NCG Top 100s Podcast

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s podcast, host Tom Irwin is joined by NCG Top 100s Chairman Dan Murphy to delve into the latest Scotland rankings - with a spotlight firmly on the often-overlooked bottom half of the list.

Together they explain why these courses deserve far more attention, from outstanding “second courses” at world-famous venues like Royal Dornoch, Royal Troon and Cruden Bay, to inland layouts that rival the best anywhere in Britain. 

The discussion also highlights why Scotland continues to offer exceptional value for money at its top gol...

Can a course like Prince’s really host an Open? Is Kingsbarns still the benchmark for modern links? And do new courses arrive on ranking lists a little too high before time has done its work?

On the latest NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin sits down with NCG Top 100s Chairman Dan Murphy to go inside the thinking behind the new Top 100s Scotland list. They talk Dornoch’s latest changes, the impact of new course design, and why great golf courses, like fine wine, only get better with age.

Most impo...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin is joined by NCG Top 100s Chairman Dan Murphy to tackle a fundamental question facing modern golf clubs: what is the right length of golf course for the club golfer?

The podcast opens with Dan's recent visit to Fulford to see the vast changes at the Yorkshire course and how he expects the changes to make a huge difference. It prompts Tom and Dan to briefly discuss the attitudes towards tree removal as part of course renovations and how golfer's appetites have changed when...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin travels to the far north of Scotland to visit Royal Dornoch Golf Club, one of the most revered and historic links courses in the world.

He is joined by Neil Hampton, General Manager of Royal Dornoch, whose deep Highland roots and lifelong connection to links golf provide a unique perspective on the club’s past, present, and future.

Their conversation explores how a course first played over 400 years ago has become a modern-day pilgrimage for golfers from around the globe.

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin is joined by Rob McGuirk, General Manager of Prince’s Golf Club - host venue of the 1932 Open Championship.

Rob delves into one of golf club's great debates - what are the best 18 holes at Prince’s? 

With 27 in total, he and Tom explore how a composite routing might look - and whether it could once again be worthy of hosting The Open for the first time since 1932.

The conversation also uncovers the extensive renovation work that ha...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin sits down with Andy Rossington, Head Professional at Lindrick Golf Club. Andy shares his journey in the game, including his role coaching Danny Willett and what it was like accompanying him to his first Masters as part of the coaching team—complete with clubhouse access and inside-the-ropes insight.

The conversation also shines a light on Lindrick Golf Club itself: its character, its history, what makes the course such a favourite among golfers, and what it’s like to lead the professional operation at one of E...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin and NCG Top 100s chairman Dan Murphy take on one of the game’s most heated debates: with scores plummeting and Tour pros overpowering classic layouts, what can be done to restore the challenge?

With the golf rollback and the wider distance debate dominating headlines over the past year, Tom and Dan look beyond equipment to explore architectural and strategic ways to test the very best players in the world. They discuss how modern professionals are making even elite venues appear surprisingly straightforward — and why...

On this week’s episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin travels to the stunning Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club, where he sits down with co-owner Stuart Imeson, a figure who as a unique career path.

Stuart shares the remarkable story of his rise through the ranks at Dunstanburgh. Starting as a Greenkeeping Apprentice, he became Course Manager at just 18 years old, later taking on the role of General Manager during a challenging period for the club. Working closely with the club’s owner, he helped guide Dunstanburgh through financial and operational uncertainty - expe...

How did golf course bunkers become such a defining — and sometimes divisive — feature of the game? 

In this episode, NCG Top 100s chairman Dan Murphy and host Tom Irwin dig into the origins of bunkers and what the golden age architects really intended when they carved them into their designs.

We explore how bunkers have evolved over time, what they cost to maintain, whether they truly pose a hazard, and why they’ve become such a talking point in modern course design. 

From history to controversy to creative so...

In the latest episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin is joined by Ladybank Golf Club captian, Colin Priestley.

The pair discuss the beauty of Ladybank and why Tom believes the golf course is a sleeping giant within Fife golf with the club being surrounded by other Top 100s ranked golf courses such as Crail, Kingsbarns, Leven Links, and most notably the courses that are located in the town of St Andrews.

Ladybank is one of the game's historic venues with the club being founded in 1870s and originally laid...

In this episode, the NCG Top 100s team recount their 48-hour journey to Scotland's west coast, and birthplace of The Open Championship, Ayrshire.

Tom Irwin, Mike Robertson, and James Sparkes, reflect on their epic adventure to play Dundonald Links, Western Gailes, Prestwick, and Royal Troon in the space of 48 hours.

Available now on your preferred podcast platform and YouTube.

Watch 48 Hours In Ayrshire: https://tinyurl.com/bdfd6jk2

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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ncgtop100s/

In this episode, Tom Irwin, Mike Robertson, and James Sparkes relive their 48-hour pilgrimage to the North of Scotland.

The trio reminisce about their epic adventure to play Royal Dornoch, Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Nairn and Cabot Highlands as part of our brand-new YouTube series, 48 Hours In...

Whether you’re planning your own Highland adventure or just dreaming from afar, this is one for the pure golf romantics.

Available on your preferred podcast platform.

Watch 48 Hours In The Highlands: https://tinyurl.com/4pk7yabt

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In the first episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin has the delight to sit down with Royal St. George's Secretary, Colin Sinclair.

Colin boasts one of the finest CVs in UK golf, having worked and a number of Top 100 ranked golf courses around the country, working in several roles at Blairgowrie, Walton Heath, Carnoustie, and Nairn, before taking the reigns at the best golf course in England.

During this podcast, Tom and Colin discuss: