Author: Steve Carroll
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 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 currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
Rules of Golf
No messing around! Who has seen a DQ this year – and has anyone come close?
World Handicap System
Is the World Handicap System giving high handicappers an unfair edge or just levelling the playing field?
Features
5 unwritten etiquette rules everyone should follow
LPGA
LPGA Tour 2024 schedule and results
Rules of Golf
Golfer DQ’d from AIG Women’s Open after caddie uses DMD
LPGA
Carnage at the Old Course! ‘A lot of us were thinking, how are we going to play?’
Want to play in club competitions? You should be made to pass an exam first
World Handicap System
Do you love or loath the World Handicap System? It’s time to have your say
A cheat’s charter – or has general play made golf more accessible?
PGA Tour
PGA Tour releases 2025 schedule: When are the Signature Events and Playoffs?
Can you deliberately manufacture a drop to get a better lie?
LIV Golf
Is retirement on the horizon for Phil Mickelson? LIV Golfer says he’ll “step aside” to let new blood “take the HyFlyers to new levels” if decline persists
Courses and Travel
Trump’s eye-watering increase to play historic Turnberry – how much is it after the latest price rises?
Features
Why is it win or go home? What if there was another way to run a match play?
Courses and Travel
When will The Open return to Muirfield – and is that it for Lytham?
The Open
How did Joe Dean go from delivering groceries to The Open Championship? The story behind his epic journey to Royal Troon
Rules of Golf
Beware of the flying camera! An errant shot could be fatal at the Postage Stamp
The Open
The Open: Everything you need to know about the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon
US Open
Francesco Molinari might have made the greatest ace ever seen at the US Open
The NCG Podcast
Does your club ban general play scores? Here’s why they have to STOP
Features
Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk: “We’re making progress, but more needs to be done”
The NCG Podcast