Has the World Handicap System become too much of a free-for-all? Should competition golf be the only true measure of a player’s ability?

The pair ask whether the system is baffling newcomers and juniors and get into par, strokes received, and what your handicap really represents.

Whether you're a competition regular, or simply someone who's ever wondered how their index is calculated, you’ll want to listen in…

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This week, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll plan the ultimate budget golf trip. Steve reveals an eye-opening adventure in Northumberland, complete with green fees that seem too good to be true, while Tom makes the case for his beloved Lincolnshire and its collection of top-class courses.

If you're looking for maximum golf without emptying your wallet, this episode is packed with ideas.

And we want to hear from you: what's the best-value golf trip you've ever taken?

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Catching up ahead of the Brabazon Trophy last week, the pair discuss how the governing body’s referees approach a big championship.

But they also discuss how you can get involved in refereeing and Sam lists some of the most common rules mistakes golfers make in their competitive outings.

If you’ve ever wondered how you can become a referee, or just how you can improve your Rules of Golf knowledge, make sure to tune in…

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But it isn’t long before the conversation turns back to the World Handicap System. Why are handicap allowances still confusing golfers? Why do clubs stick to the same tees every week? And if your score can be adjusted anyway… why can’t competitions be more flexible?

It’s majors, match play, medal tees, and more WHS frustration on this week’s NCG Golf Podcast.

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Now artificial intelligence threatens to change the game in ways we probably haven’t even imagined yet.

But does it enhance the game or detract from it? This week Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll discuss the increasing rise of tech and whether it’s chipping away at golf’s soul.

Should the sport be determined by data or should the golf course be a screen-free zone?

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We got stuck into a bunch of club matters, considered if the upcoming golf ball roll back is necessary to protect classic masterpieces like St Andrews, and he revealed the simple things golfers can do to score better straight away.

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With England Golf the only country in the home nations not to follow suit, what does this mean for WHS? Is the aim of a unified handicap system in GB&I fracturing?

Golf Ireland have also brought in a new pilot scheme, which will determine how players qualify for their elite competitions. Are they moving away from using WHS for their top performers by turning to a strokes gained system? What should that mean for clubs?

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With speculation continuing, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll try and unpick what’s going on with LIV Golf and what could happen over the next few weeks and months...

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Having captured his maiden Green Jacket in 2025, McIlroy returned in 2026 to prove it was no one-off, holding off a relentless chasing pack to become just the fourth player ever to win back-to-back Masters titles. Tom and Dan revisit their early tournament predictions and reflect on how, despite the twists, turns, and moments of doubt throughout the week, Tom's original instincts ultimately rang true.

The episode breaks down the defining moments of the championship, the key challengers who pushed McIlroy to the limit, and the significance of joining such an exclusive club of Masters legends. They also explore what this achievement means for McIlroy’s legacy and his standing in the modern game.

Tune in for expert insight, engaging analysis, and a celebration of a historic triumph at Augusta.

Stepping into the spotlight was Cameron Young, who produced a sensational 65 to surge up the leaderboard and ignite the tournament heading into Sunday. With momentum building behind a host of contenders, the race for the Green Jacket is suddenly wide open.

Tom and Dan break down the key moments from the round, analyse what went wrong for McIlroy, and assess the growing list of challengers poised to make a Sunday charge. With Augusta National set for a thrilling finale, everything is still to play for.

Tune in for expert insight, sharp analysis, and all the drama from moving day at the Masters.

The duo explore the key moments that defined the round, the strategic decisions that shaped his score, and how this display stacks up against some of Augusta National’s most iconic performances. With expert insight and passionate analysis, Tom and Dan place McIlroy’s 65 in historical context, examining what it means for his legacy and his pursuit of the Green Jacket.

Whether you’re a Masters enthusiast or simply appreciate golfing excellence, this episode offers a deep dive into a round that may stand among the finest ever played at Augusta.

From the subtleties of the course’s elevation changes to the scale of its most iconic holes, they cut through the usual clichés to reveal what makes Augusta National so unique.

He also opens up about how equipment has evolved, how modern skill levels compare with his era, and what it takes to succeed today.

And, of course, you’ll hear his memories from Augusta and the stories behind his three Masters victories.

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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What is the greatest Masters of all time? Why is it so hard to go back-to-back? And is the Champions Dinner actually at the very heart of everything about the tournament?

We’ve got a how to guide to Augusta, break down some Masters myths and, most importantly, tell you who might go on to win. There are a few surprise names on our shortlist.

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But Steve’s not quite so convinced. Is arranging games just too much of a hassle? And what impact does the World Handicap System have on the formats?

Does 100 per cent of Course Handicap in singles competitions give some players too much of an advantage?

The pair also reveal some of your on-course nightmares and Steve’s got a sticky rules situation for Tom to solve.

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This week Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll are in the Confessional, recounting the occasions they cringed and collapsed. From an embarrassing error at Open Regional Qualifying to a Captain’s Day disaster, these are the times we just wanted to curl up and die on the golf course.

Enjoy them, commiserate with us, and get in touch and tell us your own tales of woe.

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But in club land foursomes can sometimes be a difficult sell, with golfers arguing over the format or reluctant to hit only half the shots in a normal round.

This week, Tom and Steve review foursomes, why it can struggle to gain a fuller foothold in the club game, and why more of us should consider spending more time playing alternate shot.

Is it the purest form of the game? Let us convince you…

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This week, we’re joined by Nicole Wheatley, founder of the Women in Golf Awards, to talk about participation, accountability, and whether golf is ready to honesty look at itself.

The new Fairways Project, launched by the Awards in collaboration with 59Club, is a five-year global study designed to measure women’s experience across the industry. Nicole explains why it’s so important and why men also need to get involved.

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Or are you just happy to play once a week, have a drink with your friends, and not worry about your handicap?

This week, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll ask if club golfers are motivated to improve – and what’s getting in the way of those who aren't.

The pair also go through a busy mailbag, and there's a muddy rules query to match the weather. 

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We asked you about golf club membership in another big NCG survey filled in by more than 1,000 of you and Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll break down some fascinating results.

We reveal what you are saying about golf club membership, and whether we’re still basking in post-pandemic participation joy or if dark clouds are on the horizon.

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Was good etiquette about fitting in, and is it now about tolerance and acceptance instead? Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll dig into the etiquette question – from pace of play to course care. They share some stories and ask whether standards are dying or just evolving.

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll reveal the results – breaking down what the data really tells us, where the system is working, and where golfers believe it is falling apart.

We’ll discuss issues around trust, fairness, general play scores, and whether you think WHS truly reflects ability.

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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This week, Steve Carroll is joined by Gemma Hunter, The R&A’s assistant director of handicapping, to discuss this vital piece of the puzzle.

How does it work? How is the data put together? Do clubs get to see it? Is it all just about length?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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Whether it’s iGolf or OpenPlay, independent golfer schemes have been very successful over the past few years – and have also been a useful foot in the door for players wondering if membership is right for them.

But with many pundits suggesting numbers could take a hit this year in the face of cost-of-living struggles, could they now provide an escape route? And what will mean for the club game?

Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll discuss the rise of the independent golfer, how golf clubs engage with them, and whether such schemes could prove ever more attractive if golfers are looking to save their pennies.

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll ask this week whether rules, etiquette, pace of play, and safety should be tested before players are allowed out onto the course. Would you sit an exam to play golf?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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Steve Carroll, the pride of The NCG Golf Podcast, takes on NCG Top 100s Podcast’s very own Dan Murphy for bragging rights with Tom Irwin as your quizmaster. Who will come out on top in this test of golfing knowledge?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll get out their crystal balls – even though 2026 is only a week away – to predict what might happen in your golf clubs next year.

Will there be a membership crisis? Will you still be able to use cash at your club and what lies in store for the golf professional?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll reveal the regulations that are flouted most - and most of them have come straight from you! Whether it's dodgy drops, provisional balls that aren't, or what you get up to in bunkers, this is your line-up of the most broken rules in our sport. 

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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With dissent as strong as ever – outlined in the many emails you send to us every week – Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll discuss the latest developments and ask what the next 12 months hold for the embattled calculator.

Will WHS finally start to settle down? Does there need to be a more joined-up approach to its implementation? What will it take for people to accept it?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll have some experience in this field. Both have served on golf club committees and they debate the pros and cons of these institutions.

Who are they meant to serve, and are they achieving that? Do clubs still need committees as we turn into 2026?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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Is it all too much? After a new player survey revealed rising costs and affordability continued to be a concern for club golfers, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll discuss whether those fears are perception or reality.

Are green fees getting out of control, or is it just market forces? Are we asking parents to pay too much as we coax youngsters into the game, and are we even being priced out on the driving range?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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This week on The NCG Golf Podcast, Tom and Irwin and Steve Carroll debate whether tech like rangefinders, GPS watches, and lasers have gone too far.

Do we rely on them too much? Would the game be more fun – and more traditional – without them? And are the rules around their use too complicated for most golfers to follow?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash

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But this is not a guidebook for any golfer with larcenous intent. The duo discuss how they can be countered and what clubs need to look out for if they suspect players may not be treating the game with the integrity it deserves.

Is getting someone you haven’t played with to confirm your scores against the rules? What about cancelling a round if you’ve had a bad start? Should you pick up your ball even if you could possibly have scored slightly better on a single hole?

This is a controversial, but enlightening, listen…

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash

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The duo are on familiar ground as they assess half a decade of WHS. What has worked? What hasn’t and what happens next?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash

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It shows how passionate we all are about the Rules and this week, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll dive headlong into a big debate about the ones they would change.

With the Rules on a four-year review, we might see some alterations in time for 2027. What would our duo change?

Should we look again at slope on rangefinders? Should there be a big change in stroke-and-distance? And, yes, Tom and Steve get into the divot question too.

Check out our changes, see if you agree, and don’t forget to get in touch!

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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The pair discuss Stryve, Sir Clive’s golf venture. Stryve's three stage process helps you understand the Basics of every shot. Each stage is packed with expert insights and coaching points, delivering the knowledge you need to help refine your technique, increase consistency, and sharpen your golfing IQ.

But Tom and Sir Clive also get into the Ryder Cup. What role did leadership play in delivering the outcome? What did he make of fan and player behaviour? Should they have called a temporary halt to proceedings?

It’s an intriguing discussion with a man who changed the way we think about sporting performance.

Sign up to Stryve here: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6458591313?pt=126265426&ct=ncg_podcast&mt=8

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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Europe won the trophy but have we lost the spirit of what the near century old event is about? Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll break down the last three days in New York.

Why did they ruin a fantastic golf course? Why was anyone surprised some fans went too far? What on earth happens to the Ryder Cup from here – is it too late to dial it back?

You might think we’re being downbeat in the wake of an historic away victory but does this competition need to regain its soul?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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Tom Irwin sits down with Ryder Cup legend Justin Rose, who’s about to make his seventh appearance in European colours.

Tom and Justin talk about his commitment to the sport through the Rose Ladies Series, barriers to participation, as well as his longevity following another successful season.

But, of course, they also talk about the Ryder Cup: What does he expect the atmosphere to be like at Bethpage? Should Keegan Bradley have picked himself? He also relives the Miracle of Medinah and Seve’s enduring legacy as a European icon. And, of course, with a vacancy for a skipper at Adare Manor in two years’ time, how does the captaincy look?

If that’s not enough, Tom and co-host Steve Carroll also run the rule over golf’s greatest team event. Can Europe defy the New York crowds and bring the trophy back with them?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with GolfClubs4Cash.

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We discuss the results of Golf Ireland’s survey of its handicap allowances pilot – where many clubs surprisingly opted not to change anything.

We talk about what needs to happen with general play to make it more palatable to those suspicious it’s open to manipulation. And what is to come? Are gimmes inevitable?

Tom and Steve also review the recent Walker Cup, while discussing pathways for juniors and Steve’s fascination with hickory golf!

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Is iGolf a way to get new players started without the pressure of a club environment? Should clubs and courses be set-up differently to encourage beginners and younger golfers to get into the game?

And a full-sized golf course is massive! Do we need to take more responsibility in providing short form courses and different options for those who just want to get out and play a few holes? Is slapping down a few green tees enough?

Tom and Steve Carroll also break down the Ryder Cup announcements. Is this the best chance for a European win in the United States in years?

And Steve delves into a real-life rules incident that involved a ball search and a stopped clock. This relatively unheard of rule might save you some shots out on the course!

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Eddie and Tom got together at The Roxburghe, where he was playing on the Challenge Tour, to discuss his career, the pressures of playing at the very elite level, the state of the professional game, and his role as a podcast star on the hugely popular The Chipping Forecast.

They also get into the World Handicap System (of course) and Eddie’s got some incredible insight into self-improvement, Rory and playing with Phil Mickelson.

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Steve is finally starting to see his index fall but is surprised it’s not happening quicker, while Tom has played in some challenging conditions only to see the Playing Conditions Calculation remain stubbornly stable. The duo get into a debate about its merits.

Tom has been on an incredible trip to Kent to play the Hagen 54, a one-day journey across Royal St George’s, Royal Cinque Ports and Prince’s. We’ll let him reveal all.

