The NCG Golf Podcast

The Slam: Who is winning the PGA Tour vs LIV Golf war?

In this week's episode of The Slam, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Tom Irwin is joined by George Cooper and Hannah Holden to recap a tumultuous 2022 PGA Tour Season, discuss Rory's role as golf's leading man, and rank all of LIV's new acquisitions after its latest bombshell.
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.

The Slam: What went down at Tiger’s meeting? + Is the FedEx Cup meaningless?

In this week's episode of The Slam, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Tom Irwin is joined by George Cooper and Hannah Holden to discuss what went down at Tiger Woods's PGA Tour meeting, whether we think the FedEx Cup is meaningless, and the possibility of LIV Golf launching a women's league!
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.

From the Clubhouse: We ask England Golf if the sport is heading for a cost-of-living crisis + WHS is finally going global!

Tee sheets are still busy, membership remains buoyant and, as the success of England Golf’s independent golfer scheme shows, new players continue to be attracted to our wonderful game.
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…
 

The Slam: Falling out about Cam Smith’s controversial rules incident, saving women’s golf, and reigniting the Great Shorts Debate

In this week's episode of The Slam, a National Club Golfer podcast, Alex Perry, George Cooper, Hannah Holden and Tom Irwin discuss Will Zalatoris finally getting over the line on the PGA Tour (despite his "dodgy" putting), Cameron Smith's controversial two-shot penalty (and why it isn't a level playing field, the wonderful ISPS Handa World Invitational (and our plans to get more people watching women's golf), and the Great Shorts Debate (with a completely unnecessary analogy).
There's plenty to go at here, so let's get stuck in.
Enjoy.

The Slam: What we can learn from the Women’s Open champion overcoming her mental demons - with sports psychologist Duncan McCarthy

In this episode of The Slam, a National Club Golfer podcast, Alex Perry, Hannah Holden and George Cooper debrief a wonderful AIG Women's Open, including the much talked about playoff format and late finish at Muirfield, before champion Ashleigh Buhai's mental coach Duncan McCarthy joins for a fascinating insight into what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to golf and psychology.
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. 

From the Clubhouse: Iona Stephen and James Taylor on the physical and mental benefits of golf

In this episode of From the Clubhouse, an National Club Golfer podcast, Steve Carroll is joined by former professional golfer turned broadcaster Iona Stephen to discuss her new documentary focussing on golf and its health benefits, ex-England cricketer James Taylor, who talks about how he turned to golf after a cardiac event ended his international career, and R&A chief development officer Phil Anderson explains how the governing body is galvanising partners around the golf and health message.

The Slam: The curious case of Muirfield hosting the Women’s Open + Should Rory McIlroy have been Ryder Cup captain?

In this week's episode of The Slam, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Alex Perry is joined by Hannah Holden, George Cooper and Tom Irwin to discuss the latest round of LIV Golf, including winner Henrik Stenson's rather sour victory speech, as well as the man who will replace him as Ryder Cup captain, Luke Donald.
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.

The Slam: Why it’s time to stop criticising players for moving to LIV Golf for the money

LIV Golf continues to dominate the headlines and it's no different on this week's episode of The Slam, a National Club Golfer podcast, where Alex Perry and Steve Carroll discuss the latest developments and, in particular, how they affect the Ryder Cup.
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).