Reviewing golf podcasts while getting dental work: A whole new way to get drilled

As most of you can imagine, I am an extremely busy man. There are things for me to do all the time, day and night. It seems everywhere I look there are things. And the thing is, these things never stop coming. They just pile up. I am endlessly surrounded by a big pile of things.

Aside from being a man encircled by things, however, I am also a man of action. And a man with a toothache, as well. In summation: I am an action-oriented, thing-surrounded, sore-toothed man. With great hair.

So, sometimes I need to combine activities. Like today, where I’ll be reviewing some golf podcasts I listened to while at the dentist. Now, on my Ipod today were only podcasts from outside sources, not WorldGolf.com or TravelGolf.com podcasts. All of those are fantastic, though. In fact, I’m willing to go far as to say this, in easy cut-and-paste form:

“Golf for Beginners, Sweet Spots, Golf Gear News, and TravelGolf.com This Week are brilliant podcasts in every sense of the word,” said noted blogger Bill Wolfrum. “I am literally a better man, and my wife a more satisfied woman because I listen to these podcasts. I demand everyone listen to them.”

That being said, on with the shows.

Golf Podcast Reviews from a Dentist’s Chair

Preferred Lies

Peter Kessler hosts the GolfWeekTV.com podcast and it receives the ultimate compliment - it’s a good listen even while someone has his hand stuffed down your throat. Entertaining, substantive guests who are comfortable speaking and witty. Good stuff. Grade: B+

Golf Smarter

Hosted by Fred Green, Golf Smarter is a solid, nut and bolts kind of podcast. The omnipresent Chuck Evans (who has his own podcast, as well as articles on WorldGolf.com) was a recent guest, and the shows cover a few subjects. At 42 minutes, however, they need to trim the show in half to get a higher score. Grade: C+

Golf ‘n Around

A couple British guys talking about golf. Sadly, the dentist really started drilling about the time the show started, then he hit a nerve, so I can’t say I gave Richard Boxall and Robert Lee the attention they deserved. Grade: Incomplete

Golfing Zen

I’ve enjoyed several Zen-inspired podcasts in the past, notably Alan Watts, as well as Michael McAlister’s Infinite Smile. Golfing Zen was, however, not enjoyable. In fact, it was actually starting to make me angry. As I listened to the host drone on and on about risk-reward strategies, I slowly became less enlightened and further removed from my true mental and spiritual potential. I diverged from the path and wanted to spend my time stepping on bugs and shopping for things I didn’t really need. Grade: D

Golf Talk

SandTrap.com’s podcast is proof that sometimes persistence is just not enough. Despite the fact they’re on Episode 42, the guys doing the podcast seem uncomfortable speaking, have forced banter, and bring nothing interesting or different to their podcast. It’s banal opinions on the latest pro golf happenings done by people who don’t seem to realize they’re doing it for an audience. The dental work was a party in comparison. Grade: D-

The Brian Manzella Golf Show

I only listened to a few minutes of Manzella, as I realized he hasn’t had a new episode in more than a year. It wasn’t overly exciting, and Manzella sounds a bit like a drunk guy sitting next to you at a bar somewhere telling you why Tiger Woods rules. Grade: Incomplete

–WKW