Guests2020-04-18T13:12:54+00:00

Guests of the Pod

063 – From Stimp to USGA Smart Ball: Measuring What Matters on Modern Greens

Bledge and Sam sit down with the USGA’s Jeff Kinney and Wes Stewart to dig into GS3—the Bluetooth “smart ball” that reads speed, firmness, smoothness and trueness—and why firmness might be the ultimate defence of great golf. They get into Deacon's role as the data hub, a new moisture meter that maps watering decisions, and how better metrics help communicate with golfers, not just set up championships. Latest Products

November 10th, 2025|Categories: Golf Badgers|

062 – Royal Liverpool’s Robot Revolution with Craig Stoba (Husqvarna)

Sam Cooper and James Bledge sit down with Husqvarna’s Craig Stoba to unpack how lightweight GPS-guided mowing robots are changing daily set-ups, from virtual boundaries and millimetre-precise heights to 24/7 schedules that improve turf health and free up greenkeeping time. We get into worm-cast wins, winter cutting on wet sites, and that headline week when fairways were cut autonomously at the Women’s Open. There are app alerts, “goblin goat” selfies, and a candid look at how architecture and maintenance choices evolve when robots take care of the grind.   Latest Products

November 10th, 2025|Categories: Golf Badgers|

061 – From Cattle Stations to Toro: Bradley Taylor’s Greenkeeping Rise

Sam and Bledge sit down with newly crowned Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Bradley Taylor to unpack a whirlwind few years: Australia’s outback, a Belfry apprenticeship, tournament stints from Celtic Manor to Yas Links, and a move to Beau Desert Golf Club. They dig into a tough winter of disease and snow, the sand-heavy recovery, the switch to creeping bent, and the power of transparent comms with members. Plus the small matter of axe throwing and archery at the finals. Latest Products

November 10th, 2025|Categories: Golf Badgers|

060 – From Valderrama to Blackwell: Ben Lovett’s Greenkeeping Adventure

Bledge and Ben sit down in the boardroom at Blackwell GC to unpack a life in turf— from junior days at Trevose and Valderrama to East Lake, Troon North, Australia, Spain and the Turkish Airlines Open. Ben lifts the lid on Blackwell’s quirks: port and brandy in the clubhouse, the legendary 12th “snake” bunker, and a downhill par‑3 on 13 that inspired Bobby Jones. We get into widening fairways to ~15 hectares, clever tee moves that flip hole angles, drought realities with limited irrigation, and a thoughtful tree plan with Frank Pont and co. It’s proper strategic parkland golf—firm, fast, fun. Latest Products

November 10th, 2025|Categories: Golf Badgers|

345 – Course Diaries: Formby Golf Club w/ Ian Jamson

Sam sits down with Formby Golf Club archivist and past Captain - Ian Jamson - to talk about the history of the club. Founded in 1884, Formby is one of the oldest courses on the north west coast and has some fascinating and eclectic tales, which Ian recounts beautifully in this episode. From Horace the Hippo to a clock tower gifted by Sir Bruce Ismay of Titanic fame, and through the evolution of the links and its championship history, it’s a brilliant listen! Ian is a superb storyteller and another highly passionate club archivist who thankfully preserves these wonderful stories for future generations, and we're really grateful to him for finding time to sit down with us. Latest Products

November 6th, 2025|Categories: Course Diaries, Podcasts, Sam's favourites|

344 – Halloween Eclectic 18 Special w/ Simon Barrington

In this in-depth Eclectic 18 special, previous guest and friend of the show Simon Barrington takes us on an odyssey of obscure connections with some of his favourite holes and courses around the world, and their links to the macabre. It’s not just an assortment of holes with cemeteries nearby — we go back to medieval battles, haunted castles, greens built on ancient burial grounds, and even draw some tenuous links between bunkers and the afterlife. Follow Simon on x here or get in touch with him on jamesbraidresearch@gmail.com. His scorecard is below. #1 Ballybunion #2 West Hill #3 Old Petty (Cabot Highlands) #4 Winter Park #5 Lake Zurich #6 Cruden Bay #7 Dornick Hills #8 Royal Troon #9 Portmahomack #10 St Enodoc #11 Sleepy Hollow #12 Augusta National #13 Dunaverty #14 The Old Course #15 Lochcarron #16 Pasatiempo #17 Painswick #18 The Old Course (Reversed) Par: 71 / Yardage: 6,466 [...]

October 30th, 2025|Categories: Eclectic 18, Podcasts, Sam's favourites|
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