Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for This Golfing Life
SportsGolfExplicit

This Golfing Life

Dan Davies

This Golfing Life is a series of conversations about life, golf and the relationship between the two. Join host Dan Davies as he gets to the heart of the game with an eclectic range of guests - some famous, some less so; but all of them hopelessly besotted with the most engaging, infuriating and enjoyable game ever created.

Play
Open in
  • 28 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 1 hr 3 min
  • English

Episodes 28

NewestOldestLongest
All8Unplayed8In progress0Played0
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • April 30 · 1 hr 6 min

    7. Jeremy Dale: The Art of Shotmaking

    This week on This Golfing Life, Dan Davies is joined by one of golf’s most extraordinary trick shot artists, Jeremy Dale. From caddying at the iconic 1984 Open at St Andrews to performing jaw-dropping switch-hitting trick shots around the globe, Jeremy shares his lifelong passion for golf, shot-making, and the art of entertaining. Jeremy reveals how he became one of the very few golfers to shoot under par both left-handed and right-handed, and how his fascination with shot-making started as a young boy. He recounts trick shot encounters with legends like Seve Ballesteros, Gary Player, and Padraig Harrington, and shares behind-the-scenes stories from his coaching, performing, and globetrotting career. Listeners will also hear Jeremy’s insights on: The psychology of golf and trusting your technique under pressure. How left- and right-handed swings mirror each other and why mastering both enhances your game. The evolution of golf course design and the resurgence of natural, British-style links courses. The distinction between live trick-shot entertainment and social media trick-shot culture. The importance of mentoring, youth golf, and fostering a love for the game. Chapters: 00:00 Introducing this week's guest, Jeremy Dale 01:29 The start of Jeremy's love affair with golf 03:25 The Joy of Shot Making 04:35 Attending the 1976 Open at Royal Birkdale 05:45 Influences and Inspirations: Nicklaus, Weiskopf, Seve 08:55 Tony Jacklin and the Ryder Cup 11:20 Caddying at the Open: A Life-Changing Experience 17:28 The brilliance of Seve Ballesteros 19:19 The Evolution of Golf Course Architecture 24:24 Becoming a Golf Pro: Early days in Europe 27:18 First trick shot shows 28:55 Teaching himself to play left-handed 33:23 Trick shots and technique 35:42 Developing his repertoire of Trick Shots 40:08 Trick Shots in Social Media 45:26 Hitting trick shots with Golf Legends 49:05 Recovering from Difficult Situations on the Course 53:20 The Psychology of Golf Performance 56:47 Jeremy's Happy Places in Golf 01:01:56 A Busy Year Ahead for Jeremy Dale Highlights: Jeremy’s first round of golf and attending the 1976 Open at Birkdale. Caddying for John Garner in the 1984 Open at St Andrews and sharing a car ride with Gary Player. Performing live trick shots, including switch-hitting left- and right-handed, the Swiss ball, and high-tee Happy Gilmore shots. His views on European golf legends, Ryder Cup history, and course architecture. The story behind his nine career holes-in-one, both left- and right-handed. Life as a touring golf performer across 43 countries and his YouTube initiatives for coaching and trick shots. Connect with Jeremy Dale: Website: jeremydale.com YouTube: Jeremy Dale’s Golfing Curriculum & Jeremy Dale Trick Shots Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • April 23 · 56 min

    6. Dougray Scott: My Spiritual Rebirth Through Golf

    Dougray Scott — actor, golfer and proud son of Fife — joins host Dan Davies to unpack the connection between golf and spirituality. In this episode, Dougray talks about his childhood and playing golf with his Dad; his experiences playing iconic courses such as Cypress Point, Riviera, the Old Course, Machrihanish and Dunaverty; The Mini Masters, his long-running charity golf tournament; golf-related encounters with Bill Clinton and Arnold Palmer; his reflections on the game’s values; and how, ultimately, golf saved him from himself. Main Topics Dougray Scott’s latest film and TV projects His is journey from childhood in Fife The influence of Scottish golf culture and his love of courses like Machrihanish, Dunaverty and Muirfield How golf has served as a spiritual and emotional refuge The significance of golf’s values — honesty, integrity, and mindfulness — in everyday life Memorable golf encounters with Bill Clinton and Arnold Palmer The history of The Mini Masters, Dougray’s charity golf tournament that supports Leukaemia research Perspectives on golf course design, and the changes to the New Course at Sunningdale Chapters: 00:00 Introducing this week's guest, Dougray Scott 01:39 Growing up in Glenrothes and the influence of golf 01:39 Dougray's recent projects 06:21 Growing up in Fife 07:50 Life lessons from golf and family values 09:55 The joy of golf in New Zealand 11:50 Lessons from his father 14:16 Childhood rounds at Machrihanish and Dunaverty 17:29 A lesson from Bob Torrance 20:00 Gil Hanse and the changes to Sunningdale New 23:11 Playing in the Dunhill Links and watching Tiger 25:29 Ben Hogan's swing and stylish elegance 27:10 Playing the the three George Thomas courses in LA 30:00 Dougray's favourite courses in the world 32:49 The birth of the Mini Masters charity tournament 39:47 Return of Mini Masters at Sunningdale Heath 40:46 Golf as a metaphor for life 42:51 Bill Clinton invites Dougray to play with Tiger 45:50 Meeting Arnold Palmer 46:45 What Dougray would ask Ben Hogan 49:11 Dougray's happiest times in golf Resources & Links: The Mini Masters website Leukaemia UK Sounder Golf RNGC - Britain's Premier Backyard Golf Course The Sacred Acre newsletter - Dan Davies on golf Machrihanish Golf Club Enjoy this insightful conversation with Dougray Scott, blending golf, life lessons and stories that remind us all of the game's deeper value beyond the score. This podcast is brought to you by Sounder. Listen to get a 20% off discount code on your next purchase at www.soundergolf.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • April 9 · 57 min

