Golf History
August 2024
238 – Wales Tour Pod (pt I)
Sam & Tom discuss the first half of their recent trip to Wales. The trip covers Welshpool, Royal St. David, Borth & Ynyslas, Aberdovey, Tenby and Pennard in a whirlwind 4 days! This is part 1, so stay tuned for part 2 dropping on Friday. Latest Products
235 – The Masters: Traditions like no other (pt 2)
In part 2 Bruce and Tom talk through notable amateur performances, the par 3 contest, strange rulings and the honorary tee shots at Augusta National. If you have not already checked out part 1, please head across and check out that before diving into part 2. Latest Products
234 – The Masters: Traditions like no other (pt 1)
In this episode, Bruce and Tom go through some of the strange traditions and stories that have emerged from Augusta National. In part 1 we talk about the founding of the club and the fabled green jacket, along with the founding of the champions dinner. Part 2 to follow with strange rulings at Augusta, the par 3 contest, notable amateur performances and the honorary tee shot! Latest Products
233 – The Old Course Reversed with Clyde Johnson
Bruce, Sam, and Tom were accompanied by Clyde Johnson on the unique occasion they had the chance to play the Old Course backwards. Playing the Old Course is invariably a memorable experience, yet the opportunity to traverse it in reverse is truly unparalleled. Latest Products
October 2023
Top Hat Tens
Tom Simpson used to say the best holes were the ones that caused the tiger (scratch man) pain and the rabbit (bogey golfer) pleasure. I play my golf at Portmarnock Golf Club (PGC) in Dublin and when I play alone, I often start on the 10th, my favourite hole on the course. Royal St. George’s (RSG) 10th hole has often been my starting hole in matches at RSG. Walking up the 10th at RSG I remember admiring the magnificence of the green with my opponent Dr. Alistair Wells (uncle of Nicola - 5* podcast guest) which falls off mostly on all sides, with some reprieve on the right. The green is hard to hit - cold and blustery conditions are the staple accompaniments of holes like this and make the hitting of the green a celebration. Both holes are an allegory for links golf really - freedom is achieved when [...]
Premium Inclusive: The Family Experience at Sunningdale Heath
Since 2018, when Wentworth professionals Kristian Baker and Tom Reid had a bright idea to revitalise and transform this charming plot of land adjacent to Sunningdale Golf Club, I have often heard about its remarkable inclusivity and warm atmosphere. Such an image, for many, might seem surprising considering its proximity to its revered and distinguished neighbour. Yet, originally formed in 1902 as Sunningdale Ladies Golf Club, this Harry Colt design has been providing golf in a shorter format for over a century. A couple of weeks ago, I spent some time up at Sunningdale Heath for the very first time, and took with me my mum, Elaine, who’s relatively new to the game. Playing off a handicap of 23, I was really interested to find out more about what Sunningdale Heath can offer to the golfer that is looking to improve and sharpen their game. There is no doubting that [...]
July 2023
Hoylake to Hong Kong: Two Clubs Intertwined
Words by Charlie. In December of 1857, in Greenock, on the south bank of the River Clyde, a boy was born who would etch his name into the history of Hoylake and who would play a pivotal role in the transporting of the Royal and Ancient game to Asia. His name has understandably been overshadowed by the greats that line the oak-panelled walls at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, but he was a golfing pioneer, nonetheless. That bonnie lad was Gershom Stewart. The young Gershom’s stay in Scotland was to be a mere sojourn for he was moved to Merseyside, on the Wirral Peninsula early in his boyhood. It was during this period that he first picked up a set of brass-heads and wandered the linksland around the racecourse at Hoylake. From a young age, he was characterised as a ‘stranger in a foreign land’, a facet, perhaps, of [...]
189 – The Great Players of Royal Liverpool with Stephen Proctor
Tom sat down with Stephen Proctor to discuss the great players of Royal Liverpool. John Ball Jr and Harold Hilton were true legends of the club and two of only three amateurs to win the Open Championship. "And now sir, you may catch your boat" Latest Products
188 – Evolution of Hoylake with Joe McDonnell
Tom sits down with good friend of the podcast Joe McDonnell to chat through the evolution of Hoylake, through its ground breaking origins, Harry Colt changes and the new changes. Many mins ago, we stated the Royal Liverpool are progressive traditionalists, let’s dive deeper and find out why. Latest Products
May 2023
182 – Player Profile: Moe Norman w/ Lorne Rubenstein
We sat down with decorated golf journalist and writer - Lorne Rubenstein - for our second Player Profile episode, chronicling the career of the legendary, enigmatic character: Moe Norman. Murray Irwin ‘’Moe’’ Norman was a professional golfer from Kitchener, Ontario. Self-taught, with a unique swing, demeanour and personality, as well as a god given skill for flushing the golf ball. He won nearly everything in his home country, was admired by his peers for the control he had over the ball and was once desired by Tiger Woods as being one of only two people to ever ’truly own their swing’. The other was Ben Hogan. Lorne knew Moe well, having met at the age of 13 at a local range and for many decades spent time together as their lives and their careers in the game evolved. It’s a great episode and we hope you enjoy it! [...]
