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; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
Rules of Golf
Garcia’s fracas with PGA Tour official: What do the Rules of Golf say?
Club
The tee debate dividing clubs: Should the ‘tips’ be saved for competitions?
World Handicap System
World Handicap System explained: When will I be able to post scores in other countries?
World Handicap System
It’s one of the most controversial parts of the World Handicap System – and it could be about to change
Meet the golfer who played every day for a year – and all for a very worthy cause
Rules of Golf
How Scheffler avoided a Masters catastrophe – and how you can use the Rules to your advantage
News
PGA Tour star lost his (club)head at the Masters – but what can you do if it happens?
Club
It’s the hottest ticket in town! England Golf reveal huge club membership surge
Why I’ve stopped caring about getting on my club’s honours board
The Masters
Entered the Masters ticket lottery? This is how likely you are to get lucky
Club
‘Would you work in conditions like this?’ Golf clubs warned over outdated facilities
Listen up, golf clubs: I want to pay you money, not be stripped of my self-respect
By
Angry Club Golfer
Club
‘Covid’s impact on golf has been as big as Tiger’: Why online tee booking is here to stay
Could golf be about to take the brunt of the UK’s cost of living crisis?
‘Too many competitions is not healthy’: Golf clubs told to find balance or lose members
Meet the Welsh greenkeeper driving 1,400 miles to deliver supplies to Ukraine
By
Karl Hansell
‘It’s a hideous mistake’: Golf clubs warned after failure to adopt gender-neutral tee system
Why aren’t we playing more nine-hole competitions at weekends?
Courses and Travel
It’s the biggest bunker in championship golf – and it’s waiting to wreck your hopes
Courses and Travel
Ganton go back to the future with stunning restoration of Pandy bunker
‘Moving away from online booking would be a step backward’: Why golf must embrace the digital age
‘Club membership should be fair for all’: Are the days of playing whenever you want coming to an end?
‘I’ve had a hole-in-one, a 147, and a nine-dart finish – I reckon I’m in a club of one!’
Is there any danger of your range balls actually being round?
By
Angry Club Golfer
World Handicap System
World Handicap System explained: What happens when you miss a hole during a round?
Courses and Travel
A little slice of golf heaven: Why the pilgrimage to Royal Dornoch is one you will never regret
Courses and Travel
It’s The Open’s newest hole ready to torment the world’s best players – but how did we get on?
Golf’s tee booking debacle isn’t the club’s fault – it’s YOU who’s to blame
By
Angry Club Golfer
It’s club golf’s poisoned chalice – so what should you be doing to help?
Suspect a golfer of cheating? It’s time to stop moaning and do something about it
By
Angry Club Golfer
Courses and Travel
Is this the craziest par 3 in the UK? Here’s what happened when we took it on
Save our roll-ups! Why we must fight to keep one of golf’s most popular traditions
‘You’re not Tiger and this isn’t Augusta!’ Are you guilty of these winter golf offences?
By
Angry Club Golfer
World Handicap System
Could handicap allowances be scrapped under WHS? England Golf say it’s an ‘ongoing debate’
Is this the future of golf membership? How one club is moving away from tradition
England Golf’s WHS warning: You can’t stop cheats (but you can help)
Courses and Travel
Look further down the top 100 rankings to discover the real heart of English golf
When did we become a bunch of snowflakes? Golf is hard – and that’s OK!
By
Angry Club Golfer
Golf’s water crisis: Does your club rely on the mains supply? It could be in a lot of trouble
Stableford competitions? Put them in the bin with the rest of the Christmas rubbish
By
Angry Club Golfer
