Must Play - A Golf Podcast

FairWagers
  • 5.0 (4)
  • GOLF
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

"Must Play" is a podcast hosted by Shawn & T.J. from FairWagers golf. They travel to golf courses across the U.S. & give an unbiased review to help golfers decide if these courses should make their shortlist when planning a trip. They aim to discover hidden gems & must-play courses while delivering honest insights that make golf trip planning easier. Tune in to hear their in-depth history discussions, first-hand reviews of their experiences, & their 10-question Must Play Test on the top golf destinations across the country to determine if they are a MUST PLAY.

  1. 4D AGO

    Caledonia Golf & Fish Club Preview w/ The Salty Golfer (Wes)

    In this episode of Must Play: Level Select, we’re joined by The Salty Golfer (aka Wes) to break down why Caledonia Golf and Fish Club in Myrtle Beach continues to be one of the most talked-about golf experiences in the country. Our Caledonia Golf and Fish Club preview takes a deep dive into one of the most iconic layouts in South Carolina and shows why this course continues to pop up in top 100 lists year after year. But first, we start by diving into the origins of The Salty Golfer — how he built his brand, got into the golf content space, and why 'salty' isn't about his attitude but more about his lifestyle. From there, we chat a little bit about why Salty wanted to pitch Caledonia to us as one of the best courses in Myrtle Beach. Then we get into a “reviews of reviews” segment, analyzing what golfers consistently say about Caledonia Golf and Fish Club in Myrtle Beach, from harsh course conditions and layout to the overall golf experience. Then we shift into a full Caledonia Golf and Fish Club preview, where he selects three questions from our Must Play Test that the course definitely passes, making his case for why it stands out among Myrtle Beach golf courses. We also mix in some fun facts and trivia regarding the history of Caledonia. If you're planning a golf trip and researching the best golf courses in Myrtle Beach or looking for an honest Caledonia Golf and Fish Club review, this episode gives you a good sense of where to start when it comes to Caledonia and some things to expect. In this episode, we discuss: - The Salty Golfer’s background and brand origins- Reviews of Caledonia Golf and Fish Club preview review - 3 questions of the Must Play Test that Caledonia passes - Fun facts and trivia about one of the best golf courses in Myrtle Beach 👉 Follow for more golf course reviews, golf conversations, and episodes that make the game of golf a little more casual. MUST PLAY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY BIRD DARTS Head over to birddarts.com to pick up all the various sizes of tee packs! LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SALTY GOLFERInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaltygolfer Website: https://thesaltygolfer.com/ OUR SOCIALS Must Play Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mustplaypod ⁠⁠FairWagers Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/fairwagers⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@fairwagers⁠⁠ Find full episodes & everything Must Play related at ⁠mustplaypod.com⁠ ARTWORK BY 8-BIT BIRDIE: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/8bitbirdie⁠

    56 min

  2. MAR 12

    Sheep Ranch Review - Is This the Best Golf Course at Bandon Dunes?

