This Golfing Life

In this episode, veteran golf journalist Bill Elliott shares his colourful experiences covering the game's biggest names in the '80s and ‘90s. Host Dan Davies dives into Bill’s many stories about the most iconic golfers of the era – Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam, players and people that Bill got to know well. The conversation includes thoughts on their different personalities, the dynamics between them, and how the landscape of professional golf has changed.

Main Topics

Chapters

00:00 Introducing this week's guest, Bill Elliott

01:48 Bill Elliott's first Open Championship in 1969

04:52 The impact of the Big Five on European golf

11:16 Balancing friendships in pro golf with the job of being a reporter

14:32 Bernhard Langer: the toughest nut to crack

18:00 The importance of faith to Bernhard Langer

25:23 Get a 20% discount on Sounder with this code

25:40 Similar types: The dynamic between Seve and Langer

30:29 Getting to know Seve and a memorable James Bond stunt

36:55 The British connection: Faldo, Lyle and Woosnam

39:40 Was Nick Faldo “socially awkward”?

41:58 All change in the Tiger Woods era

44:35 First meeting Greg Norman and the seeds of a long friendship

49:55 Greg Norman's first war with the PGA Tour

56:18 Falling out with Kenny Dalglish and Nick Faldo

01:04:19 Ian Woosnam: A spiky character

Links

Get 20% off your net purchase at www.soundergolf.com with code POD20

Follow Dan Davies on Substack: The Sacred Acre

Follow RNGC on Instagram

Watch this episode on YouTube at SounderGolf

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Six Open Championships. Countless battles. One unforgettable story.

This week on This Golfing Life, you're about to hear one of the most candid, emotional and inspiring conversations we've ever recorded.

In a few days, Matthew Southgate will tee it up in The Open Championship for the seventh time after once again battling his way through Final Qualifying. But this story is about so much more than golf.

It's the story of a little boy who fell in love with The Open because of his father. A father who taught him to shape golf shots in the woods before school, who drove him hundreds of miles to Carnoustie because he believed it was the greatest golf course on earth, and who passed on a lifelong obsession with links golf and the Open Championship itself.

Matthew speaks with extraordinary honesty about surviving cancer, losing that father far too soon, the grief that followed, and the battle with alcohol that almost consumed him.

He relives the unforgettable Open moments that have defined his career, explains why he believes links golf still brings out the very best in him, and reveals why, as he heads to Royal Birkdale, he genuinely believes he can remind the golfing world exactly what he's capable of.

This isn't just the story of one of Britain's finest links golfers. It's a story about family, loss, resilience — and a lifelong love affair with The Open Championship.

Welcome to This Golfing Life with Matthew Southgate.

Key topics

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to this week's guest, Matthew Southgate

01:56 Why the Open is so special to Matt

07:08 Thorpe Hall GC and giving back to his home club

10:01 Influences and mentorship in his early days

15:05 Qualifying for another Open - Matt's journey to Birkdale

20:09 The role of Carnoustie in Matt's life and development as a golfer

24:51 "He was born to play links golf": The role of Matt's Dad

28:02 Matt’s links golf heroes

30:17 The unique challenge of links golf

35:03 Tom Watson - taking his Dad to watch his hero at Turnberry

38:47 Learning from great Open champions - Woods, Nicklaus, Watson, Trevino

41:14 Matt's love of the Old Course and successes at St Andrews

45:41 A shared passion: Matt's fondest memories of his Dad

52:27 Being diagnosed with testicular cancer and being inspired by the Open

56:19 Success in the 2016 Open at Troon

57:38 Tying for 6th in the 2017 Open at Birkdale

01:00:19 Playing at Birkdale in 2026, plus Billy Foster on the bag

01:03:05 Finding form and feeling confident in his game

01:03:29 Battling grief and acknowledging his drink problem

01:09:22 Golf is for nutters — all golfers are crazy!

Links

Matthew Southgate on Instagram

Matt on Twitter/X

Dan Davies on Substack

RNGC - Britain's premier backyard golf course

Get 20% off your next purchase at SounderGolf with code POD20

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Film, TV and stage actor JJ Feild shares his eclectic golf journey, from sneaking onto courses as a kid to playing at some of the world's most prestigious venues. Discover his humorous takes on golf culture, playing in the Dunhill Links Championship, and why he feels like an imposter every time he drives through the gates of a golf club. Hear about his ill-fated trip to Pine Valley, how Simon Farnaby was his golfing mentor, and why JJ’s instinctive rebellion against authority has landed him in hot water on the golf course. 

