Shows
The NCG Golf PodcastA Life in Golf: Eddie PepperellIn this episode of our special A Life in Golf podcasts, Tom Irwin chats to DP World Tour winner and podcast host Eddie Pepperell
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 wi...
2025-08-0736 minThe NCG Golf PodcastMoaning about the PCC, the Hagen 54, and is there a penalty for picking up a lost club?We haven’t nattered about our favourite subject for a while, so Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll can’t resist another yarn about the World Handicap System.
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 Prin...
2025-07-3152 minThe NCG Golf PodcastIs the fan experience at The Open all that good?Tom Irwin has just returned from a week at Royal Portrush where he was both media and family man. Once he’d put away the laptop, he experienced The Open with his wife and two young children. Does the Championship do enough to engage families? Is it really doing its best to inspire the next generation?
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...
2025-07-221h 03The NCG Golf PodcastIt's our 2025 Open Championship preview show!It’s the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush and we’ve got an unmatched preview to get you into the spirit for the final men’s major of the year.
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...
2025-07-1459 minThe NCG Golf PodcastThe best holes at The Open: Part 2We’ve reached the halfway point of our run down of the best golf holes on The Open rota courses.
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...
2025-07-1258 minThe NCG Golf PodcastThese are the best holes at The Open: Part 1Tom 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...
2025-07-121h 07The NCG Golf PodcastIs golf really in danger of ‘dying out’?A new report says golf is a big turn off for plenty of kids – and huge numbers of parents don’t even try to get their children into the sport.
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...
2025-07-101h 02The NCG Golf PodcastYou MUST do these 8 things at your next custom fittingPodcast co-host Tom Irwin has had a through-the-bag fitting with TaylorMade at The Belfry. With clubs costing what they do, it's essential you buy something that suits.
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 ci...
2025-07-0354 minThe NCG Golf PodcastCompetition and casual golf aren't the same – we need to understand thatSteve and Tom have been playing golf. A lot of golf. Yes, we get a rundown of Captain’s Days and Team Championships but there is a deeper message too.
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 del...
2025-06-2646 minThe NCG Golf PodcastAre 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 o...
2025-06-1954 minThe NCG Golf PodcastOnline 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...
2025-06-0548 minThe NCG Golf PodcastA Life in Golf: David Scott, Honorary Professional of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St AndrewsIn 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 an...
2025-05-2343 minThe NCG Golf PodcastA Life in Golf: England Golf Performance Director Nigel EdwardsSteve 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 ro...
2025-05-221h 15The NCG Golf PodcastShould 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 co...
2025-05-1551 minThe NCG Golf PodcastA Life in Golf: Walker Cup hero Hugh StuartIn 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 hi...
2025-05-081h 12The NCG Golf PodcastYou 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 corr...
2025-05-0157 min
Golf Yourself HealthyGBA #8: Dress codes in Golf: do they need a dressing down?Just over a week ago, two of my fellow “new Dad” friends and I descended on our local Golf club, with a view to playing a few holes on the 18 hole course.Of my two Golf buddies, one of them was entirely new to Golf, the other has taken up the sport within recent years and got the bug for it during the pandemic.Despite the former having never having swung a club before in his life, he fully and confidently embraced the opportunity, with my intention being that we’d play a scramble format, so as...
2025-04-2549 min
Golf Yourself HealthyGBA #8: Dress codes in Golf: do they need a dressing down?Just over a week ago, two of my fellow “new Dad” friends and I descended on our local Golf club, with a view to playing a few holes on the 18 hole course.Of my two Golf buddies, one of them was entirely new to Golf, the other has taken up the sport within recent years and got the bug for it during the pandemic.Despite the former having never having swung a club before in his life, he fully and confidently embraced the opportunity, with my intention being that we’d play a scramble format, so as...
2025-04-2549 minThe NCG Golf PodcastIs this the best job in the world? And how to plan the perfect golf tripTom 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.
Website: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/
X: https://x.com/NCG_com
Facebook: https://www.f...
2025-04-2447 minThe NCG Golf PodcastWhat 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 dwel...
2025-04-1745 minThe NCG Golf PodcastThis 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 hav...
2025-04-071h 04The NCG Golf PodcastGot 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 club...
