The time the Ryder Cup almost died

The time the Ryder Cup almost died

Author: Golf Digest September 16, 2025 Duration: 30:55

In the early 1980s, there came a point where the Ryder Cup governing bodies had seemingly tried everything, but nothing worked. The matches weren't competitive, the U.S. players were losing interest, and the chief sponsor of the European team dropped out, leaving them with no money to continue. This, even more than the pause for the Second World War, saw the Ryder Cup on the thinnest possible ice, seemingly fated to die a sad death. This week on Local Knowledge, we're telling the story of the unlikely resurrection—how a collection of players, captains, and executives managed to keep it alive against the odds.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


Hosted by Shane Ryan and Jamie Kennedy, 50 Things That Changed Golf is less a straightforward history lesson and more a series of conversations about the pivotal moments that truly reshaped the game. This Golf Digest podcast operates on a simple but compelling premise: identifying the fifty people, innovations, rules, and cultural shifts that redirected golf's trajectory. Every other week, Ryan and Kennedy select one of these transformative elements and unpack its story, exploring not just the "what" but the lasting "why." You'll hear about everything from equipment breakthroughs and iconic tournaments to the influence of particular players and unexpected pop culture intersections. The tone is engaging and accessible, blending deep knowledge with a relaxed rapport that includes a good dose of humour and their own invented, often witty awards. Tuning in feels like joining a thoughtful yet lively discussion between two well-informed fans, one that connects the sport's past directly to the way it's played and perceived today. For anyone curious about how golf became what it is now, this podcast provides a thoroughly entertaining and insightful guided tour through the milestones that mattered.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 482

50 Things That Changed Golf
Podcast Episodes
Tiger Woods wins again (and we're not sure we can handle it) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:57
Tiger Woods added the most compelling chapter to his storybook return by winning the Tour Championship on Sunday, and Joel Beall, Alex Myers and Sam Weinman break it all down. The gang discusses where it ranks among Wood…
How Golf Digest helped an inmate win his freedom after 27 years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:10
No story in the history of Golf Digest has been anything like the one of Valentino Dixon, an inmate for 27 years in an upstate New York prison who helped bide his time by drawing golf courses. Dixon's initial connection…
Can meditation help your golf game? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:24
Meditation teacher and 1 Giant Mind founder Jonni Pollard discusses how meditation can help your golf game. Also, Alex Myers, Sam Weinman, and Keely Levins talk about about an unusual major championship record and previe…
PGA review: Koepka's resounding statement & Tiger's incredible run [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:59
Alex Myers and Joel Beall wrap up a wild Sunday in the season's final major, with Brooks Koepka capturing his second major of the season, and Tiger Woods at least giving him a scare. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz comp…