Key topics

JJ Feild's early golf experiences and sneaking onto courses

Memorable golf tournaments and encounters with celebrities

The impact of his acting career on his physicality, golf swing and mind set

Humorous and controversial golf stories and incidents

Insights into exclusive golf clubs and courses around the world

Chapters

00:00 Introducing this week’s guest, JJ Feild

02:08 Golfing Identity: From Imposter Syndrome to Club Membership

06:28 Navigating Golf Etiquette: Tales from the Course

07:14 The Anti-Establishment Golfer: A Clash of Cultures

10:07 Breaking into Golf: The Early Days of a Golfer's Journey

15:36 Start in golf - playing at Skull in Ireland

18:25 Joining The Stage Golfing Society

23:19 Playing in the Dunhill Links - every golfer's dream

32:27 Rivalry with his golfing mentor - Simon Farnaby

34:52 Bulking up for roles and how it affects the swing

35:46 Meeting his golfing Fairy Godfathers

37:44 Playing some of America's most exclusive courses

39:24 JJ's imposter syndrome in golf

42:17 Links golf and playing in all weathers

46:09 Talent vs Mental Game

48:24 Rebuilding the Swing: Lessons from Injury

51:05 Being mistaken for Jude Law and Tom Hiddleston

54:12 Reflections on the opportunities provided by golf

56:00 Visiting Pine Valley and losing his new suit

01:00:02 JJ's Crans Montana envy

Links

Highgate Golf Club

Queen's Park Pitch & Putt

Pine Valley Golf Club

Dunhill Links Championship

Sean Quinlivan (Golf Pro at Shinnecock Hills)

Guest links

JJ Feild on Instagram

Get 20% of your next purchase at SounderGolf.com using the code POD20

Follow Dan Davies and RNGC on Instagram

Read Dan Davies on Substack at The Sacred Acre

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Respected sports journalist and author Brian Viner joins Dan Davies to discuss a lifetime spent covering sport, his love affair with golf, and the remarkable characters he's encountered along the way.

From growing up in Southport among some of the world's greatest links courses to interviewing legends such as Arnold Palmer, Seve Ballesteros, George Foreman, Richie Benaud and John McEnroe, Brian shares unforgettable stories from both inside and outside the ropes.

The conversation ranges from following a teenage Seve at Royal Birkdale in 1976, to studying at St Andrews, witnessing Jack Nicklaus's legendary 1986 Masters victory, and pulling off one of the greatest golfing pranks in Open Championship history.

Brian also reflects on golf's biggest personalities, the changing landscape of televised golf, the enduring magic of links golf, and why St Andrews and Southport will always hold a special place in his heart.

Key themes

Growing up in Southport's golfing heartland

Watching Nicklaus, Watson and Seve in the 1970s

Following Seve Ballesteros at Royal Birkdale in 1976

Interviewing Seve in Spain and discussing his views on modern golf

Brian’s legendary St Andrews Open prank

Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and golf's greatest rivalries

Witnessing Nicklaus's 1986 Masters triumph

The art of interviewing sporting legends

The challenges of golf on television

LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy and the future of the game

Why Tom Watson at Turnberry remains one of golf's greatest stories

Brian's favourite courses and golfing happy places

Chapters/timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Brian Viner

02:00 Growing up in Southport's golfing culture

04:30 The Open Championship heroes of the 1970s

07:10 Following Seve Ballesteros at Royal Birkdale in 1976

08:50 Interviewing Seve Ballesteros in Spain

10:20 Seve's ideas for changing golf and his gamesmanship

12:30 The charisma and legacy of Seve

14:45 Why Brian chose St Andrews University

15:45 Playing St Andrews for £15 a year

16:20 The famous Open Championship impersonation prank

20:00 Becoming "David Ridley" at The Open

24:00 The sequel: repeating the prank at Carnoustie

26:00 Interviewing sporting legends for The Independent

27:00 George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard and John McEnroe

