Linked By Golf

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What do a COVID lockdown, a set of B&Q garden dowels, and a PhD in golf ball design have in common? The answer is Scot Sticks — and one of the best small business stories in golf.

Alistair Pugh grew up a scratch golfer in Scotland, played for the British Universities team, and counts Western Gailes as his home course. In 2020, stuck at home with gigs cancelled (he was a professional drummer), he started hand-painting alignment sticks in his flat. They were, by his own admission, absolutely dreadful. But there was something there.

His PhD research had revealed that ash wood — not hickory — was the original timber of golf. So Scot Sticks were built on that: UK-sourced ash wood, made in the country that invented the game. Every material, every end cap, every paint — sourced right here.

Six years on, the client list is extraordinary. The 2023 European Ryder Cup team in Rome. The GB&I Walker Cup side at St Andrews. The Curtis Cup. Sticks engraved with the names of Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, Jon Rahm and Luke Donald. And Rory — spotted on the range in Dubai using the sticks properly as a practice aid — went on to complete the Grand Slam shortly after. Al notes the timeline. The prize money cut, sadly, was never written into the contract.

All of it built with zero paid marketing. Just Instagram, a brilliant product, and word of mouth from some of the best golfers and clubs in the world.

Find Scot Sticks:Instagram: @scot.sticks | [email protected]

#ScotSticks #GolfPodcast #LinkedByGolf #ScottishGolf #GolfAccessories #AlignmentSticks #BespokeGolf #RyderCup #WalkerCup #RoryMcIlroy #GolfGifts #UKMadeGolf #AshWood #CustomGolf #ScotlandGolf

Keywords: Scot Sticks, custom golf alignment sticks, ash wood golf equipment, Scottish golf accessories, Ryder Cup 2023, Rory McIlroy, bespoke golf gifts, UK made golf products, golf practice aids, Linked by Golf Podcast

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In this episode, Ross is joined by John Gallagher — Scottish Amateur Champion, 2005 British Amateur finalist, and one of the most distinctive golfers to come out of Scottish amateur golf in the last two decades.

John grew up at Swanston Golf Club on the edge of the Pentland Hills, where his dad worked as a greenkeeper. He picked up the game at 14, won his club junior championship within two years, and never looked back. What followed was a remarkable amateur career that took him to the Lothians county team, the Scotland national team, a famous run to the British Amateur final at Royal Birkdale, and ultimately the 2007 Scottish Amateur Championship at Prestwick.

We cover all of it — including the night before the British Amateur final when John couldn't sleep for dreaming about Augusta, the moment his caddie gave away four of his five golf balls to kids while he was playing a practice round with a teenage Rory McIlroy at Loch Lomond, and the outrageous up-and-down on the 18th at Prestwick that kept his Scottish Amateur hopes alive when his ball was barely a yard inbounds.

John also opens up about his time on the professional circuit — the stark contrast between the pampered Scotland team environment and the grind of the Euro Pro Tour, the injuries that disrupted his best years, and why he still loves competing on the Scottish Pro Tour today.

Plus, we get into his unique cack-handed grip, the negative press it attracted when he reached the British Amateur final, and why attitudes have finally started to shift.

In this episode:

Connect with John on Instagram: @johngallaghergolf

Follow us on Instagram for clips, behind-the-scenes and more: @linkedbygolfpodcast

About This Episode

Ross sits down with Andrew Murray — European Open champion, BBC Radio 5 Live golf commentator of 35 years, and one of the most colourful characters to come through the European Tour's formative era. From humble beginnings as a 16-year-old apprentice pro with one Woodwork O-Level to lifting the Panasonic European Open trophy at Walton Heath, Andrew's story is as honest and entertaining as it gets.

What We Cover

Winning the 1989 Panasonic European OpenAndrew takes us back to that famous week at Walton Heath — the six iron into the last, the 12-foot winning putt he nearly turned into a nerve-shredder, and what it felt like to beat a leaderboard featuring Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam, Sam Torrance and Frank Nobilo. He still has the picture on the wall of his study.

The hip condition that almost ended it allDays before his European Open victory, Andrew's consultant had told him his hip was deteriorating rapidly and he needed to consider a different career. He shares just how fragile that triumph really was — and how he managed to play on for another four or five years he was never supposed to have.

Life on the road in the early daysMonday qualifying. Caravans. Fishing trips gone wrong. Andrew paints a vivid picture of what it was like to be a struggling tour pro in the late 70s and early 80s — winning £2,000 in an entire season and not knowing how he kept the fuel in the car.

The African Safari TourA pivotal chapter for many British pros of that generation. Andrew describes the six-week circuit through Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe — and tells the brilliant story of how Ian Woosnam won a Range Rover on that tour, which effectively bankrolled his European breakthrough.

Witnessing the greats up closeAndrew shares his take on the most impressive players he competed alongside — Seve, Faldo, Langer, Woosnam and Lyle. He's particularly effusive about Sandy Lyle and Woosie's natural talent, and draws a fascinating comparison between Woosnam and current star Ludvig Åberg.

