The NCG Golf Podcast

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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Got some old clubs to sell? Here’s how you can cash in!

Who among us doesn’t have a load of old golf clubs piled up in their garage or in their loft?

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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The Halfway House: Is a driver ever worth £500?

Golf equipment has got expensive, hasn’t it? It seems most drivers have crossed the £500 barrier and putters don’t seem too far behind.

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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How to get better at golf. Our scratch player reveals all!

Tom Irwin is very into his golf right now – and he’s had a revelation. He’s worked out the sport is much more rewarding if you put time into getting better at it.

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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The Halfway House: Should the long putter be banished from golf?

A vital part of a player’s armoury, or just an excuse to get into a row about anchoring? Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin are back with their quizzes and questions edition.

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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