The NCG Golf Podcast

This week Steve Carroll is joined by Sam Barker-Sabido, Rules of Golf manager at England Golf.
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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This week, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll react to Aaron Rai’s stunning PGA Championship win and relive their own chaotic debut as a pairing in the NCG Top 100s Summer Match Play.
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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From the balls we hit, to the watches we wear on our wrists, technology has seeped into every part of golf.
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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This week, we’ve got a bonus episode for you as Steve Carroll caught up with Lee Westwood at Close House. As well as being one of Europe’s best golfers over the last three decades, he’s also the attached tour professional at the Newcastle venue, which is marking 15 years since it opened the Colt course.
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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Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll are back discussing the latest moves in the World Handicap System. They talk about how Playing Handicaps are applied in competitions, with Golf Ireland now being joined by Wales Golf and Scottish Golf in giving clubs more flexibility.
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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What is going on with the breakaway tour? Will PIF pull their funding? Is Bryson DeChambeau going to stay? Is it even going to be able to carry on?
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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In this special episode of the NCG Golf Podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy look back on a captivating week at Augusta National, where Rory McIlroy cemented his place in golfing history with a second consecutive Masters victory.
 
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.

In this Saturday edition of the NCG Golf Podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy return to reassess the ever-shifting landscape of The Masters. After the optimism surrounding Rory McIlroy’s earlier performance, moving day told a very different story. McIlroy struggled to find his rhythm, leaving the door wide open for the chasing pack.
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.