In part two of our conversation with Dean Robertson, we discuss the build-up to the Walker Cup at Lahinch, including player selection, communication with the team, and preparations at Ballybunion. Robertson explains how the coaching staff used deliberate disruptions—such as removing phones, rangefinders and pin sheets—to prepare players for uncertainty and reinforce a focus on hitting the center of the green.

We hear how the team’s support staff and players were given specific roles, from tracking performance data and coordinating caddies to keeping players and their families connected and managing food and energy. The preparations also included a visit from County Clare hurlers and time together at Frawley’s, where Robertson describes an emotional speech from Connor Graham’s brother, Archie, and messages recorded by players’ families.

Robertson recounts the competition across both days. The team began strongly, then lost all four Sunday morning foursomes matches as the US players produced exceptional golf in difficult conditions. Facing a seven-point deficit in the singles, the team changed its order and focused on staying composed and making the most of opportunities. Robertson describes the key performances and moments that helped GB&I close the gap and secure the Walker Cup.

We discuss the emotion of the victory, the celebrations with both teams and their support staff, and the lasting connections formed during the week. Robertson also shares his view of the Walker Cup format and explains why Lahinch, where the course and town are closely connected, would be his choice to host the event again.

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Dean Robertson discusses his golf career, coaching work and experience captaining the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team. He has worked at the University of Stirling for 17 years, where he directs golf and develops a structured, performance-focused program for student athletes.

Robertson grew up in Paisley and began playing golf with his father. After studying civil engineering, he took a golf scholarship in the United States and later played professionally for ten years. He recalls his 1993 Walker Cup appearance as an important source of lasting friendships, though the team struggled with the fast greens and course conditions in the United States. He also describes the camaraderie among European Tour players in the 1990s and the support he received from Scottish professionals.

He reflects on the influence of coach Bob Torrance, whose training emphasized discipline and practical responsibility. Robertson recalls collecting, cleaning and washing golf balls, as well as measuring shot distances and learning courses through careful preparation. He applies similar principles at Stirling, where practice is structured around game-like challenges, measurable outcomes and honest performance data.

Robertson says his coaching approach developed through his work at Stirling and collaboration with sports psychologist John Mathers. Training programs have included winter camps, measured practice games and physical speed training. He also describes adapting practices during the COVID period, when the team used TrackMan and other exercises to continue training while socially distanced. Robertson emphasizes the value of learning from athletes in other sports at the university.

After applying for the Walker Cup captaincy in 2023, Robertson focused on selecting players by observing them across tournaments and building relationships with them. He describes the modern amateur golfer as increasingly supported in technical, physical and mental preparation, while noting that the distinction between amateur and professional has become less clear.

He recounts preparing for the 2025 Walker Cup at Cypress Point, including a reconnaissance visit and observations about the course’s greens and changing conditions. In reviewing the matches, he identifies key moments that shifted momentum, including a missed opportunity in the foursomes. He also explains changes to team arrangements at Lahinch, such as positioning the team room and practice area strategically and delaying the singles order until closer to play. Robertson credits the Irish crowd and Stuart Grehan’s contribution with helping energize the team.

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This weeks episode is a fascinating interview with broadcaster and commentator, distinguished amateur player, and son of Diana and Alfred Critchley who shares with us his story in the game of golf. Bruce's voice will be familiar to many as the voice of golf for several decades. 

We talk about Bruce's long connection with Sunningdale Golf Club where he has been a member for 70 years next year. He describes how both of his parents were closely involved with the club before and after the war, and how the family’s history there shaped his own life.

Bruce talks about that his mother, Diana Fishwick, both an accomplished golfer and an important figure in women’s golf. She won the British Ladies championship, later served as Curtis Cup Captain, and spent many years on committees and selection panels. He says Sunningdale supported women’s golf from early on, including through the associate ladies section and other club initiatives.

Bruce also discusses his father’s role in golf and in the club’s development and how he came from The Addington, played in the first Masters, and, with Gerald Micklem, helped support Sunningdale financially in the challenging climate of the 1940's. He also describes the connection between Sunningdale, Addington, and a wider network of golfers and club figures in those days. 

He recalls his childhood memories at Sunningdale, including playing in the boys’ championship and winning a match against a Scottish international boy. He says this convinced him he could play the game, although he did not go on to a professional career. 

The interview then turns to his amateur golf career, including winning the Worplesdon Mixed Foursomes with Bunty Stevens and later the Sunningdale Foursomes with Robin Hunter Scott. He describes the match play, the pressure, and the calmness of Stevens and his partner’s influence on his own performance. He also recalls reaching the Walker Cup in 1969 in Milwaukee.

A final major topic is his broadcasting career, especially coverage of the Masters and later work with Sky. He describes working with Peter Alliss, the style of golf broadcasting in earlier decades, and how television coverage became more crowded. He says his last tournament broadcast was the 2016 FedEx Cup in Atlanta, after which he decided to stop. He closes by discussing the ongoing renovation of Sunningdale’s new course, saying it should be opened up and treated as the club’s championship course, while the old course should be carefully preserved.

