The Cookie Jar Golf Podcast

In part 2, we talk about the Robert Rock Junior Academy, as well his work in coaching some of the game's elite players and how Robert would build his career if he had his time again.  A huge thanks to Robert for his time in recording this one with, as well as Little Aston for allowing us to record it at the club.     To keep up to speed with Rocky, his social media can be found here as well a...

To commemorate Inauguration Day, here is a short excerpt from episode 252 on Golfing Politicians. The episode focused on golfers in UK politics over the years, but this extract highlights US presidents known for enjoying trips to the course during their term. Send us a message if you liked the show If you've enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ! You can...

In this episode, Sam & Tom sit down at Little Aston Golf Club on the outskirts of Birmingham with Robert Rock.    A guest who needs no introduction, Robert is a a player who has not only enjoyed a career with exceptional longevity, turning professional in 2004 right through to retirement in 2022 and yet still qualifying in 2024 for the US Open at Pinehurst, he is also regarded as having one of...

A matchplay marathon marks the start of the golfing year for the Oxford & Cambridge Golfing Society. One of the most historic amateur knockout tournaments around, The President's Putter has been played for since 1920 at Rye Golf Club, in East Sussex. For more on Rye, please head to our film here . Previous winners of this event include Ernest Holderness, Bernard Darwin, Roger Wethered, Te...

Sam, Tom & Bruce get together to round out 2024 and look ahead to the new year. As well as talking about some of our favourite parts of the year we look ahead to plans for 2025, events, trips and much more.    We also bring you an exciting piece of news from Bruce... Send us a message if you liked the show If you've enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spoti...

In this third and final instalment of podcasts about the life of James Braid, we finish up at Walton Heath talking about his life as the club's professional, a position he held for nearly 50 years.    Braid took up the role in 1904 when the club was only just starting off, and continued in post until his death in 1950. We couldn't think of anyone better than Philip Truett to help us brin...

In Pt II of our series exploring the life of James Braid, we look at his contributions as a Golf Course Architect.   With over 500 courses shaped in some way by Braid, his legacy on the British Golfing landscape is undeniable, and while the likes of Simpson, McKenzie or Colt are often lauded above Braid, his approach to building thought provoking designs which were strategic in nature is something...

Pt I of our exciting new series, exploring the life of James Braid.   James Braid was part of the great triumvirate which also included Harry Vardon & JH Taylor. In his career he would go on to win 5 Open Championships. Growing up in Earlsferry, before emigrating south of the border, Simon Barrington brings to life his playing career in vivid detail.   Huge thanks go to Simon Barrington, an in...

This week, Bruce and his better half—‘Cookie Jar Lady Captain’—Grace, found some time to catch up with Lottie Woad to talk about her truly stellar year in the game, with her win at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA), ascension to the top of the Women’s Amateur Golf Rankings, and, of course, being part of the GB&I side's victory in The Curtis Cup at Sunningdale. Lottie’s career ha...

Sam & Tom chat through the courses they have visited this year, and look at their composite Eclectic 18 scorecards in a straight up matchplay format. Who has made the best selection, you'll have to listen to the end to find out! Send us a message if you liked the show If you've enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ! You can follow us along below...

Sam & Tom sit down in the members' bar at Royal Lytham & St Anne's Golf Club to meet with Dr Steven Reid, lifelong member at Lytham and author of Bobby's Open, charting the tale of how Bobby Jones came to win his first Claret Jug. He would go on to defend it successfully in 1927, as well as winning at Royal Liverpool in 1930 on his way to completing the ' impregnable qu...

After a chance encounter at The Curtis Cup, Tom sits down with Nigel to discuss his career as one of the most decorated amateurs in British golf. Nigel isn't just one of the most successful Duncan Putter winners in the history of Southerndown, he’s also: Represented GB&I in 4 Walker Cups (01, 03, 05 & 07) Holed the winning putt at Ganton in 2003 Captained GB&I in the Walker Cup in...

