Welcome back to Scratch Social, your weekly dive into Irish golf, global golf stories, community questions, and the moments that make the game more than just a scorecard. Hosted by Eimear McManus and Padraig Lynch, each episode blends insight, humour, and real-world golf experiences, from tour-level headlines to everyday rounds.

In this episode:

We break down the biggest stories in golf this week, starting with Mito Pereira’s decision to retire from professional golf at just 30.

We also celebrate a major milestone for Irish women’s golf, as Áine Donegan secures her Ladies European Tour card for 2026 after a standout performance at LET Q-School in Morocco.

The news round wraps up with a recap of the PNC Championship in Orlando, a family-focused event that delivered standout moments

The Scratch Social community takes centre stage as we respond to our first-ever listener email, answering beginner golf questions around:

• How to get an official Golf Ireland handicap (club membership vs iGolf)
• Whether the handicap system really operates on an “honour system”
• What to expect when booking tee times as a single golfer
• Practical gym and mobility advice to help your golf game

We also share our weekly course picks:

• Underrated Course of the Week
• Quality Golf Under €50

We finish with the Up & Down of the Week, featuring heartwarming family golf moments, festive chaos, and the small wins and losses every golfer can relate to.

Whether you’re new to the game, following Irish golf closely, or just here for the stories, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and community.

Stay Connected:
🌐 scratchsocialhq.com
📸 Instagram & TikTok: @scratchsocialhq
▶️ YouTube: @scratchsocialhq

Welcome back to Scratch Social your weekly dive into Irish golf, must-play courses, golf travel, and the stories and characters that make the game what it is. Hosted by Eimear McManus and Padraig Lynch, each episode blends sharp opinions, cultural moments, and real insight from across the Irish golf scene and beyond.

This week, we bring you:

• News of the Week:
  We break down the IGWA Awards and the Grant Thornton Invitational, the continued strength of Irish golf with Aine Donegan topping LET Q-School qualifying, alongside Irish players chasing 2026 tour cards.
  
  Keep up to date with LET Q-School here: https://ladieseuropeantour.com/reports-page?url=https%3A%2F%2Finfo.ladieseuropeantour.com%2Ftic%2Ftmscores.cgi%3Ftourn%3DQB24~season%3D2025~params%3DP%2a1SRC01~&id=2025&code=QB24&title=Round%201%20Scores%20Only
  
• The Social Round:
  Our weekly Golf Course Under €50 and One Course Everyone Should Play at least once in their lives and why the golf experience goes far beyond the scorecard.
• Interview: Lauren Walsh (LPGA Tour 2026):
  We’re joined by Lauren Walsh, fresh off earning her LPGA Tour card. Lauren chats about the mental grind of Q-School, representing Ireland on the world stage, life on tour, and what’s next as Irish women’s golf continues its upward momentum plus a few fun rapid-fire segments.
• Up & Down of the Week:
  From heartwarming moments to podcast bloopers and everyday golf-life mishaps.

Whether you’re following Irish golf closely, planning your next golf trip, or just love the stories behind the sport, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and inspiration.

🌐 Website: scratchsocialhq.com
📸 Instagram: @scratchsocialhq
🎵 TikTok: @scratchsocialhq
▶️ YouTube: @scratchsocialhq

Welcome back to Scratch Social! 🏌️‍♂️🎙️

In this episode, Padraig Lynch and Eimear McManus soak up the excitement of launching the podcast while diving into the biggest talking points in Irish and global golf.

From celebrating Lauren Walsh securing her LPGA Tour card to shining a light on Ballyneety Golf Club’s growing international recognition, we explore what these moments mean for the game at home. We also dig into accessibility in golf, the cost of equipment, and why value for money has never mattered more.

Along the way, we share listener feedback, fact-check a bold stat from last week, debate whether 18 holes of golf is still fit for the modern game, and highlight some brilliant golf courses you can play for under €50.

The episode wraps up with our golfing goals for 2026, community contributions from listeners, and our Up & Down of the Week — the highs, lows, and moments that defined the past few days on and off the course.

⛳ This Week on the Podcast:

🗞️ Trending Golf Stories: Lauren Walsh’s LPGA breakthrough & Ballyneety on the global stage

🌍 The Social Round: Top golf courses under €50 and why value golf matters

📊 Golf Myths & Fact Checks: Listeners set the record straight on links golf worldwide

🗣️ Debate of the Week: Is 18 holes too much in today’s game?

📘 Rule of the Week: A famous rules mistake with massive consequences

🎯 Goals for 2026: Handicaps, wins, trips & capturing more memories

⬆️⬇️ Up & Down of the Week: The good, the bad, and the funny

🔔 Stay Connected:

🌐 Website: scratchsocialhq.com

📸 Instagram: @scratchsocialhq

🎵 TikTok: @scratchsocialhq

▶️ YouTube: @scratchsocialhq

📩 Share your stories or questions: podcast@scratchsocialhq.com

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 Introduction & Launch Excitement

00:34 Celebrating Lauren Walsh’s Achievement

03:12 Ballyneety Golf Club’s Recognition

05:18 Accessibility & Golf Equipment

06:07 Listener Feedback & Stat Fact Checks

08:22 Favourite Golf Courses Under €50

12:07 Is 18 Holes Too Much?

16:02 Rule of the Week

18:53 Golfing Goals for 2026

23:06 Community Contributions & Listener Goals

25:54 Up & Down of the Week

👍 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your thoughts on 18 holes are you team 9 holes or team 18 holes?