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.
How Cobra’s stronger lofts are transforming my game
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained with John Paramor: I’ve hit my ball with a practice swing!
Angry Club Golfer: New to golf? Learn the etiquette or go back to playing football
By
Angry Club Golfer
Club
Should you be disqualified for not shouting ‘fore’ on the golf course?
Club
Are we guilty of being oversensitive when it comes to golf etiquette?
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained with John Paramor: Playing from the wrong tee
‘The golf course doesn’t discriminate’: Meet the man looking to change the face of the sport
Why does something I’ve been doing on a golf course my entire life suddenly feel so surreal?
What is it about playing in summer that makes us forget the rules of etiquette?
By
Angry Club Golfer
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: Do I need to mark my ball when taking relief?
The Open
For the first time in months, for a few hours at least, it finally felt normal
World Handicap System
iGolf – England Golf’s ‘historic’ handicap scheme – is now open
The Open
They call him ‘Robert Smith of the links’ – and it’s his job to get Royal St George’s ready for the Open
The Open
Want to attend the 150th Open at St Andrews? The ticket ballot is now open
How I found 14 extra yards in one custom fitting session
They laid bare the ‘anomaly’ in covid grants – but what happened to Frinton?
World Handicap System: We’re three months in – so what’s working, and what isn’t?
Can we all just agree that Covid rules at golf clubs are getting a little out of hand?
By
Angry Club Golfer
World Handicap System
England Golf: Stop worrying about independent golfers – they won’t affect club membership
Rules of Golf
I picked up my ball on the green without marking it – is there a penalty?
Club
England Golf ‘left with no other choice’ as disciplinary action begins against 25 clubs
US Open
The last US Open at Torrey Pines was as dramatic as it gets – so can we expect a repeat?
‘We’re at risk of achieving nothing’: Warning for golf clubs as pandemic boom wanes
Handicap schemes are NOT the biggest threat to membership numbers – green fees are
‘It was a crazy time’: How Bush Hill Park became England’s best golf club
World Handicap System
WHS explained: How many scores does it take for my handicap to be accurate?
Rory, Faldo, Olazabal – this man helped prepare a course for all of them
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: This bunker is full of water – can I have a free drop?
The driver that has given me hope – and why I want more…
World Handicap System
World Handicap System explained: Why doesn’t this lower score on my record count?
World Handicap System
WHS explained: Why do I play off 95% in an individual stroke play competition?
Club
The tournament that helped launch the finest European Tour careers is back – and spectators are allowed in
World Handicap System
England Golf’s plea to clubs after revealing mind-boggling amount of emails on WHS
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: Can I measure the relief area for a drop with a headcover on?
Beware the most annoying golfers at your club – the ‘teapots’
By
Angry Club Golfer
PGA Championship
‘You’re building a course next to the ocean but not letting the golfers see it!’
Courses and Travel
‘The course kind of lost its teeth’: How Seaton Carew is going back to basics
By
NCG
World Handicap System
WHS is designed to be fairer – but is it favouring higher handicappers?
World Handicap System
The software flaw that takes the ‘world’ out of World Handicap System
World Handicap System
The England Golf app has launched to mixed reviews – but how did we get on with it?
Club
‘Golf clubs are not immune’: England Golf look to ease tension in SafeGolf row
Golf clubs: Don’t make the mistake of taking loyal members for granted
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: My ball is hanging over the hole – what do I do?
World Handicap System