
Advertise on podcast: The Firm & Fast Golf Podcast
Rating
4.8from
This podcast has
75 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Shane DerbyExplicit
No
Date created
2022/02/08
Latest episode
2026/02/05
Average duration
52 min.
Release period
24 days
Description
We're on a golfing quest of sorts, looking to increase our golfing I.Q.'s in the process. Our aim is to speak to expert guests at the intersection of golf design and construction, green keeping and history…...to name but a few topics. This podcast is not about us, it's about the guests, what they know and how that can influence the sustainable future of the game of golf that we all cherish. Suspend what you know about the game of golf for a moment and join us on this journey, we promise great guests, different takes and a few laughs along the way. Many thanks for considering us for a listen!
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Check latest episodes from The Firm & Fast Golf Podcast podcast
Golf at Trinity College Dublin with Gavin Caldwell
2026/02/05
Gavin Caldwell joins us on this episode to take a look at the history of golf at Trinity College Dublin.
Over the course of this episode we explore the main drivers of the foundation of both the Dublin University Golf Club and later the Society for Alumni that was first established in 1909.
We also profile many of the elite amateur golfers who were associated with Trinity through their studies and afterwards as part of the DUGS alumni.
Gavin has been associated with Trinity Golf for the past 60 years and co-wrote College Courses and Lasting Links detailing the history of Golf at Dublin University.
For anybody interested in purchasing a copy of the book please contact the Honorary Secretary of the Dublin University Golf Society (Mark Murnane) who can be reached via email at [email protected].
Episode music - Nectar by Dye O
Supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Special Guest: Gavin Caldwell.
Common Grounds with Richard Pennell
2025/12/23
Friend of the pod Richard Pennell returns to chat about his new book Common Grounds.
Over the course of the episode we chat about Richard's focus on slightly more rustic golfing adventures throughout the UK, Ireland and farther afield.
Common Grounds is published by those lovely people at Grant Books, if you are interested in purchasing the book, please follow the link below:
https://pitchmarks.bigcartel.com/category/books
Remember to enter the competition to be in with a chance of winning one of two copies of Common Grounds that we are giving away.
Details on how to enter are included in the introduction to the episode.
Images can be found on the following channels
X
Instagram
Bluesky
For listeners interested in purchasing Eamon Mangan's book on building Carne Golf Links, please follow the link below.
https://www.mayobooks.ie/Building-Carne?search=building%20carne
A link to the Cookie Jar Course Diaries feature on Royal Worlington & Newmarket can be found below:
https://www.cookiejargolf.com/315-course-diaries-royal-worlington-newmarket/
By no means least a link to Richard's Pitchmarks substack account can be found below
https://pitchmarks.substack.com/
Episode music - Nectar by Dye O
Supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Special Guest: Richard Pennell.
Terry Thornton - Close & Uncertain Irish Golfing Adventures
2025/10/20
In this episode I am joined by Royal Adelaide member and all round good egg Terry Thornton, our chat today focuses on his first trip to Ireland for golf during this passed summer which included 22 rounds over 27 days.
Over the course of the episode we discuss favourite Irish courses and holes from his recent trip in addition to many other rabbit holes that come our way,
Many thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy the show.
Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1
Utrechtse Golf Club 'de Pan'
2025/08/29
Roderick Ritchie, the current course chairman at Utrechtse Golf Club, joins us today to explore the evolving story of 'de Pan' and what can be learned from the sort of careful and considered custodianship on show at Bosch en Duin.
UGC is one of Europe's best golf courses... hidden away amongst a sandy expanse of heather and pine in the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, a nature reserve of some 120 hectares, originally formed by glacial sand deposition during the last ice age.
'de Pan' was Harry Colt's second design commission in the Netherlands. Initially opened in 1929 as a 9 hole course which was extended to 18 in 1932.
Listeners who have sampled the delights of the Greater London Heathlands will recognise and appreciate the golfing charms that await them at UGC.
