Advertise on podcast: Sick Golf Trips

Jason Lee went from a 28 handicap to winning his first season cup in Atlanta's DBT crew. He breaks down finding golf groups through Facebook, the 100-person Desert Mashie tournament in Arizona, rebuilding his swing after a car accident, and why "Drunk Before the Turn" is way more competitive than it sounds. This week we're joined by Jason Lee, cybersecurity professional and former host of The Blind Spot podcast. Jason shares how a random electrician turned into a golf group, how he went from Detroit to Atlanta and rebuilt his entire golf life from scratch, and what it took to win the Bankhead Cup in his rookie season. We cover: How a Thumbtack electrician turned into a golf group that flies to Dubai and MexicoDBT: the Atlanta golf crew that plays serious golf under a not-so-serious nameThe Bankhead Cup — a season-long points race with real money on the lineGoing from a 28 handicap to first place in one seasonHow a car accident at Deloitte forced a total swing rebuildGolfing 11 months a year in Atlanta — and surviving the Joro spidersThe Desert Mashie tournament: 100+ golfers, 3 days, 1 massive party in ArizonaWhy flying with your clubs on every trip is always worth it

Keith Zubchevich has played golf with more Hall of Famers than most people have watched on TV. From a standing tee time with Marcus Allen, Alonzo Mourning, Richard Dent, and Ronnie Lott to 36 holes with Lawrence Taylor on his birthday, Keith's golf life reads like a sports documentary. But the story that cost him the most money involves Wayne Gretzky, Janet Gretzky, and a $4,000 golf bet at Sherwood Country Club. We cover: How Keith bluffed his way into Tiger Woods' locker room at Castle PinesWalking three holes inside the ropes with Tiger and Fluff before security caught onPlaying 36 holes with Lawrence Taylor — chain-smoking cigars and cigarettes, shooting 71-69 from the tipsThe $4,000 Sherwood bet with Janet Gretzky that Michael Jordan refuses to takeWhy Paso Tiempo is "possessed by demons" and almost broke Keith's spiritA Pebble Beach weekend with Spyglass and the Lodge — worth every dollar50 pairs of Jordan golf shoes and the philosophy of looking like you can playBeat the Pro charity stories: hitting it to 6 inches and beating hackers left-handedThe two rules of golf: play with people you like, and lower your expectations

Shaun Diachkoff is a TPI-certified golf fitness coach who works remotely with everyone from weekend warriors to tour players. He lives in the Cayman Islands, grew up in Australia, and spends half his year traveling to meet clients at courses like Ridgewood and Aronomink — places that won't let you take a cart. Shaun explains why most golfers are trying to tune a Ferrari engine on a rusted chassis, how he screens clients like a first date, and what Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania actually plays like when the wind is blowing 40 knots. We cover: Why walking 18 holes exposes your real fitness levelTPI certification and what Titleist Performance Institute actually teachesThe "busted chassis" analogy — why fitness has to come before swing mechanicsHow Shaun built Fairway Performance from a CrossFit gym in Sydney to a remote coaching businessClient screening: how he smells the "crazy ex" in the first 15 minutesWhat it's like playing the only 18-hole course in the Cayman Islands (spoiler: bring 70 balls)Barnbougle Dunes and the Lost Farm — Tasmania's answer to links golfMatch play mentality and Australian pennant competitionsWhy a 67-year-old with six surgeries gained 50 yards in eight months

We visited TeeBox in San Marcos, CA and spent an hour with Raymond Mistarz, a certified TPI coach, inside one of the most tech-forward indoor golf facilities in the country. Trackman simulators, 3D motion capture, physical assessments, and AI-driven swing analysis — all under one membership. Visit https://tbx.golf/san-marcos This week we cover: Why TeeBox starts every golfer with a physical assessment before they ever hit a ballHow the TPI screen reveals swing flaws that no simulator can fix on its ownWhat Trackman and 3D motion capture actually show you (and why it matters)Membership pricing, founder's rates, and what you actually get for your moneyThe SportsBox AI app and Forge Fit club fitting included in the membershipGames, mini-competitions, and why it's as much a hangout as a training facilityUsing the simulator to preview your next golf trip before you ever leave townTeeBox expansion plans: 30+ locations and growing

Dr. Chase Cunningham breaks down how he got on St. Andrews by buying a caddy drinks at the Nine Iron bar, why Shadow Creek might crush St. Andrews in quality (but not in history), and how he's turning an indoor golf simulator into a bank-funded man cave. We cover: The Nine Iron bar hack: how one night of drinks landed a St. Andrews tee timePlaying Scotland: Carnoustie, Turnberry, King's Course, and the Old CourseThat 77-degree Scottish day with 1,500 people watching the first teeWhy he piped his drive at St. Andrews and walked 100 yards before the rest of his group hitTaiwan golf: caddies who only speak Chinese and courses that force you to rideStableford scoring: why it's better than stroke play for group tripsWalking vs riding: the study that says walkers shoot 7-9 strokes betterIndoor golf done right: OTG (On The Green) in Northern VirginiaShadow Creek vs Pebble Beach vs St. Andrews: the $1,200 vs $400 debateBucket list: Thailand, Bandon Dunes, Ireland, and more

Lance Botthof joins us to break down how he turned Ram's Hill's amateur "Ramateur" tournament into a full-blown group trip — growing it from 4 guys to 12, with welcome parties, meals, and handicap flights all built in. We cover: • How the Ram's Hill "Ramateur" tournament works (2 rounds, 3 flights, gross + net) • Lance's group growing from 4 to 12 people — and aiming for 16 next year • Welcome party Friday, rounds Saturday & Sunday, all meals included • Why Borrego Springs Inn is the move when the on-property houses fill up • Handicap flights and the "over 60 plays white tees" rule • The Sunday league at The Crossings — $40 buy-in, skins, and no drama • Side bets, gambling, and why everybody has action with somebody • Future trip to Sand Valley (and maybe The Lido) next June • How Lance fills 12 spots in 2-3 days with a single text • Rating Ram's Hill against other courses he's played

Award-winning golf author Joseph Bronson breaks down why Spain and Portugal are the underrated golf destinations most American golfers completely overlook — and why they might be the smartest international trip you can take. This week we're joined by Joseph Bronson (@josephbronson), award-winning author of the PARdon Me book series, former Silicon Valley tech executive, and 40-year veteran of the world's best golf courses. At 78 years old he's still playing twice a week, walking courses in Ireland, and planning his next trip back to Spain. We cover: Why Spain and Portugal deliver a "very good US experience" with better weather12 days across the Algarve and Costa del Sol — 7 days in Spain, 5 in PortugalCourse recommendations: Dumas, the Els Course, Sano Grande, and ValderramaGreen fees: expect $350-$500 per round at the top tracksCaddies in Spain and Portugal — great experience, no cart restrictionsThe Stillwater Golfing Society at Pebble Beach and how a group of 16 travels togetherA hilarious Royal Dornoch story from ScotlandWhy he rates Spain/Portugal equal to Scotland/Ireland — just a completely different experienceHis "20th Hole" blog and book series where all proceeds go to university golf programsCourse design philosophy: why he hates "tricked up" holes and loves playabilityThe Friars Head mental game story: shooting 45 on the front, 37 on the back in 37 degrees

This week we're joined by Harrison Carter, a VP of strategic marketing from Boca Raton, FL who picked up golf three years ago and hasn't looked back. He went from shooting 120 to an 11 handicap, and now he's loading up on golf trips. This one started as a wedding invitation and turned into back-to-back rounds at one of the most scenic courses in the country. We cover: • How a wedding invitation became a golf trip • Edgewood Tahoe — $500 rounds and views that justify the price tag • Elevation golf: when your driver gains 40 yards overnight • The best-score-per-hole format that works with mixed handicaps • Balancing wedding duties with tee times (the groom survived) • Lake Tahoe logistics: where to stay, when to go, and what to expect • Harrison's upcoming trip slate: Alabama RTJ, PGA Frisco, and Stream Song - Bone Valley