2025-04-0350 minThe NCG Golf PodcastThe 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…
Website: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/
X: h...
2025-03-3129 minThe NCG Golf PodcastHow 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...
2025-03-2744 minThe NCG Golf PodcastThe 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 ple...
2025-03-2535 minThe NCG Golf PodcastShould we get rid of handicaps?They’re divisive. They cause loads of arguments. Are golf handicaps just more trouble than they are worth?
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 the...
2025-03-2046 minThe NCG Golf PodcastThe Halfway House: Is golf becoming too easy?Big handicaps, switching tees, a sport that is accessible to all – but is it making the game too easy? Or is there plenty still to test us in this most unfathomable of games?
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...
2025-03-1736 minThe NCG Golf PodcastThese World Handicap System changes are MASSIVE but will they make a difference?This week Steve and Tom get stuck into the new pilot in Ireland giving clubs the chance to alter the Playing Handicap allowance in competitions. It’s coming to the rest of GB&I in 2026. What difference will it make?
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...
2025-03-1351 minThe NCG Golf PodcastThe Halfway House: Should members get a discount if their course is closed?Welcome to the Halfway House – our new weekly quiz and questions pod. Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin try to outdo each other with a trio of posers, they answer your questions, and go head-to-head in a quickfire debate.
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 th...
2025-03-1024 minThe NCG Golf PodcastAre low handicappers being screwed by WHS? + Our in-depth Players previewIt’s a twin-pronged podcast this week. First Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin discuss the fascinating USGA statistics that reveal the probability of beating your handicap. What are the odds of shooting 40 points? We have the answers.
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!
Website: https://www.nat...
2025-03-0559 minThe NCG Golf PodcastAre you a handicap cheat if you refuse to enter roll-up scores?World Handicap System guidance says regular informal events like roll ups and society scores should be classed as organised competitions and players have a responsibility to ensure they return their scores.
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?...
2025-02-261h 04The NCG Golf PodcastThese are the best courses in England!Planning a golf trip in England this year? Want to click off a trophy course, or just fancy a day out? Don’t do anything until you’ve looked through our new list of the Top 100 courses in England.
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...
2025-01-301h 20The NCG Golf PodcastThese are the best golf books ever written!We’re not saying we’re in full on Christmas mode, but in this episode of The NCG Golf Podcast Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin reveal their must-read golf books.
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 th...
2024-12-1058 minThe NCG Golf PodcastWhat are the best golf courses in GB&I?Ranking golf courses is risky business. One person’s heaven is another’s hell. Yet we all love a good list, don’t we?
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...
2024-10-1844 minThe NCG Golf PodcastBreaking down the best courses in Wales!We’re back. After a week to recharge and put our feet up, The NCG Golf Podcast returns for its third season. And what a start we’ve got for you.
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 i...
2024-05-091h 17
The Good-Good Golf PodcastEp 112: Hannah Holden from National Club GolferHannah Holden is one of the small number of women who cover golf, her contributions ranging from in depth equipment reviews to opinion pieces on LIV Golf and the reaction to Linn Grant's win in the Scandinavian Mixed event last month. Hannah is young, thoughful, good at golf and a terrific guest on this week's show.
Links mentioned on this episode (courtesy of Adrian logue):
Hannah’s article about Linn Grant’s win in National Club Golfer
https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/news/linn-grant-historic-golf-victory/
Sandy Jameson on Twitter
https://twitter.com/jamogolf
2022-07-081h 02
The NCG Golf PodcastNCG Top 100s: How we put together our list of the best courses in EnglandAfter tens of thousands of shots, countless miles spent traversing every inch of the country, and a commitment to visiting nearly 170 courses, it is ready. NCG Top 100s has released a definitive list of the best courses in England.
You can view the list in its entirety at nationalclubgolfer.com/ncgtop100s, pick up a copy of our beautifully designed magazine in your clubhouse or, alternatively, download it right here.
With the list now available, NCG Top 100s editor Dan Murphy sat down with Steve Carroll to discuss how it was put together, to answer...