And Steve has been asked whether finding a lost club on the course could bring a penalty if you’ve already got 14 in your bag. What’s the answer? Listen in to find out!

Don’t miss our new NCG Top 100s podcast: https://podfollow.com/1826546061

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He discusses this with co-host Steve Carroll and the pair also dive into Scottie Scheffler’s fourth major victory. Is he simply the dominant force, or is there not a lot to challenge him?

And Tom asks Steve about the rules dramas with Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy. Was the punishment too strong in Lowry’s case? It’s an interesting discussion on a situation most of us will have experienced at our clubs.

Don’t miss our new NCG Top 100s podcast: https://podfollow.com/1826546061

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Tom Irwin and Matt Chivers sit down to reflect on the third round at Royal Portrush, what they saw and experienced, what they make of Scheffler's dominance and more fun with following Rory McIlroy inside the ropes.

Tom isn't entirely happy with what there is to do for youngsters on-site at the Dunluce Links, while Matt has some digressions about some of the main protagonists on day three, such as Keegan Bradley and Lee Westwood.

When you listen, make sure to like, subscribe and comment on all of our podcasts, as we count down to the end of another Open and another men's major season.

The pair talk about the prospect of Rory contending on the weekend at a home major, the absolutely vast crowds that follow his every movement, how Bryson might have cracked the links code and what we can expect from the weekend, as the leaderboard is stacked with world-class quality

They discuss how big is too big, a very ‘Rory’ Rory, how long is too long and the overarching sense of relief that The Open is delivering once again.

• An Open ruined at the 1st
• A real challenge from the LIV players
• Hyperbolic Americans.
• Rory revelling in the attention
• Ludicrous Irish crowds cheering on the home favourites.
• The joyous cliché of Sky’s coverage.

Tune in, if only for the Alan Shipnuk /  Swilcan Bridge analogy.

Tom Irwin recounts his memories of playing the Dunluce course that will host the championship this week, as well as giving us a behind the scenes tour of some of the town’s highlights.

Co-host Steve Carroll passionately argues for the removal of the internal out of bounds that did for Rory McIlroy’s chances in 2019 and tests Tom on his Open rules knowledge.

And, of course, we tell you who we think can lift the Claret Jug on Sunday night. Get your Open week off to the best possible start by giving it a listen!

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Now, Tom Irwin joins Steve Carroll once more to discuss the back 9 of his favourite holes from the 10 courses that have hosted the Claret Jug.

What will he pick? Be warned, there are some pretty famous holes that don’t make the cut. What do you think about his selections, and what would you choose?

Tom Irwin is getting in the Open spirit. He’s somehow managed to blag his way round most of the courses on The Open rota over the last few months.

In honour of the journey, he runs down his favourite holes from the 10 courses that have regularly hosted the Claret Jug.

It’s an eclectic – so the 1st hole on Tom’s list must also be the 1st hole at one of the venues – and so on.

It’s a meaty task so this week, Tom and host Steve Carroll run through his front nine. We’ll tackle the homeward stretch in the next episode.

What do you make of his selections? What mistakes has he made and what did he miss?

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In honour of the journey, he runs down his favourite holes from the 10 courses that have regularly hosted the Claret Jug.

It’s an eclectic – so the 1st hole on Tom’s list must also be the 1st hole at one of the venues – and so on.

It’s a meaty task so this week, Tom and host Steve Carroll run through his front nine. We’ll tackle the homeward stretch in the next episode.

What do you make of his selections? What mistakes has he made and what did he miss?

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The findings, from American Golf, say the Covid boom hasn’t been reflected in interest from Under-18s and we risk “losing an entire generation” without action.

Is the future of our game in trouble? Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll, both parents of young children, ask if we need to do more to get our offspring away from YouTube and onto the course.

Elsewhere, Tom recounts his mammoth 108-hole marathon as he took part in The Big Golf Race to raise cash for Prostate Cancer, Steve laments a disappointing club championship and we ask whether Lottie Woad should have been given her prize money after the amateur sensationally won the Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour. Are the Rules of Amateur Status fit for purpose?

You can donate to NCG’s Big Golf Race here: https://biggolfrace.prostatecanceruk.org/fundraising/toms-big-golf-race395

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Custom fitting can really help. So if you're in the market for a new set of sticks, Tom has got eight tips to make the experience worthwhile. 

Tom also reveals how he has fallen foul of England Golf's Championship Entry policy when trying to enter the English Amateur Championship. But why? He reveals all. 

We discuss if the policy is working as it should, and we circle round to the thorny issue of whether a handicap system that’s designed for lots of scores is, in this case, having the opposite effect for players.

And rules corner is back!

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Steve reveals the curious WHS situation he encountered where he could play a competition round under his Course Handicap and see his Index still rise.

Is it just a quirk of averaging or – for those of us used to being cut for a good score – is it part of the reason WHS has been getting such a hard time?

That leaves the duo to delve into general play vs competition scores, whether scores should be time limited, and whether education really is the answer to preventing manipulation of the system.

Check out these pieces referred to in the podcast:

https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/whs/whs-increase-after-good-round/

https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/rules/stroke-and-distance-rule-change/

https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/whs/could-weighting-general-play-scores-solve-manipulation/

So why are some in the golf industry gloomy? Why are clubs closing and why, in particular, does it seem like there is a sustained assault on municipal golf?

In this week’s pod, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll look behind the numbers to see what’s going on in our golf clubs.

Elsewhere, Tom explains why he found the US Open at Oakmont a turn-off, and not just metaphorically, the pair try to work out what’s up with Rory McIlroy, and Steve explains why he has been bitten with the golf bug once more.

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We’ve got some strong views on this tricky clubhouse debate.

Elsewhere, Tom’s got a course you must visit if you’re ever in Fife – we can guarantee it won’t be the first that springs to mind, while Steve’s got a rules poser on halfway house etiquette and how to avoid an unnecessary penalty.

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He is only the sixth person to be bestowed the accolade in nearly 120 years and it’s proving to be a very special year for David

He is currently serving as Captain of The PGA of Great Britain & Ireland, while stewarding Dumbarnie Links in his role as General Manager.

A former Director of Golf at Kingsbarns and Director of Operations at the Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa, David’s life has been steeped in the game.

He’s got some great stories to tell so sit back and enjoy the listen…

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Nigel Edwards has quite the CV. A former World No. 2 as an amateur, he played in four Walker Cups – holing the winning putt at Ganton in 2003 – and skippered three Great Britain & Ireland sides. Indeed, his victorious team at Lytham 10 years ago was the last time we lifted the trophy on this side of the pond.

He has played with and against some of the best players in the game and, in his role at England Golf, has managed a team that has nurtured Georgia Hall, Bronte Law and Lottie Wood to name just three.

Nigel has some incredible stories to tell from relaying memories of stalwart Walker Cupper Peter McEvoy to how he almost missed one of the finest days in GB&I amateur history.

Enjoy the listen…

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It’s barely rained in weeks in many places and the skies look clear for a little while to come. What pressures are course teams under and do we need to rein in our expectations of what golf looks like in the face of climate extremes?

Tom’s also been putting in a raft of general play scores on his travels across the country. We look at the impact on his handicap and consider if adding a weighting to social scores could lessen the fear of manipulation while also providing the accessibility craved by the game’s governing bodies.

Steve is also put firmly on his toes by a couple of rules scenarios that could happen in your next competition. Does he have the right answers?  

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A Life in Golf will talk to figures steeped in the game and who have watched it change over the decades. There couldn’t be a better person to start with than Hugh, who played in three Walker Cups and an Open and is one of a tribe of legendary Scottish amateurs from the 1960s and 70s.

Recorded in the incredible archive room at Nairn, Hugh reminisces over his career and reveals some engrossing stories about the characters he played with and against, the equipment they used, and the future of the game.

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But the focus, not for the first time, falls on the World Handicap System.

After R&A executive director Grant Moir appeared on the podcast to discuss the governing body’s new awareness campaign and much more, you have been writing to us in your droves to express your views. We go through some of the correspondence and weigh up the arguments…

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The pair discuss James’ journey, the ethos of Manors Golf – looking at the game as one to be explored – and explore a whole other world away from scores, handicaps and competitions.

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This week Steve Carroll is joined by Grant Moir, The R&A’s executive director of governance, to talk about a new awareness campaign reminding players of their responsibilities under the Rules of Handicapping and what’s expected of handicap committees.

It’s a strong line from the governing body and, yes, the C-word is prominent. But we also discuss some of the other concerns golfers have about WHS, and dwell on some of the positives since the introduction of the system in 2020.

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Podcast hosts Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin have both seen the golf course at close quarters. They run through their memories and reveal what makes the tournament so special. What would you shoot round Augusta off the Masters tees?

Tom also takes you through his infamous ‘Masters spreadsheet’. He’s convinced the winner of this year’s Green Jacket lies within. Will Rory McIlroy finally do it? We have the answer. As always, please remember to gamble responsibility.

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Have you thought about selling them but can’t be bothered with the hassle of internet auction sites?

This week on The NCG Golf Podcast, Steve Carroll is joined by Murray Winton, co-founder of golfclubs4cash.

Aside from sponsoring our episodes, he is also at the helm of one of the UK’s leading buyers and re-sellers of pre-owned golf equipment.

So if you’ve ever wanted to off-load some old clubs but didn’t know how, if you want some valuable hints and tips on how to get the biggest re-sale value, or if you want to get your hands on a bargain, stay tuned as Murray reveals all…

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But is new equipment worth it? In this week’s Fairway or Foul debate Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll argue the case for golf club prices.

Steve has almost been crushed under the weight of your rules questions – and he answers a trio of interesting queries – while, with the Masters tantalisingly on the horizon, he also tries to outfox Tom in this week’s quiz…

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So in this week’s episode of The NCG Podcast, our resident scratch golfer outlines what you need to do to make your dreams of improving come true. You’ll be surprised how easy some of them are.

Steve Carroll, meanwhile, has been on a trip to St Andrews, the Home of Golf. Which course did he say should have windmills on it, and which is one of his all-time favourites? Hint: Neither are the Old Course.

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In this week’s Fairway or Foul debate, the pair dive into the long putter argument and debate whether it’s got any place in the game.

Elsewhere, we talk about the World Handicap System (just for a change) – but this time Steve is quizzing Tom on his knowledge about the global order.

We go through your questions, and there have been plenty of them, and Steve’s been getting some grief on social media.

This podcast doesn’t exist without you. Send us your quiz questions, tell us what to debate, give us your rules or WHS queries. We don’t mind what it is. Contact Steve at s.carroll@nationalclubgolfer.com

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In this week’s episode, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll discuss whether the game would be better off if we weren’t so attached to a number.

But how do you sort out players of different abilities and how do you run competitions – the lifeblood of a club season?

Tom thinks he has got an ingenious solution that might answer some of these big questions, while Steve considers whether other sports have the same obsession with them. Should they merely be golf's answer to Strava?

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It’s the Fairway or Foul debate in this week’s episode of The Halfway House, our quizzes and questions episode.

Can Tom Irwin win the day once again by asserting that golf is tough enough, or will Steve convince you it’s becoming ever easier to play?

Steve’s also got a rules question that will surprise some of you, and - following his win at The Players - we look ahead to the chances of Rory McIlroy in this year’s majors. Surely he has to win one this year?

As always, we want you to get in touch. Send us your quiz questions, tell us what to debate, give us your rules or WHS queries. We don’t mind what it is. You are in charge. You can contact Steve at s.carroll@nationalclubgolfer.com

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Will it help low handicappers? Will it finally stop some of the complaints about the World Handicap System? What do you think?

Also, spring is coming, and so are the first events of the 2025 club golf season. Whether it’s the Captain’s Drive-In, or the opening medal of the year, we’ll soon be back in competitive action with trophies on the line.

But is it too early? Are our courses ready?

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Whether it’s Rules Corner, our new Fairway or Foul feature (which this week asks if clubs should hand money back to members whose courses have been shut for extended periods), or if you’ve just got something you want to get off your chest, your involvement in this new podcast is crucial.

So have a listen and then get in touch with us. Send us your quiz questions, tell us what to debate, give us your rules or WHS queries. We don’t mind what it is. You are in charge. You can contact Steve at s.carroll@nationalclubgolfer.com

And is The Players the moment when the golf season really gets under way? In the build up to the so-called 5th major at TPC Sawgrass, we get into the golf course, our experiences of playing it, and hear from a key member of the greenkeeping team. We also reveal who is going to win!

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But what if they don’t? With the principles surrounding social golf still cloudy five years into the new system, are we saying that those who refuse are breaking the laws of handicapping? Are they cheating?

Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll examine what the guidance says and evaluate what it means for the club game. Are we a step closer to every score counts?

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In this week’s episode Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll delve deep into golf bags and how they can reveal a lot about who we are as golfers.

Do you give yourself shoulder injury by bolting on  100 bag tags? Is a valuables pouch a must have accessory?

Do you get giddy about dividers? We’ll try not to make this a seedy 60 minutes but if you’ve ever found yourself staring covetously at a single or double strap in a golf shop then this podcast is for you…

In this week’s podcast, though, the two come together to talk about the driving range experience. Is there an etiquette about turning up to improve our games? What should we wear? Should we block out the world with headphones or take in the whole community experience?

