Golf Club Talk UK

In the final episode of our mini-series featuring General Managers from clubs across the UK, we sit down with our fourth guest, Rob Climas , GM of North Hants Golf Club in Hampshire. Famous as the home club of Justin Rose – and with this conversation recorded in the Justin Rose Room itself – North Hants offers members a truly complete package: a superb golf course, a welcoming clubhouse, and first...

In this episode of our Global Edition, we're joined by Renate Roeleveld , CEO of the Golf Course Association of Europe (GCAE) . Renate brings deep industry experience from her years as a Multi-Course Manager in the Netherlands, a background that now shapes her leadership as she guides the association through an exciting period of growth. Looking ahead, the GCAE Annual Conference will take place in...

Every 2–3 months we're teaming up with Golf Course Architecture magazine to bring you the latest from around the world of Golf Courses  — from redevelopments and restorations to exciting new builds In this episode, Toby Ingleton from GCA magazine joins us to cover happenings from courses in Scotland, USA, Australia, England and Spain!  There's new openings, classic restorations and even a Ryder Cu...

In the second episode of our mini-series on UK Golf Club Managers, Leighton is on-site at Stratford Oaks Golf Club near Stratford-upon-Avon to chat with James Howard, General Manager. Formerly a proprietary club, Stratford Oaks is now proudly member-owned. James is leading the way in shaping the club's future with a strategic plan focused on water security, including the ambitious construction of...

In the first episode of our three-part GCTUK series, we feature two Managers from opposite ends of the UK. After Leighton & Eddie catch up, our first guest is Victoria (Viki) Hart, the ambitious General Manager of Monifieth Golf Links in Scotland. The historic Links is home to three golf clubs, and Viki is leading an exciting period of growth while also overseeing a major course improvement projec...

In this episode, Leighton is joined by Lee Strutt, a Master Greenkeeper with a career spanning some of the world's most prestigious golf courses. From his early work at Richmond Golf Club to grow-ins at elite venues like G-West and Les Bordes New Course as well as the Superintendent role at Cabot Cape Breton, Lee shares his journey through the turf industry, culminating in his current role at the...

This month we're diving into the topic of Finance at Golf Clubs – with a particular focus on capital projects and asset finance. We're joined by Malcolm Pennycott of Golf Finance, who brings his expertise to help demystify a subject that many clubs find challenging. Finance can be a tricky area, especially for member-based clubs, where there is often hesitation or even fear around taking on debt....

In this episode, we're joined by Claire Hodgson, Head of iGolf, and Matt Draper, Development and Membership Director, to dive into the world of iGolf. iGolf is an easy-to-use platform for non-club golfers in England, designed to help players track their performance, view their playing record, and obtain or maintain a Handicap Index. Members also enjoy extra perks such as liability insurance — maki...

We're excited to bring back our popular Panel Discussion episodes — and this time, it's a conversation on AI in Golf Clubs. This Episode's Panelists: Alastair Siclair -  PlayMore Golf Eddie Bullock  – Eddie Bullock Golf Consultancy James Wilkinson  – Albatross Digital Nick Eden  – The Revenue Club Matt Roberts  – 59 Club In this forward-thinking episode, Alastair, James, Nick, Matt and Eddie dive...

Leighton and Eddie are joined by Tony Adams, consultant and founder of Hospitality In Golf, to explore how golf clubs can elevate their food and beverage operations. While a recent episode of GCMA Insights focused on F&B strategy, this conversation dives into the practical, operational side—from service style and food quality to what leading clubs are doing differently. Topics covered include: Imp...

Leighton recently sat down with renowned golf course architect Thad Layton at the stunning Walton Heath Golf Club to discuss Thad's career journey, design philosophy, and his exciting transition into launching his own design firm. The conversation then dove into one of the most important and evolving topics in modern golf architecture: the "design and build" method vs. the traditional "design and...

In this episode - following a catch up between Eddie & Leighton, Eddie welcomes Joe Kelly, Head of Membership Support at the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) of Great Britain & Ireland. Joe shares valuable insights into how the role of PGA Members is expanding far beyond the traditional golf professional. As more clubs reassess their operations and restructure their business models, Joe dis...