28:30 Why older sporting greats make the best interviewees

29:30 Collecting answerphone messages from famous commentators

32:00 Arnold Palmer at Bay Hill

35:00 Palmer's impact on The Open Championship

37:00 Understanding golfers through their fathers

38:30 Palmer vs Nicklaus: golf's great rivalry

42:15 Jack Nicklaus and the 1986 Masters

44:00 The greatest unseen shot in Masters history

46:00 Turning down Augusta with Jack Nicklaus

47:00 A date with Jack Nicklaus's daughter

48:00 Golf as a television sport

49:00 LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy and modern golf coverage

52:00 Tom Watson's near-miracle at Turnberry in 2009

56:00 Why following one player reveals golf's true genius

58:00 Lee Trevino and entertaining the galleries

59:15 Royal Birkdale's redesign and preserving golf history

1:01:10 Who Brian wants to win The Open

1:03:30 Brian's golfing happy places

1:04:00 Kington Golf Club and St Andrews

1:05:00 Why links golf is the ultimate golfing experience

1:06:00 Closing thoughts

Links

Brian Viner’s greatest sports interviews

Sounder - Use Code Pod20 for 20% off your next purchase

The Open Championship Official Site

Dan Davies - The Sacred Acre on Substack

Brian Viner links

Twitter

Website

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ryder Cup hero and Sky Sports commentator David Howell joins Dan Davies for a wide-ranging conversation about a pro golf career spanning three decades, the advantages of a ‘joyful’ mindset, playing in Ryder Cups, battling and beating peak-era Tiger Woods, and formative experiences alongside legends such as Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal. Across the episode, Howell reveals how a self-made but super smart mental approach helped him compete at the highest level, why joy and a love for the game shaped his career, and how his passion for team golf—especially the Ryder Cup—became his defining motivation.

Key Themes

How David Howell built a long DP World Tour career from an unconventional junior background

Mental strategies used to handle pressure against world-class players

Inside stories of Ryder Cup preparation and team-room dynamics

Competing against peak Tiger Woods and simplifying performance goals

Early career breakthrough in South Africa and self-belief development

Playing with and against Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal 

Evolution of the DP World Tour and global professional golf

The secrets, sounds and sensations of elite putting

Chapters & Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to this week’s guest, David Howell

02:05 – Broadcasting with Sky Sport and the 2025 US Open at Shinnecock

03:39 – Turning pro in 1995 & South African breakthrough

05:08 – Playing alongside Ernie Els & early belief moment

08:37 – First DP World Tour wins & career progression

09:16 – Peak Tiger Woods at HSBC Champions

11:43 – Strategy against Tiger & mindset of control

13:01 – Amateur background & peers on the rise

15:08 – No obsession with heroes: the focus on enjoyment

17:19 – Seve Trophy memories & beating Seve and Olazábal

23:09 – Ryder Cup inspiration & childhood memories (1985–1989)

25:44 – 2004 Ryder Cup debut at Oakland Hills

29:58 – Team strategy with Paul Casey

34:34 – Thoughts on Ryder Cup captaincy

37:53 – European Tour identity & Ryder Cup “DNA”

41:41 – The challenges facing the DP World Tour

52:09 – Life on tour: friendships, dinners & social culture

54:54 – Walker Cup memories & early Tiger Woods encounters

59:33 – The art of putting & short game philosophy

1:02:19 – When was David Howell happiest in golf?

About the Guest

David Howell is a former European Ryder Cup player with multiple DP World Tour victories and over 700 career appearances. He is also a respected golf broadcaster with Sky Sports and a senior figure within the DP World Tour. Known for his affable personality, deadly short game and fund of great stories, Howell offers one of the most candid and thoughtful perspectives in modern professional golf.

Links

David Howell on Twitter

David Howell on Instagram

Sounder Golf - use code POD20 for a 20% discount

RNGC - Britain’s premier backyard golf course

Dan Davies on Substack

The Mini Masters in aid of Leukaemia UK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover how Jigger Thomson, the tallest tour pro in world golf, burst onto the scene at the 2021 Open Championship at Royal St. George’s having overcome childhood leukaemia to reach the DP World Tour. Hear how he has recently survived his most recent battle with blood cancer and now has his sights set on a return to top-flight golf. This is an inspiring story of faith, perseverance, and a remarkable love for golf, and not to be missed. You can join Jigger at the 2026 Mini Masters in aid of Leukaemia UK on Friday June 26th at Sunningdale Heath. Details below and in the podcast.