Tom’s also got some very funny stories about when he worked in a driving range as a younger golfer.

The duo don’t duck tour matters this week. With LIV Golf now guaranteed spots in the majors, the pair discuss whether the assimilation of the breakaway league into the tour biosphere is now complete. What next for the professional game?

We asked the question in our massive NCG Club Golf Survey, filled in my more than 3,000 of you, and what you told us was really surprising.

Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin get stuck into the results, and analyse what they mean, and we also discuss dress codes – after you told us emphatically what you thought about those too.

While these two topics may have been oft discussed, your insights shed new light on an always interesting debate – so get listening!

NB: There is some explicit language in this week's episode.

Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin are joined by NCG’s Top 100s chairman Dan Murphy to assess the risers, fallers, and obviously reveal what we think is the best layout in the country.

Who makes up our panel? How do we assess how one course is better than another? Dan and Tom also go through the top 10 in detail and assess what makes them so special.

Check out the list in full on our website at nationalclubgolfer.com

But how many of you are planning to renew? How many of you think you’ll be quitting? Are your annual subscriptions going up? Do you think your golf club membership represents good value?

We know the answers. As part of a massive survey of club golfers, filled in by more than 3,000 of you, we asked you all sorts of questions about you, your game, and the way you play and think about some of the big questions.

In this episode of The NCG Golf Podcast, Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin unpack what you had to say about membership and give their views on what your answers suggest.

It’s a must-listen for golfers who may not have made up their minds, and for anyone at clubs looking to get a handle on the wider membership picture in 2025…

Steve Carroll has been looking at the peak summer green fee prices for all the layouts listed in NCG Top 100s Great Britain & Ireland list and it makes for sobering reading if money is an object.

So what does it cost? What is the most expensive course on the list? What’s the cheapest? Is the average golfer being priced out of a great experience, or do we just need to accept that good things cost money and that we can always choose whether or not to fork out?

Steve is joined by regular co-host Tom Irwin to go through the numbers. If you’re planning a golf holiday this year, you simply need to tune in.

Apologies for a little bit of background noise in the opening minutes of the podcast. Bear with us, it does get better!

But the former Royal Marines Commando and Special Forces Soldier turned renowned author and media personality is also hugely keen on golf – having got into the sport after the Covid lockdowns.

After partnering recently with clothing company Stromberg, he joins our Matt Chivers to chat about the positive effects golf can have on mental health, what the sport means to him, and how tackling it might be one of the biggest challenges he has taken on…

Listeners should note that, at times, some explicit language is used. 

The pair go through all their favourites – the best fiction, non-fiction, instruction, and travel books. What are their perfect choices? Tom and Steve believe they’ve got something for everyone.

So if you’re still looking for a great gift, or you just want to know what golf books need to be on your shelf, listen in and take notes!

Read our comprehensive list of the best golf books: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/best-golf-deals/best-golf-books-list/

Buy one of our best golf books here!

The Golf Omnibus: https://geni.us/4oY5W

Nice Jumper: https://geni.us/I8w3ORs

Chasing The Legends: https://geni.us/JbTc

Phil: https://geni.us/QsaQ

A Good Walk Spoiled: https://geni.us/Bm4Z

The Greatest Game Ever Played: https://geni.us/TflSz0

A Season In Dornoch: https://geni.us/hp9Ua

Links From the Road: https://linksfromtheroad.com/products/volume-1

The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses: https://geni.us/qHzLCR

The Spirit of St Andrews: https://geni.us/EsRBdg

The Golf Courses of the British Isles: https://geni.us/3udja

Five Lessons: https://geni.us/qv9qDMB

Golf Is Not A Game of Perfect: https://geni.us/RraifBU

Is it beyond the pale, or is it a paradox that the people who the galleries flock to see don’t benefit financially from the massive biennial event?

Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin get stuck into the debate in this week’s episode and, as you’d expect, they’ve got some firm views on the subject.

Does it besmirch the competition, or is it only fair? See if you agree with Tom and Steve!

We all know the weekend tee times that are the most popular, so what if you could pay more to guarantee a spot? What if 7-day fees altered depending on the specific time you wanted to play?

In this week’s episode of The NCG Golf Podcast, Tom Irwin returns to join Steve Carroll and debate this lively issue.

We also talk about England Golf Jeremy Tomlinson’s appearance last week, and, yes, we still can’t get away from the World Handicap System. We ask whether you should have to submit every score for your handicap.

It’s a pretty action-packed episode as we discuss a host of club golf topics with the governing body’s chief executive.

He addresses the ongoing criticisms of WHS, considers how golf club membership is looking and whether the post Covid boom is now peaking.

We also look at whether traditional clubs are being more open to different formats of play and get into the latest on the Respect in Golf movement. 

But don’t put the clubs away as winter arrives. This is a perfect time to get a grip on our golf game sand make them better.

When it comes to using data to do that, we have never had it so good. And on these week’s episode, Steve Carroll is joined by NCG’s equipment expert Hannah Holden to show how you can use numbers to your advantage.

We’ve got some fabulous Shot Scope data that can get your golf into shape – without you necessarily having to spend hours on the range. So let’s get stuck in!

We’ve got another one for you at National Club Golfer and this week, Steve Carroll is joined by our Top 100s chairman Dan Murphy to talk about our review of the best courses in Great Britain & Ireland.

You will find courses in positions that make you happy and courses in positions that make you cross.

But join Steve and Dan as they discuss the countdown, pick out some of their favourites, and try to analyse the current trends in courses we all love to visit.

Check out the list in full at nationalclubgolfer.com/top100

Sam went on a road trip we all wish we could take. With a set of clubs, his partner, their dogs, and a van, he toured 225 links courses around England, Scotland and Wales.

The journey changed his life. Now a well-known podcaster, and an associate golf course architect with Clayton, Devries and Pont, he has branched out into writing.

Talking with Steve about the first of a multi-volume set that retraces his steps and details the courses he played, it is quite the conversation.

If you love golf courses, you have to listen…

The first volume of Links from the Road is launched on October 16. You can pre-order it right now at linksfromtheroad.com

Your Course aims to give golfers a deeper understanding of what preparing and maintaining a golf course really involves and is available right now in your clubhouse.

Focusing on how greenkeepers prepare a course for winter, while also looking at the challenges presented by climate change, Jim and Steve get into everything from winter mats to the future of bunkers.

They also talk about BIGGA’s new First Green initiative, which goes into schools to tell youngsters about the joys of greenkeeping as a career and ask you to pose your questions for future editions of the magazine.

In this week’s episode of The NCG Golf Podcast, Steve Carroll caught up with Coach Lockey to find out all about being a content creator – it’s harder than you think!

But he has also teamed up with England Golf on their iGolf scheme and has put together a series of videos on his YouTube channel where he gained a handicap.

Aside from finding out what it was, Steve also asks whether it has fired up his competitive edge and looks at the benefits of giving non-club members an official World Handicap System index.

Is iGolf about to go viral? Pop your headphones on and have a listen!

Please Note: Please be aware that Coach Lockey's Handicap Index was only for demonstrative purposes as his rounds did not comply with the Rules of Handicapping and have since been removed from his record.

Harry won the ISCO Championship in July – just a few days before he became a dad – capping an incredible rise that now sees him ranked around the top 100 in the world.

It’s a remarkable story, from his home club West Cornwall changing their membership rules so he could join at just 6 (he was already that good!) to getting coaching from Butch Harmon and living in the bright lights of Las Vegas.

You’ll learn:

• Why he’d rather win the Masters than the Open
• How Harmon is taking him to the next level
• And you’ll hear some controversial views on the golf ball roll back

So sit back over the next half hour and check out what one of the game’s emerging stars has to say...

• Does the clock stop if you have to halt a ball search to let a group through?
• Can you manufacture a drop so you’re able to place the ball?
• Will the course and playing handicaps ever be combined?

Steve will endeavour to tell you the answers, and a bit more!

In this week’s episode of The NCG Golf Podcast, Steve Carroll is joined by Dan Murphy to discuss that and the fallout from last week's Championship at Royal Troon.

Dan reveals why the Ayrshire layout was the star of the show and we talk about our own favourite course from the rota.

We ask if Rory McIlroy can ever conquer the wind, consider if Tiger Woods should be allowed to use a buggy, and grumble about how quickly the major season now comes to an end!

The 15-time major champion delivered a six-sentence zinger after reports that Colin Montgomerie had questioned whether he could still win.

Woods says his belief has never wavered and in this episode of The NCG Golf Podcast, Steve Carroll and Matt Coles debate whether this is fantasy or could still be a reality.

The duo also get stuck into shopping, ask whether the Open Arms should be the ‘Up in Arms’ because of its drinks prices and Matt – who is on a glorious run of picking the winners of recent tournaments – tells you who is going to lift the Claret Jug on Sunday.

NB: Please remember to gamble responsibly.

We asked and you delivered your questions and so, as the best week in the golf calendar gets under way, Steve Carroll and Matt Chivers answer them all in a new episode of The NCG Golf Podcast.

NB: This episode was recorded in The Open media centre and there is some background noise.

The Spaniard loves The Open, but was all over the headlines after his group were given a warning for slow play. 

Was it more petulance from the former Masters champion? Should we give him props for having a go at qualifying, and did his play justify a spot?

Matt Chivers spent all day at the Lancashire venue and joins Steve Carroll to look back at one of golf’s most thrilling days.

But he’s also got a couple of important messages to impart – around general play scores and a new policy that could open the way for more clubs to get tee sets rated.

If you’ve got any interests in WHS, you have to listen to this episode…

This is a question England Golf have grappled with, and we get stuck into it on this week’s episode of The NCG Podcast.

Steve Carroll is joined by James Crampton, England Golf’s director of championships, and the pair talk about the governing body’s competition entry policy, which can deny entry to players where competition and general play scores don’t match up.

We also get into their new pace of play policy, where checkpoints are now used to monitor round times. Could a similar system speed up the game at your club?

And fresh off an eventful Brabazon Trophy, on and off the course, James gives us an insight into the work of his busy department.

It’s a compelling listen with plenty of talking points!

Why do they make fewer mistakes on the course? What are the habits that help them play consistent golf? This week’s episode of The NCG Golf Podcast reveals all.

We’ve got the latest data from Shot Scope. Tom Irwin, who loves to remind us he is a scratch golfer, and Steve Carroll, who couldn’t get near scratch if he played for 100 years, are here to guide you through the findings.

Do you know where you miss? Should you fire at pins? What clubs should you use around the greens? Tom will put you in the picture and Steve will probably disagree.

Elsewhere on this week’s podcast...

• Should the PGA Championship have been postponed?
• How did Tom get on in a couple of crunch match play encounters?
• And… are you allowed to hole out after conceding a putt?

We look at how golf has navigated an extreme winter, what the impact on our courses has been, and whether we can expect any lingering effects as the year continues.

On Mental Health Awareness Week, Jim also discusses the work the association has been doing to support greenkeepers, we ask if they are being paid enough, and discuss the trend of ‘rock star’ course managers who are making waves on social media.

Also in this episode:

• In our out? What do you do with the flagstick?
• And can a hole location be illegal?

The sun is finally shining, we’re thinking about getting on our summer golf trips, and we’re about to unveil our best golf courses in Wales list!

To set the scene for our new Top 40, which you can find at nationalclubgolfer.com/top100, NCG Top 100s chairman Dan Murphy joins Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll to talk about all things Welsh golf.

What is our best course? Which are must play? And where can you find the best value? We’ll reveal all.

Elsewhere, as we start our new series:

• How has the season started for our dynamic duo?
• Can we imagine a Tiger-less PGA Tour?
• Rules Corner: Can you be disqualified if you don’t enter your score on the club computer?

Jeremy also talks about the World Handicap System, membership numbers in the country, iGolf and iPlay, as well as what England Golf have got in store as their Centenary year really gets into gear.

We hope you enjoy the chat.

Elsewhere as we bring season 2 to a close:

• We’ve finally played some golf! Can we put this terrible winter behind us?
• Why are we so suspicious of data? We deep-dive into Shot Scope hitting distance numbers
• Steve tries to blind Tom with some tech trivia in Rules Corner

Also previewing the Barbados Legends Championship at Apes Hill, which is kicking off the new Legends Tour season in May and is hosted by the 1991 Masters champ, podcast hosts Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll dig deep into next week's tournament with one of the game’s all-time greats.

We relive his green jacket victory, get some advice for those of you travelling to the tournament for the first time and, of course, ask him who’s going to win!

Elsewhere this week:

• Tom outlines his ‘foolproof’ Masters betting system. Please remember to gamble responsibly
• Are we really going to see Augusta Syndrome at your club this year?
• We’ve got a Masters special Rules corner for you to try and solve!

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with the TaylorMade TP5 golf ball

If you’ve forgotten what’s coming, never fear. Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll have enlisted the help of David Kernohan, Scottish Golf’s Head of VMS and Handicapping, to go over the major headlines.

He’ll help you get to grips with Course Rating minus Par, fourball betterball scores, and all the big alterations.

