NCG Top 100s Podcast

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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 changes to the scale of its most iconic holes, they cut through the usual clichés to reveal what makes Augusta National so unique.

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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 in its essence. Tom and Cameron explore what makes the course so special, from its natural routing and ever-changing winds to its dramatic sea views, unique features, and moments that truly define links golf at its purest.

They also dive into Dunbar’s growing reputation on the global stage, its appeal to travelling golfers, and why it’s fast becoming a must-play alongside the region’s biggest names.

Looking ahead, Cameron shares exciting insight into the club’s future: a brand-new clubhouse, a reimagined routing, and the addition of a high-quality 9-hole par-3 course—all designed to enhance the Dunbar experience while preserving its rich heritage.

This is a conversation about tradition, evolution, and why Dunbar might just be one of the most authentic links experiences in the world.

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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 back to the game, highlighting how clubs across GB&I continue to nurture the next generation. Along the way, they discuss The Island in Ireland and preview the Walker Cup heading to Lahinch—two standout links that promise a true test of championship golf.

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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 often-blurred lines between categories, asking what really distinguishes a heathland course from a moorland – and whether those definitions still hold up today.

Along the way, Tom and Dan discuss some well-known examples and debate where certain courses truly belong, highlighting just how subjective golf course classification can be.

The episode wraps up with a quiz from Dan, putting Tom to the test as he’s challenged to categorise a selection of courses – with some trickier than others.

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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 regular host list. With the R&A continually assessing the rota, Tom and Dan consider which venues are most likely to feature in the coming years - and which might be overdue a return.

Along the way, they break down what truly makes an “Open course”, from the strategic demands of links golf to the infrastructure and scale required to host one of the game’s biggest events.

They also examine the growing conversation around taking the Open beyond its traditional boundaries, including the possibility of the championship heading to the Republic of Ireland for the first time.

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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 into publicly available green fee prices, comparing what visitors actually pay to play these highly ranked courses. Importantly, the prices used do not include resident, member or local rates.

The discussion uncovers a fascinating mix of venues - many of them characterful coastal courses with real golfing soul. From standout links such as Hunstanton, Trevose and Seacroft to distinctive inland layouts like Yelverton and Kington - Tom and Dan highlight the courses that combine elite quality with relatively accessible prices.

They also explain why regions like East Anglia deserve far more attention when planning a golf trip, and why English and Welsh courses feature so strongly when value is the focus.

Along the way, the pair explore how golfers can piece together the perfect golf trip on a budget - proving that some of the best experiences in the GB&I Top 250 don’t necessarily come with the highest green fees.

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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 makes great courses endure. From raking bunkers on his father Jimmy Kidd’s courses to listening in on debates between some of Scotland’s finest greenkeepers, his education in architecture began from the ground up.

At Streamsong, those principles meet one of the most dramatic modern landscapes in golf. McLay-Kidd explains how the vast sandscapes and natural movement of the land have shaped his thinking for course number five, and what it means to add his name to a resort already defined by four standout courses crafted by some of the modern era’s most celebrated architects.

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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 the modern architectural hotspot of Streamsong, before turning their attention to Seminole – widely seen as the closest thing to a true links course in the United States. They unpack what makes it so special, from its wind-exposed strategy to the unique challenge of Bermuda grass.

Finally, Tom and Dan tackle a hypothetical ranking debate: if Seminole were eligible for the GB&I Top 100s list, where would it sit? With comparisons to Muirfield and the bold suggestion that Tom would rather play Seminole than Sunningdale, they explore whether Seminole could realistically break into the Top 10 – or even the Top 5 – across the Atlantic.

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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 the final rankings, while the pair also dig into why the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry stands at number two, examining the sheer number of ongoing changes at one golf's best venues.

Elsewhere, Tom and Dan explore why there is so much ongoing discourse around North Berwick, and tackle the thorny question of why the Old Course at St Andrews perhaps shouldn’t be ranked in the same way as other courses at all. With strong views, thoughtful analysis, and plenty of context from the panel process, this episode lifts the lid on how Scotland’s very best courses are judged - and why the top of the list is never straightforward.

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