    In this week's Must Play, our Sheep Ranch review is front and center as we take a deep dive into one of the most visually dramatic courses at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (and the world). This week, Shawn and T.J. are joined by Brian from Harbor Golf to break down the history, their favorite features, and overall experience of playing Sheep Ranch along the Oregon coast. Sheep Ranch has quickly become one of the most recognizable courses in the US, thanks to its incredible cliffside routing and ocean views on nearly every hole. With nine greens directly along the Pacific, the course delivers some of the most memorable views in all of US golf. But in our Sheep Ranch review, we’re asking the bigger question: does the course live up to the hype? Shawn lays out the history behind Sheep Ranch at Bandon Dunes, how the course evolved from a private property where you had to know someone to get on into a full public layout designed by Coore & Crenshaw. As always on Must Play, we put the course through our 10-question Must Play Test, our grading rubric used to determine whether a course truly earns Must Play status. From value and food at the turn to the logo and memorable holes, every category helps answer the question golfers are searching for: BUT IS IT A MUST PLAY? If you're planning a Bandon Dunes golf trip, our Sheep Ranch review will help you decide where it belongs on your list of Must Play courses at Bandon. In this episode we discuss: A full Sheep Ranch review at Bandon Dunes Resort The history and design of Sheep Ranch How Sheep Ranch compares to other Bandon Dunes golf courses What makes Sheep Ranch unique among coastal golf courses Our 10-question Must Play Test and final verdict MUST PLAY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DEVEREUX GOLF Head over to devereuxgolf.com and use code FAIRWAGERS20 for 20% off your orders...always.OUR SOCIALS CHECK OUT BRIAN'S WORK Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harbor.golf Website: https://www.harborpdx.com/ OUR SOCIALS Must Play Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mustplaypod⁠⁠ FairWagers Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/fairwagers⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@fairwagers⁠⁠ Find full episodes & everything Must Play related at mustplaypod.com ARTWORK BY 8-BIT BIRDIE: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/8bitbirdie⁠

    1h 22m

  3. MAR 5

    Tiburón Golf Club Preview w/ Heather from SwingScribe

    This week on Must Play: Level Select, we break down Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida, with local resident Heather of SwingScribe, and she pitches us on whether or not we should be adding this well-known Naples course to our list of courses to rate. Heather from SwingScribe joins us not only to talk about Tiburon but also to share the story behind her innovative golf training product designed to help both young and newer golf players better understand and analyze their golf swing. We talk about how SwingScribe works, the inspiration behind creating it, and how technology like this is helping everyday golfers improve faster and practice with more purpose. Then we shift our focus to Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, a golf course that many golfers recognize thanks to its connection with not only the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort but also its history hosting of hosting many PGA Tour events. Designed by Greg Norman, both golf courses (Black & Gold) at Tiburón stand out among Naples golf courses for their unique design philosophy, including the absence of traditional rough and its distinctive use of crushed coquina waste areas. In this episode, we discuss: Heather's background with golfHow Heather decided to start SwingScribeHeather talks about her first time playing Tiburon Golf Club We dive into reviews of Tiburon Golf Club reviewsHeather picks three questions from the Must Play Test that Tiburon would easily passFun facts & history of Tiburon Golf Club👉 Follow for more golf course reviews, golf conversations, and episodes that make the game of golf a little more casual. You can find out more about SwingScribe by visiting ⁠https://swingscribe.com/FAIRWAGERS and getting $5 off your first order MUST PLAY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY BIRD DARTS ⁠www.birddarts.com⁠ OUR SOCIALS Must Play Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mustplaypod⁠ FairWagers Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/fairwagers⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@fairwagers⁠ ARTWORK BY 8-BIT BIRDIE: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/8bitbirdie

    39 min

  4. FEB 25

    Deciding What Courses We Must Play in 2026

    This week on Must Play: Bonus Round, we’re holding ourselves accountable and setting the tee sheet for 2026. First up: the 2025 recap. At the start of last season, we each identified three courses we absolutely had to play. In this episode, we review how that actually went for both of us. Spoiler: it did not go well for T.J. Then comes the main event: the 2026 golf courses. Each of us pitches three Must Play golf courses for this year, following strict rules, and fits into one of three buckets: The Heavy Hitter: a high-end or nationally known trackThe Value Find: a muni or hidden gemThe Wildcard: something unique, weird, or sneaky with “Mustie” potential From Certified Must Play golf courses candidates to under-the-radar surprises, this episode is all about building the ultimate 2026 golf roadmap. And this time, we’re putting the final decision in your hands. You’ll help decide which course we have to play this year.Let the campaigning begin. 👉 Follow for more golf course reviews, golf conversations, and episodes that make the game of golf a little more casual. MUST PLAY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DEVEREUX GOLF Head over to devereuxgolf.com and use code FAIRWAGERS20 for 20% off your orders...always. OUR SOCIALS Must Play Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mustplaypod FairWagers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairwagers TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fairwagers ARTWORK BY 8-BIT BIRDIE: https://www.instagram.com/8bitbirdie