We also discuss where the WHS successes have been and where the system could still be improved.

Elsewhere this week:

• Free relief from divots? After Jordan Smith’s horror lie, the age-old debate surfaces yet again
• What if someone finds your ball as time runs out? Can Steve stump Tom again in Rules Corner?
• More money!? Just what are those tour players up to?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with the TaylorMade TP5 golf ball

The BBC’s golf correspondent has enjoyed an unparalleled career – covering all the major tournaments for radio and online – and is the author of a series of best-selling books.

His latest, Golf Wars: LIV and Golf’s Bitter Battle for Power and Identity, bids to make sense of the conflict between the rival tours that has threatened to tear the sport apart.

Iain joins Steve and Tom to discuss his new tome, the internal warfare that is still splitting the game, and we ask where and how it is all going to end.

Iain also talks about The Big Golf Race – Prostate Cancer UK’s drive to raise money for men affected by the disease.

Elsewhere in this episode…

• Tom takes Steve’s money after a Players bet showdown (and gloats about it a little bit!)
• Steve recounts an epic trip to East Lothian – but which course didn’t quite hit the heights for him?
• Will Tom finally prove a birdbrain in this week’s Rules Corner?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with the TaylorMade TP5 golf ball.

But we all want good food and a well-priced pint when we turn up in the clubhouse after a round. And we want it at a discount.

It’s our little perk for paying our subs each year, right? But managing a good offering is a massive challenge for clubs and, this week, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll focus in on the issue as part of our The Price of Club Golf series with GCMA Insights.

What are the numbers like, how have costs increased, and should we temper our expectations?

Elsewhere in this episode…

• Steve reveals the most painful defeat he’s ever had on the course as he relives his winter foursomes semi-final
• The pair look back at Jay Monahan’s action-packed press conference ahead of The Players. Will the PGA Tour come to a deal with LIV?
• And can Steve finally befuddle Tom in Rules corner?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with the TaylorMade TP5 golf ball

It’s the 50th edition and Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll kick off season two of The NCG Golf Podcast by previewing the ‘fifth major’.

The pair, who’ve both taken a spin around Sawgrass, break down the course and discuss their favourite moments. Did they get out of 17 alive?

Rory McIlroy and Sepp Straka tell us what the championship means to them and Tom has set Steve a fiendish quiz testing his knowledge of the PGA Tour’s flagship event.

But that’s not all. Far from it…

• What did we make of Anthony Kim’s LIV debut – and are the courses letting the breakaway tour down?
• Tom gets stuck into Rory’s detractors in Readers' Whines
• Is The Belfry all that?
• And which sporting celebrity is Steve up against in a winter foursomes last four clash?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with the TaylorMade TP5 golf ball

Never ones to shy away from a bandwagon, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll get stuck into some of the old stereotypes. Does what we wear really say something about how we act on the course? Prepare to hear Steve lose his rag.

We’ve also got a packed show for you as Season 1 of the podcast reaches its climax. Here’s what you don’t want to miss…

• Has bad behaviour gone too far at the Phoenix Open? And can they rein it back in?
• What do we make of Tiger’s new threads – and are we going to splash the cash?
• Can Tom land another blow on Steve in Rules Corner?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with the TaylorMade TP5 golf ball

It doesn’t matter how you dress it up, £500 is a chunk of change for a new driver and a through-the-bag set will run into thousands.

What goes into the pricing? Is it about profit or is the technology, research, and effort that goes into making new clubs worthy of our investment?

Tom Irwin and NCG equipment editor Hannah Holden have been at The PGA Show, in Orlando, scouting out the newest releases. They discuss what’s been going on in Florida and answer the $64,000 question all club golfers have about new gear.

Hannah’s also got some great tips on whether it’s worth buying new equipment every year and reveals some budget options for those who don’t have lots of money to spend.

Tom and Steve also talk about Nick Dunlap’s incredible victory as an amateur on the PGA Tour and we discuss Hailey Davidson becoming the first transgender golfer to win a professional tournament.

From The Clubhouse is produced in association with the TaylorMade TP5 golf ball

But even allowing for the most passionate discussion, there are plenty of layouts out there we all agree are superb. Rankings lists would be sunk without them!

So what is it that makes a golf course great? In this week’s The NCG Golf Podcast, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll go on a deep dive.

What courses speak to us? Where are we desperate to go this year, and where are we keen to return? To help us in that quest, we’ve enlisted two special guests.

Dan Murphy is a veteran of nearly 700 golf courses and has been the chairman of NCG’s Top 100s panel for nearly a decade. He is responsible for all our rankings lists.

And you may know David Jones better as UK Golf Guy – a phenomenally successful blogger whose insight on rankings lists and the price of playing the best golf courses in GB&I is required reading.

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with the TaylorMade TP5 golf ball

But Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll remain your hosts and will continue to debate the things that matter to you. 

Has it finally stopped raining? The heavens may have paused, but the last three months have been unbelievable for golf courses. We’ve got the numbers.

We’re going to serve up a host of special guests and we couldn’t start with a bigger character. Two-time major champion Bubba Watson joins us and he’s got plenty to say about LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, and the way forward.

What a start! So get the car volume up, put your headphones on, and give it a listen!

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with the TaylorMade TP5 golf ball

Or are you unmoved by the actions of those at the top end of the game?

On this week’s episode of The NCG Golf Podcast, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll debate the ramifications of Rahm’s shift, ask if it makes LIV Golf’s proposition any stronger, and look at whether hi-jinks at the high end has any impact on how we approach golf at our own clubs.

Is saying the sport is in crisis borne out by reality?

The NCG Golf Podcast is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf

In this week’s podcast, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll dig deep into the R&A and USGA’s decision to reduce the distance the ball travels at every level of the game.

We’re joined by performance coach and data expert Lou Stagner, and James Day, co-founder of Urban Golf and SounderGolf, to debate what the game's two big governing bodies have unveiled. 

We wanted to bring you an in-depth discussion and analysis of both sides of the argument. Lou and James passionately defend their different views on the roll back, and the future of the game in both the professional and amateur spheres.

We consider why the governing bodies came to this decision, whether distance really matters at club level, what it means for our classic courses, and much more.

You might agree or disagree, depending where on the fence you sit, but we hope you find the chat absorbing and informative.

The From the Clubhouse podcast is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers says a decision on what to do about hitting distances in golf is coming by the end of the year but, after admitting to Golf Digest’s John Huggan there had been lots of opposition to the R&A and USGA’s proposed Model Local Rule, what's going to happen now?

If you change the whole game, could that mean a shorter ball for everyone? In this episode of the From the Clubhouse podcast, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll speculate about the distance debate and how it will affect us at our clubs?

Would we be willing to play a shortened ball? Would it make any difference to our games? And what could it mean to the way our clubs maintain their courses?

You’ll not be surprised to learn Steve and Tom have rather different views!

The duo also consider the latest reincarnation of Tiger Woods and look at the new manoeuvres in the LIV Golf-PGA Tour standoff. Will a deal be done?

The From the Clubhouse podcast is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf.

Europe’s best-known caddie is our guest on this week’s From the Clubhouse podcast and the proud Yorkshireman has once again delivered a masterclass in straight-talking.

We’ll hear stories of Seve and Tiger and he'll put you right into the team room at some of his 15 Ryder Cups. It’s an interview with NCG’s Matt Chivers you can’t afford to miss.

Podcast hosts Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll give their verdict on his views, while also getting stuck into the PIP and asking whether Jon Rahm really might defect to LIV Golf.

Get clicking. Get listening.

From the Clubhouse is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf.

And while we’ve told you in great detail about what’s coming to Great Britain & Ireland next April, what do we really think about them?

In this week’s From the Clubhouse, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll go through the big changes and speak their minds.

Is Course Rating minus Par a good thing? Are the new fourball betterball rules a fudge? What’s Tom’s issue with Par 3 courses being eligible for Course Ratings?

The duo also get stuck into Rory McIlroy’s Race to Dubai victory. Should he have played more in Europe? They also discuss whether the peek at the Northern Irishman’s new driver has proved a PR masterstroke.

Beware. Strong opinions are about to be expressed. So put your headphones on and get listening!

From the Clubhouse is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf.

What a week it has been in the world of club golf! Big changes are coming to the World Handicap System and we’re going to mark your card.

In a special edition of the From the Clubhouse podcast, Steve Carroll is joined by England Golf’s head of handicapping, James Luke, to go through all the new WHS stuff coming to GB&I next year.

• NOW READ: What changes are coming to the World Handicap System?

We’ll try to explain Course Rating minus Par and how it will affect your handicaps, we’ll delve into the merits of the new rules around fourball betterball, and we’ll drill down into the detail of Course Handicaps and Expected Score.

If you’re still a little confused about what’s coming in April, this will hopefully start to put your minds at ease…

On the latest episode of The Slam Podcast - in association with Callaway - Matt Coles and Matt Chivers discuss Erik van Rooyen's emotional victory at the World Wide Technology Championship.

He pledged his second PGA Tour win to his best friend Jon Trasamar who is suffering from cancer.

The team also discusses Adam Long's mind-boggling achievement at El Cardonal, as he hits every single fairway at the event in Mexico.

The tour has also announced its members will be allowed to play in the LIV Golf Promotions event without repercussions - the team discusses whether more stars could play.

Will players turn up just to play for the prize money? Will this rule mean the PGA Tour loses more players?

It has also been widely reported that the PGA Tour is in talks with a number of companies interested in becoming private equity partners of the circuit.

As the tour looks for more sources of investment and with the December 31 deadline for the agreement with the Public Investment Fund approaching, is golf's biggest deal in jeopardy?

On a more light-hearted note, the team also talks about the DP World Tour's latest fun feature with Andy Sullivan who broke 80 at the Belfry with just a 5 iron!

You know what to do!

The Slam Podcast - in association with Callaway - is back for another episode! Two of NCG's finest, Matt Coles and Matt Chivers, dive into another busy week of news both on and off the golf course.

On the course in Qatar, we saw heartbreak and ecstasy as stars of the DP World Tour battled to keep their playing cards for the next season.

On the LPGA Tour, Celine Boutier won AGAIN in Malaysia, but not without going through a nine-hole playoff(!) against Atthaya Thitikul.

Meanwhile, Alison Lee broke record after record in Riyadh on the Aramco Team Series with a score that left the NCG Team breathless.

Chiefs at the R&A and the Masters denied that separate spots could soon be opened to LIV Golf players - further restricting some of the LIV roster's access to major championships.

Is this the correct route for LIV players? Like Bubba Watson said, should the tour aim for major places instead of world ranking points?

We also run through the details of the LIV Promotions Event - the Saudi-backed circuit's own Q-school.

Invitations are open, but who will play? Will any stars from the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour turn up?

You know what to do! Listen to the Slam Podcast HERE!

If the PGA Tour is the Premier League, does that make the DP World Tour the ‘Championship’? Or is it even worse than that?

In this episode of the From the Clubhouse podcast, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll unpick the bones of the DP World Tour’s offer of membership to players who have failed to keep their PGA Tour cards.

Is it, as some are claiming, confirmation of the status of European golf as a feeder tour, or can this new element of the strategic alliance work to everyone’s advantage?

Elsewhere, some significant changes have been announced at another Open venue with the bulldozers moving into Royal Birkdale.

We ask if such tinkering enhances or spoils classic courses and consider whether our best layouts should move with the times or stay as museum pieces.

Steve has also spent the last five months playing every score counts golf. He gives a final update of what happened to his World Handicap System index over the summer season.

And after Brooks Koepka questioned whether golf was actually a sport, our duo’s temperatures start rising.

Let’s see if you can keep your composure too during their hour of debate.

From the Clubhouse is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf.

Well, that was quite a week.

In this episode of The Slam podcast, Steve Carroll and Matt Coles look back on Lexi Thompson’s participation in the Shriners Children’s Open and ask whether more women should tee it up in PGA Tour events.

They also consider the Official World Golf Rankings’ decision to reject LIV Golf's application to become an eligible tour.

Was it the right thing for the sport? Does not having Bryson DeChambeau and co in the listings make a mockery of the figures – even if you accept the players took their own decisions?

Will LIV Golf eventually accepted into the fold anyway, and what should happen in the meantime with the majors?

With the first LIV players now set to be relegated, Steve and Matt also try and figure out what an earth ‘free agency’ is all about.

And with the first 10 PGA Tour cards about the be awarded on the DP World Tour – because of the strategic alliance between the two bodies – our pod team look at the talent that might set up stateside and ask what it means for the overall vibrancy and viability of golf on this side of the pond.

The views are forthright as always so what are you waiting for? Have a listen…

The Slam podcast is produced in association with Callaway Golf.

In this episode of the From the Clubhouse podcast, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll consider the role of the PGA professional, what they mean to us, and whether they still have a place in a game that's being pushed to modernise. 

You might not be surprised to learn the duo are very appreciative of the work they do - but they look at why some clubs have gone another way. Is it change for change sake?

They also get into countback. We all know about back-9, back-6, and so on but do you know how far down the rabbit hole you can go? We reveal what the rules say.

