In this week's podcast, Tom Irwin grills Steve Carroll about a wild refereeing weekend and the pair ask whether there are enough competitions at golf clubs

We just love nattering about competitions!

On this week’s From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll meander once again around match play golf and debate the optimal number of events in a club’s calendar.

Tom recounts a head-to-head that left a participant in tears, grills Steve after reading he’d had an eventful refereeing weekend that involved a fair number of DQs, and then takes him to task when he reveals he’s not playing in competitions – while simultaneously asking for more competitions!

Tom’s also got plenty to say on eligibility and why, in his view, the best players can’t always represent their clubs at the top level.

But make sure you listen to the end, when the pair will raise an eyebrow after making an interesting pledge until the end of the season.

What do you think? Are there already more than enough competitions in your club’s calendar, or could you do with more? Let us know with a tweet.

Steve Carroll

A journalist for 23 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former captain and committee member, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the national Tournament Administrators and Referee's Seminar. He has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying and the PGA Fourball Championship. A member of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. Steve is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 3-Wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Hybrids: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Irons: TaylorMade Stealth 5-A Wedge Wedges: TaylorMade Hi-Toe 54 and 58 Putter: Sik Sho Ball: TaylorMade TP5

Handicap: 11.3

Tom Irwin

Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.

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