Episodes
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Ryder Cup special: Is there anything Jim Furyk can do to beat Europe?
After the recent Year to Go festivities at Adare Manor, Matt Chivers hosts a special episode of the NCG Golf Podcast, joined by Dan Murphy to look ahead to the 2027 Ryder Cup. The pair examine where European captain Luke Donald excels, and where US captain Jim Furyk falls down - including a...
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Winter is coming and the problem with junior sport
From temporary greens to rules that can catch you out, winter golf brings many challenges – and it will be upon us. again before we know it. This week, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll get into the realities of keeping your game going through the colder months. Can you be bothered if you’re not on...
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I shot an Exceptional Score, so why did my handicap barely move?
Podcast co-host Steve Carroll shot one of the best rounds of his life but failed to get the big handicap cut he craved, because he fell agonisingly short of the threshold for an exceptional score in the World Handicap System. He gets into the subject with co-host Tom Irwin, with the pair asking...
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Would you sell your golf club for £10 million?
It’s decision time for members of The Glen. They’ve been asked to vote on a partnership that could bring millions of pounds of investment into the club. What would you think if your club was considering something similar? How much control would you trade or, if it’s a sale, would you expect a...
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Would you report a cheat?
Cheating in golf is almost unspoken. Everyone knows it goes on. It whispers through the corridors of our clubs and explodes onto social media almost every time there’s a drop a few keyboard warriors don’t like. It can be a difficult topic to discuss and even harder to deal with. What do you do?…
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Solheim Cup, member guest abuse and WhatsApp wars
Does the Solheim Cup need to sound like a musical? Are some golfers taking the mickey when it comes to member guest rates? And are golf clubs becoming a more hostile place to be? Hosts Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll break down Europe’s magnificent triumph in the biennial battle with the USA but ask…
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Exclusive: Captain Dean Robertson on how we won the Walker Cup against all odds
In his first interview since returning home from Lahinch, Walker Cup captain Dean Robertson joins the NCG Golf Podcast to take us inside one of the most dramatic weekends in the competition’s history. Dean reflects on that pulsating final day that saw GB&I recover from a Sunday morning foursomes...
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Wonderful Walker Cup & The Ticking Handicap Time Bomb
Tom is back from endless travels and reveals 'The best course is he has played in Europe' *probably. More worryingly, he seems to have taken to stalking Patrick Bamford. Steve is sad because he is leaving the course we shall not name and Tom has been involved in a match play rules controversy…
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LIV, laughs and a love of brown golf courses
Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll are back with another NCG Golf Podcast, and Tom has plenty to catch up on after a golf-filled break. The pair kick things off by talking about the joys of brown golf courses, with Tom reflecting on some of the brilliant courses he's played recently and why firm, fast…
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What Does the Data Really Tell Us About the World Handicap System?
Steve Carroll steps in for Tom Irwin this week, joining Dan Murphy for a deep dive into the World Handicap System and the latest WHS Data Report. With more than 150 million rounds from over 6.5 million golfers included in the report, the pair discuss what the numbers really tell us about…
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46 Years at St Enodoc: A Life in Golf with Nick Williams
Tom Irwin is joined by St Enodoc Head Professional Nick Williams for a fascinating look back at almost 46 years in golf. Nick recalls joining St Enodoc in the 1980s, when the club was a very different place, and reflects on how it has grown from a relatively unknown Cornish gem into a thriving…
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Was This the Unluckiest Moment in Major Championship History?
The AIG Women's Open had everything. A dramatic final-day charge, a playoff, and one of the most bizarre moments you'll ever see on a golf course. Tom Irwin is joined by Steve Carroll and NCG equipment editor Nicola Slater, who was at Royal Lytham, to unpack the championship. The team also look...
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Why the AIG Women's Open Is Bigger Than Ever
Matt Chivers and Nicola Slater are on location at the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes for a special edition of the NCG Golf Podcast. Nicola shares what it's really like trying to qualify for a major championship, from the pressure of final qualifying to coming agonisingly close to...
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Who Really Runs Men's Professional Golf?
With Steve away, Tom Irwin is joined by NCG Top 100s' Dan Murphy for a wide-ranging discussion on the biggest questions facing men's professional golf. Has LIV Golf already achieved its purpose, even if its future remains uncertain? Are the major championships becoming the only events that truly...