    45 min

  5. FEB 17

    Payntr Golf Co-Founder Reveals the Future of Golf Shoes

    This week on Must Play: Bonus Round, we’re diving deep into Payntr Golf shoes with the brand’s Creative Director and Co-Founder, Mike Glancy. You've seen Jason Day or Min Woo Lee wearing them and you've probably heard the name a ton, but you don’t fully know what separates Payntr Golf from other golf footwear brands. This episode will give you a better understanding of the origin story and a good picture of where the brand is headed next. Mike walks us through his extensive background in footwear, including his time at major brands like Under Armour and Reebok. This, in turn, led to the creation of Payntr Golf, which makes their shoes performance-driven rather than trend-driven. We get into the real questions golfers care about, like what shoes you should pack for a 4-day golf trip and if you should practice in the same shoes you play in. From there, we discuss athlete involvement and how players like Jason Day, Min Woo Lee, Sam Burns, and Isaiah Salinda help shape the development of the next era of Payntr Golf shoes. We also explore PGA Tour validation and how that affects consumer buying behavior. Mike also previews the upcoming Reserve Collection launch and the biggest technological leap in their new line — and what problems they’re trying to solve next. Finally, we close out with a quick overrated/underrated golf technology and trend edition. If you care about performance, comfort, and the future of golf footwear, this Bonus Round was made for you. 👉 Subscribe for more golf course reviews, golf conversations, and episodes that make the game of golf a little more casual. MUST PLAY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DEVEREUX GOLF Head over to devereuxgolf.com and use code FAIRWAGERS20 for 20% off your orders...always. MORE INFO ABOUT PAYNTR GOLF Website: https://payntrgolf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/payntrgolf/ OUR SOCIALS Must Play Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mustplaypod FairWagers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairwagers TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fairwagers ARTWORK BY 8-BIT BIRDIE: https://www.instagram.com/8bitbirdie

    56 min

  6. JAN 29

    Foothills Golf Club Review - Will Legal Battles Keep This Course Down?

    In this episode of Must Play, we’re joined by Austin Tennant, better known as @catchyaaround on Instagram, to help us with our Foothills Golf Club review. Austin joins T.J. & Shawn to discuss why Foothills Golf Club remains one of the more talked-about public courses in the Phoenix area. We cover some of the headlines from the course and what we liked (and disliked) the most. After that, Shawn dives into the history of Foothills Golf Club and how it fits into the Valley’s golf scene and even touches on some ongoing litigation. This Foothills Golf Club review goes beyond highlights, offering an honest look at who this course is actually for and where it shines the brightest. As with every episode of Must Play, we put Foothills Golf Club through our 10-question Must Play grading rubric to determine whether it earns official Must Play status. From the ease of making a tee time and the pace of play, to whether you want to hang out and have a beer on the patio, each category forces a real discussion about what makes a golf course worth your time. Whether you’re a Phoenix local deciding where to book your next tee time or someone planning a golf trip to the Valley, this Foothills Golf Club review gives you a clear, no-fluff breakdown. If you’ve played Foothills Golf Club before, we'd love to hear if our thoughts align with yours and if you haven’t, it may help you decide if it belongs on your Must Play list. So join us as we again ask the question...but is it a Must Play? MUST PLAY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY BIRD DARTS www.birddarts.com OUR SOCIALS Must Play Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mustplaypod FairWagers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairwagers TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fairwagers ARTWORK BY 8-BIT BIRDIE: https://www.instagram.com/8bitbirdie

