From the Clubhouse: Does golf really take too long?

Steve Carroll

On this week’s From the Clubhouse podcast, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll discuss pace of play and whether golf needs to speed up

We’re obsessed with pace of play. Find a corner of the clubhouse and someone will probably be unhappy about how long today’s round has taken. Yes, the time it takes to play the game is often a fractious point of debate. But what can we do about it?

In this week’s From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll talk about the various issues they encounter on the course and examine the R&A’s Pace of Play Manual, which offers a whole host of recommendations to keep the game flowing.

Does Ready Golf actually work, should clubs get tough on those who tee off too early (it is against the Rules of Golf), and can tweaking course set up make a difference?

The pair are frank and honest with their views once again. You’ll agree. You’ll disagree. But you’ll have to listen.

Now listen to our views on pace of play in the From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF FROM THE CLUBHOUSE ON YOUR PREFERRED PODCAST PLATFORM

NOW READ: Time’s up! We’ve waited long enough – now let that golf ball go

What do you think? Do we need to be more relaxed about how long a round takes, or should we always be conscious of time? Let us know with a tweet.

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About the author

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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