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Fabulous Fox, bonkers Bryson, brilliant Birkdale and enough TIOs
On the day after The Open, NCG Golf Podcast duo Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll are joined by Matt Chivers and Dan Murphy in a special episode discussing what they all saw at Royal Birkdale and of course, the winner - Ryan Fox. Another ruling cropped up on the final day which caused controversy...
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The many layers of the Bryson DeChambeau ruling at The Open
During the third round of The Open at Royal Birkdale, host Tom Irwin and Matt Chivers discuss the controversial two-shot penalty given to Bryson DeChambeau on the 5th hole in round two. Did the R&A make the correct call? And before The Open, was Sir Nick Faldo fair in his criticism of Bryson’s...
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Is the 18th at Birkdale the best finishing hole on The Open Rota?
NCG Golf Podcast host Steve Carroll is back at Royal Birkdale, and is joined by Matt Chivers in the media centre at The Open, and there has been quite the action in round two. The men's major scoring record has been equalled twice, and there was rangefinder rules confusion amongst all of that....
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Can Open venues ever win the battle against distance?
Tom Irwin is once again joined by Dan Murphy and Matt Chivers on the NCG Golf Podcast, in the media centre at Royal Birkdale, on day one of the 154th Open Championship. The trio get into the players who they thought could win, and how they have respectively started, before tackling how the golf...
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Patience is a virtue at the biggest Open ever
Host Tom Irwin and special guests Dan Murphy and Matt Chivers preview the 154th Open Championship in the media centre at Royal Birkdale. The trio dive into which type of golfer will thrive on the baked Southport links - will it be a bomber or a plodder? The team also talk about R&A CEO Mark...
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Could it be Tommy’s time at The Open?
Welcome to the first of our special podcasts from Royal Birkdale where Steve Carroll is joined by Matt Chivers to talk about the opening two days at The Open. The pair discuss how the course is looking and Matt reveals he has been asking some of the world’s best players about sports betting and...
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The Open is here! Our Royal Birkdale preview
As The Open returns to the magnificent Royal Birkdale, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll look ahead to the 154th edition of the game's oldest major. From the Last Chance Open Qualifer and the unique test that Birkdale presents to favourite memories from this iconic links venue, they break down…
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Curtis Cup Hero, Amateur Champion, Club President: The Remarkable Story of Jill Thornhill
Few golfers can match the amateur pedigree of Jill Thornhill. A former Women's Amateur Champion, leading amateur at the Women's British Open, Curtis Cup player and captain, and current president of Walton Heath Golf Club, she has spent decades at the heart of the game. In this special episode,...
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Golf needs to modernise and ban mobile phones
If it’s not visitors holding up play by taking endless photos, it is golfer taking calls when they should be playing a shot. So should mobile phones be banned on the course? Is golf’s relationship with technology harming the game. In this episode of The NCG Golf Podcast, Tom Irwin and Steve…
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“The game’s gone” – Tom Irwin sounds off on golf’s etiquette problem
Players throwing clubs. Spectators turning on eventual US Open champion Wyndham Clark. Tempers boiling over on the biggest stage. For those who believe etiquette is golf’s foundation, recent events have raised an uncomfortable question: has the game lost its way? And is what we see on tour simply...
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iGolf is booming – so why are some golf clubs still shutting the door?
Another month, another record. England Golf's iGolf scheme added more than 6,100 subscribers in May alone, while recorded rounds topped 100,000 for the first time. Nearly 30,000 golfers have gone on to join clubs since the programme launched – but are clubs doing enough to welcome these players?…
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Should only competition scores count for your handicap?
It’s one of golf’s most hotly debated questions – and Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll aren’t holding back. Has the World Handicap System become too much of a free-for-all? Should competition golf be the only true measure of a player’s ability? The pair ask whether the system is baffling newcomers and...
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£500. Three days. Unlimited possibilites. Where are you playing?
You've got £500, three days, and a set of clubs in the boot. Where are you heading? This week, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll plan the ultimate budget golf trip. Steve reveals an eye-opening adventure in Northumberland, complete with green fees that seem too good to be true, while Tom makes the case...
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What are the biggest rules blunders golfers make?
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...
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Why can’t golfers choose any tees they want in competitions?
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...
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Has technology made golf worse?
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…
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Lee Westwood exclusive: You don’t want St Andrews to be butchered
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...
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Is WHS one handicap system – or is it really four?
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...
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The future of LIV golf? The truth is no one knows
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…
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The 2026 Masters, turns out we were right in the first place
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...
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Moving Day: Forget everything we said yesterday.