Is it the best way to sort out a winner? Should we have playoffs for big board competitions?

And we also discuss USGA research which suggests how far you hit your 7-iron should determine from which tees you would play. Does it also make the game quicker? We get stuck in…

From the Clubhouse is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf

NOW READ: Is your 7-iron the key to speeding up golf?

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship finished on Monday after only 54 holes due to such poor weather in Scotland!

Matt Coles and Matt Chivers sing the praises of the greens staff at Carnoustie, but question if wins over reduced formats should count on the record.

Also in the latest episode of The Slam - in association with Callaway - the team argue the case for more tournaments to be played using multiple courses, with some interesting suggestions...

The Matts reflect on an exciting five-way playoff on the PGA Tour including Ryder Cup hero Ludvig Aberg, while elsewhere in the States, players were battling for their Tour cards at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship.

One rule break cost one unlucky player everything!

Meanwhile, the team look ahead to Lexi Thompson's PGA Tour debut in Las Vegas, as well as looking back on a great win by a young, European LIV golfer on the Asian Tour.

Could David Puig add another string to Europe's bow at the 2025 Ryder Cup?

You know what to do!

The Ryder Cup is back in European hands but the fallout from events at Marco Simone are still rumbling on – particularly with regards to ‘hatgate’ and Joe LaCava’s antics on the 18th green.

Tom Irwin, as always joined by Steve Carroll, looks back at that story and considers whether it would have been handled any differently if it was a player at the centre, and not a caddie.

At club level, we have our own chance to benefit from expert advice when we visit a prestigious course. But is it worth it? Does it add to the experience, or would you rather just crack on and carry your own clubs? Tom and Steve, who have benefited from the help of golf caddies and have also made their own way round, debate.

Tom also grills Steve on the Ryder Cup rules incidents involving Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas and asks whether players should ever be allowed a second opinion. Steve’s answer might surprise you.

We hope it’s another hour of informed discussion.

If you haven’t already, please consider subscribing or, if you’ve previously clicked in our favour, have another look at your connections and make sure you’re getting the most up to date feed.

From the Clubhouse is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf

We assess all the big talking points from Marco Simone, whether that’s hauling skipper Zach Johnson over the coals, debating crowd behaviour, or pinpointing just why the Europeans are just so dominant in foursomes.

And, yes, we also talk about ‘hatgate’.

Should it be ‘two more years’ for Luke Donald? Who on earth will captain if he says no? There is plenty to discuss. Who knows if you’ll agree with us, but have a listen and let us know…

Richard wrote The Captain Myth: The Ryder Cup and Sport’s Great Leadership Delusion, published in 2016, which re-thinks the role of the Ryder Cup captain and how important they actually are.

With an array of interviews with an abundance of golfing figures, Richard considers the idea of the good and bad captain - the inevitable labels given to the winning and losing leaders at the Ryder Cup.

Richard joins the team to discuss how captains have been perceived in previous iterations of the event, when often their fate has been determined by flip-of-a-coin moments, such as Justin Rose's memorable putt when facing Phil Mickelson at the 2012 matches at Medinah.

Do we just seek a story of romance surrounding who wins? Or does the best team simply win most of the time?

He also delves into the business side of the Ryder Cup and ponders its future if money becomes the primary object of the event. One day, could it be held every year? Or, could it become a four-day tournament?

You won't want to miss this special Ryder Cup preview!

The Matts also previewed the huge week in Rome and revealed the European pairings they would go with for the first foursomes session on Friday morning.

Will Luke Donald opt for experience over rookies, or will the Englishman put trust in his most fresh-faced team members?

But Tom’s struggling to get into the spirit of person-to-person combat. He’s got a problem with it and spends a chunk of this week’s episode getting stuck into the biennial Europe vs USA battles as well as outlining some of his issues with match play at club level.

Is it geared too much in favour of players with more shots and will he find an ally in podcast co-host Steve Carroll?

We also get stuck into handicapping (just for a change) and ask whether it’s acceptable to put in a score if you’re playing solo.

And Steve believes too much of what we do at club level is geared towards stopping the tiny minority of players who are determined to cheat.

Let him argue his case in another fascinating episode that needs to be heard to be believed…

We have reached Solheim Cup week!

On the latest episode of The Slam - in association with Callaway - Matt Chivers and Matt Coles look ahead to the match between Europe and America at Finca Cortesin.

The team considered who would be the star performers on each side, with both Suzann Pettersen and Stacy Lewis having an abundance of experience and freshness at their disposal.

Who will Charley Hull be paired with in Spain? Will America's Solheim Cup veteran Lexi Thompson be paired with the impressive Rose Zhang?

America has two major champions as rookies, Lilia Vu and Allisen Corpuz, but will they trump the youth of Linn Grant and Maja Stark? There are so many dynamics to consider.

The Matts also look back on the BMW PGA Championship which was superbly won by Ryan Fox, despite making a triple-bogey on the front nine at Wentworth.

With the entire European Ryder Cup side in the field, how pleased will Luke Donald be with his team's performance?

Also, we congratulate Sahith Theegala on his first win on the PGA Tour at the Fortinet Championship after many heartbreaking near misses.

You know what to do!

What is a golfer? Is it just a golf club member? Or can someone who has only ever struck a shot on an Adventure Golf course call themselves a player?

Golf for All, a huge research project commissioned by the PGA in partnership with IPSOS , claims that “golf is not what you thought it was”.

It reveals that 22.4 million people (some 40 per cent of adults in the UK and Ireland) are interested in the game, with 16.3 million playing any golf and 4.9 million playing on-course.

With Adventure Golf the most popular form of the game, and enjoyed by 12.6 million people, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll dive into some of the report’s major findings, consider what makes a golfer, and ask how to bridge the gap between off course and on course golf activity.

Elsewhere, Tom’s been on a visit to ‘that there London’ and watched the pro-am at the BMW PGA Championship. He discusses with Steve Carroll the merit of golf celebrity watching. Hint: Steve is not a fan.

And after Steve dug once more into the history archives and revealed how hitting into another group was viewed by our golfing ancestors, Tom reveals two of the most incredible etiquette breaches.

They are stories you won’t want to miss.

The From the Clubhouse podcast is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf.

Vincent Norrman won once again, so Matt Chivers and Matt Coles discuss the sudden rise in Scandinavian golf and how so many superstars in the sport are emerging from this part of the world.

In the latest episode of The Slam Podcast - in association with Callaway - the Matts discuss the weight of Rory McIlroy's words about Portmarnock possibly hosting The Open Championship one day.

Whether this could be the case or not, Irish fans will turn out for their national event, and the team talks about why the Irish Open is so popular on tour.

Should the Irish Open stay on links turf and visit the country's most famous courses more often, such as when Royal County Down hosts the tournament in 2024?

The team looks back on the USA's recent visit to Marco Simone, some funny pictures on social media and a nostalgic choice of shirt from Jim Furyk.

A couple of Team USA members tee it up at the Fortinet Championship this week while the entire European side heads to Wentworth for the BMW PGA Championship.

The team looks forward to this event, and looks back on the dramatic and extraordinary BMW PGA Championship from 2022, as well as Charley Hull's unfortunate defeat to Minjee Lee at the weekend on the LPGA Tour!

You know what to do...

Enjoyed the summer break? Our From the Clubhouse team are back and they’ve got plenty to get stuck into.

Listeners will remember that Steve Carroll pledged to submit a score for handicap from every round he played until the end of October. Three and a half months in, he gives Tom Irwin an update on how that’s going and how it’s affected his golf.

The duo then consider the remarkable comments from England Golf on the R&A and USGA’s proposed Model Local Rule for a golf ball roll back, and look at why the governing body have taken this step and whether action needs to happen on hitting distances.

And Steve gets on his soapbox once again to argue for a change in the way we play our club competitions.

You may not agree, but you’ll be intrigued all the same. So let’s get stuck in!

The From the Clubhouse podcast is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf.

• NOW READ: I’ve been putting every score in for WHS – here’s what I’ve learned

• NOW READ: ‘Huge concerns’: England Golf hit out at proposed golf ball roll back

In another special episode of The Slam Podcast - in association with Callaway - Matt Chivers and Matt Coles discuss the six selections that the European captain made for his Ryder Cup team.

Swedish starlet Ludvig Aberg has been included in most of the talk surrounding these captain’s picks for the last few weeks. His win in Crans Montana made it certain that he would be there.

How good is this young Swede? The two Matts talk about how good he has been in the three months since turning professional, and what his possible ceiling might be, including how many Ryder Cups he could play in.

There’s a changing of the guard. Many of the elder European players went to LIV Golf, meaning that there would be some space for the new to come in. Sepp Straka and Nicolai Hojgaard are among those.

Should Hojgaard have made it into the team? Was Adrian Meronk a better option for Team Europe? The boys discuss what could have been for the Pole and perhaps why Luke Donald has made the right choice.

The guys also discuss what a possible scoreline between a US ‘B’ team and a European ‘B’ team might be, and it doesn’t look good for the Europeans…

Listen to The Slam right here!

In a special episode of The Slam Podcast - in association with Callaway - Matt Chivers and Matt Coles discuss the six selections that joined the US side for the matches in Italy earlier today.

Justin Thomas was picked after some golf fans doubted if he'd be chosen, so how important is it for the two-time major champion to perform well at Marco Simone?

Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, and Rickie Fowler were also chosen as well as Brooks Koepka - the only LIV Golf player to make the American side.

Should Bryson DeChambeau have joined his LIV colleague on Team USA? Matt and Matt discuss how DeChambeau would've contributed to the team atmosphere when travelling to Europe.

Sam Burns is set to make his Ryder Cup debut having won the WGC Match Play in March - but was the runner-up Cameron Young unfortunate to miss out on a Ryder Cup bow?

The team also discuss other candidates that missed out such as Keegan Bradley, Lucas Glover and Denny McCarthy - while also looking forward to Monday, September 4 when Luke Donald is set to name his six Captain's picks.

Listen to The Slam right here!

There will be eight Signature Events and an even larger prize for the FedEx Cup winner, but for how long can the PGA Tour continue to increase its purses?

The tour is supposedly nearing a deal with the Public Investment Fund, so is Jay Monahan relying on the riches of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund to secure their financial future?

The team discussed this as well as the structure of the DP World Tour schedule in 2024. How does it look? Which events will be played? And what is missing?

The schedule features five Global Swings with incentives for each winner, but are these incentives strong enough to lure the big players and entertain the fans watching at home?

Matt and Matt dissect what next year could look like for the formerly-named European Tour, and how there are still no Signature Events on the PGA Tour to be played in Europe.

Is this indicative of the strategic alliance between the two allies? Should the top American players be brought over to the continent more often?

Listen to The Slam wherever you got your podcasts! You know what to do!

On the latest episode of The Slam, in association with Callaway Golf, Matt Coles and Steve Carroll discuss Viktor Hovland’s incredible final round at Olympia Fields, as he moves up to No.2 on the FedEx Cup standings.

The team also talk about the Tour Championship and the unique format, which sees players given a head-start due to their performances over the course of the season.

But the meat of the discussion is about the Ryder Cup, including the possible omission of LIV golfers from the US team. With Brooks Koepka dropping out of the top six to automatically qualify, will captain Zach Johnson pick him? And does Team Europe actually have a chance in Rome?

Matt and Steve also talk about the women guaranteed a Solheim Cup spot. The European Qualifying Period ended this week, with the first eight players now assured of their places in Andalucia.

There has been a surge of interest in golf course architecture among average players – whether that’s poring over ranking lists or discovering the secrets of design so we can understand our own layouts just a little bit better.

We’ve got a special guest this week as Geoff Shackelford, a renowned American golf writer and commentator, joins us to talk about his new book: Golf Architecture for Normal People.

Written to help golfers are all skill levels become better observers and get more fun out of their game, Geoff demystifies as well as poking fun at the genre, and gives readers tools to help them understand what they’re seeing and playing.

We talk fun, what makes a great hole, and we also get Geoff’s thoughts on the controversial distance debate in golf.

If you’ve always wondered how to appreciate your surroundings just a little better, tune in for the next hour as Geoff unlocks the door.

You can buy Golf Architecture for Normal People here.

From the Clubhouse is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf

Every week, a new player appears in the thoughts of Zach Johnson, so Matt Chivers and Matt Coles discuss another impressive display from Lucas Glover at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and his desire to be on the US Ryder Cup team.

On the latest episode of The Slam, in association with Callaway, Matt Coles also reveals which players he would take to Marco Simone at the end of September with some surprise inclusions you mightn't have expected.

Before that though, the team talked all things AIG and Lilia Vu's stunning win at the Women's Open at Walton Heath - and a valiant effort from the home favourite Charley Hull.

The team looks to the ever-approaching Solheim Cup too and discusses who could be selected to play at Finca Cortesin next month, a week before the Ryder Cup starts!

Cameron Smith notched another win on the LIV Golf Tour at Trump Bedminster, but be prepared for a Chivers rant as the team ponders what the PGA Tour could look like with Smith still in the fray.

We review all of the weekend's action plus much more, so you know what to do!

You think it's always been this way - but you've been living a lie.