Panel Discussion Series Number 2 - Membership We're excited to bring back our popular Panel Discussion episodes — and this time, it's a conversation on membership at Golf Clubs. This Episode's Panelists: Alastair Siclair -  PlayMore Golf Eddie Bullock  – Eddie Bullock Golf Consultancy James Wilkinson  – Albatross Digital Nick Eden  – The Revenue Club Matt Roberts  – 59 Club In this insightful pane...

In this insightful episode, we're joined by  Kate Torgersen  and  Monina Gilbey  of  Torgersen Gilbey , who share how their combined expertise in environmental planning and sustainability strategy led to the formation of their consultancy. Together, they support golf clubs through environmental audits, biodiversity planning, and strategic sustainability communication. Kate breaks down what's invol...

In this special episode, we're excited to announce a new partnership between Toro, Golf Club Talk UK, and The Greenprint. Joining Leighton and Eddie is Andy Brown from Toro to discuss the shared vision behind this collaboration: to spark meaningful conversations within the golf industry that drive innovation, development, and growth for both the game and the people in it. Andy shares insights into...

We're excited to announce the launch of  GCMA ASPIRE on July 1st — a brand-new Career Development Series from the Golf Club Managers' Association. Designed specifically for aspiring and early-career Golf Club Managers, GCMA ASPIRE offers a unique blend of tailored education, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to support your journey in the golf industry. In This Episode: Tom Br...

In our first ever  "What's News"  segment, we're joined by Toby Ingleton, Editor of  Golf Course Architecture Magazine , to explore a variety of exciting projects that are shaping the world of golf course design today. Toby shares insights on a range of developments, including: Royal Dornoch  and the headline appointment of King, Collins, Dormer Trump Turnberry 's renovation work and the new cours...

In this inspiring episode, Leighton is joined by Matt Bloor from England Golf and Becky Kirkby , a qualified Community Golf Instructor (CGI) at Stand Golf Club, Manchester. Together, they dive into the groundbreaking CGI programme – a vital initiative designed to introduce more people to golf and support the wider golfing community. Summary of the conversation: Why the CGI programme was created an...

In this insightful and thought-provoking episode of  Golf Club Talk UK , we welcome Chuck Gallagher, a renowned expert in business ethics and leadership, to discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the golf industry. From club management and member engagement to operational efficiencies, AI is rapidly changing how golf clubs operate. But with great technology comes grea...

Panel Discussion Series Returns! We're excited to bring back our popular Panel Discussion episodes — and this time, it's a special three-part series running over the next three months! With thanks to Alastair Sinclair from PlayMoreGolf, we kick off the series with a deep dive into the Green Fee business, joined by a stellar panel of industry experts: This Episode's Panelists: Eddie Bullock – Eddie...

In this episode, we're joined by Cam Ackerman and Aaron Belcher, the talented duo behind Up River Golf Co. – a rising force in golf course videography. With a rapidly growing reputation for cinematic storytelling and stunning visuals, Up River produces high-quality films for both private clients and their YouTube audience. Cam and Aaron share how they founded Up River and their passion for highlig...

On this episode of GCMA Insights, we're talking about Food & Beverage (F&B) operations at Golf Clubs.  It's a wide ranging chat, based on some of the fundamentals and principles as well as a look at how clubs can do things better, while retaining that "service element" Our guests are: Steven Brown – F&B Consultant - Inn-Formation Heather Moran  – General Manager at La Moye Golf Club Kevin Fish – C...

In this episode of  Trending Topics , we're joined by Sarah Barter, Head of Handicapping & Course Rating at England Golf. Sarah offers an insightful look into England Golf's critical role in managing and supporting the World Handicap System (WHS) in England. We explore how England Golf provides the WHS service under licence to golf clubs, offers general handicap assistance, and oversees a robust c...

In this episode, Leighton is joined by renowned golf course architect Tim Lobb, founder of Lobb & Partners. The conversation charts Tim's journey from his early days in Melbourne through pivotal roles at European Golf Design and Thompson, Perrett and Lobb, culminating in the launch of his own practice. Along the way, Tim shares how each phase of his career has informed his philosophy of working  w...

Leighton & Eddie catch up for a chat and one of the topics is Eddie's recent presentation at the GCMA London & Home Counties Meeting. Eddie then welcomes golf advocate and community builder Julie Walker, founder of Golfers Experience Consulting and Women on the Tee, a knowledge hub for womens golf.  Julie talks about her passion for elevating the women's game, the impact of the R&As Women in Golf...