Key Topics:

His breakthrough performance at the 2021 Open Championship

Jigger Thomson’s early life and battle with leukaemia starting at age 7

The emotional journey through diagnosis, treatment, and remission

How golf helped with mental healing during illness

The significance of family support and community engagement

The role of faith and spirituality in overcoming hardship

His goals for returning to professional golf after his most recent battle with leukaemia

The upcoming Mini Masters fundraising event for Leukaemia UK

Record-breaking moments, including nine consecutive birdies

he ongoing fight for a cure and advances in leukaemia treatment

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introducing this week’s guest, Jonathan ‘Jigger’ Thomson

02:52 - Key moments from the 16th and 17th holes at the 149th Open 

03:41 - How Jigger managed focus after the hole-in-one

04:50 - The crowd’s support and the walk down the 18th on Friday

05:53 - Walking in a surreal moment, feeling like part of a fairy tale

06:22 - Focus and mental resilience on the course during critical moments

07:41 - Jigger’s experience with backing from the crowd and his supporters

09:27 - Emotional walk on the 18th and the connection to past struggles

11:11 - Challenges on the Challenge Tour before the Open

13:45 - Family story and how childhood illness shaped his love for golf

15:01 - Recalling the diagnosis at age 7 and the emotional toll

16:02 - The return of leukemia in 2024 and its emotional impact

17:42 - The spiritual awakening and faith helping Jigger through adversity

18:53 - The physical toll of treatment and weight loss post-therapy

19:49 - The ongoing battle and future hopes for health and golf

22:07 - The importance of family, support, and faith in overcoming illness

32:14 - Physical condition after treatment and rebuilding strength

37:16 - Involvement with fundraising for leukaemia research (Mini Masters)

38:46 - Childhood influence and the importance of golf as a mental escape

40:33 - His rapid development in golf from age five onward

41:41 - Competitive amateur career highlights and early achievements

44:29 - Meaningful experiences with the England amateur team

45:28 - Fast start on the Euro Pro Tour and breakthrough victory

46:48 - Nearly winning in his first season on the DP World Tour

48:44 - Record for nine consecutive birdies 

50:35 - His amateur successes and how they set the stage for professional growth

54:07 - Current health status, treatment, and golf goals for the future

57:12 - The confidence inherited from childhood perseverance and recent battles

58:50 - The desire to return to the Open and the DP World Tour

59:12 - Upcoming participation in the Mini Masters supporting leukaemia research

Resources & Links:

Leukaemia UK

Mini Masters Golf Event

Jigger Thomson on Instagram

Sounder Golf Gear – Use code POD20 for 20% off

Follow Dan Davies & RNGC on Instagram

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, European Tour veteran and two-time winner Robert Rock reveals how investing in his swing — and gaining an intimate understanding what goes into making it look effortless — helped him beat Tiger Woods in Abu Dhabi in 2012 and achieve a lifelong dream.

We apologise for the sound quality on this episode but hope you’ll stick with it to discover how Robert’s fascination with historic players like Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Nick Faldo shaped his approach to technique and competition, even when the spotlight was off.

We also break down how an obsession with precision and simplicity helped him craft one of the game's most admired swings — and why even the best struggle with basic putting. And beyond the tournaments and trophies, Robert’s journey uncovers his obsession with swing mechanics and aesthetics, the evolution of golf equipment, and why the game’s true mastery lies in the process, not just the outcome.

Robert Rock’s candid stories explore the shifting landscape of professional golf — from equipment innovations to the decline of long irons and traditional course architecture. He shares how the modern game’s power and technology are reshaping how pros approach tournament play, and why this might be diluting some of golf’s timeless artistic challenge. 

Chapters

00:00 Introducing this week's guest, Robert Rock

01:22 Robert's early connection with golf

04:16 The uninhibited joy of junior golf

05:41 Europe's greats and early idols

07:01 Evolution of technique and equipment

08:57 The era Robert would liked to have played in

11:56 The competitive edge: What sets pro golfers apart?

