058 - Nine, Twelve, or Nothing: Rethinking Golf’s Next Chapter

Sam and Bledge sit down to kick around what golf might look like in ten years’ time: fewer tired 18s, more brilliant 9s and 12s, and multi‑use hubs with sand‑capped, fescue‑forward turf that stays open when the rain never stops. Spurred by Alistair Beggs’ warning on chemicals and heavy soils, the lads pull apart a model that turns a failed 18 into a free‑draining nine plus a range, 3G football, padel, a Himalayas‑style putting green, nature trails and a buzzy food court—keeping green fees closer to £35 than £350 by letting the profitable bits subsidise the golf. Along the way: reversible routing, spreading wear, bunkers as a maintenance cost, and why Topgolf is a gateway—not the game. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.