Breaking into broadcastingRenton Laidlaw made a phone call in 1991 that changed Andrew's life off the course. He recalls being thrown in at the deep end at Royal Birkdale with one piece of advice: “Don't forget every listener is blind.” That was 35 years ago — and he's barely stopped talking since.

Seniors Tour, Tour School at 58… with his son on the bagAndrew went back to Tour School aged 58, took the full-size tour bag (when everyone else had pencil bags) and won it — with his son Tom caddying. He believes he was the oldest winner at that stage, and the pride in telling that story is unmistakable.

Corporate golf and life todayAndrew runs a thriving corporate golf events business from Cheshire, with events at Turnberry, St Andrews, South Africa, Abu Dhabi and beyond. At approaching 70, he's still playing off +0.2 and still getting nervous on the first tee.

Connect with Andrew Murray

andrewmurraygolf.com Instagram: @andrewmurraygolf

Linked By Golf is a weekly podcast celebrating the game and the people who love it. New episodes every week.

Follow along on Instagram: @linkedbygolfpodcast

What's really going on inside a golfer's mind under pressure? And how much of what we tell ourselves on the course is actually making things worse?

In this episode of the Linked By Golf golf podcast, I sit down with John Mathers — sports psychologist and expert in the mental game of golf — to explore why so many golfers struggle mentally on the course, and what you can do to play better golf by fixing how you think.

John has spent 30 years working with elite performers across golf, tennis, snooker and motorsport. In this golf psychology conversation, he breaks down why it happens — and what you can actually do about it at any handicap level.

Whether you're a scratch golfer or a 20 handicapper, if you've ever wondered why your best golf disappears when it matters most — this golf podcast episode is essential listening.

“Enjoy the highs — but learn from the lows. So that your next high will happen sooner, and perhaps last longer than the last one.” — John Mathers

Follow Linked By Golf for more golf podcast episodes connecting the game through people, stories, and insight.

Follow along on Instagram: @linkedbygolf2024What actually makes a golf club feel right? And how much of what golfers believe about equipment is… wrong?

In this episode of Linked By Golf, I sit down with Joe Miller, European Product Manager at Srixon, inside their European custom build facility to go deep into the history, science, and craftsmanship behind modern golf clubs.

From the earliest wooden clubs in Scotland to today’s precision-built equipment, Joe breaks down what’s really changed—and what surprisingly hasn’t.

We also get a rare behind-the-scenes look at how custom clubs are built, why “standard spec” doesn’t exist, and what everyday golfers can learn from how tour players actually think about their equipment.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your clubs are holding you back—or what actually matters when getting fitted—this is essential listening.

“There is no standard. It’s like asking for a standard pair of trousers.”

Follow Linked By Golf for more conversations connecting the game through people, stories, and insight.

Follow on Instagram:

@Linkedbygolf2024

What does it feel like to lead The Masters Tournament… as an amateur?

In this episode, two-time Amateur Champion Gary Wolstenholme shares his unforgettable experience at Augusta National Golf Club — including the moment he found himself playing alongside Arnold Palmer… and leading the tournament.

This is a story about pressure, instinct, and performing on golf’s biggest stage.

First tee. Augusta National.

10,000 people watching.Arnold Palmer by your side.

You’ve just put a brand-new driver in the bag…

A few holes later —

you’re leading The Masters.

Augusta doesn’t just test your golf.It tests your ability to stay present when everything feels bigger than the moment.

Gary Wolstenholme MastersLeading The Masters amateurAugusta National experienceArnold Palmer Masters stories

Instagram for the show: @linkedbygolf2024

This week on Linked by Golf, Ross is joined by PGA Professional Kenny Monaghan — Head Pro at Stirling Golf Club and co-owner (with wife Amy) of Strathclyde Park Family Golf Centre. Kenny returns to the pod to share exciting developments at both facilities, from major tournament hosting to rapid growth at one of Scotland’s busiest driving ranges.

Kenny and Amy purchased the facility in October 2024 — and the transformation has been rapid:

From hosting major tournaments to reinventing a community golf facility, Kenny’s story highlights how the modern golf industry is evolving — blending tradition with innovation to grow the game for everyone.

A brilliant insight into what it really takes to build thriving golf environments in 2026.

Follow on Instagram: @linkedbygolf2024

In this exclusive on-location episode of Linked by Golf, we step behind the scenes at Srixon Europe’s headquarters in Ash Vale — one of the most advanced custom golf club build facilities in the UK.

Ross tours the workshop with Product Manager Joe Miller to discover exactly how a set of clubs goes from retailer order to precision-built performance equipment — trusted by tour professionals and everyday golfers alike.

From shafts and heads to swing weight, loft, lie, and quality control, this conversation reveals the science, craftsmanship, and surprising details that determine how your clubs actually perform on the course.

How custom golf clubs are built step-by-step

Why custom fitting isn’t just for elite players

The biggest equipment mistakes amateur golfers make

Why wedges are often the most mismatched clubs in the bag

How grip changes can completely alter club performance

The role of loft, centre of gravity, and shaft selection

Typical lead times for custom-built clubs

How manufacturers ensure tour-level quality control

Joe walks us through the entire journey of a custom order:

Order submission from retailer Specification review and build planning Component picking — heads, shafts, grips Precision cutting and assembly Swing-weighting and measurement Final quality control checks

Every club is built to tight tolerances, with multiple verification stages to ensure the finished product matches the player’s exact requirements.

