November 2024

042 – Making BIGGA better? – Scott Reeves

2025-06-03T17:05:02+00:00November 14th, 2024|Golf Badgers, Podcasts|

Welcome back Badgers, This week we’ve been joined by Scott Reeves, Head of Membership for BIGGA. We try and get to the bottom of what problems the Greenkeeping Industry is facing in Britain - but more importantly, Scott wants to know what you think. Whether you’re a BIGGA member or not, please do follow the link above and fill out the survey. Thanks for listening, Sam & Bledge Latest Products

274 – Dame Laura Davies

2024-11-08T17:19:21+00:00November 8th, 2024|Behind the Scenes, Bruce's favourites, Player Profiles, Podcasts|

Live from the committee room at West Byfleet where 'the Dame' learnt to play much of her golf in her teenage years, we sit down to talk about Laura's career in the game. A few highlights from a career that spans over 40 years of playing golf at the highest level: 87 professional wins worldwide (including 20 on the LPGA & 4 majors) 7x order of merits in a period that spans 3 separate decades Turning pro in 1985, she won ‘rookie of the year', won The British Open in 1986, and the US Women’s Open - her [...]

October 2024

273 – Halloween Special Eclectic 18: Simon Haines (pt 2)

2024-10-30T21:41:32+00:00October 30th, 2024|Course Diaries, Eclectic 18, Golf History, Podcasts|

In this special two-part podcast, Simon unpacks his Eclectic 18 from holes that no longer exist. Please see our show notes on our blog here to view some of these holes, beautifully compiled by Simon. While the link to Halloween might be tenuous, we hope that doesn't deter you from enjoying what is an exceptional podcast. In the first part, we go through Simon's back nine. Par 32, 2,456 yards 10 - Sunningdale (New) - Par 3 - 160 yards 11 - Hangar Hill - Par 4 - 430 yards 12 - Chadwick Manor - Par 4 - [...]

041 – Part 2 – What’s Been Happening At Birkdale? – Sean McClean

2025-06-03T17:06:07+00:00October 29th, 2024|Golf Badgers, Podcasts|

Last week we heard from Royal Birkdale's Course Manager Sean McClean. This week he's back to talk in some detail over the course changes that many of us watched develop over social media. It was an extraordinary amount of work, especially for a course hosting the world's oldest Major Championship in 2026. This year, Sean and his indefatigable team and back at it - completing Phase 2 of an ambitious project. We hope you enjoy the second half of this conversation and, as ever, please do share with anyone else who might too. [...]

272 – Halloween Special Eclectic 18: Simon Haines (pt 1)

2024-10-30T21:39:18+00:00October 29th, 2024|Course Diaries, Eclectic 18, Golf History, Podcasts|

In this special two-part podcast, Simon unpacks his Eclectic 18 from holes that no longer exist. Please see our show notes on our blog here to view some of these holes, beautifully compiled by Simon. While the link to Halloween might be tenuous, we hope that doesn't deter you from enjoying what is an exceptional podcast. In the first part, we go through Simon's front nine. Par 34, 2,845 yards 1 - Prestwick - Par 5 - 578 yards 2 - Headingley - Par 4 - 407 yards 3 - Royal St George's - Par 4 - 267 [...]

271 – Bill Elliott: Sports Journalist (pt 2)

2024-10-29T04:23:28+00:00October 29th, 2024|Course Diaries, Podcasts, Sam's favourites|

In Part 2 of this cracking podcast with Bil Elliott - lifetime sports journalist and editor at Large for Golf Monthly, we talk about the emergence of the European Ryder Cup team, Seve, Tiger and some of the s that surround the industry of golf writing. Latest Products

270 – Bill Elliott: Sports Journalist (pt 1)

2024-10-29T04:17:19+00:00October 29th, 2024|Course Diaries, Podcasts, Sam's favourites|

Sam sits down for this epic two-part podcast with stalwart golf journalist and Editor at large for Golf Monthly about his career. In part 1, Bill talks about how he came to become involved in journalism, as well as becoming a sports correspondent and ultimately golf. We talk about life on the road, and how he came to become friends with a number of stars on the European tour in a career that spans well over 50 years. Latest Products

269 – Course Diaries: Knighton

2024-10-16T19:42:02+00:00October 16th, 2024|Course Diaries, Podcasts|

A few announcements on the website and merch front, as well as a recap of our afternoon at Sunningdale Heath. We also get into Knighton Golf Club. Based over on the Welsh border in Powys and dating back to 1906, the club has only 70 members and runs a straightforward honesty box for its visitors. Square greens and a motto, "Far & Sure," might be where the similarities with Chicago Golf Club start and end, but this little community-run club deserves for anyone to stop by and see it for themselves. Latest Products [...]

040 – What’s Been Happening At Birkdale? Part 1 of 2 with Sean McClean

2025-06-03T17:07:40+00:00October 16th, 2024|Golf Badgers, Podcasts|

Guest from episode 6 of this podcast (December 2022!) joins us again to discuss first his preparation for Royal Birkdale's Open Championship in 2026, but also the extraordinary suite of changes to the famous links last winter and next. I also give a shameless plug for Volume 1 of my Links from the Road series. It's been a labour of love (and sometimes despair) over the past couple of years, but today is publication day. Fortunately a lot of talented people have been working on the series, and I have them all to thank. If you like this [...]

268 – Course Diaries: St. Anne’s Old Links

2024-10-16T12:13:59+00:00October 16th, 2024|Course Diaries, Podcasts|

Founded in 1901, St Anne's Old Links - or 'Old Links' as it was known in the early days and still is by the locals, is a George Lowe / Sandy Herd links gem on the Fylde Coast, a stones throw from Royal Lytham & St Anne's. The course used to be occupied by the club that would become 'Royal Lytham' and has a fascinating history of its own! Latest Products

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