13:59 Studying Ben Hogan and Bobby Jones

17:30 The differences between scratch players and tour pros

18:49 Process over outcome

20:36 The Journey to his first tour win

24:30 Memorable shots

29:53 Mixed experiences at the US Open

34:01 Head to head with Tiger Woods in 20212

38:04 Reflections on playing with and beating Tiger Woods

40:01 Hat tans: the scourge of pro golf

42:03 Supporting his son, a pro footballer

45:25 Finding a cure for his putting woes

46:23 Transitioning to Senior Golf

51:37 Lessons Learned from a distinguished career

53:48 The current state of professional golf

57:17 Happiest times in golf

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A journey into the world of elite greenkeeping and golf course management with James Bledge, Links Manager at Royal Liverpool GC and one of Britain’s finest greenkeepers. From hitting balls over a school building as a kid to Kingsbarns, Deal and preparing Royal Liverpool’s historic links for the Open Championship, this episode reveals the dedication, mentorship, ecological care, and passion for the game - and the land - that informs the presentation of one of the world’s greatest golf links. Plus, as a bonus, a fantastic story about a man who created a golf club in a shed!

In this episode:

An introduction to James Bledge, renowned greenkeeper and Links Manager, with a highlight on his roles in major tournaments like the Open Championship and the Amateur at Hoylake.

Insights into the differences and similarities between preparing a course for the Open and the Amateur Championship.

Behind-the-scenes tales of managing teams, volunteer coordination, and course setup strategies to challenge top players.

The importance of ecology, nature, and sustainability in golf course maintenance, including innovative projects at Royal Liverpool.

Personal stories about career beginnings, mentorship, and life-changing sliding doors moments that shaped his journey.

Unique traditions and community antics, such as Ken Hannah’s legendary golf club in his garden at Deal, and the charm of courses like Royal Cinque Ports and Kingsbarns.

Practical insights into greenkeeping techniques, from soil microbiome testing to cutting-edge turf technology, and how automation might shape future course maintenance.

Reflections on the significance of camaraderie, education, and passing on knowledge within the industry.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introducing this week's guest, James Bledge

03:00 Managing Major Championships: Open vs. Amateur

07:01 Briefing from the R&A and Course Preparation

08:19 Watching US majors: Insights and comparisons

09:40 The RNGC and Royal Liverpool relationship

13:48 The importance of education and mentorship

17:35 Early mentors and Bledge's start in greenkeeping

22:04 Working abroad and international experience

25:21 Building and maintaining links courses

27:03 Working at gWest - the greatest course nobody has ever played

31:33 How to create great greens

37:11 Bledge's team at the 151st Open Championship

40:18 The best thing about being a Links Manager

43:41 Nine years of working at Deal, aka Royal Cinque Ports

54:36 Getting the job as Links Manager at Royal Liverpool

59:52 Discovering a WW2 bomb on the 14th at Hoylake

01:03:42 Forged by Nature: the importance of ecology

Resources & Links:

Golf Badgers Podcast

Royal Liverpool Golf Club

Kingsbarns Golf Links

GWest Golf Course

BIGGA Association

The Cookie Jar Film: Bledge’s Open Journey

RNGC on Instagram

Sounder Golf

Special Offers & Promotions:

Get 20% off your next golf product at Sounder Golf with code POD20

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of This Golfing Life, Dan Davies sits down with Jaz Athwal, the first Sikh to be appointed captain of a British golf club and a co-founder of the British Asian Golf Society. We celebrate the recent success of Aaron Rai, the first British Asian golfer to win a major, exploring how role models from diverse communities can reshape the future of the game. Jaz also reflects on his journey from inner-city Bradford, rugby league and prejudice to the upper echelons of West Yorkshire society, as well as the challenges he faced breaking into a traditionally exclusive sport, and the lasting impact of initiatives like the Asian Open in inspiring British Asian golfers. 

Highlights

Introduction: Dan Davies welcomes Jaz Athwal to This Golfing Life and highlights the significance of Aaron Rai’s major win for British Asian golf.

Early Sporting Life: Jaz shares his experience growing up in Bradford, his love for rugby league, and how early sporting experiences shaped his outlook.

