Golf Club Talk UK – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to the first episode of The Greenprint! In this inaugural episode, we dive into the incredible story of Raglan Golf Club in Monmouthshire, Wales—a course that has truly risen from the ashes. After closing its doors following the COVID-19 pandemic, Raglan was purchased in early 2024 by a group hailing from Monmouthshire, and its rebirth is nothing short of inspiring.

Lucy, the driving force behind the revitalization, shares her journey in transforming the course from a state of disrepair to one that's ready to open in early April. From rebuilding greens to adding new tees and bunkers, Lucy has tackled every challenge, including restoring irrigation systems and improving drainage. She also discusses the agronomic hurdles of reopening a course after being closed for over two years, including selecting the right grass species for greens that were initially sown with fescue.

This episode is a fascinating look at how a struggling venue can be brought back to life with the right vision, support, and the dedication of passionate people. Tune in for an encouraging and insightful story of revival and community focus.

https://www.raglangolfclub.co.uk/

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In this episode of Golf Club Talk UK, we’re thrilled to welcome Daniel Grieve, Head Professional at the prestigious Woburn Golf Club and a Master PGA Professional with a wealth of experience. Daniel has become a standout figure in the golfing world, particularly known for his innovative approach to the short game.

Eddie sits down with Daniel to discuss his impressive presence on social media, where he’s been sharing fresh, original techniques that are transforming how golfers approach their short game. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, Daniel’s philosophy is all about simplifying complex concepts and providing golfers with practical tools to elevate their skills.

Daniel’s system, which forms the basis of his widely praised book 3 Releases: The Short Game System, has helped golfers at every level gain a deeper understanding of the short game and improve their performance around the greens. 

Eddie guides a fascinating conversation with an influential figure in the game.

On episode 110 of GCTUK, following a monthly catch up, Leighton and Eddie talk to Simon Hassall, Chairman of Haydock Park Golf Club.  Haydock Park is a members club located in the North-west of England. 

Simon, having come from a strong corporate background, has been in post for 3 years and he provides his views on the industry, but also how he approaches his role.  Some of the other areas covered include; Being a director and how Simon views the Chairman role and the industry, how to take the best of the corporate world......into Golf clubs, use of data, challenges of keeping a Board focused on the right areas and what Haydock Park is doing to stay ahead of the curve. 

https://www.haydockparkgc.co.uk/

Don't forget our Management Field Trip at Princes and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs on 26th, 27th March.  For more details or to book click here - Management Field Trip 

www.golfclubtalk.uk

golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com

Leighton is then joined by GCTUK sponsors - BRS in conjunction with Golf Genius.  One year into this great partnership, Conor and Alex explain some of the innovations in the system and how the partnership is going from strength to strength.  There's plenty more to come too!

Bedford & County Golf Club - https://www.bandcgc.co.uk/

BRS Golf - https://www.brsgolf.com/web/

Golf Genius - https://www.golfgenius.com/

Michael has had a very steady progression through teh Golf Management ranks to find himself at this great club.  We discuss his journey to Royal Birkdale but then also go into more depth about the club itself but also some of the things that go with hosting the Open Championship.  

While the next one may be some years away at Royal Birkdale, the planning is constant and Michael works closely with the R&A on all matters course, ecology and logistics.  

The Open aside, Michael manages a busy club with a strong membership and he provides more detail on what it takes to keep standards high.  

https://royalbirkdale.com/

Thanks to our sponsor BRS Golf

www.brsgolf.com

On the first episode of GCMA Insights for 2022, we feature the GCMA Mentor programe released in late 2021 and due to commence in May 2022.  The scheme is designed to draw on the best in our industry to nurture the next generation of industry professionals.  Leighton is joined by Tom Brooke, CEO of GCMA along with four of the new mentors (listed below) and Biddy Lloyd Jones and Keith Maynard who have been training the mentors.  

Future mentees will be able to benefit from this training but also the many years of experience to be received through these industry professionals.  

Mentors include:

Richard Penley-Martin - Denham GC

Andrew Whitelaw - Portmarnock GC

Gary Beves - Golf at Goodwood

Ben Driver - Chigwell GC

www.gcma.org.uk

Following Leighton & Eddie's catch up, we talk to Amelia Lewis from Players 1st to deep-dive into member and guest surveys including the results, benefits, how best to frame your surveys and how to use the information to assist member retention.

Players 1st is the world’s leading supplier of Customer Experience solutions specifically designed to help golf operators retain and recruit members by helping clubs gain a better understanding of members' wants, needs and opinions on what's on offer.

Players 1st has forged strategic partnerships with leading national golf associations across Europe and North America, combining their expertise in customer experience management with industry best practices to deliver a powerful, easy to deploy solution for public and private course operators to help them take care of their most important asset – their members and guests. Learn more at www.players1st.golf

Thanks to our sponsors BRS - www.brsgolf.com

Great to be back for 2022 and we kick off then year with two interviews. 

Following a catch up with Eddie and Leighton, Eddie speaks to Doug Poole, Chief Executive of the UK Golf Federation.  The UK Golf federation represent proprietary and commercial minded clubs and driving ranges across the UK

https://www.ukgolffederation.com/home

Doug gives us a run down of what's happening at the federation as well as his own time at the helm following an interesting career in the Golf Industry.

Leighton then chats to Andrew Gibbins and Damien Urwin from Your Golf Travel.  Like all aspects of the Golf industry, it's been a tough time for Golf Travel, particularly on the International front.  Damien tells us why this might change this year, and Andrew who is UK based tells us what's been happening locally.  He also delves into what clubs can do to get their share of the UK Golf travel market, especially with the increased travel at home.

https://www.yourgolftravel.com/

Thanks again to our sponsors BRS Golf - www.brsgolf.com

On the last episode for 2021, Eddie and Leighton have a good catch up and a look back at 2021 including favourite episodes.  They then pull their crystal balls out for a look forward to 2022.  

Following the intro, we're joined by our sponsors BRS.  Karen Moss and Kevin Murray provide some hugely valuable data on member utilisation numbers.  This is on the back of the August episode where visitor play was covered.  Numbers of member rounds are compared with 2020, but more importantly 2019 which is a more typical comparison.  

Well worth a listen for anyone who wants to keep their finger on the pulse.  

www.brsgolf.com

Thanks to all of our listeners and Merry Christmas!

Twitter - @golfclubtalkuk

golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com

On this episode of GCMA Insights, we feature a recap of the GCMA conference held at Wyboston Lakes in November.  Leighton attended the conference, not only for some education but also to carry out some interviews with attendees, suppliers and presenters.  The event was a big success and Tom Brooke starts the show by giving us his views on why it was so successful.  The three key topics of sustainability, wellbeing and technology hit the mark with attendees with a great education program.  We were also inspired by people such as John Paramor, Catriona Matthew, Danielle Brown and Chris Cook. 

The interviews offer some highlights and short bites from the guests and they include:

Jim Croxton – BIGGA

Steve Carroll – GCMA Magazine and National Club Golfer

Jimmy Sandison – Rainbird

Michael Herd – Colt Mackenzie McNair

James McLean – GCMA Manager of the Year & GM Bognor Regis GC

www.gcma.org.uk

https://www.rainbird.com/eur

https://coltmm.com/

https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/

https://www.bognorgolfclub.co.uk/