NCG Top 100s Podcast

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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