    1h 18m

  7. JAN 7

    Setting Our 2026 Golf Goals & More PLUS a 2025 Goal Recap

    Every great golf season starts with a clear golf goals, and in this episode of Must Play: Bonus Round, we’re setting the tone for 2026 while looking back at what actually happened in 2025. Shawn and T.J. sit down to recap 2025's golf goals. The wins, the misses, and the ones that we forgot even existed, before laying out their official 2026 golf goals. We kick things off with a 2025 recap, revisiting the goals we set and being honest about what worked, what didn’t, and why some goals came a bit easier than others. From T.J. trying to break 90 and Shawn's quest to break 70 at Dobson Ranch to playing new courses & spending more time with family on the golf course, this is a real look at how goal setting actually plays out over a full golf season. From there, we shift into planning mode and build our 2026 golf goals from the ground up. We talk about how some of our golf goals just carried over from the 2025 golf season as well as sprinkled in some of our personal goals for the year. This episode isn’t about empty resolutions that we don't plan on achieving, it’s about building golf goals that we'll chase all year long. Whether you’re a single-digit handicap, a weekend golfer, or someone just trying to play more intentional golf next year, this episode is meant to help you realize that we're all at different stages in our golf games and hopefully our setbacks and successes can help you think differently about golf goal setting and start 2026 with a plan that makes sense. Grab a notebook, reflect on your own season, and let’s set some golf goals we’ll still care about come summer. 👉 Subscribe for more golf course reviews, golf conversations, and episodes that make the game of golf a little more casual. MUST PLAY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DEVEREUX GOLF Head over to ⁠devereuxgolf.com⁠ and use code FAIRWAGERS20 for 20% off your orders...always. OUR SOCIALS Must Play Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mustplaypod⁠ FairWagers Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/fairwagers⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@fairwagers⁠ ARTWORK BY 8-BIT BIRDIE: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/8bitbirdie

    1h 11m

  8. 12/30/2025

    Building the Ultimate Must Play Golf Course - The 2025 Musties

    It’s awards season on Must Play, and we’re closing out 2025 by celebrating the Must Play golf courses that defined our year (and lumping in 2024). In the final episode of 2025, Shawn and T.J . debut the inaugural 2025 Must Play Awards (also known as The Musties) honoring the best golf courses that stood out across our episodes in each respective ranking factor on the Must Play Test. If this is your first time tuning in, every course featured on Must Play is evaluated using our 10-question Must Play rubric, designed to determine whether a course earns Must Play status or falls short into a Should Play. Over the years of providing golf course reviews, we realized something important: not every one of the best golf courses checks every box, but many dominate in specific areas that deserve recognition. That realization led to The Musties. In this episode, we break down each question from our grading rubric and nominate four Must Play golf courses per category, ultimately selecting one winner. Each course that takes home a Mustie holds that title for a full year and earns an automatic nomination to defend it in 2026. From unforgettable hot dogs to signature holes and as well as the best golf course logos, this episode is a full-year roundup of the best golf courses we reviewed and debated in 2025 (and 2024). It’s equal parts reflection, argument, and celebration — the kind of conversation you’d expect after a long round with friends. Whether your favorite course wins a Mustie or gets left out entirely, this episode is a fitting sendoff to a year spent chasing, debating, and defining what truly makes a course Must Play. 👉 Subscribe for more golf course reviews, golf conversations, and episodes that make the game of golf a little more casual. MUST PLAY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DEVEREUX GOLF Head over to devereuxgolf.com and use code FAIRWAGERS20 for 20% off your orders...always. OUR SOCIALS Must Play Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mustplaypod FairWagers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairwagers TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fairwagers ARTWORK BY 8-BIT BIRDIE: https://www.instagram.com/8bitbirdie

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

"Must Play" is a podcast hosted by Shawn & T.J. from FairWagers golf. They travel to golf courses across the U.S. & give an unbiased review to help golfers decide if these courses should make their shortlist when planning a trip. They aim to discover hidden gems & must-play courses while delivering honest insights that make golf trip planning easier. Tune in to hear their in-depth history discussions, first-hand reviews of their experiences, & their 10-question Must Play Test on the top golf destinations across the country to determine if they are a MUST PLAY.

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