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This episode we record a Q&A episode after reaching episode 401, using it to look back on a busy run of golf, travel and listener questions. We also mention upcoming episodes, including a conversation with Walker Cup captain Dean Robertson, and other planned Q&As and features.

We talk about recent trips, including Rossapenna, where we played matches and the club championship finals, and the quality of the pitch and putt there. We also discuss visiting Royal Liverpool for a retirement celebration, and how strong the course was in condition.

A large part of the episode is spent discussing golf course architecture and course types. We compare parkland, heathland and links golf, argue that parkland gets an unfairly bad reputation, and talk about how many great courses fall into that category. We also discuss how modern architecture often focuses on length, while arguing that many of the best everyday courses are shorter, more strategic and more enjoyable for regular play.

We answer listener questions about courses we would play for the rest of our lives, with Blackwell, Hoylake, Royal Porthcawl and Wokefield Park among the courses we mention. We also discuss underrated heathland courses, including Delamere Forest and Rygate Heath, and mention Halifax and Crossland Heath as upcoming visits.

Other questions include snooker comparisons, with Ronnie O’Sullivan and Alex Higgins, the value of expensive green fees, and favorite niche pro shop purchases. We finish by thanking Rossapenna for their hospitality and looking ahead to the next set of episodes and visits.

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In this episode, we look back on our 95-hole challenge on the Isle of Arran and compare it with the earlier Durness trip. We explain that Arran was more enjoyable largely because of better weather, shorter transfers, and more variety between courses, while Durness was much harder because of wind, rain, and the terrain.

We go through the courses we played in order: Whiting Bay, Lamlash, Brodick, Corrie, Lochranza, Machry Bay, and Shiskin. We describe Whiting Bay as a short but very hilly and quirky course with small greens and dramatic views. Lamlash is presented as similarly hilly and scenic, with a view across to the Holy Isle and a course layout that climbs and drops throughout.

We discuss Brodick as a flatter, more forgiving round that came at a good point in the day, with mountain scenery behind it and a strong morale boost for the group. Corrie is described as a hidden course with a tiny clubhouse and very steep, dramatic holes that drop through wooded terrain. Lochranza stands out as a compact 11-hole campsite course with deer on the fairways and a simple, accessible layout.

We also cover Machry Bay, which we say has been kept going through a lot of effort and feels like a serious but rustic nine-holer. Finally, we talk about Shiskin as the standout course on the island: a true links with firm turf, memorable greens, and a strong finish as the sun set.

Alongside the golf, we talk about the planning, the ferry crossing, the accommodation, the food stops, and the people who helped make the day work, especially Greg and Ian. We close by mentioning the charity fundraising for Arran Cancer Support and how important the donations were.

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We speak with Alex Buckner about his work as a short game coach and how he got into coaching after starting golf seriously in his teens. He explains that he reached scratch as a junior, later moved into work and training, and eventually focused on coaching after realizing that specializing in short game was the clearest path for him.

We discuss how he built his approach during his time at Swinley Forest, especially through COVID, when he gathered a large amount of information from courses, books, online resources, and conversations with other coaches. He describes sorting through that material, simplifying it, and turning it into a clear system he could present to players.

We also talk about his early work with Richard Mansell, which led to more tour coaching and a wider role beyond short game. He explains that his work developed into performance planning and accountability, and that his first major was at St George’s during the COVID year, followed by more tournament experience under stricter conditions at other events.

A major theme is his philosophy on short game. He says it is about adapting body positions, club delivery, and shot selection to the lie, surface, and target rather than following one fixed technique. He stresses that low point control is essential, then distance control, and then the ability to adjust angle of attack and loft for different situations.

We also cover bounce, grind, and wedge fitting. He explains that bounce must match both the player’s low point and the turf conditions, and that the right wedge setup depends on how a player naturally strikes the ball. He adds that ball selection also matters, and says fitting should begin around the green before moving to longer clubs.

Finally, Alex talks about his plans for the future, including building his academy in North London, expanding into Asia, and raising coaching standards. He says he wants players to arrive with clear questions and take more responsibility for understanding what is costing them shots.

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Kevin Hammer discusses his path into golf administration and his role as president of the USGA. He says he grew up around golf in South Florida, with a father who played college golf, competed on the PGA Tour, and later worked as a club director of golf. He also says he played junior and college golf, but moved into administration through state and regional golf work before joining the USGA.

He explains that his interest in administration began in part through helping with junior golf for his daughter and wanting to improve events for all players. He says his family had long given back to the game through charity events and club work, and that this set an example for him. He adds that he still values the game and hopes to remain involved in it for years to come.

Hammer describes the USGA as a broader organization than it once was. He says its traditional roles include championships, rules, and handicapping, but that it now also works in areas such as development programming, internships, environmental research, and a new rules AI tool. He says the USGA’s role is to steward the game, welcome different forms of golf, and protect its traditions.

