Features
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.
‘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
Club
My ball is in a crack in a washed out bunker – do I have to play it as it lies?
The five worst types of golfer at your club: How many do you know?
By
Angry Club Golfer
The dress code battle is one you can’t win – it’s time to let it go
World Handicap System
Why failing to submit a card will see you get a ‘penalty score’ under WHS
It’s time to face facts – your golf course is too long for you
By
Angry Club Golfer
How to learn the Rules of Golf: John Paramor explains what you need to know
Rules of Golf Explained with John Paramor: How do you deal with an embedded ball?
I played game improvement clubs for a whole season – but did it work out?
World Handicap System one year on: What’s the verdict?
World Handicap System
World Handicap System explained: Can I put in a score if there are winter greens?
Rules of Golf Explained with John Paramor: What happens when you play the wrong ball?
World Handicap System
World Handicap System explained: Can my round count if we’re using fairway mats?
Cash prizes for club golfers? It’s just not worth the risk
Club
Cash prizes for club golfers scrapped as amateur status rules shake-up takes another turn
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf Explained with John Paramor: What to do if your ball moves on the green
The rising cost of living is posing a threat to golf – so is your club ready?
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf Explained with John Paramor: How to find the nearest point of complete relief
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: I’ve fluffed a bunker shot and hit the sand in anger – am I in trouble?
‘Golfers face higher prices’: Leading manufacturer’s warning as distance debate rages on
Ryder Cup
Jacklin: They messed around with the pro game too much – now golf is boring
World Handicap System
It’s been the bane of club golfers across the UK – but the World Handicap System flaw is finally getting fixed
R&A and USGA make first moves as golf’s distance debate reignites
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf Explained with John Paramor: How to take relief from a penalty area
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf Explained with John Paramor: What are your options for an unplayable lie?
Angry Club Golfer: Oh I’m sorry, did my shot interrupt your conversation?
By
Angry Club Golfer
Tee time bookings vs roll-ups: The debate threatening to tear golf clubs apart
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf Explained with John Paramor: What happens if your golf ball is stuck in a tree?
Ryder Cup
Foul-mouthed Koepka fumes at rules officials – here’s why they made the call
Ryder Cup
‘They will heckle, they will be rude, and they will call the players insulting names’
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained with John Paramor: My ball is resting against the flagstick – is it holed?
Club
Fancy a golf lesson? The PGA just made it easier to connect with their experts
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: I’ve got too many clubs in the bag – how many shots will it cost?
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained with John Paramor: My ball is in an animal hole – do I get free relief?
Should paper scorecards be a thing of the past? How technology is changing golf forever
Club
Golf is FOREeveryone: R&A campaign wants more women and girls playing the sport
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained with John Paramor: Can you move loose impediments?
This golf club’s ingenious way of dealing with their membership waiting list
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf Explained with John Paramor: When can you clean your golf ball?
Club
Enough with the rough! Is it time for golf courses to cut down the thick stuff?
‘It’s the sort of mentality we’ve got to get rid of’: Why Paul Lawrie says golf’s ‘rules’ need to change
