NCG Top 100s Podcast

With The Open returning to Royal Birkdale, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy take an in-depth look at one of golf's most iconic championship venues ahead of the year's final men's major. The pair break down the dramatic changes made to the course since Jordan Spieth's memorable victory in 2017, discussing the brand-new holes, redesigned layouts, and whether the updates will make Birkdale a better test for...

Why are so many golf clubs cutting down trees? Are trees essential to the beauty and character of a course, or have they become obstacles to great golf course design? In this episode of the Top 100s Podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy tackle one of the most debated topics in modern golf architecture: trees. Inspired by a famous quote from legendary architect Alister MacKenzie, they explore the role...

In this episode, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy kick things off by reflecting on the US Open at Shinnecock Hills, discussing Wyndham Clark’s victory, the course setup, and what made the championship such a compelling watch. The main focus, however, is a fascinating look back at a Golf World Top 100 ranking from 2002 . Using the historic list as a reference point, Tom and Dan explore how golf course rank...

Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy return to the NCG Top 100s Podcast to discuss the arrival of summer golf, the impressive transformation of Moortown, and what makes a great US Open venue. They also look ahead to championship week and debate course setup, width, strategy and the challenge facing the world's best players. The main event is Dan's latest Top 100 ranking adventure through Wales, uncovering som...

Tom Irwin and Mike Robertson are in the studio to relive another instalment of the NCG Top 100 48 Hours in series — this time heading to England’s underrated golfing hotspot: the Fylde Coast. Across two packed days, the pair take on four standout courses, explore the stories behind the clubs, and reflect on why this stretch of Lancashire coastline deserves far more attention from travelling golfer...

Join Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy on the latest episode of the NCG Top 100s podcast as they dive into the upcoming Welsh golf rankings and explore what makes golf in Wales so special. From iconic links like Royal St David’s and Aberdovey to hidden moorland gems, the pair discuss the ranking process, standout courses, unforgettable golf trips, and why Wales offers some of the best value golf in Great B...

Tom and Dan return to complete their deep dive into Augusta National Golf Club, turning their attention to the legendary second nine at the Masters. Before diving in, the pair recap recent travels through North Wales, Belfast, and a fascinating look at golf course transformations and technology conferences shaping the future of the game. The main event, though, is Augusta. From the towering slopes...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin is joined by Richard Weeks, General Manager of Royal Birkdale, to explore the extensive preparations underway ahead of hosting The Open Championship. They dive into the thinking behind recent course changes, how the team balances tradition with modern championship demands, and what it really takes to present one of the world’s most iconic...

Fresh off the fairways of Augusta National, Tom Irwin is joined by Dan Murphy to relive their experience at the Masters and dive deep into one of golf’s most iconic stretches. From the deceptive opener to the drama of Amen Corner’s doorstep, Tom and Dan break down how each hole really plays, what surprised them most on the ground, and why Augusta’s subtleties are impossible to fully grasp from TV...

In this special episode of the NCG Golf Podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy look back on a captivating week at Augusta National, where Rory McIlroy cemented his place in golfing history with a second consecutive Masters victory. Having captured his maiden Green Jacket in 2025, McIlroy returned in 2026 to prove it was no one-off, holding off a relentless chasing pack to become just the fourth player...

In this Saturday edition of the NCG Golf Podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy return to reassess the ever-shifting landscape of The Masters. After the optimism surrounding Rory McIlroy’s earlier performance, moving day told a very different story. McIlroy struggled to find his rhythm, leaving the door wide open for the chasing pack. Stepping into the spotlight was Cameron Young, who produced a sensat...

In this special Masters edition of the NCG Golf Podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy dissect a truly memorable round from Rory McIlroy. The episode takes listeners shot-by-shot through McIlroy’s sensational performance at The Masters. The duo explore the key moments that defined the round, the strategic decisions that shaped his score, and how this display stacks up against some of Augusta National’s...

Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy break down all the action from an enthralling opening day at Augusta National. From standout performances and surprise contenders to the traditions and quirks that make The Masters truly unique, the duo explore the moments that only happen at Augusta. Expect sharp analysis, behind-the-scenes insights, and plenty of storytelling as the journey to the Green Jacket gets under...

Augusta National is one of the most famous venues in sport, but what is it really like beyond the perfectly manicured fairways and familiar TV shots? In this special episode of the NCG Golf Podcast, Dan Murphy and Tom Irwin take you inside the gates to share their first-hand experiences from the home of the Masters on the day before the action starts. From the subtleties of the course’s elevation...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, Tom Irwin is joined at Dunbar Golf Club by Membership Services Manager Cameron John Byrne for an in-depth look at one of Scotland’s most captivating links courses. Set on the rugged East Lothian coastline, Dunbar blends over 400 years of golfing history with a layout shaped by Old Tom Morris and refined through the ages, yet still remarkably untouched i...

Tom Irwin is joined by Dan Murphy to explore the host venues staging some of GB&I’s biggest amateur events this year. From the historic fairways of Royal Birkdale to the ever-influential Moortown, they look at the courses shaping the amateur calendar and what makes them worthy of the spotlight. The conversation also dives into the role these venues play in supporting young golfers and giving b...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy tackle one of golf’s most misunderstood topics: how do we actually define a golf course? From links and parkland to heathland, moorland and clifftop, the pair break down the characteristics that separate each style, exploring everything from soil types and vegetation to location and design philosophy. They also dive into the oft...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy turn their attention to one of golf’s biggest questions: where is The Open heading after St Andrews in 2027? The pair explore the future of the Open rota, discussing established venues such as Royal St George’s and Royal Troon, while also debating whether iconic courses like Portmarnock could finally join the championship’s regu...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy tackle a question every travelling golfer asks: where can you find the best value golf in Great Britain and Ireland? Using the NCG Top 100s GB&I Top 250 as their starting point, the pair reveal the courses that deliver the most for your money among the very best venues in the region. The list is built on extensive research i...

In this special edition of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, recorded on-site at Streamsong Resort, Tom Irwin is joined by acclaimed golf course architect David McLay-Kidd to discuss the vision behind the resort’s soon-to-open fifth course. Born and raised in Scotland, the son of a pioneering golf course superintendent, McLay-Kidd grew up immersed in the game — not just playing it, but understanding what...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy dive into Florida’s golden age golf courses and the lasting influence of Donald Ross, exploring how his work compares to fellow greats like Tillinghast and MacKenzie - including the fascinating near-miss of Ross almost designing Augusta National. The pair discuss Ross’ standout Floridian designs, from Timuquana and Palma Ceia to...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy turn their attention to the very top of the Top 100s Scotland list, unpacking the stories, controversies, and strong opinions surrounding the top four courses in the Home of Golf. Dan makes the case for Muirfield as Scotland’s true number one, while Tom weighs up how tradition, consistency, and the overall golfing test influence...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy break down positions 10 to five in the NCG Top 100s Scotland ranking. As the countdown intensifies, the pair dive into what separates Scotland’s very best courses from the rest, analysing design quality, conditioning, memorability and overall playing experience. Tom and Dan discuss the standout holes and defining characteristics...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy continue their countdown of the new NCG Top 100s: Scotland list, focusing on the courses ranked from 100 to 11 — and the remarkable strength in depth that defines Scottish golf. They break down standout venues including Western Gailes, Leven Links, Ladybank, Gullane, Machrihanish and Dunbar, while also shining a light on the Kin...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s podcast, host Tom Irwin is joined by NCG Top 100s Chairman Dan Murphy to delve into the latest Scotland rankings - with a spotlight firmly on the often-overlooked bottom half of the list.   Together they explain why these courses deserve far more attention, from outstanding “second courses” at world-famous venues like Royal Dornoch, Royal Troon and Cruden B...