NCG Top 100s Podcast

Tom Irwin is joined by Mike Robertson to relive one of golf's most unique bucket-list experiences: the Hagen 54.Fresh from walking and playing 54 holes in a single day across Royal St George's, Prince's and Royal Cinque Ports, the pair discuss what makes the event so special, from Walter Hagen's incredible story and the history behind the route to the atmosphere, the people, the golf and whether this is the greatest golfing day out in England.They also compare the three legendary links, reveal their favourite holes, share what it's really like tackling 54 holes in one go, and explain why the Hagen 54 has become one of the most memorable events in the golf calendar.Would you take on the challenge?

In a special episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin is joined by Tom Mackenzie, one half of Mackenzie and Ebert, the golf course architecture duo who were behind the vast changes made to Royal Birkdale ahead of The 154th Open. During the third round of play, Tom and Tom Mackenzie dive into the golf course and how the changes have stood up to the best players in the world throughout the week. 

Re-visting Royal Birkdale...In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin is joined by Richard Weeks, General Manager of Royal Birkdale, to explore the extensive preparations underway ahead of hosting The Open Championship.They dive into the thinking behind recent course changes, how the team balances tradition with modern championship demands, and what it really takes to present one of the world’s most iconic links at its absolute best. From agronomy and conditioning to logistics and player experience, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at staging golf’s oldest major.Whether you’re a course architecture enthusiast or just love The Open, this is an insightful conversation on the challenges and craft of preparing a world-class venue for the global stage.

With The Open returning to Royal Birkdale, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy take an in-depth look at one of golf's most iconic championship venues ahead of the year's final men's major.The pair break down the dramatic changes made to the course since Jordan Spieth's memorable victory in 2017, discussing the brand-new holes, redesigned layouts, and whether the updates will make Birkdale a better test for today's longest hitters. They also explore how The Open is evolving, why The R&A is asking more from its venues than ever before, and what fans can expect from a record-breaking championship on England's Golf Coast.Plus, plenty of chat about links golf, favourite Open memories, and why Royal Birkdale remains one of the game's greatest stages.

Why are so many golf clubs cutting down trees? Are trees essential to the beauty and character of a course, or have they become obstacles to great golf course design?In this episode of the Top 100s Podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy tackle one of the most debated topics in modern golf architecture: trees. Inspired by a famous quote from legendary architect Alister MacKenzie, they explore the role trees play in shaping strategy, aesthetics, sustainability, and the long-term health of golf courses.Drawing on their experiences as golfers, course observers, and editors covering golf course management, Tom and Dan discuss the rise of restoration projects, the growing trend of tree removal at leading clubs, and why opinions on the subject are often deeply divided. From heathland restoration and agronomy to championship golf and environmental concerns, they examine how trees can both enhance and hinder the game and why the debate is more relevant than ever.

In this episode, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy kick things off by reflecting on the US Open at Shinnecock Hills, discussing Wyndham Clark’s victory, the course setup, and what made the championship such a compelling watch.The main focus, however, is a fascinating look back at a Golf World Top 100 ranking from 2002. Using the historic list as a reference point, Tom and Dan explore how golf course rankings have evolved over the last two decades, asking whether modern rankings are driven by genuine improvements, changing tastes, or simply the latest trends.