Author: Dan Murphy

Dan Murphy

Dan Murphy

Fun Fact:

Dan is a lifelong golfer since having the great fortune to grow up within 200 yards of the 5th fairway of his local 9-holer, Rawdon, in Leeds.

He attended his first Open Championship in 1988 at Royal Lytham, parking himself in a grandstand behind the 8th green just in time to see Paul Broadhurst hole out from the fairway below for an eagle, which seemed perfectly normal at the time.

Since then, he has attended a further 24 Opens and, perhaps unsurprisingly, can recite a phenomenal number of arcane statistics about The Open – whether you ask him to or not.

Dan has a post-graduate diploma in print journalism and is an experienced writer and editor, as well being a director of NCG’s parent company.

He specialises in the golf courses of the British Isles and heads up NCG Top 100s course rankings. He is not unacquainted with links golf and is closing in on a lifetime tally of 700 courses played.

In a former life, Dan was NCG’s equipment editor for several years. Currently in his bag are a Ping G430 LST driver, Ping G430 LST 3-wood, Ping G430 3-hybrid, Ping i230 irons, Ping Glide wedges and a Ping Vault putter.

Handicap:

The brains behind the NCG Top 100s rankings, Dan is our man with a plan (and algorithm) when it comes to all things golf courses.

Dan has worked at National Club Golfer since 2002 and was the editor from 2007 to 2020.

Away from golf he is a season ticket holder at Leeds United.

Lucas Herbert of Australia plays his third shot on the 14th hole during Day Four of the The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 19, 2026 in Southport, England. (Photo by Kate McShane/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

The anatomy of a 62 – and what it tells us about the distance debate

Aerial shot of the 16ht hole at Welshpool Golf Club

I played six golf courses in three days across the Welsh Borders. Every one delivered outstanding value

The AIG Women's Open will have an increased prize fund and extended broadcast in 2026 | Source: R&A

How the AIG Women’s Open became an elite major

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 10: The 201 yards par 3, 14th hole at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, the host course for the 2017 Open Championship on October 10, 2016 in Southport, England. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Record crowds and enhanced spectator experience for Birkdale Open

Royal Lytham & St Annes | Source: Royal Lytham & St Annes

Why The Open will return to Lytham in 2028

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks to the 16th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

After 40 years of watching every shot, I finally got to go to the Masters

Justin Rose of England walks the 15th hole during the second round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia | Source: Hector Vivas/Getty Images

Scott, Garcia and Rose: Major brothers in arms for a quarter of a century

A general view of the leaderboard during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Solved – the mystery of the curious names on the Augusta National scoreboards

Masters champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, center, speaks with Shane Lowry of Ireland during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Monday, April 06, 2026 | Credit: Kieran Cleeves

If anyone can Master the sensory overload of being defending champion at Augusta it is Rory McIlroy

Volvik Condor golf ball | Source: NCG

Volvik: Reimagining the Golf Ball

Ecco Golf Biom H5 golf shoe | Source: NCG

These Ecco golf shoes keep performing long after inferior models are ready for the bin

Old Petty Cabot Highlands

The story behind Old Petty at Cabot Highlands

The Village at Machrihanish Dunes

Machrihanish Dunes: the remarkable links and village that could soon become a full-scale resort

5th Murrayshall

Murrayshall is the historic Perth country estate with exciting modern additions on and off the course

dumbarnie golf links

Is there a better combined on-course and off-course experience than at Dumbarnie Links?

This brilliant new Bushnell provides the ultimate solution to every serious golfer’s laser and GPS needs

Ecco Biom H5 High Top Boa: The golf boots to help you survive the winter in style

Ping Pioneer: The cart bag that carries more equipment, apparel and supplies than any other

Ryder Cup 2025: Our report cards rate each individual player’s performances at Bethpage

Trump Ryder Cup

America have the crowds, the patriotism and the presidential visit but Europe look to have the aces

2026 golf season

The evolution of the Ailsa at Trump Turnberry continues

The Cairndale Hotel & Spa in Dumfries is the ideal base for a south-west Scotland golf break

Have you played one of Northern Ireland’s oldest and most characterful golf courses?

Ecco M Golf Street 720 Golf Shoe Review: An absolute bargain at £89.99!

Say hello to the Ping iDi Driving Iron – delivering power and control

Srixon 2025 Premium Cart Golf Bag Review

Meet the Thriver – the new ultimate fairway-finder from Ping

Ping Tour Umbrella 68” review: Your rainy day saviour!

Stronger lofts don’t always make for longer iron shots

Why do women and men need separate handicapping systems? Answer: They don’t

Ecco golf shoes

‘I’ve worn Ecco Biom Hybrids for 36 holes – and still not wanted to take them off’

Unraked bunkers

Why it’s time to get rid of bunker rakes for good

Ecco S-Three review: The shoe choice of a major champion

Ecco S-Three review: The shoe choice of a major champion

Golf Pride MCC Teams grips

Show your true colours with Golf Pride MCC Teams grips

the open

Playing for England in the Ashes was nerve-wracking, but teeing off at the Old Course was something else

Josh Poysden

Why we professional sports people just can’t get enough of golf

junior golf clubs

Ping’s Prodi G Line reinvent the concept of junior clubs

Golf equipment: The shaft that won the Open Championship

The shaft that won the Open Championship

US Open golf: Jason Day using TaylorMade 1-iron

Could this club help Jason Day win at Merion?

Lefty in love with new Callaway driver

Lefty in love with new Callaway driver

NCG ACADEMY – About Quality Golf Destinations

NCG ACADEMY – About Quality Golf Destinations