The NCG Golf Podcast

National Club Golfer

The NCG Golf Podcast, by National Club Golfer, brings stories from the world of golf to life.

Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll chat about everything from the clubhouse game, to tour, equipment, and courses, and welcome special guests from the world of golf along the way.

Available on your preferred podcast platform.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

20 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes20

Newest first

Thursday · 32 min
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 earning a place in the field. The pair also discuss the changes at Royal Lytham ahead of The Open's return in 2028, the record-breaking growth of the AIG Women's Open, rising prize money, why women's golf is becoming more accessible than ever, and which players could thrive in the links conditions this week. If you're following the AIG Women's Open, this is your essential preview from inside the ropes.
July 24 · 1 hr 3 min
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 matter? And what does Rory McIlroy's changing schedule say about the balance of power between players and the tours? The pair also debate player power, the PGA Tour's signature events, the future of LIV, the role of the DP World Tour, and why golf has become more divided than ever. If you enjoy the podcast, don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review.
July 20 · 1 hr 31 min
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 including the World No.1 Scottie Scheffler. As is the nature of the laws of the game, this led to a heated debate about how tour players can take advantage of immoveable structures at events. The group discuss Birkdale one last time and how the drastic golf course changes presented a championship test at The Open, based on comments made by players throughout the week. And, there is also one more chat about Bryson DeChambeau, who made headlines throughout with his behaviour.
July 18 · 51 min
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 links approach? From the media centre, Tom and Matt also talk about the fan experience at The Open, the intricacies behind TIO rulings with scoreboards and the incredible grandstand finish at Birkdale which forces the players to play daring shots
July 17 · 38 min
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. Steve has also been out on the 18th hole to analyse what makes it so incredible. Bob MacIntyre didn't speak glowingly about it, but Matt Wallace said it's the best finishing hole on The Open Rota. Steve and Matt get into this, plus a whole lot more on day two of The Open.
July 16 · 57 min
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 course is playing. What have been the toughest holes, and which is the hardest nine holes? After discussing the contrast in conditions between the morning and afternoon in Southport Tom, Dan and Matt also get into the distance debate - something that is almost impossible to avoid at these venues. With players like Rory McIlroy driving par 4 greens from over 400 yards away, can golf courses ever win this battle with technology and distance, and what does it mean for the future?
July 15 · 49 min
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 Darbon's press conference, and the discussion around Open venues that might either be returning to the Rota (Muirfield), or joining for the first time (Portmarnock). Tom also goes into the questions he asked the R&A chief regarding the intricacies of the World Handicap System and General Play scorecards
July 14 · 28 min
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 crowd behaviour – will we see an interruption this week? The two also discuss the home favourite Tommy Fleetwood. Is it finally going to be Tommy’s time at the majors on his home course? Website: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/ X: https://x.com/NCG_com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalClubGolfer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalclubgolfer/?hl=en
July 9 · 1 hr 8 min
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 everything you need to know before the first tee shot is struck. And, naturally, they make their picks for who will be lifting the Claret Jug. This is your essential preview. Tune in and get ready for one of golf's greatest weeks.
July 6 · 38 min
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, Steve Carroll sits down with one of our most respected amateur golfers to relive her greatest memories, discuss her lifelong connection to Walton Heath, and share her views on everything from pace of play and the Rules of Golf to the World Handicap System. It’s an engaging conversation with a true giant of amateur golf.
July 2 · 55 min
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 Carroll tackle one of the game’s most contentious debates. From ringing phones and social media distractions to GPS apps, score tracking and way we experience a round, we ask whether golf needs to draw a line. Please let us know your thoughts – get in touch on your preferred podcast app or send us an email at s.carroll@nationalclubgolfer.com Website: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/ X: https://x.com/NCG_com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalClubGolfer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalclubgolfer/?hl=en
June 25 · 47 min
“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 reflecting what’s happening every weekend at golf clubs across the country? In this week’s episode, Tom Irwin climbs onto the soapbox to deliver a passionate and thought-provoking critique of golf’s changing standards. Why has etiquette slipped? Are golfers simply copying what they see at the top of the game? And what can clubs, players, and the sport itself do to turn things around? It’s a lively debate about respect and whether golf’s unwritten rules are under threat. Website: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/ X: https://x.com/NCG_com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalClubGolfer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalclubgolfer/?hl=en
June 18 · 53 min
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? Or are some turning away a valuable source of future members by restricting access to Open competitions? Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll dive into the numbers and discuss whether golf clubs are missing a major opportunity. Website: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/ X: https://x.com/NCG_com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalClubGolfer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalclubgolfer/?hl=en
June 11 · 43 min
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 juniors and get into par, strokes received, and what your handicap really represents. Whether you're a competition regular, or simply someone who's ever wondered how their index is calculated, you’ll want to listen in… Website: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/ X: https://x.com/NCG_com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalClubGolfer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalclubgolfer/?hl=en
June 4 · 47 min
£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 for his beloved Lincolnshire and its collection of top-class courses. If you're looking for maximum golf without emptying your wallet, this episode is packed with ideas. And we want to hear from you: what's the best-value golf trip you've ever taken? Website: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/ X: https://x.com/NCG_com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalClubGolfer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalclubgolfer/?hl=en
May 28 · 52 min
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 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… Website: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/ X: https://x.com/NCG_com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalClubGolfer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalclubgolfer/?hl=en
May 21 · 38 min
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 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. Website: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/ X: https://x.com/NCG_com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalClubGolfer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalclubgolfer/?hl=en
May 14 · 51 min
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 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? Website: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/ X: https://x.com/NCG_com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalClubGolfer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalclubgolfer/?hl=en
May 7 · 23 min
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 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. Website: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/ X: https://x.com/NCG_com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalClubGolfer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalclubgolfer/?hl=en
April 30 · 57 min
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 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? Website: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/ X: https://x.com/NCG_com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalClubGolfer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalclubgolfer/?hl=en