Golf Badgers

By Cookie Jar Golf

Golf Badgers (ɡɒlf bæʤə) - noun: A group of golfers obsessed with the game.Does this sound like you? If so, you're in the right place.Sam Cooper (Golf course architect) and James Bledge (Course Manager @ Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake) invite some of their friends from across the architecture and green keeping industries to join them for a deep dive on all things golf.Feasting on a gluttonous diet of golf course architecture, greenkeeping, agronomy and all of the topics usually too dull for polite conversation.We hope you'll enjoy spending some time with us.

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83 episodes
Updated July 23

Episodes83

Newest first

July 23 · 1 hr 14 min
083 - gWest
Bledge and Sam begin by discussing the current state of the golf course. After some mixed weather, it’s in good condition. The rough is more defined, the playing surfaces are firm and fast and preparations for the season’s key events are well underway. Next, they focus on the Amateur Championship coming to Royal Liverpool. They explain the qualifying and match play format, practice and championship dates and mention that the event will be open to spectators and televised. They also discuss how amateur golf differs from other major events due to the pressure, format and need to play several strong rounds in a row. The conversation then shifts to gWest, the unfinished golf course project. They explain that it was started during the recession as part of a larger estate plan combining golf and residential plots. However, the housing market collapse impacted the wider business model. They describe the course’s location on exceptional land near Gleneagles and its intended scale, similar to other high-end golf developments. They delve into the construction process and the work involved on site. They detail the heavy machinery, drainage, soil stripping, reshaping, tree planting, turf preparation and repeated problem-solving required to build the course. They also mention the heather translocation work, where mature heather was harvested and moved onto bunker faces and rough areas. Finally, they reflect on how gWest represents a different era of golf course development and business planning. They compare it to modern projects, noting changes in golf economics and land use. They conclude by emphasising the significant effort put in by those involved despite the course never opening. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
June 26 · 1 hr
082 - Amateur Championship Reflections
We discuss the Amateur Championship at Hoylake and reflect on the conditions across the week. The course was as dry, firm, windy at times, and very consistent, with good weather throughout and strong television conditions. We explain how the greens were prepared and measured using GS3 ball data, with regular recording of moisture, firmness, speed, trueness and smoothness. We also talk about using wind tunnels to get accurate readings when the wind affected the roll, and how irrigation adjustments of only a few millimetres could change the stimp reading by about a foot. We then cover the work of keeping every green on a level playing field despite differences in age and construction. Some greens needed extra attention, including drill-and-fill work, and we note that modern tools now allow more precise management through data, nutrition, water and cutting plans rather than relying mainly on feel. We move on to the championship itself and the role of West Lancashire in qualifying, and that the setup at both venues was strong, and that the event attracted a serious standard of play. Stuart Grehan’s win is the main focus, however. We describe his driving, his ability to control the ball in windy links conditions, and several key moments in the final, including a difficult bunker shot on the sixth, recovery shots on later holes, and his steady scoring through the knockout rounds. We also mention other players who stood out, including Malin Pogaita, Niall Shields Donegan and Elliot Baker, and we note the strong support from County Louth members for Grehan. We close by saying we are impressed by his performance and by the work of the team that prepared the course. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
June 12 · 1 hr 15 min
081 - The Return of the Amateur Championship
Bledge & Sam discuss the Amateur Championship’s return to Hoylake, its history at the club, the match-play format, qualifying and knockout rounds, its role for top amateurs, and preparations, schedule, and spectator access for the event. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
May 29 · 55 min
80 - Q & A
In this episode, Bledge takes center stage to tackle a massive range of questions submitted by our Instagram community. Bledge shares his wealth of experience on everything from the fine details of turf management and the realities of life on the course to career advice for the next generation of greenkeepers. This is a masterclass in the industry from a man who lives and breathes it. Whether you're in the industry or just love the behind-the-scenes of the game, this is a great listen. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
May 14 · 45 min
079 - Preparing Royal Birkdale for an Open with Sean McLean
Bledge sits down with Sean McLean to discuss the changes and preparations for Royal Birkdale for the upcoming Open in July. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
April 30 · 51 min
078 - From Fairways to Football: Inside Man City’s Grounds Team with Daniel Lewis
Bledge and Dan sit down to explore the fascinating crossover between elite golf and top-level football, diving into the creation of the Blue Exchange and how it’s giving greenkeepers a rare behind-the-scenes look at life inside Manchester City. From matchday pressure to pitch perfection, this one’s all about learning from the very best. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
April 16 · 1 hr 1 min
077 - Dan Davies