    4. David Cannon: Golf's greatest photographer

    In this in-depth interview, legendary golf photographer David Cannon shares his extraordinary journey through the world of sports photography, focusing on golf's most iconic moments, legendary players like Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, and the art of capturing history in a split second. Discover the stories behind his most famous shots, including images of Seve and Carl Lewis in the summer of 1984, as well as his insights into the game, the influence of Tiger Woods, and how his passion has shaped a career spanning over four decades. Key Topics The evolution of golf photography over four decades Memorable moments and iconic shots of Seve Ballesteros and Tiger Woods The technical and artistic challenges of sports photography Seve, Norman, Woods, McIlroy: The influence of legendary players on golf imagery The importance of patience, positioning, and luck in capturing perfect shots Listen to this episode to get a 20% discount code on your next Sounder purchase Guest: David Cannon Host: Dan Davies Chapters 00:00 Introducing David Cannon and his early years in golf 04:13 Nick Faldo delivers an epiphany 07:10 The journey into sports photography 09:06 The transition from football to golf photography 12:33 The competitive nature of sports photography 15:42 How golf photography has changed 18:46 The importance of preparation and strategy 21:32 The gear and essentials for golf photography 24:37 The art of patience and David's favourite shot 27:42 memorable missed opportunities - Adam Scott and Justin Rose 30:36 The art of getting the definitive picture 34:06 The impact of Seve Ballesteros 35:14 Reflections on a career in golf photography 37:37 Seve, Carl Lewis and the summer of 84 41:03 The rise of Tiger Woods 45:47 The best light in golf 48:33 Reflections on a life in golf Resources Seve, His Life Through the Lens - edited by David Cannon David Cannon's Official Website David Cannon library on Getty Images Sounder Golf The Sacred Acre: RNGC's official newsletter RNGC on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • March 27 · 58 min

    2. Mike Clayton: Golf's Defender of the Faith

    This episode features a deep dive with Mike Clayton, tour pro, golf course architect, writer, thinker, proud son of Melbourne, and to many, a latter day patron saint of the game. In a wide-ranging conversation, Mike tells Dan about his latest project, the spectacular modern links at 7 Mile Beach in Tasmania. We learn more about Mike's start in the game, the rich golf scene in the Melbourne sand belt, course architecture, the mental challenges of golf, the historical figure he’s most like to have a conversation with, and his views on modern equipment and the sport's governing bodies. Opinionated, deeply knowledgable and unafraid to tell it it like it is, Mike Clayton has led a golfing life worth living. Key Topics Golf in the Melbourne sand belt Golf course architecture and design Mental and psychological aspects of golf Technology vs Tradition Influence of legendary figures like Alistair MacKenzie and Peter Thomson How we get more beginners into the game Guest: Mike Clayton Host: Dan Davies Chapters 00:00 Introducing Mike Clayton, this week's guest 01:19 Update on 7 Mile Beach in Tasmania 03:40 Inside the mind of a golf course architect 04:56 Why England has the greatest variety of courses 05:51 Mike's start in golf 06:54 The sweet elixir of the sweet spot 08:21 Melbourne: Golf Mecca 10:01 Embracing Golf's Inherent Unfairness 12:58 Mind Games and the Power of "Don't" 15:30 Locating and getting into 'The Zone' 20:48 Mike's Favourite Courses on Tour 25:16 Influence of Alistair MacKenzie 28:41 Imagining Conversations with Golf Legends 30:10 The Legacy of Peter Thomson 35:39 Influential Figures in Golf History 36:55 Mike Clayton's Perspective on Golf 38:49 Fantasy Golf Tour: A Dream Itinerary 41:10 The Essence of Great Clubhouses 45:04 How to make golf accessible and change perceptions 49:07 The Elements of a Great Golf Club 53:36 Happiest Times in Golf 56:28 End Quick links Sounder Golf Mike Clayton's writing and projects Mike Clayton on X/Twitter Mike Clayton in Instagram 7 Mile Beach Clayton. Devries & Pont RNGC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Showing 21–28 of 28 episodes