble Beach and Bandon Dunes to Cabo’s Diamante.

It’s that time of year — and no better way to kick off Buddy Trip Season than with a discussion of the alternate formats co-host Darin Bunch is deploying on a visit to North Carolina’s Tobacco Road, the creative golf course from the mind of visionary architect Mike Strantz.

Jason Connery, director of the new “Tommy’s Honour” film (and son of actor Sean Connery) returns to “Talking GolfGetaways” to tackle the Emergency 9 golf-travel questionnaire with answers on everything from the Old Course at St. Andrews to New Zealand bucket-listers and a surprise favorite golf experience in Oceanside, California.

Two of golf’s most revered figures — Young Tom and Old Tom Morris — are brought to life in “Tommy’s Honour,” the new film directed by Jason Connery who joins hosts Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch for a discussion about their impact on the game, re-creating a vintage version of the Old Course at St. Andrews and how “Tommy” paved the way for modern professional athletes.

As one of our game’s gifted journalists, Global Golf Post’s Ron Green Jr. (who also often appears on SiriusXM PGATour Radio and the Golf Channel) has spent a his award-winning career covering golf — and some of his fondest memories center on The Masters and Augusta National. In this episode of the “Talking Golf Getaways” podcast, Green joins hosts Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch to talk about this most important week on the golf calendar.

Journalist Ryan Ballengee, creator of Golf News Net, joins “Talking GolfGetaways” for a Masters Week episode that includes remembrances of Tiger Woods’ historic win in 1997 (and a funny Steve Williams story from another Tiger run in 2011) plus thoughts on pimento cheese alternatives, first-timer impressions and perks you might not expect at Augusta National.

What’s Masters Week like for a journalist and broadcaster who has covered the event for 33 years? John Patrick, host of the Augusta Golf Show, joins Mitch and Darin for a wide-ranging conversation about what makes “The National” so wonderful, including a personal story about Jack Nicklaus’ historic sixth green jacket victory in 1986.

Get ready for The Masters (and some Masters-related bucket-list travel) with Cameron Wiebe, general manager of Champions Retreat — a private club about 30 minutes northwest of famed Augusta National. With 27 holes of golf designed by three of golf’s biggest names (Nicklaus, Palmer and Player) plus first-class service and accommodations, hear why Champions Retreat is the perfect high-end home base for that Masters-themed golf getaway you’ve always wanted to take.