From the Clubhouse: Talking Hoylake with Golf writer Sean Zak
He’s been on an incredible journey through the UK’s courses over the last month – which has started and finished in Royal Liverpool. The golf.com writer talks us through what he’s learned
It’s the kind of golfing odyssey of which most of us would dream. The best of UK golf and a ton of life experiences along the way.
Sean Zak, a well-known writer for golf.com in America, has been on that journey for the last month – traversing great courses and meeting those who love the game.
That expedition started, and is finishing, at Royal Liverpool and Sean kindly spared us some time to recount his adventures.
We’ll also get into some detail about the host course of this week’s Open, consider the American challenge for the Claret Jug, and preview Sean’s exciting upcoming book covering the three months he spent living in St Andrews last year.
It’s a different perspective on the golf we all take for granted in the UK, and you’re sure to enjoy the conversation.
The From the Clubhouse podcast is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf.
How many of the courses that Sean has played over the last month have you visited? What are your favourite experiences of golf in the UK? Let me know with a tweet.
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.
