Linked By Golf

Lloyd Saltman’s journey through golf took him from being one of Scotland’s brightest amateurs to competing on the professional stage alongside contemporaries such as Billy Horschel and Rory McIlroy — and eventually to stepping away from playing full time.

In this episode, Lloyd opens up about the emotional challenge of leaving the tour behind, how he navigated that transition, and how coaching and mentoring allowed him to stay connected to the game he loves.

You’ll hear about:

• His standout amateur career, including iconic wins and finishing as low amateur at The Open

• Competing alongside some of the world’s top golfers and what it taught him

• The tough decision to step away from full-time golf and redefine his path

• How coaching and mentoring became his new focus, and the lessons it offers golfers at all levels

• Insights on resilience, identity, and growth both on and off the course

This conversation shows that golf is more than scores or rankings — it’s a lifelong journey that shapes who we are and how we navigate life’s transitions.

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In this episode, I welcome esteemed golf coach and author Gary Nicol, who shares his extensive experience in the game. With decades of coaching at the highest level, including working with Tour professionals, Gary has developed a unique approach to enhancing on-course performance.

I explore his career journey, from coaching elite players to co-authoring insightful books with Karl Morris. These include:

• "The Lost Art of Putting" – This book encourages golfers to become more child-like on the greens, focusing on the joy of getting the ball into the hole. (Amazon)
• "The Lost Art of Playing Golf" – A work that challenges conventional coaching wisdom, helping golfers reconnect with the art and soul of the game. (Amazon)
• "The Lost Art of the Short Game" – This book aims to change the way golfers think about chipping, pitching, and bunker play, encouraging them to embrace the challenge and showcase their skills around the greens. (Amazon)

Gary also discusses his performance consultancy, Performance Principles, where he applies lessons learned from over 30 years of coaching to help golfers of all abilities play smarter and enjoy the game more. (Performance Principles)

In this insightful episode, Johan Swanepoel, a seasoned professional caddy, takes us behind the ropes of professional golf to share his incredible journey on tour. Johan recounts his memorable experiences caddying for Christiaan Bezuidenhout during their remarkable wins, reflecting on the trust, preparation, and teamwork that drove their success.

Now working alongside Branden Grace, Johan discusses their partnership and what it takes to stay competitive in the fast-paced world of professional golf. From strategizing on the course to celebrating victories, Johan provides a unique perspective on what makes a player-caddy relationship thrive.

The episode also highlights Johan’s encounters with golfing legends. He shares his unforgettable moment meeting Tiger Woods, providing an up-close glimpse of one of the game’s greatest. He also speaks about the wisdom exchanged with Joe LaCava, Tiger’s iconic caddie, and Terry Holt, Bernhard Langer’s longtime partner on the bag, giving listeners a peek into the camaraderie and respect among the caddie community.

Johan’s stories showcase the behind-the-scenes world of professional golf and the pivotal role caddies play in their players’ success. This episode is packed with passion, insight, and a true love for the game, making it a must-listen for golf fans and sports enthusiasts alike.

Follow Johan, Instagram: @johanswanepoel0

Follow Stingers GC, Instagram: @stingergc

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Pete McLachlan, the creator behind the popular YouTube channel Bogey Train Films. Pete is making a name for himself in the golf world by producing content that blends humour, insightful tips, and high-quality filmmaking. We dive into Pete’s journey into golf content creation, discussing how he transitioned from being an avid golfer to building a YouTube channel that resonates with both casual players and serious golf enthusiasts alike.

Pete takes us behind the scenes of his process, sharing the challenges and rewards of producing golf-related content. We chat about the importance of storytelling in golf content and how Pete is building a community of viewers who appreciate his relatable approach to the sport. Plus, Pete shares some valuable golf travel tips for those looking to experience something different in Scotland.

In addition to discussing the technical side of filmmaking, Pete shares some exciting upcoming projects for Bogey Train Films. Whether you’re a golf beginner or a seasoned player, Pete’s passion for the game and his unique approach to content creation will inspire you. Tune in for a fun and insightful conversation on the intersection of golf, creativity, and the YouTube world!

You can follow Pete and Bogey Train Films on YouTube at Bogeytrain Films and on Instagram at@bogeytrainshow.

Join us in this exciting episode of Linked By Golf as we chat with Donald McKay, Head of Tuition & PGA Professional at Wellsgreen Driving Range in Fife, Scotland. With over 34 years of coaching experience, Donald has guided golfers of all levels—from Tour Professionals to complete beginners—using his approachable, easy-to-understand philosophy.

An excellent player in his own right, he has competed in European Tour events and claimed numerous Tartan Tour Pro-am victories. Today, Donald is passionate about helping others with their games and reminding them to have fun on the golf course.

Donald is also a co-host of the Talk Golf Scotland podcast, where his humour, insight, and wealth of experience make him a favourite among listeners. Tune in to hear how this seasoned professional approaches coaching and plenty of great insights along the way!

Please remember to like, share and subscribe to Linked By Golf!

Episode Description:In this special episode, we dive deep into the life and career of one of the most respected figures in golf journalism, Martin Dempster.

As a longstanding golf correspondent for The Scotsman, Martin has spent decades capturing the highs, lows, and unforgettable moments of golf, not only in Scotland but worldwide. Today, we explore his journey from an aspiring writer to an authoritative voice in golf media, documenting some of the sport's most thrilling eras.

