Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour—and the penalties and deadline in this new returning member policy could reshape the future of LIV Golf.

In this week's episode of The Golf Podcast we'll break down the PGA Tour's brand-new Returning Member Program and ask the big question: is this the beginning of the end for LIV Golf?

With Brooks Koepka returning to the PGA Tour immediately, we unpack the penalties that came with the deal—starting with a reported $5 million charitable donation, five years of ineligibility for the PGA Tour equity program, and even being ineligible for the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus (even if he wins it).

We also explain the program's eligibility rules—a major (or THE PLAYERS) win since 2022 and at least two years away—which narrows the door to a select few names like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cam Smith, plus a hard application deadline of February 2.

We react to your poll results, debate the "optics" of players paying a price to come back, and discuss why the PGA Tour structured the policy to protect current members (including minimum event requirements and field considerations).

After Brooks Koepka's shocking LIV departure, Rory McIlroy's harsh comments raise even more questions about the league's future.

In this week's episode of The Golf Podcast, we break down the latest shake-up in the world of professional golf as Rory McIlroy's recent comments on LIV Golf spark fresh debate across the game.

Rory openly discussed welcoming Brooks Koepka back into the TGL and potentially clearing pathways for a return to the PGA Tour, while also questioning whether LIV has truly resonated with fans. Those remarks, combined with Brooks' decision to leave LIV and sit out the season, have many fans wondering if another major move could be coming next. Specifically, could Bryson DeChambeau follow a similar path when his contract comes up at the end of 2026?

We unpack Rory's quotes in full, analyze Bryson's own responses, and discuss whether his success on LIV, YouTube growth, and commercial momentum make a return unlikely—or simply a strategic bargaining position.

On top of that, we dive into the latest update from the Official World Golf Rankings, including renewed discussions around LIV's application and what recent structural changes could mean for ranking points moving forward. From potential pathways back to the PGA Tour to the broader implications for LIV's future, there's a lot to unpack as the new year gets underway.

We have you covered for your next big golf trip with five can't-miss destinations (from bucket-list to surprisingly affordable) including the exact stay/play/eat game plan to book it right.

In this week's episode of The Golf Podcast, we're breaking down five golf trips you need to take this year—with real "boots on the ground" advice from places we actually played. If you've been staring at a group text trying to figure out where to go next (and how to make it memorable without torching the budget), this episode is your blueprint.

We cover a spectrum of trips: a next-level Scottsdale, Arizona stay with golf amenities that keep the competition going long after your round, a true golf-purist bucket list escape to Sand Valley (with tips on courses, food, lodging, and why caddies matter), and a wildly underrated "budget meets bucket list" play—staying on-property at Tobacco Road in the Stewart Cabin, complete with night golf potential.

We also hit two sleeper destinations that deliver major value: Outer Banks, North Carolina for shoulder-season conditions and affordable golf cottages, plus the Jersey Shore/Atlantic City area for a golf-and-nightlife weekend with hidden gem courses and even a laid-back nine-hole vibe.

Expect course picks, travel timing, pricing perspective, and food/experience recommendations to help you book the right trip.

This might be the most underrated golf trip on the East Coast—and we're breaking down the exact itinerary (courses, stays, eats, and a wild off-course surprise) to prove it.

In this episode of the golf podcast, we may have just found your next great golf trip — and it's in a place you probably wouldn't expect: the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

We break down why OBX is a legit hidden gem for golfers, with an awesome mix of courses (coastal vibes, water views, wind, and totally different layouts from day to day), plus plenty to do off the course if you're bringing family or non-golfers. We also share how easy it is to get there (drive from the Northeast or fly into Norfolk and make a quick hop down), and why fall is the sweet spot for conditions and pricing.

We walk through our itinerary, including where we stayed at Kilmarlic Golf Club's cottages, how we packed in 36-hole days with minimal driving, and the standout food stops like NC Coast Grill, JK's steakhouse, and North Carolina barbecue. We also talk about one of the coolest non-golf experiences in the area: a wild horse tour in Corolla.

If you're looking for an underrated, easy-to-plan golf trip with big destination energy, this one belongs on your shortlist.

Another major PGA TOUR star may be on the brink of joining LIV—and the ripple effects could reshape both leagues.

In this week's episode of The Golf Podcast we'll break down the latest—and potentially most impactful—rumor in the ongoing PGA TOUR vs. LIV Golf saga this year.

Reports indicate that another major PGA TOUR player may be in late-stage talks with LIV Golf, and the implications go far beyond a simple signing. We discuss how Si Woo Kim has become the center of these negotiations, why his possible move could lead to Kevin Na being stripped of his LIV captaincy, and what it would mean for the newly rebranded Becko East team heading into the 2026 season.

We also dive into the speculation surrounding other big South Korean names like Sungjae Im and Tom Kim, what's confirmed, what's been debunked, and what still feels very much in play. From LIV's push toward a more global team identity to the PGA TOUR's potential reduced schedule, structural overhaul, and growing player frustration, we explore how these shifts may influence future defections.

We also touch on the swirling rumors about Brooks Koepka's contract, the PGA TOUR's reaction to LIV's momentum, and how looming OWGR changes could reshape both leagues.

It's a packed episode with breaking news, player reactions, and plenty of context to understand what this next wave of movement could mean for professional golf.

The Skins Game is finally back after 17 years, but the reaction from fans is not what anyone expected.

In this episode of The Golf Podcast, we break down the return of the Skins Game and ask the big question: was it really a flop, or just doomed by terrible marketing?

We talk about why an event that looked great on paper—Keegan Bradley's redemption, Panther National in the spotlight, and the Skins Game coming back after a 17-year hiatus—ended up flying completely under the radar for so many golf fans. We dig into the lack of promotion, the awkward Amazon Prime start time, thin social media chatter, and production criticisms, and use all of that to "read the tea leaves" on how many people actually watched.

From there, we zoom out and ask whether fans are just over these hit-and-giggle style exhibitions and if huge purses have lost their impact in the LIV Golf vs. PGA Tour era. We compare the Skins Game to events like the Internet Invitational, talk about why life-changing money hits differently, and explore what a must-watch end-of-year event could look like—possibly even bringing LIV and PGA Tour players together.

Finally, we share what we'd change, what worked, and what golf needs to do next to create an event fans genuinely care about.

Looking for the best golf gifts to give this holiday season? Here are our top picks in every budget for golf tech, training aids, and must-have gear for every type of player.

Is the PGA Tour about to overhaul its entire schedule — and are we ready for what that means for the future of pro golf?

In this episode of the golf podcast we break down the biggest indication yet that major PGA Tour schedule changes may be coming as early as 2027 — including the possibility of shifting the entire season to start after the Super Bowl.

That move could eliminate the Hawaii swing, impact events like Torrey Pines, and even signal the end of signature (elevated) events altogether. We dive into the revealing comments from Harris English at the RSM Classic, discuss how new PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp's NFL background may be shaping this direction, and explore what these changes mean for players, sponsors, and the future of professional golf.

We also look at how escalating prize purses may be pushing longtime sponsors away, why the Tour's current model may be unsustainable, and how a condensed season could open up space for TGL, LIV Golf's 72-hole pivot, and even potential crossover events fans have been begging for.

If you're curious where the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the wider golf ecosystem may be headed — and what it means for fans craving more of the best players competing together — this episode dives deep into the shifting landscape and the "writing on the wall" for pro golf's next era.