From taping his mouth shut on tour to standing on the edge of Q-School pressure, this is the moment that made golf fans stop scrolling and the conversation that finally explains it. If you’ve ever wondered what really happens when the mental side of golf reaches a breaking point, this episode delivers the truth.

In this episode of The DROP Podcast, New Jersey native Ryan McCormick joins us for a raw, honest breakdown of his 2025 season and the mindset challenges that defined it. Ryan opens up about the grind of making 25 starts on the Korn Ferry Tour, the emotional toll of living week to week on thin margins, and the internal battle that led to one of the most talked-about moments in professional golf. We also dive into the confidence gained from qualifying for and making the cut at the U.S. Open, the pressure-packed reality of Final Stage Q-School, and the off-course decisions that helped bring clarity and direction heading into 2026.

Rooted in New Jersey golf and told through the lens of a Garden State pro who’s lived every side of the grind, this episode goes far beyond scorecards. It’s about resilience, self-awareness, and learning how to move forward when the pressure is highest. Whether you’re an avid golfer, a weekend player, or someone who loves the local NJ golf scene, this conversation pulls you inside the reality of chasing progress when nothing comes easy.

Press play to hear one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had on the show, and follow The DROP Podcast for more real stories from New Jersey golf and the people who live the game.

There are public golf courses in New Jersey that golfers will drive hours to play - and somehow, I still haven’t checked off some of the biggest ones yet. We break down the NJ public and semi-private courses that keep getting recommended over and over again, and why everyday golfers say these places are absolutely worth the trip. These are the courses I’m finally making a priority to play in 2026 based on real listener feedback and on-course conversations across the state.

Courses like Knoll Country Club - West Course, Twisted Dune Golf Club, Charleston Springs (North & South), Architects Golf Club, and Running Deer Golf Club come up again and again when New Jersey golfers talk about where they’re willing to travel to play. We break down what makes each layout unique, the type of test they present, and why their reputations continue to grow among public golfers.

In the second half of the show, we zoom out with quick-hit updates from the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, share standout takeaways from the PGA Show, and answer From the Grandstand questions from around the state. If you care about NJ golf, discovering public courses worth the trip, and staying plugged into what golfers around the Garden State are actually talking about, this episode is for you.

Jason Sobel - award-winning golf journalist and SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio host - joins The DROP Podcast for an in-depth conversation on where professional golf stands right now and where it may be headed next.

In this episode, Jason walks through his career covering the game, from his first assignment at Tiger Woods’ historic 2000 U.S. Open to years spent reporting from inside PGA Tour events, media trucks, and broadcast booths. We discuss how professional golf has changed over that time, break down the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program as it’s written, and talk through what the current structure means for players, fans, and the Tour moving forward. The conversation widens to the future of the PGA Tour, how the next generation could shape the game, and how this era may ultimately be viewed in hindsight. Jason also shares his picks for upcoming major champions and reflects on what still matters most when covering the sport.

If you’re a New Jersey golfer who follows the professional game and enjoys thoughtful, informed golf conversations without hot takes, this episode is a great place to start with The DROP Podcast. Listen in, follow the show, and pass it along to the golfer in your group who always wants the full picture.

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