This week we're joined by Jerry McGarvey, Kerry's friend and volunteer organizer behind a guys' trip to Northern Michigan that over-delivered on every front. Jerry walks us through the courses, the expectations, the optional logistics, and why this will be a sick golf trip. We cover: • How the "Michigan? Really?" skepticism turned into "when are we going back?" • Forest Dunes — a Tom Doak public gem that belongs on every golfer's list • Bay Harbor — Pete Dye cliffside golf along Lake Michigan • Arcadia Bluffs — views and vibes that rival any coastal destination • Why Michigan's quality-to-cost ratio punches above its weight • Group size, logistics, and how to pull off a seamless multi-course trip

A Couples Golf Trip to Cabot Cliffs: The #1 Golf Course in Canada Michael Son joins us to break down his couples golf trip to Cabot Cliffs in Nova Scotia — three couples, three courses. Michael breaks down the trip, lessons learned, and what he would change if/when he goes back. We cover: • Cabot Cliffs (#4 in the world, #1 in Canada) — why it lives up to the hype • Cabot Links — scoring better when the wind cooperates • Fox Harbor — the sleeper destination with golf, wine, and axe throwing • The couples trip dynamic: guys vs guys, girls vs girls • Using Global Golf to handle tee times, lodging, and logistics • The Canadian dollar advantage • Why walking-only courses demand a different level of preparation • How to structure a Nova Scotia golf trip: Halifax → Cabot → Fox Harbor

Mirko Zizka joins us to break down his annual 8-guys golf trip to Myrtle Beach — 80-100 courses, budget-friendly pricing, and why this destination has been in his group's rotation for over 15 years. We cover: • How an 8-guy group plans a 7-night, 7-round trip without losing their minds • Using a local agency to book tee times and accommodations • The two-man scramble format that keeps everybody engaged • Playing the "World Tour" course with replica famous holes • Why October off-season delivers the best value • Budget breakdown: ~$150/round, cheap accommodations, total trip cost • Rotating destinations: Myrtle Beach, Scottsdale, Mexico, Dominican Republic • 80-100 courses in the area — why repetition isn't a problem

Sick Golf Trips Podcast Ep 15: Maybe the Ultimate Golf Trip is Playing and Watching! — Kyle Porter, Normal Sport Kyle Porter of Normal Sport joins us to break down his golf trips covering major tour events, including the Open Championship trip to St. Andrews and makes the case that the ultimate golf vacation might be one built around a major tournament — where watch the best players in the world play historic courses by day and play yourself by night.

Pete flew from Long Island to Madison, Wisconsin, waited over a year on the waitlist, and finally got his college crew onto one of the most talked-about golf destinations in the country — Sand Valley. Spoiler: it lived up to the hype. This week we're joined by Pete, a software sales pro and golf app founder from Long Island, New York. Pete and 7 of his college buddies have been doing an annual golf trip for 5+ years — and Sand Valley was their white whale. He breaks down the entire trip: the 36-hole days, the caddy experience, the 8-man cabin, the $1 taco shack, and how the draft format keeps the competition alive all weekend long. We cover: Getting on the waitlist — expect at least a year out (maybe two)Flying into Madison and vanning up to the middle of nowhereSand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, Sedge Valley, and The Lido — all four coursesWhy you absolutely need caddies and how to get the same looper for multiple roundsThe snake draft format that keeps 8 guys locked in all weekendMatch play rules: team play vs. Sunday singlesWhy the 8-man cabin beats hotels every single timeFull cost breakdown: ~$300/round + $120-150 caddy tipsThe legendary $1 taco shack right on propertyHow Sand Valley stacks up vs. Pinehurst, Streamsong, and Bandon DunesPete's new golf app — Golfed — to track every course you've ever played

This week we’re joined by Greg Johnson, a Chicago golfer who met Berkeley on a local course and casually mentioned he’d just returned from a 7-day Ireland trip with 12 guys. One thing led to another, and here we are. Greg breaks down the entire journey: how they planned it through Fairways & Fun Days, why they picked Ireland over Scotland, and what it’s like walking some of the most iconic links in the world with your oldest friends.

This week we’re joined by Patrick Koenig — a former software salesman turned golf course photographer who set the world record by playing 580 different 18-hole golf courses in a single calendar year. Patrick tells us how he went from a comfortable corporate gig to living in an RV, driving across 41 states, and turning his passion for golf photography into a full-time career.