“Small changes — length, lie, grip weight — can completely change how a club feels and performs.”

Contrary to popular belief, custom fitting isn’t only for tour pros.

Joe explains how body type, swing speed, injuries, age, and playing style all influence the ideal club setup — and why buying off-the-rack equipment can leave performance on the table.

A standout insight: many golfers carefully fit drivers but neglect the scoring clubs they use most.

This episode also explores how golfers actually choose equipment — and why looks often matter more than performance.

The surprising importance of aesthetics

Why golfers buy wedges that don’t match their irons

The psychology behind club selection

How modern iron lofts have changed the game

If you’re ordering custom clubs, Srixon aims to deliver within about five days when stock is available — though supply chains and component availability can affect timelines.

Considering most golfers keep clubs for years, a short wait can deliver long-term performance gains.

Joe also discusses:

Forged vs hollow irons

High-launch designs and modern loft trends

Combo iron sets used by tour players

Graphite shafts for injury relief and vibration reduction

Counterweighting and swing dynamics

Joe Miller is Product Manager at Srixon Europe, responsible for technical specifications, product knowledge, and supporting marketing and retail teams across the region. He has worked with the brand for nearly two decades and brings deep insight into both equipment design and real-world performance.

This episode was recorded inside Srixon Europe’s custom fitting and build headquarters in Ash Vale, offering rare access to the environment where performance equipment is assembled for golfers across Europe.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Inside the Custom Build Process

Why Custom Fitting Matters (For Every Golfer)

Equipment Myths & Eye-Opening Insights

Lead Times & What to Expect

Technology, Materials & Performance

About the Guest

Recorded On LocationSrixon players include

Shane Lowry, Hideki Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka, Sepp Straka, Ryan Fox, Keegan Bradley, Ben Griffin & JJ Spaun

Scottie Scheffler uses the Srixon U85 4i

Follow the pod: @linkedbygolf2024

In this episode of Linked by Golf, Ross is joined by Alex Cooper, founder of the Elite Amateur Golf Group (EAGG), to talk about building one of the UK’s fastest-growing competitive leagues for elite amateur golfers.

Alex shares his journey from growing up playing golf near Edinburgh to launching the league in 2017, after recognising a lack of competitive opportunities for scratch and elite amateur players. What started with 15 clubs has now grown to 80 clubs competing in a structured league format across southern England.

They discuss the five-man team format, how the competition creates opportunities for young elite golfers, and the importance of meaningful team golf outside of traditional county competitions.

The episode also dives into the EAGG finals in La Cala, Spain, the growing community around the league, and the now-famous pink jackets awarded to the champions.

Alex’s early golf journey in Scotland

Why the Elite Amateur Golf League was created

Growing the league to 80 clubs

Opportunities for scratch golfers and elite amateurs

Bringing juniors into elite team golf

The EAGG finals week in Spain

Future plans to expand the league across the UK

Learn more: eagg.co.uk Instagram: @eliteamateurgolf

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Instagram: @linkedbygolf2024

In this episode, Ross is joined by personal trainer Colin Dickson to talk about the growing role of fitness in golf and how golfers can improve performance through strength, mobility and better preparation.

Colin shares his journey from working in IT to becoming a personal trainer, why he now works with golfers, and how he’s helping junior players build strength and clubhead speed through winter training programmes.

They also discuss practical ways golfers can improve their fitness, avoid injury and add distance without needing a full gym setup.

Why fitness is becoming essential in modern golf

The most common physical weaknesses in golfers

How strength training can increase clubhead speed

Simple mobility exercises to do before a round

Why hydration and nutrition matter during a 4-hour round

The most underrated exercise for golfers

How junior golfers are gaining a competitive edge through fitness

Most golfers struggle with tight hips and poor spinal mobility, often caused by sitting for long periods. Improving mobility helps golfers rotate better and reduce lower back strain.

Colin focuses on compound movements like deadlifts, squats, lunges, pull-ups and presses to build full-body strength that translates into more power in the golf swing.

Golf-specific exercises such as cable rotations, band work and medicine ball drills help develop core strength and improve swing efficiency.

Junior golfers working with Colin have already gained 6–8 mph in clubhead speed through structured winter training — potentially adding 20+ yards of distance.

Many golfers go straight from the car to the first tee.

Colin recommends spending 5–10 minutes warming up with simple mobility and band exercises to activate the hips, spine and shoulders before playing.

Golf rounds can last four hours or more, so fuelling properly matters.

Colin recommends focusing on:

Protein and carbohydrates before a round

Hydration the day before and during play

Light snacks like fruit, protein bars or shakes during the round

Avoid heavy, high-fat foods between rounds which can leave you feeling sluggish.

If Colin had to choose one exercise for golfers it would be the trap bar deadlift, which builds strength through the legs, glutes and core — key areas for generating power in the golf swing.

Follow Colin for golf fitness tips, workouts and nutrition advice:

Instagram: @colindicksonpt