2021-12-1630 min
Golf Club Talk UKGCMA Insights on GCTUK - 2021 Conference EpisodeOn this episode of GCMA Insights, we feature a recap of the GCMA conference held at Wyboston Lakes in November. Leighton attended the conference, not only for some education but also to carry out some interviews with attendees, suppliers and presenters. The event was a big success and Tom Brooke starts the show by giving us his views on why it was so successful. The three key topics of sustainability, wellbeing and technology hit the mark with attendees with a great education program. We were also inspired by people such as John Paramor, Catriona Matthew, Danielle Brown and Chris Cook...
2021-12-0959 min
The NCG Golf PodcastDialled In: WGC-Workday Championship previewOur latest PGA Tour and European Tour golf betting tips podcast focuses on the WGC-Workday Championship at The Concession in Florida.
NCG's Steve Carroll and golf form expert Barry Plummer run the rule over the field and in particular there is one Englishman they fancy to finally get it done on US soil.
Head over to NationalClubGolfer.com for more and remember to gamble responsibly.
2021-02-2315 minThe NCG Golf PodcastDialled In: Genesis Invitational previewThe PGA Tour stars move down the California coast for this week's Genesis Invitational. Tiger Woods will be there to host - though he won't be playing - and there is a cracking field in place at Riviera, including World No 1 Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka.
NCG's Steve Carroll and golf form expert Barry Plummer discuss run the rule over the field and this week they have some in-form stars coming in at nice prices, as well as a much-fancied outsider.
Head over to NationalClubGolfer.com for more and remember to gamble responsibly.
2021-02-1517 minThe NCG Golf PodcastDialled In: Pebble Beach Pro-Am previewThe PGA Tour moves back to the Cali coast for the always popular Pebble Beach Pro-Am - or Pebble Beach No-Am as it will be known this year after the Tour decided that, due to the Covid pandemic, the celebrity competition won't be taking place.
NCG's Steve Carroll and golf form expert Barry Plummer discuss run the rule over the field and this week they have a recent winner, a returning hero, and a couple of sneaky outsiders who have impressed this season.
Head over to NationalClubGolfer.com for more and remember to gamble responsibly.
2021-02-0817 minThe NCG Golf PodcastDialled In: Saudi International and Waste Management Phoenix Open previewSome of golf's biggest names, including its two most recent major champions in World No 1 Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau, are joining their European Tour peers for the third Saudi International this week, while the PGA Tour event is a fans' favourite in the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
So who are NCG's Steve Carroll and golf form expert Barry Plummer expecting to challenge at Royal Greens and TPC Scottsdale respectively? They reveal all in this week's Dialled In podcast.
You can find more tips from Steve and Barry on NationalClubGolfer.com. And remember, please gamble...
2021-02-0125 minThe NCG Golf PodcastDialled In: Farmers Insurance Open and Dubai Desert Classic previewIn this week's Dialled In, Steve Carroll and golf form expert Barry Plummer lay out their best bets for the Dubai Desert Classic and Farmers' Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
Is course form all important in this latest stop on the Middle East swing and how much can we take from a pit-stop in California before the stars return for the US Open in June?
You can find more tips from Steve and Barry on NationalClubGolfer.com. And remember, please gamble responsibly.
2021-01-2523 minThe NCG Golf PodcastDialled In: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship previewIn this week's Dialled In, a new betting and preview podcast from NationalClubGolfer.com, Steve Carroll and golf form expert Barry Plummer team up for a detailed look at the opening event of the 2021 European Tour season, the star-studded Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Who do you think is going to get off to a great start? Will Rory and JT shine, or is a big-priced player going to land the spoils?
You can find more tips from Steve and Barry on NationalClubGolfer.com. And remember, please gamble responsibly.
2021-01-1811 min
Hole in One Golf PodcastHole in One Golf Podcast - Andrew Ingram – 2017 Walker Cup Captain - #GolfingTales Season #1 Episode #10Andrew Ingram – 2017 Walker Cup Captain
Hi There, Jack Bull here, welcome to the Hole In One Golf Podcast, where I’ll be sharing some more great golfing tales with you. Please do remember to subscribe to the podcast on which ever platform you’re listening on and also remember to rate the podcast and also share with friends and family to help the podcast grow, I really appreciate those of you who are subscribing as that really helps find and share those great golfing tales.
If you would like to reach out or connect, please follow...
2020-07-3054 min