Musings from the Jar
October 2024
Holes that No Longer Exist – Eclectic 18 w/ Simon Haines
Simon Haines sat down with us to record this epic two-part Eclectic 18 special with us, chronicling some of the most interesting holes which ‘no longer exist’. We are enormously grateful for the research and time taken to pull this together, especially these archive images which he has kindly shared with us for publication. The podcasts can be found on this page, and on all major podcasting platforms. Simon Haines is a Midlands-man, a good friend of ours and one of the most respected golf course historians out there, who - over many many years now - has compiled an incredible library old course imagery. Without further ado, here is is Eclectic 18. 'NLE' Eclectic 18 - Holes that No longer Exist... Table of Contents 1 - Prestwick - Par 5 - 578 yards [...]
Secret Diary of a Club GM: vol. I
A new feature we’re excited to introduce! Our secret club manager, residing in a golf club somewhere in Great Britain, will be writing topical articles for us. These pieces will shed light on the challenges of managing a golf club and navigating the incessant qualms and quibbles from its membership! Spoiler, you’ll never be able to guess who it is! --------- Diary of a Secret GM Table of Contents ‘Golf-First World Problems’ Golf isn't just a game; it's a global obsessive love affair that brings together people from all corners of life. Picture a colourful quilt woven with enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds, united by one thing - their sheer passion for the game! Working in the game can be one of the most rewarding jobs you can do. For someone that has grown up in the game, [...]
September 2024
Musings on the Women’s game in 2024, words by James Burn
words by James Burn Self-confessed 'Friend of the show' --- While the men’s game flounders in the tiresome impasse between the PGA Tour and LIV, the women’s game is stealing the spotlight with an electrifying year in 2024. Iconic venues, superstars, a thriving amateur game, and matchplay golf at its finest—it’s worth paying tribute to a stellar year. Nelly Korda When it comes to golf, Tiger Woods has set an impossible level of expectation for all future world number ones, across both the men’s and women’s game. Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda have given it an incredible go to reach those levels in 2024. Nelly started the year by winning five events consecutively and six in seven starts, culminating in the Mizuho Americas Open. She now joins an elite group, with only Annika Sorenstam and Nancy Lopez having achieved that feat. This run also included the first major of the [...]
An afternoon at Sunningdale Heath
Sunningdale Heath Golf Club - 11th October, 2024 Now Sold out - please register to be added to our waiting list. #FeelTheJoy in partnership with FootJoy On the 11th October we are putting together a relaxed afternoon of short course fun at Sunningdale Heath. Formerly known as Sunningdale Ladies Golf Club, what this short Harry Colt course lacks in length, it more than makes up for it in intimacy and challenge. While it may have 14 par 3s, we firmly believe the varying lengths and challenges demand you to hit all the shots in the bag (although pulling out the driver is often a questionable choice!), and with the nights drawing in it's a perfect location for a relaxed afternoon of fun. The club has benefitted from recent investment over the last few years and with Tom Reid and Kristian Baker at the helm, its a club that is [...]
August 2024
We’re Hiring a Social Media & Office Manager
Job Title: Social Media & Office Manager Location: Remote (with flexible working hours) Company: Cookie Jar Golf Applications close: 23rd August About Us: Cookie Jar Golf is a consultancy and content creation firm with a passion for golf. We pride ourselves on understanding and celebrating the unique culture and nuances of golf clubs and brands globally. We are looking for a dedicated and talented individual to join our team as a Social Media & Office Manager. Role Overview: We are seeking a highly organised and creative Social Media & Office Manager who has a deep passion for golf. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing our social media presence, executing marketing activities, and overseeing office management tasks. This is a key role in our team, requiring someone with exceptional organisational skills, strong IT capabilities, and the ability to work flexibly and remotely. Key Responsibilities: Social Media Management: Develop and [...]
July 2024
The Cocktail Circuit
words by Dr Darragh Garrahy (Chief Walker Cup and useless trivia correspondent) --- Sam’s dreadful mix-up of The Brothers Scott from Nairn (Sandy and Calum) on a recent podcast got me thinking about the players who, for various reasons, couldn’t tee it up in a Walker Cup when selected or were close to selection. And indeed, those who put club to ball when in less-than-stellar shape. This is a very non-exhaustive list of some personnel changes in the history of the storied cup. Perhaps the most well-known dropout was in the inaugural Walker Cup at NGLA in 1922 when GB&I Captain Robert Harris fell ill. Bernard Darwin, who was travelling to cover the match for The Times of London, stepped in and defeated William Fownes in his singles match 3/1, having lost the first three holes. Fownes was no slouch, being the 1910 US Amateur winner. His father was Henry, [...]
June 2024
#FeelTheJoy Summer Mixer – Blackwell Golf Club
Blackwell Golf Club - 19th July, 2024 #FeelTheJoy in partnership with FootJoy Our inaugural Cookie Jar Mixer was held at Blackwell in 2021, and we thought we would bring it back. A big day of golf in the summer, some fantastic food, drinks and much much more! A film from that day can be viewed below, including a wonderful impromptu poem delivered by James Woods, originally told at a game between the Honourable Company & Royal St George's. Much like many clubs of that era, Blackwell was founded by a group of local businessmen in 1893. John Ball Jr had won The Open Championship - the first Englishman to achieve such a feat - only three years earlier at Prestwick. In doing so he ignited an unprecedented level of interest in what was previously a fairly obscure Scottish sport, leading to the formation of many clubs around the country. [...]
December 2023
A Word on the Rollback
Words by Sam The ongoing dialogue about equipment regulations in golf reflects the timeless tension between tradition and progress. Whilst the proposed rollback in distance, if implemented, could herald a new chapter for the sport and as golfers, enthusiasts, and governing bodies navigate these changes, the essence of the game remains unchanged; the honing of one’s physical skills, test of one’s character, and the enduring friendships and camaraderie which the game fosters between people of all different walks of life. So, before everyone works themselves into a frenzy with the latest rollback announcement, and social media runs wild with hyperbole on both sides of the fence, it's essential to acknowledge that the ‘distance-debate’ has been raging for well over 100 years, and it will almost certainly continue to do so for as long as we keep playing. I had a very enjoyable drive back from Surrey on Sunday night with [...]
November 2023
5 Books for the Festive Season
Words by Sam I recently saw that the average millennial is scrolling the length of the Eiffel Tower on a daily basis. As someone spending more time on social media than he would willingly share with his friends, my Eiffel Tower is probably more like a Burj Khalifa, or at best one of the Petronas buildings. Recently, things have got worse with a dose of reels when scrolling the phone at nighttime, and with lots of other things competing for attention I realised the amount of books I have read in 2023 is down on previous years’ efforts, a shame because there is really no replacement for a book. So with Christmas and some much needed downtime ahead of us all as we head into December, i thought i would put together a shortlist of some books that I have managed to read and enjoy this year, in the hope [...]
Criss-Crosland Heath
'Criss-Crosland Heath', words by Sam One of the most rewarding parts of Cookie Jar is in finding really good, affordable golf and a recent scheduled visit to Meltham (West Yorkshire) to see a lifelong friend for an evening of drinks and a few holes the following morning created that possibility. When coming up with recommendations for golf on the Sunday morning I was staggered to see that Crosland Heath was only an 8 minute drive away (28 minutes factoring in the round trip to retrieve Jim’s car from the evening before which was left in nearby Holmfirth - the filming location of 'Last of The Summer Wine'). Staggered because Crosland Heath is a course I had been hoping to play for a long time. A picture of a towering par 3 green site, the promise of heather , and knowing the good Dr was responsible for its design in 1914, [...]
