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.
From the Clubhouse: Does the driving range experience stack up?
From the Clubhouse: Drilling into the best winter golf formats
How will the new Rules of Golf affect YOUR game?
From the Clubhouse: Taking you inside the new 2023 Rules of Golf
From the Clubhouse: Do we really enjoy playing winter golf?
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: There’s an old hole plug on my line – can I take relief?
From the Clubhouse: Are we bothered about etiquette?
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: Is there a penalty for an air shot in a bunker?
Want to make Stableford better? Then change the scoring system!
From the Clubhouse: Is the World Handicap System working?
From the Clubhouse: Are there just too many Stableford competitions?
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: My ball is covered in animal droppings – can I get relief?
Ball in a divot? Here’s the world’s smallest violin playing just for you
By
Angry Club Golfer
Rules of Golf
What were the 13 original Rules of Golf – and how do they compare with today?
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: Do I have to mark my ball when taking preferred lies relief?
Has this club found the answer to golf’s gender debate?
Flagstick in or flagstick out? It doesn’t matter – just make a decision!
By
Angry Club Golfer
Rules of Golf
What happens if the lie of your ball is worsened and it wasn’t your fault?
Why aren’t there more mixed-gender competitions? Simple – men don’t want women winning them
The NCG Podcast
From the Clubhouse: Is this the future of men and women playing together in competitions?
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: What happens if my fourball partner plays the wrong ball?
Is this how to keep your club’s lower handicappers happy?
Rules of Golf
Moving out of bounds and setting pins: the side of refereeing you don’t see
From the Clubhouse: Do visitors get a raw deal at clubs?
Club
Rich Beem: ‘It’s time to change things. There needs to be a different set of rules’
This unique club membership model could help golfers through the cost of living crisis
Want to play in club competitions? You should be made to pass an exam first
Why it’s time to ban pre-shot routines (yes, really)
By
Angry Club Golfer
Is your golf club ready to deal with the cost-of-living crisis?
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: My ball moved before I hit it – is it a penalty?
I played a competition from the forward tees – here’s what happened
Hey, golf clubs, why do we keep getting this so wrong?
World Handicap System
At last! The World Handicap System update we’ve been waiting for
World Handicap System