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…
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Anatomy of a 65, in the company of greatness
In this special Masters edition of the NCG Golf Podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy dissect a truly memorable round from Rory McIlroy. The episode takes listeners shot-by-shot through McIlroy’s sensational performance at The Masters. The duo explore the key moments that defined the round, the...
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Tradition Unlike Any Other: Thursday at The Masters
Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy break down all the action from an enthralling opening day at Augusta National. From standout performances and surprise contenders to the traditions and quirks that make The Masters truly unique, the duo explore the moments that only happen at Augusta. Expect sharp…
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Inside Augusta National: What It’s Really Like
Augusta National is one of the most famous venues in sport, but what is it really like beyond the perfectly manicured fairways and familiar TV shots? In this special episode of the NCG Golf Podcast, Dan Murphy and Tom Irwin take you inside the gates to share their first-hand experiences from the...
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Nick Faldo: 30 Years Since His Masters Triumph
This week, Tom Irwin sits down with six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo to talk about the remarkable impact of the Faldo Series – an initiative that has helped countless young players reach the top of the game. He also opens up about how equipment has evolved, how modern skill levels compare...
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Masters preview special: What is the greatest Masters of all time?
It’s the best episode of the year! It’s our Masters preview! It’s the ceremonial opening to the golf season and Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll are very excited about this year’s hunt for the Green Jacket. What is the greatest Masters of all time? Why is it so hard to go back-to-back? And is the...
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Has the World Handicap System ruined match play knockouts?
Tom Irwin has been signing up for every match play competition his club offers and, this week, he tells co-host Steve Carroll why the format is so special. But Steve’s not quite so convinced. Is arranging games just too much of a hassle? And what impact does the World Handicap System have on the...
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The rounds of golf we are desperate to forget
These are the rounds we would rather forget – the shots that went wrong, the blow ups on and off the course that left us wondering whether we should ever swing a club ever again. This week Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll are in the Confessional, recounting the occasions they cringed and collapsed.…
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Why do club golfers have a problem with foursomes?
Podcast host Tom Irwin has been to the Sunningdale Foursomes – a traditional curtain-raiser to the golf season – and he absolutely loved it. But in club land foursomes can sometimes be a difficult sell, with golfers arguing over the format or reluctant to hit only half the shots in a normal…
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Is golf still designed by men, for men?
Women’s participation in golf is growing – but is it growing fast enough? Does the industry really understand the experience of women in golf? And is the biggest barrier access or culture? This week, we’re joined by Nicole Wheatley, founder of the Women in Golf Awards, to talk about…
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Are we bothered about getting better at golf?
Are you one of those players determined to be the best they can be? Are you having regular lessons, staking out the range, and practising like there’s no tomorrow? Or are you just happy to play once a week, have a drink with your friends, and not worry about your handicap? This week, Tom Irwin…
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Golf club membership: Is it stronger than ever – or teetering on a cliff edge?
Have you ever considered leaving your golf club? How many of your clubs upped your fees last year and are they going to do it again? What keeps you loyal? We asked you about golf club membership in another big NCG survey filled in by more than 1,000 of you and Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll break…
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Have we seen the death of golf etiquette?
Music playing, phones buzzing, dress codes pushed to the limit – and that’s before we even start dredging up unrepaired pitch marks and unraked bunkers. Was good etiquette about fitting in, and is it now about tolerance and acceptance instead? Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll dig into the etiquette...
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What 3,000+ golfers really think about WHS
We surveyed 3,390 golfers from across the UK and beyond to ask what they really thought about the World Handicap System Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll reveal the results – breaking down what the data really tells us, where the system is working, and where golfers believe it is falling apart. We’ll...
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How does Course Rating actually work?
It’s probably the most fundamental part of the World Handicap System but how many of us really understand Course Rating? This week, Steve Carroll is joined by Gemma Hunter, The R&A’s assistant director of handicapping, to discuss this vital piece of the puzzle. How does it work? How is the data…
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Are independent golfer schemes killing club golf?
It offers a cheap way to get an official handicap and players don’t need to be a member of a golf club. Whether it’s iGolf or OpenPlay, independent golfer schemes have been very successful over the past few years – and have also been a useful foot in the door for players wondering if membership…
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About this show
The NCG Golf Podcast, by National Club Golfer, brings stories from the world of golf to life. Whether you’re interested in the grassroots game, golf courses, equipment, or tour players, we have something for everyone.
Hosted by
National Club Golfer