He also discusses the balance between growing golf and preserving its values. He says the USGA and the R&A need to act as a counterbalance to extremes while accepting increased interest in the game from media, celebrities, and younger players. He says golf should remain respectful, and that how the game is played matters as much as the competition itself.

On championships, Hammer says the USGA plans venues far in advance because long-term partnerships allow for repeated hosting, investment, and improved championship conditions. He says this approach helps clubs and can encourage other clubs to support the game in smaller ways.

He says the golf ball distance issue remains under discussion, and that recent talks with professional players have helped build more agreement that the topic needs to be addressed. He also says the USGA is working to expand match play coverage and is preparing to release a rules AI tool in the next 12 to 24 months.

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In this episode, Peter speaks with Sam Easterbrook about winning the Walker Cup at Lahinch and what the week was like behind the scenes. He describes the celebrations after the win, the difficult travel back to the United States, and how quickly the team had to separate and return to their different commitments.

We also go through Sam’s golf background, from starting the game as a child to developing through England Golf, attending Rossall and then moving on to Purdue. He explains how college golf has helped him both as a player and as a person, and why team environments have been important to him throughout his career.

Sam talks about how the Walker Cup moved onto his radar over the summer, including the training camp, his performances in key amateur events, and the selection call from Dean. He explains the long lead-up to Lahinch, the practice trip to Ballybunion, the time spent preparing on site, and the balance between practice, downtime and team activities.

We also discuss his match play with Luke Poulter, including how the pairing came together and what made it work. Sam recalls specific moments from the matches, the pressure of key putts, the team’s reaction at lunch after a difficult morning session, and the comeback that led to victory. He finishes by reflecting on the celebrations with the team, the members and the crowd, and on the possibility of still being involved in future Walker Cups.

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This episode we reflect on GB&I’s Walker Cup win, their first in 11 years, and the scale of the comeback from a difficult morning session to a dramatic finish on the 18th green.

We talk through the setting at Lahinch, which we describe as an excellent venue for the event, with strong support from the club, the town and the crowds throughout the week. We also note the work of captain Dean Robertson and the wider team around the side.

We cover how the morning foursomes went badly for GB&I, with the Americans controlling play in the wind and taking a clear lead into lunch. We say the mood was flat at that point, but that the team room changed things and GB&I came out with much more energy in the afternoon singles.

A big part of the discussion is the series of key matches that turned the contest. We talk about Stuart Grehan’s comeback win over Preston Stout, Luke Poulter’s result against Ethan Fang, Jack Whaley’s dominant victory over William Jennings, and the pressure moments involving Tyler Weaver, Niall Shiels-Donegan, Elliot Baker, Conor Graham and Josh Hill.

We finish with the decisive final sequence, where Josh Hill held his nerve to win the hole that secured the Walker Cup. We describe the celebrations, the emotion around the green, and the sense that this was a remarkable team win built on resilience and momentum.

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Day one of the Walker Cup at Lahinch in the bag, and we're recapping the action. 2 points from Niall Shiels Donegan no doubt the highlight, as well as a stellar comeback from Stuart Grehan against WAGR #1 Preston Stout. A betterball score of 60 from the pair, and carding a -7 round, yet never leading until the final putt was a sign of the standard of that match.

Match results from the day below, and roll on day 2!

Morning Foursomes (GB&I 2½ – 1½ USA)

1 | Stuart Grehan / Eliot Baker | Halved | Preston Stout / Ethan Fang
2 | Connor Graham / Tyler Weaver | 1 up | Kihei Akina / Jay Leng
3 | Sam Easterbrook / Luke Poulter | 1 up | Miles Russell / Tyler Watts
4 | Niall Shiels Donegan / Josh Hill | 4 & 3 | Ryder Cowan / Josiah Gilbert

Afternoon Singles (GB&I 4 – 4 USA)

1 | Stuart Grehan | 1 up | Preston Stout
2 | Jack Whaley | 1 up | Ethan Fang
3 | Connor Graham | 1 up | William Jennings
4 | Tyler Weaver | 2 & 1 | Jay Leng Jr.
5 | Ben Bolton | 2 & 1 | Stewart Hagestad
6 | Luke Poulter | 2 & 1 | Miles Russell
7 | Niall Shiels Donegan | 3 & 2 | Tyler Watts
8 | Eliot Baker | 3 & 2 | Josiah Gilbert

After Day 1: GB&I 6½ – 5½ USA)

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With Walker Cup week upon us, we sit down with the Lord of Lag Putting himself, Dr Darragh Garrahy, to talk about one of his favourite subjects.

There’s a twist this time, though, as Darragh takes on the role of quizmaster, requiring very little effort to expose Sam & Tom’s rather thin understanding of the Walker Cup.

Along the way, he shares a tonne of brilliant titbits from the history of the match and this year’s host venue, Lahinch, with stories featuring some of the great characters to have graced the contest. From John Burke, Leonard Crawley, Bernard Darwin and JB Carr, to Frank Stranahan, Stiggy Hodgson and Don Cherry, plus plenty more besides.

A fun one, packed with stories, and a quiz you can play along with in the car!

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