18 Majors: The Golf History Show - Every Single Episode

18 Majors: The Golf History Show is the podcast presented by Fergus Bisset and Neil Tappin that connects you with the greatest, and often most misunderstood, stories from the history of the game

18 Majors: The Golf History Show
(Image credit: Future)

Welcome to 18 Majors: The Golf History Show brought to you by Golf Monthly. Each week a new episode will land that re-tells one of the most important stories from the history of the game. Golf historian, Fergus Bisset, brings these episodes to life by delving into the archives to uncover the details, the quotes and the characters behind these pivotal moments.

You can listen to 18 Majors: The Golf History Show below...

Neil Tappin plays the role of host with golf historian and writer, Fergus Bisset, offering the insights. Each week the two discuss a record from the history books that they think will remain unbeaten. Fergus also retells a significant but often not-fully-understood moment from golf's past. They also pick a memorable quote from the past and Fergus finishes things off with a quiz.

You can watch the latest episode (and every episode so far) of 18 Majors: The Golf History Show in the video playlist below...

Get in touch with Neil and Fergus by dropping an email to: neil.tappin@futurenet.com. We would love to hear your suggestions for future episodes.

You can download each episode of 18 Majors: The Golf History Show from your favorite podcast platform. While you're there, why not leave Fergus and Neil a review!

Episode Descriptions

How Walter Hagen Changed Pro Golf & Johnny Miller's 'Golfing Nirvana'

In this episode, Fergus and Neil discuss the impact on the game of one of the true greats. With style and swagger, Walter Hagen changed the way professional golfers were seen and treated. But how? This is the story of one of the most transformative periods in the game. 


We also look at Johnny Miller's spell as the best golfer on the planet, a Bobby Jones record and there's a tricky golf history quiz to cap things off.

Published 2nd October 2024.

John Daly's Incredible 1991 USGA Win & A Masters Quiz!

In this episode, Fergus casts his eye over John Daly's unbelievable maiden major victory in 1991. The American came from nowhere to win at Crooked Stick and this is the hair-raising story of how he did it. 
Fergus and Neil also discuss the career of Kathy Whitworth, they reveal an incredible quote from Jack Nicklaus and Fergus sets Neil a tricky Masters-focussed quiz!

Published 23rd September 2024.

The Concession And Full Story Behind The 1979 Ryder Cup

In this episode, Fergus casts his eye over the 1979 Ryder Cup. It ended with the famous concession but what happened before that? This was one of the most ill-tempered Ryder Cups ever and Fergus retells  the story of a heated and fractious event at Royal Birkdale.

Published 18th September 2024.

Arnold Palmer & The Open Championship

In this episode, Fergus Bisset provides a fascinating in-depth look at the two most important Open Championships of the modern era. Arnold Palmer's wins in 1961 and 1962 are credited with transforming the fortunes of the Open but as Neil discovers in the episode, there is way more to this story than meets the eye. It's a pivotal period for the game and one that's well worth knowing.

There is also a look at a record from the history books that Fergus thinks will remain unbeaten and a memorable quote from the past. The episode wraps up with the weekly golf history quiz!

Published 11th September 2024.

Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.  

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly. 

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

With contributions from