Church Stretton: Course Diaries Rugged, provocative and downright memorable. Three terms I would use to summarise a visit to Church Stretton. It’s a course that has been on the wish list for some time now, and a recent Instagram poll back in August, when we asked where people would like to see a future Course Diaries feature, made me get in the car and head out to Shropshire to see why.  I came in anticipation of minute greensites stitched into the hillside and an abundance of quirk, and whilst Church Stretton didn’t disappoint in that sense, the quality of the architecture on offer far exceeded my own expectations. In Edwardian times, the town of Church Stretton was nicknamed ‘Little Switzerland’. It’ll take you all of about 30 seconds to realise why on the drive in (another club with the somewhat unimaginative road name of ‘Links Road’) and the [...]

We get back into the swing of course diaries this week. Sam visited Delamere Forest a few weeks back - located just south-west of Manchester - it’s a Fowler/Heathland classic. Delamere is a long way from the Surrey Sandbelt where you would usually expect to find a course of this ilk and it boasts some incredible elevation change, natural green sites and bunkering on a piece of land that feels just about as removed from everyday life as you could hope for! Next week we’ll be recalling East Lake and getting into the weeds on all things from the professional circuit. hello and welcome back to another episode of the cookie jar golf podcast I am Tom Mills as always and joined with me today is Sam Williams greetings Thomas what a warm morning it is it is we're sat outside jarhq in the sun and we've had [...]

Amateur course architect, career golf writer and full time racontuer Dan Davies joined the podcast to talk about the founding of RNGC. England's latest and hotly anticipated new build course. Measuring just 510 yards, this 9 hole short course is shrinking the game! We caught up with Dan to chat about his career and what drove him to spend 11 months building a course in his back garden!For more on Dan, check out McKellar journals where he has written some fabulous pieces and of course The Sounder journal: https://soundergolf.com/blogs/journal/shrinking-the-game Latest Products

Course Diaries from Dunbar recorded in the hotel lobby of the Marine at North Berwick! That explains some of the subtle chill out music in the background or the occasional jangling of cutlery! We had a wonderful morning at a Renaissance with Jason & 2013 Scottish amateur champion Zander Culverwell, and felt compelled to talk about it! so welcome back to the cookie jar golf podcasting um we're in the marine and Lawn Hotel it's embarrassing we're in the lobby because everyone's on the golf course aren't they so this is embarrassing why are we doing this this hello and welcome back to the cookie jar golf podcast I am Tom Mills and today I'm joined by my friend Sam Williams Thomas it's a pleasure to be here where are we sat well I think we're gonna leave that stupid intro and yeah we are sat in the [...]

Paul Craven is a man of many talents. A member of The Magic Circle, an industry leader on the subject of heuristics and behavioural science, and also one of the club's passionate archivists at Royal Cinque Ports (aka 'Deal). We sat down with him 42 minutes before the clubhouse closed when we were down in Kent last week to talk to him about the evolution of the links, the connections it has with The Open and the Halford Hewitt, as well as some of the quirky and amusing tales from yesteryear. It's a cracking episode and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording it!. For more on Paul Craven, please head over to his website at www.paulcraven.com or follow him on twitter @cravenpartners hello and welcome back to another episode of the cookie jar golf podcast we are having a fantastic time of where [...]

Sam, Tom & Bruce are joined by Harry to talk about their time at The Golf House Club at Elie. The excitement from their afternoon should tell you all you need to know about this beaut of a links in Fife. It’s a wide ranging discussion from an afternoon in the sun, complete with information about the course, the iconic periscope and of course the grudge match. We also talk about our latest fit with TaylorMade and the new Stealth equipment which was in the bag! hello and welcome back to another episode of the cookie jar golf podcast I am Tom Mills and today I'm joined by Bruce Fitzpatrick good evening do you think you could maybe just do me an introduction on one podcast one day where you don't you know what is such a precious little petal aren't you come on Tom get on with [...]

Sam & Tom de-brief from their time at Appleby Golf Club. A course that Sam has long wanted to visit, and for Tom an opportunity that came at the last minute. We really enjoyed visiting Appleby - a standout example of sustainable golf in Britain, with views to die for,  incredibly pure putting surfaces and some excellent holes. Next time you find yourself in the vicinity, make sure to visit! hello and welcome back to another episode of the cookie jar golf podcast I am Sam Williams and today I'm joined by my host Tom Mills Tom hello how are you doing very well thank you how are you I don't know I just thought I'd jumped in there and kick it off I think that was quite nice actually a good start to the Pod is much more energetic than it usually is yeah yeah exactly but [...]

Our first instalment from 'Course Diaries' in 2022 comes from Royal County Down where Sam & Tom catch up with Dr Brian Fleming, one of the clubs' archivists and a long standing member who knows the evolution of the club and the course itself better than most. It's a fascinating story including the history behind many of the traditions that are still kept today. hello and welcome back to another episode of the cookie jar golf podcast I am Tom Mills and today I'm joined by Sam Williams greetings Thomas pleasure as always and we have a special guest on the club archivist or one of the club archivists from Royal County Down Golf Club in Northern Ireland Brian Fleming Brian welcome to the podcast good evening thank you uh nice to meet you Tom and Sam thank you so it must be a true honor to be [...]

Tom & Sam wax lyrical about their trip to Northern Ireland. Starting with Royal County Down, a visit to Royal Portrush, and two cracking 9 hole course - Bushfoot & The Bann course at Castlerock… it was a great trip and a great insight into what Ireland in general has to offer. From ‘underlining’ to Hall & Oates on the course - it’s all in here hello and welcome back to the cookie jar golf podcast I am Tom Mills and today I am joined by my friend Sam Williams greetings Thomas feels like a real while since I've potted and I don't know why that is it's been like 10 days last one was it was a course Diaries at Sunningdale Heath yeah but we had that in the chamber for a good week I would say maybe two and before that was Ryder Cup so I'm [...]