The NCG Golf Podcast

Are golf’s record participation numbers all they seem?

Record rounds, record scores submitted – the picture for golf looks rosy. The post Covid boom seems alive and well.

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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Online bookings or a free-for-all: How should golf clubs deal with tee times?

Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll are back in the saddle and they’re zoning in this week on tee times. Should it be a free-for-all when you want to play golf? Is it better for all tee times to be booked? Or is a mix of the two the best way?

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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A Life in Golf: David Scott, Honorary Professional of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews

In this episode, Tom Irwin chats to David Scott, who has just been appointed Honorary Professional of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

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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A Life in Golf: England Golf Performance Director Nigel Edwards

Steve Carroll sits down with the esteemed Walker Cup player and captain who has helped bring through some of England’s biggest golfing talents.

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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Should general play scores be weighted to lessen their WHS impact?

In this week’s episode, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll discuss the drought that is putting greenkeepers in a bind across GB&I.

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: Walker Cup hero Hugh Stuart

In a new series for The NCG Golf Podcast, Tom Irwin sits down with Walker Cup star Hugh Stuart to discuss his fascinating life in the sport.

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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You have your say on the World Handicap System!

After an extended Easter break, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll are back in the saddle on The NCG Golf Podcast. They reflect on Rory McIlroy’s historic Masters victory and review their own first competitive golf of the year.

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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Is this the best job in the world? And how to plan the perfect golf trip

Tom Irwin is joined this week by James Wilson, of short side fame and clothing brand Manors Golf. If you’ve a penchant for looking at lovely pictures of golf courses on Instagram, you will know his work. And if you don’t you should rectify that quickly.

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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What are players who manipulate WHS? The R&A say they’re cheats!

What should we call those players who manipulate the World Handicap System – and what should clubs do about them? The R&A give us their answer.

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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This is our ultimate Masters preview!

The best week of the golfing year? The Masters is here, the men’s majors are back, and this is our comprehensive look ahead to events at Augusta National.

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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