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From the Clubhouse: The good, the bad, and the ugly of golf club committees

published: Dec 1, 2022

|

updated: Apr 5, 2024

From the Clubhouse: The good, the bad, and the ugly of golf club committees

Steve CarrollLinkTom IrwinLink

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When they’re great, they’re brilliant. When they are horrid, watch out. Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin evaluate the role of the committee and its key role in ensuring a successful club

Golf club committee

How many of our clubs would survive without them? The committee, board, and the various gatherings beneath them are the hubs of our clubs – largely staffed by volunteers who just want to give something back to the place they love the most.

But should so much responsibility be placed in the hands of so few? What happens to the club when decisions aren’t being taken properly and what if they won’t let the general manager do their job?

On this week’s From the Clubhouse, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin, who’ve both seen their fair share of golf club committees down the years, dive into the topic with relish.

Tom relates his experiences in a marketing sub-committee, while Steve gives you the low down on how proprietary clubs do their business.

It’s not doom and gloom by any means. The pair accentuate what makes committees great and Tom puts forward a five-point plan for the perfect golf club decision making body.

So if you’ve ever hailed or heckled your committee, have a listen and join the debate.

What do you think about golf club committees? Are you on one? Are they a valued part of your club. Let us know your thoughts with a tweet.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODE OF FROM THE CLUBHOUSE IN YOUR CHOSEN PODCAST PLAYER

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About the author

Steve Carroll
Steve Carroll

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.

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