Author: Steve Carroll

Steve Carroll
When at Sandburn Hall, Steve snap-hooked his captain’s drive on his inauguration in 2017. It travelled 97 yards – believed to be the shortest in the club’s history.
A journalist for more than 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long.
A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A’s prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men’s Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG’s Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He’d like to tell you he floats around 10. The reality is more like 13.
Steve plays at Sandburn Hall, in York, and is a country member at Close House in Newcastle. He has served on various club committees during his time in the game, and is the current Rules Secretary at Sandburn.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NCTJ exams at Darlington College of Technology. He began his career working on weekly papers in Newcastle, before joining the York Press in 2001. After five years as a news reporter, he joined the sports desk – specialising in horse racing and snooker – and was Digital Sports Editor when he joined National Club Golfer in 2016.
What’s in Steve’s bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Odyssey 2Ball Microhinge putter.

Is WHS ‘ill-suited’ to our golf culture – or is it time to ‘stop whingeing’ about handicapping?
By Steve Carroll | Jul 27, 2026

‘Why do we have amateur status anymore?’ Is golf’s traditional divide disappearing?
By Steve Carroll | Jul 27, 2026

What happens if a fan picks up a player’s golf ball at The Open?
By Steve Carroll | Jul 18, 2026

Why Royal Birkdale’s 18th is such a brutal finishing hole
By Steve Carroll, Matt Chivers | Jul 17, 2026

The Open yardage book explained: How players and caddies read the course
By Steve Carroll | Jul 17, 2026

8 surprising rules you’ll only see at The Open
By Steve Carroll | Jul 16, 2026

R&A backs the World Handicap System as criticisms continue
By Steve Carroll | Jul 15, 2026

Why Jordan Spieth’s famous Open shot is now impossible to recreate
By Steve Carroll | Jul 14, 2026

Why do players get free relief from grandstands at The Open?
By Steve Carroll | Jul 13, 2026

How The Open’s most dramatic stage has changed beyond all recognition
By Steve Carroll | Jul 13, 2026

The Open Betting Tips 2026: Who will win at Royal Birkdale?
By Steve Carroll | Jul 13, 2026

I’ve changed my mind on mobile phones – they shouldn’t be anywhere near the golf course
By Steve Carroll | Jul 8, 2026

The ball was sitting in plain sight – so can you still play the second tee shot?
By Steve Carroll | Jul 6, 2026

You find your ball in the rough – then it disappears. What do the Rules say?
By Steve Carroll | Jun 30, 2026

‘We don’t teach people how to play golf anymore’: Do we need to start handing out etiquette lessons at clubs?
By Steve Carroll | Jun 26, 2026

What has happened to golf ball roll back and what does it mean for me?
By Steve Carroll, Matt Chivers | Jun 17, 2026

Should competition scores be the only ones that count for handicap?
By Steve Carroll | Jun 11, 2026

What handicap would YOU be off from the US Open tees at Shinnecock Hills?
By Steve Carroll | Jun 11, 2026

Motocaddy Pro 5000 Laser Rangefinder Review: Simplicity & User-Friendly Design
By Steve Carroll | Jun 4, 2026

Tifosi Navar FC Sunglasses Review: The best value golf sunglasses on the market – bar none
By Steve Carroll | May 19, 2026

1 year on and up to 45% off! New Balance 574 Greens V2 Golf Shoe: Steve Carroll’s go to golf shoe in 2025
By Steve Carroll | May 13, 2026

Lee Westwood on golf’s distance debate: ‘It’s a bit like shutting the door after the horse’s bolted’
By Steve Carroll | May 11, 2026

Does the World Handicap System need to be the same across Great Britain & Ireland?
By Steve Carroll | May 3, 2026

‘I don’t think I’d have a handicap without General Play’ – is the controversial WHS format misunderstood?
By Steve Carroll | Apr 23, 2026

If we want to play all year round, we’re going to need to pay more for membership
By Steve Carroll | Apr 19, 2026

Ireland, Scotland and Wales adopt WHS allowance changes – as England go it alone
By Steve Carroll | Apr 1, 2026

Removing the blind spot: Why Hunstanton have reinvented a controversial par-3
By Steve Carroll | Mar 31, 2026

Are handicap allowances ruining singles match play?
By Steve Carroll | Mar 30, 2026

XXIO 14 7-wood Review: Incredible boost for senior golfers – but is the price justified?
By Steve Carroll | Mar 27, 2026

REVEALED: How to access the lowest prices to play Great Britain and Ireland top 100 courses in 2026
By Steve Carroll | Mar 11, 2026

Can a round still count for handicap if bunkers are flooded?
By Steve Carroll | Feb 26, 2026

When will green fee prices at elite golf clubs reach their limit?
By Steve Carroll | Feb 24, 2026

Would you pay the extortionate Pebble Beach green fees?
By Matt Chivers, Steve Carroll | Feb 10, 2026

Here’s how you can save nearly £3,500 playing the best courses in Great Britain
By Steve Carroll | Feb 4, 2026

How much are the green fees to play top 100 courses in Great Britain and Ireland in summer 2026?
By Steve Carroll | Jan 27, 2026

Adidas Tour360 20th Anniversary Golf Shoe Review: Nostalgic design meets modern performance
By Steve Carroll | Dec 1, 2025

What are the best golf books? You won’t better this fabulous list!
By Steve Carroll | Nov 18, 2025

FitVille SpeedEx V3 Golf Shoe review: Wide Feet Win, But There’s a Drawback
By Steve Carroll | Oct 9, 2025

Sunderland Typhoon: Is this the best value waterproof jacket out there right now?
By Steve Carroll | Sep 25, 2025

Is Bethpage Black the best value municipal course in the world?
By Steve Carroll | Aug 29, 2025

J.Lindeberg Ace High Top golf sneaker review: Forget the look and concentrate on comfort
By Steve Carroll | Apr 11, 2025

How Cobra’s stronger lofts are transforming my game
By Steve Carroll | Aug 19, 2021

The driver that has given me hope – and why I want more…
By Steve Carroll | Jun 2, 2021

How does a player prepare for a major? We got the inside story
By Steve Carroll | May 16, 2019

Stop knifing through the green with these chipping tips
By Steve Carroll | May 10, 2019

The putting aids raising eyebrows on the European Tour
By Steve Carroll | May 7, 2019

How does a custom fitting affect your golf game?
By Steve Carroll | Aug 30, 2018

It’s been a long winter – now the real stuff is about to begin
By Steve Carroll | Mar 8, 2018

Titleist Velocity golf ball review
By Steve Carroll | Jan 1, 1970
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