On this week's From the Clubhouse podcast, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll explore the origin of 18 hole golf, why it's a completely random number, and whether we should think again as modern life - and family demands - impinge on our leisure time.

Do we need to take 9-hole golf more seriously, and should we offer a more varied competition structure at our clubs?

Elsewhere, slow play continues to rear its head as the row over Carlota Ciganda's penalty at the Evian Championship rumbles on. Do we do enough at club level to get us round the course quicker?

And Steve has been on his travels again and reckons he has played the most insane golf course he's ever seen. He gives you the lowdown on Bishop Auckland, in County Durham.

From the Clubhouse is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf

Thirteen birdies and a leap that would make Phil Mickelson proud. Bryson DeChambeau’s stunning 58 at the Greenbrier was genuinely historic – so few have managed the feat – but his maiden LIV Golf victory has got minds whirring at NCG Towers.

On this week’s The Slam podcast, Matt Coles and Steve Carroll, stepping in for Matt Chivers, look back at Bryson’s win and ask the question: Should he go to the Ryder Cup?

The answer is a definitive yes, and it won’t ease the headache for US skipper Zach Johnson. Let us explain why he has to be on the plane.

It’s also the final women’s major of the year as the AIG Women’s Open is staged at the wonderful Walton Heath. We preview the action and hand over our tips.

The Slam podcast is produced in association with Callaway.

With its pizza oven, street food, a colourful driving range, and 9-hole course, Golf It! is being described as the sport’s new approach – an accessible and inclusive way to get into golf.

The facility, which is based at the former Lethamhill Golf Course in Glasgow, boasts a range of introductory golf formats and Steve Carroll went along to see it ahead of its launch.

He takes Tom Irwin through the new centre step-by-step and the pair ask whether it will actually change the way people engage with golf.

Meanwhile, some of Tom’s new shiny new TaylorMade kit remains unwrapped and so the duo get into the origins of the 14 club rule and whether we really need to use that many. Would golf be better with less, or even more clubs?

It’s thought provoking as always so have a listen and get involved.

From the Clubhouse is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf

But this didn't come without some slow-play rules controversy involving Carlota Ciganda, and Angel Yin's ball being picked up by a young spectator!

NCG's Matt Chivers and Matt Coles take a look back at the action from France, as well as a brutal week in Wales where Alex Cejka won the Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl.

Brutal conditions led to some huge scores on Sunday, even by the leaders, as the wind and rain caused havoc on the coast.

The team also discusses Lee Hodges' dominant display at the 3M Open on the PGA Tour, and what this now means for the FedEx Cup rankings.

As we head into the final week of the regular season, could the likes of Justin Thomas and Shane Lowry miss out on the FedEx Cup Playoffs?

The Slam is an NCG podcast in association with Callaway. You know what to do!

For a brief period on Thursday, the sand was truly a hazard again in professional golf. For those of us at our clubs, used to hacking about and struggling to get out, it was magical.

Then the R&A changed the way they were raked, the players stopped moaning, and normality returned. But should it? Steve and Tom discuss the golf bunker, whether jeopardy is a big part of the risk of going into one, and whether the expectation of a consistent roll and a well-raked surface is what golf should be all about. 

It'll get some of your heckles up and, while we're on the subject of controversy, Steve is advocating a change to the penalty for stroke-and-distance that is bound to start a debate. So strap in and get listening!

From the Clubhouse is a National Club Golfer podcast produced in association with TaylorMade Golf

Powakaddy are celebrating 40 years of business this summer. The company has been designing and making golf trolleys in Sittingbourne, Kent, since 1983. But how did the company initially start, and what has changed in the trolley world in the last 40 years?

Equipment Editor Hannah Holden sat down with PowaKaddy CEO David Catford to find out...

On the latest episode of The Slam, in association with Callaway, Matt Chivers and Matt Coles talk about their week at Royal Liverpool, plus the shake-ups to both Ryder Cup sides as the event gets closer.

Harman could earn an automatic place, but what about the exploits of Justin Thomas? Is the American unpickable after another missed cut at The Open?

Sepp Straka staked another strong Ryder Cup claim with a tied runner-up finish in wet conditions, while it was another tournament that went begging for Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood.

The team also talk about the week on Merseyside as a whole. Covering The Open is great fun, but what were the most memorable moments and what were the key takeaways from the course itself?

From the bunkers to the internal out-of-bounds and the 17th hole - we dive into a full review of the 151st Open!

It’s the kind of golfing odyssey of which most of us would dream. The best of UK golf and a ton of life experiences along the way.

Sean Zak, a well-known writer for golf.com in America, has been on that journey for the last month – traversing great courses and meeting those who love the game.

That expedition started, and is finishing, at Royal Liverpool and Sean kindly spared us some time to recount his adventures.

We’ll also get into some detail about the host course of this week’s Open, consider the American challenge for the Claret Jug, and preview Sean’s exciting upcoming book covering the three months he spent living in St Andrews last year.

It’s a different perspective on the golf we all take for granted in the UK, and you’re sure to enjoy the conversation.

The From the Clubhouse podcast is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf.

Steve Carroll was his caddie and the pair enjoyed an eventful round which they dissect from the confines of the Open Media Centre.

As you might have guessed, Tom didn’t qualify but the pair look at Hoylake, talk about the course and some of their favourite holes, and then each make their pick for the Champion Golfer of the Year.

It’s the week we’ve all been waiting for, so let Tom and Steve get you started in the right way!

But what do you know about Hoylake, its history, and some of the intricacies of a course that will see a Champion Golfer of the Year crowned on Sunday evening?

The From the Clubhouse team are on site at the Wirral layout all week, and we'll be hoping to add a layer of veneer to this exceptional event.

First up is Hoylake lifetime member Sam Cooper, who knows every bump on the fairway and every borrow on the green. An associate at Clayton, De Vries, & Pont architects, Sam also undertook a daring mission during the Covid pandemic to play every links course in England, Scotland and Wales.

Sam has kindly given us his views on some of Hoylake’s best holes, which you can read on our website, but joins us on the podcast for a deep dive into this most special of golf courses….

From the Clubhouse is a National Club Golfer podcast in association with TaylorMade Golf

What has changed about the breakaway league? Did the crowds flock to Hertfordshire? Have LIV Golf events improved from a spectator perspective in 2023?

The team also discusses Allisen Corpuz' impressive win at the US Women's Open at Pebble Beach, and a couple of the big talking points emerging from an exciting final round.

Europe also saw Sepp Straka and Rasmus Hojgaard both win on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour respectively at the weekend, but will they be chosen by Luke Donald for the Ryder Cup side in September?

NCG also watched Final Open Qualifying at West Lancashire where a host of big names attempted to earn a spot at Royal Liverpool, but Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell failed to get through!

The Slam Podcast is a National Club Golfer Podcast in association with Callaway.

The Matt's discuss Rickie Fowler's first win on the PGA Tour in four years at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, and his road back to glory after plummetting in the world rankings!

The team also talks Fowler's Ryder Cup hopes and analyses the American rankings to discuss who could be in or out by the time September comes around.

Could Talor Gooch be on Zach Johnson's team? He notched his third LIV Golf win at Valderrama at the weekend, so we delve into his chances of being selected.

At the same event, Richard Bland was penalised for slow play! So, is this a chance for LIV Golf to crack down on slow play in professional golf and become pioneers of this debate as old as time?

The team discusses these topics plus much more in this week's episode!

The Slam Podcast is a National Club Golfer Podcast in association with Callaway.

We've teamed up with Shot Scope to take a deep dive into club golfers' statistics and see where you can make the biggest gains to improve your golf this season. 

Today Hannah Holden and Jack Backhouse discuss how often players of different handicaps get up and down and which club they should be using to get up and down more. 

Bland joined LIV Golf in June 2022, but he takes us back to his memorable win at the Betfred British Masters in 2021 and how his life has changed since then.

Having now resigned from his DP World Tour membership, Bland discusses the potential of returning and he also shares his views on the PGA Tour's merger with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, PGA Tour CEO Jay Monahan, and his ineligibility to play at The Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl in July.

You don't want to miss this one!

The Slam is a National Club Golfer Podcast in association with Callaway.

It was an emotional win for Clark, 10 years on from the death of his mother, and it was another major that got away from runner-up Rory McIlroy.

When Clark wobbled on the back nine, why didn't McIlroy capitalise? Matt and Tom discuss this, as well as his chances of major glory at Royal Liverpool in July, where he won The Open in 2014.

The team gives an honest assessment of Los Angeles Country Club as a host venue for the US Open. What needs to change about the club between now and the next time it holds the event?

The Slam is a National Club Golfer podcast in association with Callaway.

In this week's From the Clubhouse podcast, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll chat about the new feature and when they plan to use it, before branching out into a wider discussion about what can still be developed as WHS moves forward.

Steve reflects on a week's refereeing at the English Senior Amateur Championship, while Tom's just got to get something off his chest about gender neutral tees.

It's another lively discussion we hope reflects what's being talked about in your clubhouse bars. So let's get listening.

From the Clubhouse is a National Club Golfer podcast in association with TaylorMade Golf.

The tour, LIV Golf, and the DP World Tour will run as one entity, but how will this work? The move represents a significant U-turn from PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan, so Matt Chivers and Steve Carroll discuss the CEO's future and if some players' lack of trust could lead to his downfall.

In the second half of the podcast, Oddschecker's betting expert Tom Jacobs joins to discuss the US Open, the third men's major of the year, to be played at Los Angeles Country Club.

Matt and Tom tell us their favourite bets as well as some selections at triple figures to keep you occupied across the week!

The Slam is a National Club Golfer podcast in association with Callaway.

From shooting 30-under to win the Portugal Masters to finishing in the top 10 on his PGA Championship debut, Smith chats to NCG about what the future could hold when it comes to the PGA Tour and the Ryder Cup.

The Englishman also chats to Matt Chivers about the DP World Tour's position in the current professional golf climate, and looks back on practicing next to Tiger Woods at The 150th Open!

The Slam is a National Club Golfer podcast in association with Callaway.

They're joined by Hoylake's Links Manager, James Bledge, to look ahead to the year's final major and talk about his stellar career in greenkeeping.

You will not want to miss the story of what happened on James' first day as a greenkeeper, and he's got plenty of anecdotes and stories from a life spent at some of golf's most glorious courses.

And while he can't quite give you an inside track on the Open course set-up - we can't let the competitors know what's coming! - he does give us some insight into just how huge the event has become, what it takes to get a course ready to hold it, the new 17th hole that everyone is hoping will provide a thrilling climax to Sunday's final round, and the sheer scale of the team he will have on site throughout the week.

If this doesn't get you up for The Open, nothing will. So let's dive straight in.

From the Clubhouse is a National Club Golfer podcast in association with TaylorMade Golf.

Tom Irwin has basically been ringing around every pro he knows and asking them to tell us, anonymously of course, about the daftest questions they've been asked by members. He's also been listening in to golfers.

Maybe you're guilty of asking some of these, maybe you think some of these are perfectly above board, but you'll recognise someone you know in all of these situations.

If that wasn't controversial enough, we also address the seemingly and endlessly controversial topic of whether greenkeepers or golfers should have priority on the course - and Steve Carroll has some very strong views.

It's every shot counts now for Steve, who has begun a six-month odyssey of putting in a score from every round he plays that's acceptable, and he gives us an update on the first of those before being put under the spotlight by Tom to explain a series of rules incidents at the PGA Championship.

That's a lot for one episode and so let's get stuck in!

Matt Chivers and Tom Irwin dissect what took place in New York last week, with Koepka's typically formidable performance at the centre of discussion.

The team looks back on a magical week for PGA professional Michael Block and another solid but disappointing week for Rory McIlroy at a major tournament.

Matt and Tom talk about Oak Hill as the PGA Championship's host venue and much more in this review episode!

In this week’s episode of From the Clubhouse, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll get into their pet hates and argue for their inclusion in club golf’s Room 101.

But this is a tough school, as only with unanimous agreement will their selections gain entry.

What will we put in there? Will scabby range balls make the cut? What about Tom’s dodgy dislike of parkland tracks? What do we say about the eternal issue of fairway divots?

We’re sure you’ll nod your heads in agreement but also shake your fists in rage at some of our suggestions. So let’s get the discussion going.

We've teamed up with Shot Scope to take a deep dive into club golfers' statistics and see where you can make the biggest gains to improve your golf this season. 

Can you believe it's been more than 100 years since and Englishman won the PGA Championship? Well we've got a couple of names we fancy to end that drought - but there's a couple of solid Americans they will need to stave off first.

Elsewhere, there was an emotional victory on the PGA Tour, while LIV Golf provided a rather entertaining Sunday.

Let's go!

On this week's From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll meander once again around match play golf and debate the optimal number of events in a club's calendar.

Tom recounts a head-to-head that left a participant in tears, grills Steve after reading he'd had an eventful refereeing weekend that involved a fair number of DQs, and then takes him to task when he reveals he's not playing in competitions - while simultaneously asking for more competitions!

Tom's also got plenty to say on eligibility and why, in his view, the best players can't always represent their clubs at the top level.

But make sure you listen to the end, when the pair will raise an eyebrow after making an interesting pledge until the end of the season...

The pair go in hard on the main protagonists - namely Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, and Richard Bland - but the reality is so much more damaging for Europe's hopes of regaining the Ryder Cup trophy in September.

Elsewhere, Alex and Matt discuss what's going on with Rory McIlroy, and the horrible Jordan Spieth news that has darkened our week.

Let's dive in...

On this week's From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll get their heads into the book and name their top three rules that all golfers break.

What will come out on top? Is it dropping from a penalty area, arguing about provisionals, or taking more than three minutes to search for a ball that tops our hit list?

Tom also recounts in great detail his excitement at getting on Torrey Pines, a recent US Open venue, while out in California last week and Steve has had an exciting delivery.

Elsewhere, LIV Golf's Phil Mickelson has been heavily involved in the criticism of the Official World Golf Rankings again this week - though he perhaps has an ulterior motive - while Rory McIlroy's back in action and we want answers.

There's all this and a whole lot more to enjoy over the next 40 minutes or so, so let's dive right in...

On this week's From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll discuss whether the sport is evolving in the face of a new desire to provide entertainment above all else.

Tom is talking from California, where he visited Goat Hill Park - a trendy, celebrity-backed, municipal course which has captured the imagination for its chilled out vibe and focus on atmosphere. 

The pair ask whether that's an option that could find favour in the UK, and consider what traditional clubs are providing for their members and if they need to widen their horizons.

Steve also talks about his through the bag fitting with TaylorMade Golf at The Belfry, with head professional Daniel Warwick explaining what he will be toting around the course this year.  

And after an interesting experience Steve had when being asked to play through a fourball, the duo look at the etiquette of when and how you should stand aside. 887b6da3dbb32f1cbfbfa1a377fcca4b5970b712

Elsewhere, is the LPGA in the best shape ever? The first women's major of 2023 would certainly point that way.

And how about that bizarre rules incident on the Korn Ferry Tour? Is golf shooting itself in the foot again?

Let's dive in...

On this week's From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll are discussing the culinary options we have as members and visitors at golf clubs.

The pair go through their best experiences of golf club catering, talk about some of the challenges facing clubs - including a look at why it often loses money - and then try and come up with some innovative ways to make it all even better.

Steve, a vegetarian, has had quite enough of halloumi and Tom explains the incredible lengths his home club go to so as to make sure his son has something he enjoys tucking into.

It'll probably be more pie and chips than Michelin Star, but we hope there's something in this podcast that leave you feeling satisfied afterwards. So let's dig in...

We also tackle Patrick Cantlay and slow play, Rory McIlroy's controversial WD from the RBC Heritage, the PGA Tour's most underrated superstar, and the caddie GOAT.

That's a lot to squeeze into 45 minutes, so let's dive in... 

In this week's From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll go on a deep dive into club match play competitions. 

Tom gets his medals out from successful forays into person-to-person combat and dissects the delights of this peculiar format - from arranging games to on-course small talk.

Steve reveals the strangest way he was kicked out of a competition and has a request for players he meets in match play: don't ask him what he does for a living.

And, since everything always seems to end up back at the World Handicap System, the pair consider the allowances for single and betterball combat and ask if high handicappers have the advantage.

And, yet, following the wettest March in the UK for decades, what we're going to experience probably couldn't be further away from those superbly manicured fairways and perfect greens in Georgia.

It's been a challenging time for greenkeeping teams trying to get a course ready for the start of our competition season, and Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll have sought out expert help in trying to explain what's been going on.

We welcome Sam Evans, Master Greenkeeper and Course Manager at North Hants GC, in Hampshire, and go deep on Augusta Syndrome, why some of us need to get a bit of perspective, and the challenges that are facing greenkeepers as we get into the spring.

We'll also get into the roll back debate and Steve - as usual - has a controversial suggestion for golf club committees to give all of our courses a helping hand.

There will be a number of LIV Golf players teeing up at Augusta. Can one of them get over the line? And what would that mean for LIV - and golf - as a whole?

The trio also assess the chances of the Big Three - Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler - as well as the outside shots they expect to make a run at the Green Jacket.

Will we have a first European winner since Sergio Garcia in 2017? They think so - and it might not be the names you think.

You know what to do...

In this week's From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll consider the value of golf club membership.

Is it better value for money to be a member of a golf club, pay up front, and get the benefits of exclusive use, or is pay as you play in a green fee model the way to go?

Steve outlines some of his issues with having to lump up front for full membership, and whether that causes problems for particular age groups in clubs, while Tom outlines some of the considerations you should be thinking about when weighing up the decision and looks at golf club membership benefits.

It gets a bit lively at times but, as always, we hope you appreciate the golf membership debate. Let's get right into it...

They are also joined by Ryder Cup obsessive Rob Giannotti, of Blue on the Board, to discuss everything to do with the European team. So should captain Luke Donald be concerned about his players' form - particularly in Austin - and how does the team prepare to avoid another hammering at the hands of the Americans?

As for who makes the team - will anyone come from out of nowhere to grab a slot? Rob puts one name into the ring that will definitely throw you!

It's a fascinating insight, so be sure not to miss it...

That's because Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll took the From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, on the road and visited Woodhall Spa, the headquarters of England Golf, to speak to James Luke, the governing body's new Head of Handicapping and Course Rating.

We get stuck into course rating, PCC, interoperability, and much more besides - including if higher handicappers are actually dominating competitions, the vital role of the marker in protecting the integrity of the system, and what might be coming in the future. 

There are some funny stories along the way too so let's get stuck in...

Not so nice, though, was Matt Wallace, who came under fire after being caught in a foul-mouthed rant at his caddie.

Elsewhere, another Alan Shipnuck expose has LIV Golf's PR teams scrambling. Are we starting to see divisions among the players? And might others be having regrets about joining the breakaway league? It certainly looks like it. 

Let's dive in... 

Should club golfers feel left out as governing bodies seek comment on their plans to reduce hitting distances at the highest level?

On this week's From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll break down what they think of the Model Local Rule, the golf ball roll back in general, and ask whether it will have any impact on us at our clubs.

How far down the amateur ladder could the proposals reach, should we get the chance to try out a reduced-distance ball, and is it a fallacy to think we've ever played the same game as the world's best?

Tom's also surging with excitement for the start of the club match play season, and will Steve stump him again with this week's rules question? There's a lot to discuss, so let's get stuck in...

This change would mean bifurcation in golf, with different rules for professionals compared to club golfers. 

Tom Irwin, Hannah Holden and Jack Backhouse discuss the proposed rule changes, why changes are being made and if the governing bodies are doing the right thing. 

Then, later, usual co-host Matt Chivers joins to discuss Scottie Scheffler's incredible win, his Grand Slam hopes, the PGA Tour's newest star, and the player who blew almost $1,000,000 in an hour.

Enjoy!

But Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll like to spread their wings a bit wider and, in this episode of the From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, they get stuck into their favourite golf formats.

Tom expounds on his love of foursomes, while Steve asks if some golfers are too inflexible about what they'll play on a weekend.

He also tries to bamboozle Tom once again with a Rules of Golf question, while the two ponder whether the huge structural changes happening on the PGA Tour has any impact on what we think at grassroots level.

Go grab a cup of tea, something stronger, or settle in behind that wheel and prepare to be entertained...

In this episode of The Slam, a National Club Golfer podcast in association with Callaway, Alex Perry and Matt Chivers break down the big debate about last year's champion Cameron Smith, and how Rory McIlroy is concerned about more than just Greg Norman's breakaway league. 

Don't worry, we'll talk about The Players too, and we've even picked out a few potential winners.

Enjoy.

Covid considerably changed the landscape of how some of us play our golf and in this week's From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll consider what's on offer at clubs and whether the humble roll up has passed its sell-by date.

Tom and Steve explain how mixing with lots of different players was pivotal in their early experiences of the game, but they also look at how important knowing exactly when you're going to play is for a modern time-poor generation.

The pair also look at whether a hybrid mix can suit everyone, while Steve has a World Handicap System plea for those who make roll-ups the majority of their time on the course.

England Golf's Awards, Tom's travails with tailoring, and an impromptu Rules quiz are also in the mix, so what are you waiting for? That play button won't click itself.

NCG's Hannah Holden, Tom Irwin and Jack Backhouse discuss the evolution of the golf ball and how TaylorMade are changing the game with their eye-catching golf ball designs. 

They also catch up with TaylorMade golf ball designer Mike Fox to take a deep dive into all things golf balls, including understanding compression, the role of dimples, and how golf ball alignment aids can help your putting. 

In this episode of The Slam, a National Club Golfer podcast in association with Callaway Golf, Alex Perry and Matt Chivers discuss the reasons why LIV Golf - whether it lasts five years or 50, will never replace what we have with the existing PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA and LET. 

Speaking of which, there were some seriously good storylines to get stuck into this week, so let's do just that.

Back to LIV - because we can't get away from it - there was an interesting development on the Ryder Cup front. So where do we stand on that?

There's so much going on, just click play already! 

But England Golf's iGolf scheme now boasts some 30,000 subscribers and the initial fury that greeted the plan to give players who were not members of a golf club an official handicap has all but subsided.

Have golf clubs, though, really got to grips with nomadic players and the benefits they can bring? 

In this week's From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin get into a wide discussion about independent golfer schemes - considering how they originated and evolved, how they work, and their potential pros and cons.

We ask whether independent golfers have had an impact on golf club membership, and whether it's time for clubs to go further as the sport negotiates a cost of living crisis.

Let's get stuck in...

Alex Perry is joined by a brand new co-host, Matt Chivers, and the pair discuss Jon Rahm's remarkable form, Lydia Ko's return to the top, and have their say on that "prank" by Tiger Woods at the Genesis Invitational.

Elsewhere, LIV Golf is back and one of its stars is already thinking about coming back to the PGA Tour, while others are upset that their Ryder Cup dreams are being crushed.

Alex and Matt also give their thoughts on the Netflix documentary, Full Swing. 

There's a lot to get through, so let's get stuck in...

In this week's From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll talk about the various issues they encounter on the course and examine the R&A's Pace of Play Manual, which offers a whole host of recommendations to keep the game flowing.

Does Ready Golf actually work, should clubs get tough on those who tee off too early (it is against the Rules of Golf), and can tweaking course set up make a difference?

The pair are frank and honest with their views once again. You'll agree. You'll disagree. But you'll have to listen.

They also take a deep dive into their week at the PGA Show. Was demo day as good as it sounds, how did Kyle Berkshire help increase their club head speed and what was the latest and greatest new golf technology on display? 

Did you know if your ball lies on the green, and is no more than five feet from the hole, there is a Rule of Handicapping that allows you to pick it up and add a stroke to your score?

In this week's From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin delve deeper into the concept of 'most likely score', which can be used when a hole is started but a player does not hole out.

They consider how it's employed in match play and fourball formats, Tom talks about his experience of it dominating golf in the USA and the pair consider if we ever might see it come into force in the UK.

Elsewhere, the duo look back over events at St Andrews where a bit of paving close to the historic Swilcan Bridge sent social media into meltdown, and brought an ultra-quick about-turn, and Steve gets a dressing down from Tom for his post hole-in-one etiquette. Was he wrong to not get the drinks in when he had an ace?

It's bound to be controversial and, as always, we'd love to hear your views!

Steve Carroll, who has passed the R&A’s top rules exam, is joined by Tom Irwin and the pair break down events in the palm tree during the third round of the DP World Tour event.

Steve thinks he might have found something in how a ball is identified that can offer some further insight into how the decision was reached.

We chat generally about golf’s moral code and why we get so wound up when rulings come under the microscope, both in the pro game and at our own clubs.

After Steve set tongues wagging with his ‘solution’ to some of the World Handicap System’s perceived ills, he doubles down on his reasoning for making every score count, while Tom thinks some our WHS complaints are not going to be settled in the short term.

Tom describes it as an “insightful discussion”. But we’ll let you be the judge! Happy listening…

NCG Top 100s considers itself the home of golf course rankings and the knowledgeable team of panellists have just completed their work on Scotland's Top 100.

In a special episode of the NCG Top 100s podcast, Steve Carroll is joined by panel chairman Dan Murphy to chat about the ins and outs of the list, how it was put together, and explain some of the risers and fallers in a ranking that has been five years in the making.

But has the governing body's actions, which are designed to ensure integrity and a high standard of entrants, exposed a deeper issue within WHS?

On this week's From the Clubhouse, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll look in detail at the new policy, discuss what it will mean for those golfers who could be affected, and whether it shows that WHS is flawed.

The duo look back at the old CONGU handicap ways - refusing to don the "rose-tinted spectacles" worn by some when reflecting - and consider the impact England Golf's pilot could have on our own competitions as clubs wage war in the fight against handicap manipulation.

Do club committees need to do more, or are they hiding behind a shield of the perceived ills of WHS?

WHS has been an emotive topic ever since its introduction in late 2020, and Steve and Tom don't hold back expressing some strident views. Where do you stand? It's certainly an interesting listen...

RELATED NOTE: You can download England Golf's Winter Checklist, which is discussed in the podcast, here.