With personal stories and insights gained from years in the industry, Martin shares how golf has changed, both on and off the course, and what it’s like to cover iconic tournaments like The Open Championship and Ryder Cup. Join us as we talk about his recent work, the evolution of the sport, and the challenges of adapting to new media landscapes.

Show Notes:

• Guest: Martin Dempster, golf correspondent for The Scotsman newspaper
• X (formerly Twitter): @DempsterMartin
• Martin Dempster’s Book: The Art of Scottish Golf

Segment Highlights:

1. Early Career & Passion for Golf: Martin recounts his journey into journalism and his early love for the sport, growing up in Scotland.

2. Covering Major Tournaments: Martin shares memorable experiences from covering some of golf’s biggest events and how these tournaments have shaped the sport and his career.

3. The Evolution of Golf Media: Reflecting on his years at The Scotsman, Martin discusses the evolution of media, the challenges of digital transformation, and the shift in how fans engage with the sport.

4. Martin’s Book and Future Projects: We delve into his latest book and upcoming plans, including his hopes for the future of golf journalism.

Tune in to learn about the unique perspective Martin brings to golf journalism and hear his first hand accounts of life behind the scenes of one of the world’s most beloved sports.⁠

What actually happens inside TrackMan HQ — and how much of that data should golfers really be paying attention to?

In this episode of Linked By Golf, we’re joined by Stevie Carmichael, EMEA Alliances Director at TrackMan and former elite Scottish amateur, for an inside look at how the world’s leading golf technology is used by tour players, coaches, and high-level amateurs.

From stories at Wentworth, to how elite players balance feel vs facts, Stevie breaks down what TrackMan data does well, where golfers often misunderstand it, and how to use it without overcomplicating your game.

This is a must-listen if you’ve ever chased numbers on the range — or wondered what really matters.

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🔑 Key Talking Points

• What goes on inside TrackMan HQ

• How tour players actually use (and ignore) data

• The biggest mistakes amateurs make with launch monitors

• Why feel still matters in a data-driven game

• Wentworth stories and tour-level insight

• “Pole vault or broomstick?” — a surprisingly accurate putting analogy

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🎧 Who This Episode Is For

• Golf coaches & instructors

• Competitive amateurs

• Golfers using TrackMan or launch monitors

• Anyone trying to practice smarter, not longer

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📲 Follow & Connect

For clips, insights, and weekly golf conversations, follow us on Instagram:

👉 @linkedbygolf2024

If you enjoyed the episode:

⭐ Follow / Subscribe to Linked By Golf

📤 Share it with a golfer who loves TrackMan

💬 Leave a review — it really helps the show grow

Welcome back to Linked By Golf! After a summer break, I'm delighted to be joined by Stevie Carmichael.

Stevie is the Alliances Director for Trackman in EMEA and also a hugely talented golfer who represented Scotland many times as an elite level amateur player.

In this episode, we cover how Stevie got into golf, what supported his progress and then some of the experiences he had playing for his country.

To find out more about Trackman, visit:

https://www.trackman.com/

Connect with Linked By Golf:

• Follow the show, @linkedbygolf24 on X, @linkedbygolf2024 on Instagram

• Subscribe to Linked By Golf on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Title: Who are you going to be? With Jamie Edwards

Description:In this exciting episode of Linked By Golf, I have a conversation with Jamie Edwards, a renowned performance coach who has dedicated his career to helping individuals unlock their full potential. Jamie’s journey from the basketball court to the world of high-performance coaching is nothing short of inspiring. Mentored by the legendary Alton Byrd, Jamie achieved remarkable milestones, including winning Commonwealth Gold in Edinburgh. Today, he shares his invaluable insights on mental conditioning, resilience, and achieving excellence in both sports and life.

Jamie has worked with clients such as Gareth Bale, Joe Hart, Tyrrell Hatton, Katie Boulter, Lee Westwood & Freddie Flintoff!

Episode Highlights:

1. Jamie’s Basketball Beginnings:

   • How mentorship from Alton Byrd shaped his early career.

2. Transition to Performance Coaching:

   • The foundational principles of his coaching philosophy.

3. The Power of a Trained Brain:

   • Understanding the role of mental conditioning in achieving peak performance.
   • Practical advice on building resilience and maintaining a winning mindset.

Resources Mentioned:

• Visit Jamie’s website for more information on his coaching programs: www.trained-brain.com
• Book a session with Jamie: Contact Jamie

Connect with Linked By Golf:

• @linkedbygolf2024 on Instagram

• Subscribe to Linked By Golf on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Call to Action:If you’re ready to have a conversation with yourself, assess your performance and put the pieces in place to achieve your goals, don’t miss this episode with Jamie Edwards.

In this bite sized episode of Linked By Golf, we hear from Scottish sports journalist, Andy Devlin, about the experience of reporting on high profile football matches.

On a famous night for Scotland in Paris, Andy was typing like Rick Wakeman on the team bus and chasing James McFadden down for an exclusive interview. The experience resulted in the famous headline - "Scotland Star celebrates with roll and square!"

You can catch Andy's full interview in Episode 6 of Linked By Golf

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