In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin is joined by NCG Top 100s Chairman Dan Murphy to tackle a fundamental question facing modern golf clubs: what is the right length of golf course for the club golfer?

The podcast opens with Dan's recent visit to Fulford to see the vast changes at the Yorkshire course and how he expects the changes to make a huge difference. It prompts Tom and Dan to briefly discuss the attitudes towards tree removal as part of course renovations and how golfer's appetites have changed when it comes to golf course rankings.

Tom and Dan then tackle the discussion of golf course length and what is the advisory length for the average golfer to play, whether you get the full experience of a golf course when playing from forward tees, how tees change the feeling of whether a golf course is a good routing or not, and why our egos want us to go back and play a course at its full length.

They explore how playing from appropriate tees can unlock more strategy, and encourage the use of a wider variety of clubs. The episode also addresses how excessive length impacts enjoyment, scoring, and most importantly pace of play, and why a rethink before you tee off could improve the experience for golfers of all standards.

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In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin travels to the far north of Scotland to visit Royal Dornoch Golf Club, one of the most revered and historic links courses in the world.

He is joined by Neil Hampton, General Manager of Royal Dornoch, whose deep Highland roots and lifelong connection to links golf provide a unique perspective on the club’s past, present, and future.

Their conversation explores how a course first played over 400 years ago has become a modern-day pilgrimage for golfers from around the globe.

Neil explains the many factors behind Dornoch’s global reputation – from glowing endorsements by Tom Watson and Ben Crenshaw, to the influence of classic golf writing, and the enduring legacy of Donald Ross, whose architectural philosophy still defines the course today.

Tom and Neil also delve into what makes Royal Dornoch so special on the ground: vast yet demanding greens, firm running fairways, constant interaction with the wind, and a routing that blends holes from different eras so seamlessly that change feels invisible. Rather than chasing length or modern trends, the club has remained true to its character, offering a course that challenges elite amateurs while remaining playable – and enjoyable – for all.

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In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin is joined by Rob McGuirk, General Manager of Prince’s Golf Club - host venue of the 1932 Open Championship.

Rob delves into one of golf club's great debates - what are the best 18 holes at Prince’s?

With 27 in total, he and Tom explore how a composite routing might look - and whether it could once again be worthy of hosting The Open for the first time since 1932.

The conversation also uncovers the extensive renovation work that has recently taken place at Prince’s as they prepare to host the 2030 Walker Cup.

How the team has toughened up the course, refined its character, and enhanced its defences compared to the layout that welcomed golf’s oldest major nearly a century ago.

Rob also offers a personal perspective, reflecting on growing up in the area, his journey in the game, and what it means to play a leading role at a club with such deep heritage and ambition.

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