Bledge and Sam sit down with Dan Davies of RNGC fame to discuss the sacred acre and Dan's journey through the golf journalism world. Dan is also a member of the cradle of English Golf, which is discussed towards the end of the podcast. A man who has spent 10 months of more building a golf course to host a special one day invitational event for his friends and loved ones. Despite being a mere 510 yards in total, this 9 hole course makes up for its lack of distance with terrifyingly difficult and intricate green complexes, and waist high ‘bund’ is only ever inches away. Sleeper style hazard placements on the 2nd hole an ode to Oakmont, and the 7th hole - ‘Bell’ is an inverse replica of the 12th hole at Augusta - RNGC is proof that golf doesn’t have to big or grand. Cookie Jar Golf made a superb Youtube Film on RNGC a couple of years ago - You can watch here - https://youtu.be/8q1kXRoLsgw Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
April 2 · 1 hr 2 min
076 - Willie Murphy on Terralift, Soil Biology and Smarter Turf Nutrition
Bledge and Willie sit down to talk all things Terralift, turf nutrition and the long-term art of building stronger, healthier golf surfaces. Willie shares his journey from greenkeeping in Ireland, Scotland and Germany to spending 20 years with Terralift, while explaining why organic-mineral fertilisers can support performance without driving excess growth. They get into soil structure, organic matter, leaner nitrogen inputs, new green construction, and why products like TX Humus, TX 10 and Roca Stem have become trusted tools for green keepers chasing firmer, more consistent greens. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
March 18 · 1 hr 32 min
075 - Sunningdale Showdown: Old vs New
Sam and Bledge sit down to relive the magic of Sunningdale, diving deep into a head-to-head match play battle between the Old and New courses. From iconic par 3s to strategic masterclasses, they break down every hole, debate design brilliance, and celebrate one of golf’s greatest 36-hole venues. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
March 12 · 49 min
074 - Matt Plested Chasing Excellence at Stoneham
Friend of the pod Matt Plested returns to the mic as Sam and Bledge sit down to debrief the massive project unfolding at Stoneham. Sit back and enjoy. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
February 27 · 42 min
073 - A Q&A With Bledge
In this episode, Bledge takes center stage to tackle a massive range of questions submitted by our Instagram community. Bledge shares his wealth of experience on everything from the fine details of turf management and the realities of life on the course to career advice for the next generation of greenkeepers. This is a masterclass in the industry from a man who lives and breathes it. Whether you're in the industry or just love the behind-the-scenes of the game, this is a great listen. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
February 12 · 1 hr 2 min
072 - GCSAA and Streamsong
Bledge, Ben Williams & John McLoughlin head over to Florida for the GCSAA and play two of the courses at Streamsong while doing it. this is their take on the whole adventure. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
February 5 · 41 min
071 - Design, Drainage, and Doing It Right at Formby
Sam and Bledge sit down to debrief Sam’s latest architectural project at Formby, where bold design meets old dunes. They unpack the seventh hole rebuild, discuss blind shots, CGI flyovers, and why change has to mean something. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
January 29 · 1 hr 4 min
070 - BTME 2026 Roundup with Gavin Speedie and Matt Plested.
Harrogate roundup with Gavin Speedie Technical Representative from Aitkens and Matt Plested, Course Manager from Stoneham talking about all things at BTME. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
January 15 · 51 min
069 - Erosion, Evolution, and Excellence at Royal Aberdeen with Richard Johnstone
Sam and Bledge sit down with Richard Johnstone to discuss his journey from apprentice greenkeeper at Nairn Dunbar to course manager at the world-renowned Royal Aberdeen. They dig into course restoration, greenkeeping philosophy, and the battle to save one of the most iconic first holes in links golf. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
January 1 · 1 hr 1 min
068 - Mowers, Mayhem & Milestones: Part Two with Lee Strutt
Bledge and Lee sit down for a nostalgic dive into turf machinery—from ancient Matadors to modern marvels like the Baroness Core Collector. The pair reflect on machines that made them sweat, laugh, and sometimes swear, all while sharing tales from storied clubs and wet winter days. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
Dec 18, 2025 · 56 min
067 - Jim Croxton on BTME, BIGGA’s Big Year, and Why Greenkeeping Needs a Bigger Voice
Bledge and Jim sit down to talk all things BIGGA—from Jim Croxton’s journey through the PGA and into 14+ years as CEO, to what’s changed behind the scenes over the last 18 months. They dig into membership growth (and the honest “warts and all” survey), how BTME continue to learn keep evolving, why some of the most valuable sessions aren’t always the ones that sell out first, and how a first-timer at Harrogate can get “hooked” for life. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
Dec 4, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min
066 - Top Turf Tech: The Machines That Changed Greenkeeping
Bledge and Lee sit down to count down their top five greenkeeping machines, from ProCores and sprayers to electric mowers and drones. They dive into the tools that shaped their careers and the ones leading the future. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
Nov 20, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
065 - Surviving and Thriving: Jack Percival’s Story of Resilience
Bledge and Jack sit down for an unfiltered conversation about Jack Percival’s rise from foster care and graveyard shifts to becoming a respected course manager. They cover his early struggles with literacy, battles with addiction, and how greenkeeping gave him purpose. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
Nov 6, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
064 - From seed to sale: How Inturf Service Sports Pitches
Bledge and Stephen sit down to dig into the real business of growing turf — from supplying Wembley and Wimbledon to feeding the nation’s show homes. They chat about soil science, family legacy, precision tractors and why rolling contact is everything. A deep dive into turf farming you’ll never look at your lawn the same way again. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.