Discovering Golf: From picking up golf as a summer pastime to joining his first club, Jaz details the challenges of being one of the few British Asians in a predominantly white golfing world.

Founding the British Asian Golf Society: Jaz explains how the British Asian Golf Society (BAGS) came to be, the vision behind the Asian Open, and efforts to introduce golf to inner-city schools.

Breaking Barriers: The journey to becoming the first Sikh captain of a UK golf club and overcoming cultural and institutional barriers.

Community Impact: How BAGS fostered networks and mentorships, helping nurture more British Asian golfers.

Golf as a Social Glue: Jaz reflects on the inclusive nature of golf, lifelong friendships, and the social aspects that transcend the sport.

Life Lessons: The values Jaz holds from Sikh culture, sportsmanship, and the role of integrity in golf and life.

Closing Thoughts: Jaz shares his happiest moments on the golf course and his enduring ambitions, including a dream to play at Queenwood.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome and context: Introduction to Jaz Athwal and Aaron Rai’s historic win in the PGA Championship.

02:00 – Early sporting life in Bradford: Rugby league and childhood experiences that shaped him.

05:30 – First steps into golf: Discovering the game and joining clubs in a non-inclusive environment.

10:00 – Founding the British Asian Golf Society & Asian Open: From small gatherings to nurturing a generation of players.

15:00 – Family, culture, and role models: Parenting, Sikh values, and supporting Aaron Rai.

25:00 – Facing barriers and building networks: Overcoming prejudice and fostering inclusion in golf.

35:00 – Hotbeds of British Asian golf: Geographic and social perspectives.

43:00 – Inclusive golf today: Changes in club culture and the evolution of British golf.

46:00 – Becoming a club captain: Jaz’s experience as the first Sikh club captain in UK golf.

51:00 – Civic recognition & legacy: Jaz’s Deputy Lieutenant role representing King Charles in West Yorkshire, and long-term impact of BAGS.

57:00 – Role models & inspiration: Aaron Rai’s humility and influence on the next generation.

59:30 – Happiness on the golf course: Reflections on friends, family, and the joy of playing golf.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, actor James Nesbitt and host Dan Davies enjoy a wide-ranging conversation that covers Cold Feet, Bloody Sunday, Royal Portrush, Rory McIlroy, Sir Alex Ferguson, mental frailties on the golf course, and a whole lot more. From his formative years in Coleraine to his experiences of playing with golfing greats, Nesbitt offers a candid and humorous perspective on the game, his friendships, and his role as an ambassador for Northern Ireland, now acknowledged as one of golf’s greatest destinations. It’s an entertaining and heartfelt deep dive into golf, life, and everything in between. 

Key Topics

The role of golf in fostering community and healing in Northern Ireland

James Nesbitt’s cultural roots, career highlights, and the significance of Bloody Sunday

Portrush and the impact of The Open Championship

Insights into his close friends, including Rory McIlroy, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Kenny Dalglish

The importance of lifelong friendships, golf trips and shared experiences

Sir Alex Ferguson’s mentorship and the power of honest leadership

James’s charitable work with WAVE Trauma Centre and the families of the disappeared

Mental meltdowns on the golf course

Chapters 

00:00 Introducing this week's guest, Jimmy Nesbitt

02:34 What Portrush means to Jimmy Nesbitt

05:57 What the Open means to Portrush and Northern Ireland

11:57 Jimmy's views on the Americanisation of pro golf

13:54 Getting to know Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland's new George Best

20:46 The importance of lifelong friendships

24:30 Jimmy's late start in golf

27:09 Jimmy's early golfing heroes - Watson, Nicklaus, Seve

32:18 The mental challenges of playing golf

34:23 Jimmy's close relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson

43:53 The significance of TV drama Bloody Sunday

49:51 Working with WAVE Trauma Centre in Northern Ireland

56:50 The Mini Masters - "the best competition in the world"

58:25 Meltdowns on the golf course

01:01:54 New TV projects and the power of Netflix

Resources & Links

James Nesbitt’s Official Website

WAVE Trauma Centre

Rory McIlroy Foundation

Sounder Golf

Dan Davies on Substack

RNGC, Britain’s premier backyard golf course

Connect with James Nesbitt

Twitter

Instagram

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices