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.
The NCG Podcast
From the Clubhouse: England Golf on the cost-of-living crisis and World Handicap System update
No running, no alcohol, no partying – but one cricket hero has found everything he needs in golf
Have you ever played your golf course backwards? We tried it – here’s how we got on
I’ve developed an irrational hatred of 95 per cent – am I alone?
‘Golf was a game changer – a gateway to a better version of myself’
Courses and Travel
Visit Yorkshire and sample some of the most special courses on the planet
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: My ball is resting against a frog and it won’t budge – what do I do?
World Handicap System
Want to stop handicap cheats? Here are four simple things your club needs to do
The Open
Smith punishes cautious McIlroy with devastating display in an Open for the ages
The Open
‘Nobody else is going to have the honour of doing a 150th Open’: How the Old Course was set up for history
By
Karl Hansell
The Open
Fighting back the tears, Woods declares he’ll be back – just don’t expect it to be at St Andrews
The Open
‘When the Champions Dinner is happening – then it hurts’
By
Thomas Bjorn
The Open
‘I had a great reception’: Poulter puts booing talk to bed as he looks to enjoy St Andrews swansong
Rules of Golf
Bombers beware! Golf’s most famous finishing hole has a nasty surprise
The Open
The best place to watch The Open action? You won’t find a better spot than this
The Open
‘It’s not in the long-term interest of golf’: R&A backs Tiger in LIV Golf row
Rules of Golf
Beware Grannie Clark’s Wynd! Why you have to play from the road on the Old Course
Tour
A £150 piece of wood and more hats than you could ever wear: The weird and wonderful world of The Open merchandise shop
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: Can I mark my ball on the fringe of the green?
Rules of Golf
The side of The Open you don’t see: Our Rules of Golf expert takes us behind the scenes
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: A player hit my ball but returned it too late – what happens now?
World Handicap System
WHS explained: Can we play from different tees in the same competition?
Rules of Golf
From pastime to passion: How our Rules of Golf expert took his knowledge to the next level
Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf explained: Our expert tackles THAT controversial JT incident
‘I decided I wanted to grow the game – so that’s what I’m doing’
Meet the traffic police – golf’s newest (and most irritating) phenomenon
By
Angry Club Golfer
Rules of Golf
The armchair referees are out in force again – but what do the rules say about Harman’s antics?
Rules of Golf
Remember Phil at Shinnecock? Here’s what could happen now under the Rules of Golf
Club
Reckon you can beat the LET’s finest? This single-figure handicapper took the challenge
US Open
How do you set up a US Open course? Meet the team responsible at Brookline
By
Karl Hansell
Tour
Why it’s time to ditch the argument that women golfers aren’t as entertaining as men
Rules of Golf
Want to concede a putt? Here’s how to do it without breaking the rules
US Open
Braving Brookline: Everything you need to know about The Country Club
Club
Why golf’s hottest new property is turning down the big bucks to play his ‘amateur bucket list’
Is there still a place at our clubs for the traditional pro?
World Handicap System
WHS explained: When will provisional course ratings be upgraded?
Muslim Golf Association launches Taster Tour for women
Golf clubs ‘must not get complacent’ as cost of living crisis takes hold
Tour