As we peer ahead into 2023 and start looking at booking our summer trips, it’s clear that it’s becoming ever more expensive to tick off a layout that appears in the various Top 100 lists, such as NCG Top 100s.

On this week’s From the Clubhouse, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll delve into visitor green fee pricing at our most prestigious venues – considering the current set of increases, why courses are putting up their prices, and what it might mean for those of us who aspire to play them.

The duo also look at smart ways of keeping the costs down for those prepared to swerve a summer weekend tee time, and speculate on what might happen to UK golf in the future if prices continue to spiral.

We’re in for a lively hour of debate…

Tomo Bystedt Senior Director of Product Creation at TaylorMade also joins the trio to chat about the changes they have made in the new drivers. 

Tom Irwin, Jack Backhouse and Hannah Holden speculate about how they would design a new driver. They also chat to Evan Gibbs, Director of R&D for Woods at Callaway to find out how they go about creating new golf clubs. 

This year it is Callaway making the plunge first, unveiling an expansive range of new products, all under the new Callaway Paradym family name.

On this episode of All the Gear, a National Club Golfer podcast, Hannah Holden, Jack Backhouse and Tom Irwin discuss everything from the new technology in the range, how they perform, and why they chose the name Paradym.

Evan Gibbs from the Callaway Research & Development team also joins the trio to chat about the changes they have made. 

So can our clubs - in particular, drivers - actually keep getting better?

Hannah Holden, Jack Backhouse, and Tom Irwin discuss, and the All the Gear team are joined by Dave Neville, senior director of brand and product management at Callaway Golf, to find out what they are doing to keep improving their technology.

What is it about a golf club that draws us in? Is it the easy access to tee times, the shared sense of community, or the opportunity to get into competitive action?

On this week’s From the Clubhouse, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin take a detailed look at why so many of us pay out considerable sums of money each year to be part of a club.

Steve, who has recently moved clubs, gets onto the couch and talks about some of the teething issues he has had settling into a new environment, while Tom examines whether clubs could do a better job of looking after members who might be wavering.

The pair also look at the best time clubs should have their renewals and consider what might change in the near future as a sport where participation has surged on the back of the Covid pandemic now faces up to a cost-of-living crisis.

Some of their conclusions might surprise you, so sit back and allow them to explain all…

Elsewhere, the pair argue over the players guaranteed to make the Ryder Cup and those on the fringes, while George picks his World Cup XI of golfers. (It makes more sense once you listen.)

But first, what's the worst golf-related Christmas present you've ever received? Let's get stuck in...

But should so much responsibility be placed in the hands of so few? What happens to the club when decisions aren't being taken properly and what if they won't let the general manager do their job?

On this week’s From the Clubhouse, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin, who've both seen their fair share of golf club committees down the years, dive into the topic with relish.

Tom relates his experiences in a marketing sub-committee, while Steve gives you the low down on how proprietary clubs do their business.

It's not doom and gloom by any means. The pair accentuate what makes committees great and Tom puts forward a five-point plan for the perfect golf club decision making body.

So if you've ever hailed or heckled your committee, have a listen and join the debate.

So in this week's episode of The Slam, a National Club Golfer podcast, Alex Perry and George Cooper run the rule over the remarkable tale of how Rory McIlroy almost changed the course of 150th Open forever, the latest Cam Smith-OWGR debacle, the Hero Cup teams, and the weekend's other big winners.  

Enjoy!

On this week’s From the Clubhouse, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll dive into everything you may have ever considered about getting in a bit of practice.

Tom is in raptures about a recent driving range session with his kids, Steve bemoans the ‘indifferent’ quality of balls you can find at some facilities and the pair recount their best and worst moments.

They look at what makes a great driving range, whether club golf is lagging behind when it comes it providing the best experience for members and visitors, and Tom remembers the weird and wonderful characters who made his own time working at a driving range so memorable.

After mustering a passing score last week, Tom also has to find another level as Steve puts him through the R&A's intermediate Rules of Golf quiz. How will he get on this time?

In this week’s episode of The Slam, a National Club Golfer podcast, there is plenty to discuss from an incredibly busy week that saw the end of the 2022 seasons for both the DP World and LPGA Tours.

When it comes to the former, something isn't quite right when it comes to how the Race to Dubai standings are calculated, and we think we've come up with the perfect plan to solve it. (Mr Pelley, if you're listening, slide into our DMs.)

As for the latter, it's been another wonderful season for women's golf which, we argue, has never been in better shape, and what Lydia Ko has to do to be in the conversation for GOAT status.

We also discuss the bug OWGR fallout - though we don't necessarily have a fix for this - as well as Cameron Smith and his rather controversial claims about why he moved to LIV, and that phone call with Rory McIlroy.

And we couldn't let Bryson DeChambeau off the hook - so our resident elite amateur athlete has his say on that matter.

There may also be some World Cup chat, so sorry in advance about that.

Enjoy!

On this week’s From the Clubhouse, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin go on a voyage of discovery – discussing everything from greenkeeper’s revenge to winterwinds and one quite incredible competition that would need half an hour in the clubhouse – and probably several pints – to sort out!

Steve gets himself into a state over trees on courses and, if that wasn’t enough light entertainment for you all, he makes Tom do a Rules of Golf quiz.

How do you think he’ll get on? Get clicking and get listening…

The DP World Tour's in-form player Ryan Fox also joins us to discuss everything from growing up in a ridiculously successful sporting family, his ridiculous season, looking ahead to his Masters debut, what it was like to have Steve Williams on the bag, and an absurd Tiger Woods story.

We don't want to spoil too much, so hit play and enjoy!

It has been a big week for club golf with the R&A and USGA announcing new revisions to the Rules of Golf, and which come into force on New Year’s Day.

So in this week’s episode of From the Clubhouse, a National Club Golf podcast, Steve Carroll, who has passed the R&A’s Level 3 Rules of Golf exam, and Tom Irwin go through some of the major changes and give their views on what we can expect when we get out for a round in 2023.

If you are confused by the new back-on-the-line relief rule, need a bit of guidance on putting your handicap on your scorecard, and require an explanation on the new penalties for Stableford – among many others – settle down as Tom and Steve dive right in.

You'll have to hit play and listen in...

On this week’s From the Clubhouse, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin get stuck into winter golf.

Do we really enjoy it, what are the benefits of teeing it up when the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, and what is our ideal winter’s day out on the course?

Tom and Steve also dive into mats, temporary greens, and winter competitions before answering a winter rules question that might surprise most of you.

If you’ve ever considered braving the snow, ice, and cold weather on an ever-darkening winter’s afternoon, this episode should be right up your street.

Discussed in this week's episode: 

• Could your golf course close every winter? Why some clubs are considering it
• Do I have to mark my ball when taking preferred lies relief?
• Can I change my ball when taking relief under preferred lies?
• Can I replace a ball using my club?
• The 5 winter rules all golfers break

We also discuss the Ryder Cup, including Seamus Power's chances of making Luke Donald's team next year, and Alex makes a passionate plea to the developers planning to host the 2031 edition of golf's best tournament.

Let's get stuck in...

What is good etiquette, what is and isn't acceptable on the golf course and should we draw up a list of hard and fast rules that every golfer should abide by - rather than just asking, and hoping, people do the right thing?

Tom and Steve set out their positions on care of the course, causing distractions, pace of play, looking your best, and when you should provide help to your playing partners, as they develop their NCG etiquette Code of Conduct.

How can you not give it a listen?

We also have the co-founder of the Clutch Pro Tour, Tom Hayward, on as a guest to talk about his tour's huge plans for 2023, and he explains why LIV Golf has actually been a good thing for mini tour players.

Enjoy.

Tom joins us from Rome, where he is attending the International Golf Travel Market, and tells us a tall tale from an Italian golf course, before he and Steve dive deep into some of their particular bug bears with the new global order.

They discuss whether it’s really a world system, look at the Playing Conditions Calculation and Course Rating, and consider a missed opportunity for equality in golf before looking ahead to the future. Steve then delves into the Rule Book to answer a reader’s tricky situation with a bush in his weekly Rules of Golf corner.

After all that, how can you not give it a listen?

And, more importantly, how early is too early for hanging Halloween decorations?

Don't ever accuse us of not asking the big questions... 

On our revamped From the Clubhouse podcast, from National Club Golfer, Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin will tackle the issues that are the talk of the clubhouse. This week, they give you the lowdown on JCB Golf and Country Club after they enjoyed an office away day at the Staffordshire tour venue.

They then turn their attentions to the medal vs Stableford golf debate – looking at its evolution at Wallasey Golf Club, why it's proving so popular against medal stroke play, and whether there should be modifications to the Stableford scoring system.

They even come to an unlikely agreement, before Steve takes some golf club committees to task following a reader’s scorecard question in a new weekly Rules of Golf corner.

There's plenty to go at there so let's crack straight on...

Elsewhere, another English winner Stateside, and a remarkable story about Thomas Bjorn - the likes of which we've never heard.

It's all incredibly messy, so let's try and unpick it... 

Meanwhile, former LET star turned Sky Sports analyst Sophie Walker joins to discuss Charley Hull's fantastic victory on the LPGA Tour over the weekend.

What does the future look like for women’s membership? At Woolley Park, the club have an innovative approach to the game in most of their tournaments – play if you like, with whom you like, and from whichever tees you like.

In this week’s From the Clubhouse, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Steve Carroll is joined by NCG’s Hannah Holden and the family-run Yorkshire club’s Emily Rowbottom to discuss their mixed tee policy and the obstacles that still face women in golf.

Golf Twitter sensation Sam Harrop also dials in to discuss his rise to social media stardom thanks to his hilarious parody songs, and how it led to him ending up at the Presidents Cup asking the players to sing for him.

Enjoy! 

Elsewhere, the team compare their celebrity golf encounters while Hannah has a marvellous idea on how to save the Presidents Cup.

We were drawn to an archive letter in The Times, dating back a century, which chastised seaside clubs for the reception visitors were accorded and it got us thinking, how does that experience compare with now?

In this week’s From the Clubhouse, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Steve Carroll is joined by Hannah Holden and Tom Irwin to look back at how things were for this particular golfer and discuss whether or not visitors are still getting such treatment when they go to play an unfamiliar course.

The team also dive into the whole array of membership options, including points and flexible golf membership categories.

George then dives into the LIV Golf beef at Wentworth, sharing his experience from the tournament while revealing what happened during THAT Ian Poulter vs Billy Horschel video...

Elsewhere, the trio look ahead to the rest of the golfing year and discuss the evolution of Sergio Garcia!

The trio look at the tournament from a purely entertainment perspective. What are LIV getting right? What are LIV getting wrong? What's next?

They also discuss the possibility of a women's LIV Golf League, and how that might affect the LPGA Tour, the Great Shorts Debate, and much, much more...

Elsewhere, the team debate whether clubs should use ability tees for competitions, while Tom opens up about his loss of sleep no thanks to Cameron Smith.

Things then get divisive as we debate the 'strange' science behind leaving the flagstick in, while Ian Poulter enters the NCG firing line after some questionable social media posts.

While the number of rounds played may not be hitting the heights of 2020 and 2021, they remain way above pre-Covid levels – and there has been no sign in this year’s club renewals of a halt in the sport’s popularity.

And yet there are gathering clouds on the horizon. The cost-of-living crisis, spearheaded by huge energy bills that seem certain to come our way later this year, represent a big threat to our disposable incomes and could dramatically change our leisure habits.

So how can golf prepare for this and how can the authorities help? And what about other issues around growing participation for women and girls, sustainability, and the World Handicap System?

To talk about the success of iGolf, and how England Golf are meeting the challenge in some of these areas, our guest on the From the Clubhouse podcast is the governing body’s chief operating officer Richard Flint…

There's plenty to go at here, so let's get stuck in.

Enjoy.

Elsewhere, Hannah explains why the increased prize funds we've seen in the women's game this year - particularly at the majors - is not just about paying the LPGA stars what they're worth, but the trickle-down effect it will have on generations to come at grassroots level.

Enjoy. 

Is the Englishman the right choice? The team are divided - and there is even a rather out there approach suggested by one. Should it actually have been one of the current superstar crop - namely Rory McIlroy?

The discussion then moves onto this week's Women's Open at Muirfield, a golf club which has been under the microscope for some time due to its controversial stance on women in the game. Should they be hosting the biggest women's competition outside of the US? The team argue for and against the case.

If it's strong opinions on the hottest topics in the game you're after, you're in the right place.

We also explain why we think it's time to stop criticising the players for taking the money, and the fundamental flaws of the breakaway series (so far). 

But did Rory McIlroy blow it? Or was Cam Smith just too good? Hannah was up close and personal with the Northern Irishman for his final round.

Elsewhere, LIV Golf are reportedly about to make a huge announcement that will affect the Ryder Cup in a monumental way. What does the European Tour have to do to counter?

The team discuss this and so much more over the next 55 minutes...  

Then we have a little treat for you, with former US Open champion and Ryder Cup star Graeme McDowell joining Steve for a chat about his love of St Andrews.

Enjoy!

Elsewhere, George says something about Paul Casey that no one on the planet has ever said, and Hannah ponders a potential women's version.