We hope you enjoy our chat!
Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1
Special Guest: Roderick Ritchie.
Matchless - The Rise of Womens Golf with Stephen Proctor
2025/07/22
Stephen Proctor returns to F&F to chat about Matchless, his new book, which charts the rise of formal womens golf from the late 1860's until the 1930's. The title of the book refers to the titanic battle between England's Joyce Wethered and Glenna Collet of the USA in the 36 hole final of the British Ladies Championship of Great Britain in 1929. This Championship was held at St. Andrews where the two premier players of the competed in what is widely considered to be the Greatest Women's golf match ever played.
Prior to a précis on the 1929 final, Stephen introduces us to some of main characters who influenced the evolving game on both sides of the Atlantic as both suffrage and war would present challenges and opportunities to the gane of golf and wider society.
Many thanks to Stephen for joining us again, we do hope you enjoy our chat.
Please find links to Stephen's publisher, Birlinn Books, below where you can order from his back catalogue or preorder his new book
Matchless - Joyce Wethered, Glenna Collet and the rise of Womens Golf
Long Golden Afternoon - Golf's Age of Glory, 1864-1914
Monarch of the Green - Young Tom Morris, Pioneer of Modern Golf
Richard Pennell @ pitchmarks Substack link
Matchless pre-orders (for customers in the USA) are now also available by clicking on the following link - bookshop.org
Many thanks to Stephen for joining us again, we do hope you enjoy our chat.
Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1
Special Guest: Stephen Proctor.
Tea & Biscuits with Sam Williams from the Cookie Jar Golf Podcast
2025/07/09
Sam Williams from the [Cookie Jar Golf Podcast](www.cookiejargolf.com) joins us on this episode to explore how CJG have grown from a crumb trail in 2020 into one of the largest UK golf podcasts.
Over the course of an hour or so we take a look back through some highlights, recurring guests, expansions and look forward to what the future might hold for Sam, Tom, Bruce & Cal.
It was great to finally catch up with Sam properly, we hope you enjoy our chat.
Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1
Special Guest: Sam Williams.
James Bledge - Links Manager @ Royal Liverpool Golf Club
2025/06/24
James Bledge the Links Manager at Royal Liverpool joins us in this episode to talk about his love for links golf, vocational green keeping, RCP @ Deal, Hoylake, drainage & irrigation, technology, STEM and inspiring the next generation.
It was great to catch up with him again, we hope you enjoy the episode.
Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1
Special Guest: James Bledge.
ODG Shorts - A.B. Babington - Part 5 - Remembering Harry Colt
2025/05/29
This is the final instalment focussing on Sir Anthony Babington's reminisences. In this episode he remembers his great friend Harry Shapland Colt. They were first introduced in 1919 by the Secretary of The Royal Dublin Golf Club, Cecil Barcroft. The relationship would prove fruitful for both men over the following decades.
Many thanks for tuning in.
Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound
A Single Dance - Jon Bjork
ODG Shorts - AB Babington Part 4 - New Clubhouse & 1951 Open Championship
2025/05/21
In this episode Sir Anthony shares his memories of the purchase of the the Holyrood Hotel and its transformation into the current clubhouse at Royal Portrush. He also details the R&A's decision to host the 1951 Open Championship at Royal Portrush which was won by Max Faulkner.
Many thanks for tuning in.
Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound
A Single Dance - Jon Bjork
ODG Shorts - A.B. Babington Part 3 - Harry Shapland Colt at Royal Portrush
2025/05/07
In this episode Sir Anthony details the modernisation of the Royal Portrush Links under the combined efforts of HS Colt, JSF Morrison, Franks Harris, ABB & Hugh McNeill.
Many thanks for tuning in.
Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound
A Single Dance - Jon Bjork
ODG Shorts - A.B. Babington Part 2 - Early Days at Portrush
2025/04/29
In this episode of the continuing series, we learn about Sir Anthony's early golfing days on the North Coast of Portrush. He also covers the consequential matters of extended tenure, security and opportunity that access to additional golfing grounds to the east of the town afforded the wider membership.
The thorny history of Sabbatarianism also raises its head through a golfing lense as he teases out how this matter was resisted, debated and resolved over the course of the mid 1920's.
Many thanks for tuning in.
Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound
A Single Dance - Jon Bjork
ODG Shorts - A.B. Babington Part 1 - Trinity & Dollymount
2025/04/21
Over the course of the next number of short episodes we wilI take a look at another character that influenced the early development and growth of golf in Ireland.
Anthony Babington was a native of Co. Derry, educated at Glenalmond in Perthshire and Trinity College Dublin.
Babington was introduced to golf at Lisfannon in Donegal and Royal Portrush. He was a scratch player of some repute, competing extensively in the elite national amateur championships of the day. However, it was in the administration of the game that he really excelled, influencing golf at Trinity College, Dollymount, Portrush, Belfast and beyond.
Through the medium of his recently uncovered memoirs and historical writings I'm pleased to introduce you to the long golfing life of A.B. Babington and the positive influence that he brought to bear throughout the island of Ireland.
I hope you enjoy his recollections!
Many thanks for tuning in.
For more information on the history of Ireland please click here for a link to The Empire podcast referenced in this epiosde. Please see episodes 236 - 246 which relate to same.
Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound
A Single Dance - Jon Bjork
Chris Breen - Superintendent at Rosapenna Golf Resort
2025/04/08
Chris Breen has been the Superintendent at Rosapenna Golf Resort since 2019. A recent trip to Downings enabled us to sit down for a chat that we've been meaning to have for the past 12 months or so.
We take a look at how he's ended up back home in Donegal overseeing the 63 hole, 1200 acre property.
The importance of getting "your homework right" from a course setup perspective.
How an easterly wind is less than optimal for growing grass early in the season.
Why he's not praying for rain.... just yet.
Grass paths and golfer expectations.
The many changes that have occurred at the resort over the past 6 years and much more.
Many thanks to Chris for his time, we hope you enjoy the listen.
Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1
Special Guest: Chris Breen.
ODG Shorts - Thomas Gilroy - an evangelist of golf
2025/03/29
Thomas Gilroy contributed greatly to the growth of the game of golf in Ireland over the period from 1885 to 1895.
During his time in Ireland he was recognised as the best player in the country, holding a handicap between scratch and +6.
Gilroy was a founding member at Dollymount, Portrush, Mornington & Baltray.
A serial winner and course record setter, he spread the gospel a gift from Scotland.
I hope you enjoy his story!
Many thanks for tuning in.
Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound
Sweet Embrace (Instrumental Version) - Go For Howell
ODG Shorts - Michael 'Dyke' Moran of Dollymount
2025/03/15
In celebration of St. Patricks Day it seemed fitting to feature the story of Michael Moran (1886-1918).
To this day, Moran, holds the record for the number of wins in the Irish Professional Golfers Championships.
That he did this all before turning 27 is all the more remarkable.
His story is indelibly linked to that of my home club at Dollymount,
I hope you enjoy the story. Thanks for tuning in and Happy St. Patricks Day!
Episode music supplied under licence from Epedemic Sound
I Want You to Stay/Victor Lundberg (Instrumental Version)
Podcast reviews
Read The Firm & Fast Golf Podcast podcast reviews
Pgallaghersd 2025/02/21
Depth and Tremendous Insight
If you’d like to learn about the links game, the surfaces it’s played on, and the thought behind the evolution of said surfaces, look no further. Prep...
Der Lehrer 2024/10/23
Outstanding podcast
Great guests, interesting subject matter and unique angles of the game we all love. Very refreshing addition to my podcast rotation.
SteveC876 2022/02/09
Wow
My new favorite podcast! Blown away by these guys.
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