Sam & Cal catch up on a Friday morning for some little insights into the recently concluded DP World Tour Q School, which - among other things - includes the first ever Armenian DP World Tour player.... (or so Cal believes)!  Send us a message if you liked the show If you've enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ! You can follow us along below @cookie...

Sam & Tom get together with Chris Haspell & Gordon Sutherland on the eve of the hearing that is taking place this week. The ongoing planning and permissions for this exciting Bill Coore design has been the subject of a lot of coverage over the last 7 years, and the passionate locals who have taken on the mantle - ‘ Communities for Cou l’ - have led it to this point.  It’s a fascinating ins...

Live from the committee room at West Byfleet where 'the Dame' learnt to play much of her golf in her teenage years, we sit down to talk about Laura's career in the game.    A few highlights from a career that spans over 40 years of playing golf at the highest level: 87 professional wins worldwide (including 20 on the LPGA & 4 majors) 7x order of merits in a period that spans 3 s...

In this special two-part podcast, Simon unpacks his Eclectic 18 from holes that no longer exist. Please see our show notes on our blog here to view some of these holes, beautifully compiled by Simon. While the link to Halloween might be tenuous, we hope that doesn't deter you from enjoying what is an exceptional podcast. In the first part, we go through Simon's front nine.   10 - Sunning...

In this special two-part podcast, Simon unpacks his Eclectic 18 from holes that no longer exist. Please see our show notes on our blog here to view some of these holes, beautifully compiled by Simon. While the link to Halloween might be tenuous, we hope that doesn't deter you from enjoying what is an exceptional podcast. In the first part, we go through Simon's front nine.   1 - Prestwic...

In Part 2 of this cracking podcast with Bil Elliott - lifetime sports journalist and editor at Large for Golf Monthly, we talk about the emergence of the European Ryder Cup team, Seve, Tiger and some of the s that surround the industry of golf writing. Send us a message if you liked the show If you've enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ! You can follow...

Sam sits down for this epic two-part podcast with stalwart golf journalist and Editor at large for Golf Monthly about his career.    In part 1, Bill talks about how he came to become involved in journalism, as well as becoming a sports correspondent and ultimately golf. We talk about life on the road, and how he came to become friends with a number of stars on the European tour in a career that sp...

A few announcements on the website and merch front, as well as a recap of our afternoon at Sunningdale Heath. We also get into Knighton Golf Club. Based over on the Welsh border in Powys and dating back to 1906, the club has only 70 members and runs a straightforward honesty box for its visitors. Square greens and a motto, "Far & Sure," might be where the similarities with Chicago Go...

Founded in 1901, St Anne's Old Links - or 'Old Links' as it was known in the early days and still is by the locals, is a George Lowe / Sandy Herd links gem on the Fylde Coast, a stones throw from Royal Lytham & St Anne's.    The course used to be occupied by the club that would become 'Royal Lytham' and has a fascinating history of its own! Send us a message if yo...

Sam and Tom are live from The Fairmont Hotel in St Andrews, catching up on a busy few weeks on the road, including some of the country’s lesser-known amateur foursomes events, the Presidents Cup, and the upcoming Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Don’t miss the special segment at the end, where Tom shares what’s required to achieve 10 seconds of hang-time! Send us a message if you liked the show...

Long time friend of the pod and multiple previous guest Darragh Garrahy chats with Missy Crisps about her phenomenal golfing record and his career in the USGA.  Send us a message if you liked the show If you've enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ! You can follow us along below @cookiejargolf Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Website

A short excerpt from Course Diaries episode 119 with Dr. Brian Fleming, archivist at Royal County Down, discussing the evolution of the links as we head into Irish Open week. It promises to be a great spectacle as we watch some of the world’s best do battle beneath the Mountains of Mourne. Send us a message if you liked the show If you've enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Appl...

Sam and Tom debrief on a big few days spent up on the land of Yorkshire. Three days of golf at Lindrick, Ganton & Moortown, as well as a bit of a download from the much talked about 'Denham Bowl'... Special mention this week to Royal County Down who will be playing host to the Irish Open and what is a very rare chance to see the spectacular links on TV.   Send us a message if you lik...