Ep103: From Hickories to Social Media

A few topics covered on this episode – ranging from Royal Park Golf Course, social media activity of golf clubs, and hickory golf. Firstly we touch on the community consultation process and impending change in the Royal Park precinct of Melbourne, which may have ramifications for the golf course. We touch on a couple of examples of social media activity from local golf clubs and discuss how badly it is so often done, and how social media activity by golf clubs could be done better. We round out the episode with a discussion of hickory golf. The clubs, the history, the makers, and the mode of play. Courses suited to hickory and more. This stems from Matt’s recent participation in the 2026 Victorian Hickory Shaft Championships, staged at Barwon Heads, and is the springboard into our next episode in which we focus exclusively on Barwon Heads Golf Club. As discussed in the episode –  The State Government & Melbourne City Council’s plans for the Royal Park precinct here - https://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/royal-park-master-plan-review/project-overview Erik Anders Lang returns to Melbourne in October and will berevisiting Royal Park – the site of the first ever Random Golf Club event. For those interested in participating in the event scheduled for late October a link is here. https://randomgolfclub.com/en-au/products/royal-park-melbourne-mad-scramble?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web&fbclid=PAdGRleAUZUb5mdHNoBP4LvXBkb2YCZmRpZBZQ1TG-bcZtrWeM36ZSP_u5X3m38uV4ZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPMTI0MDI0NTc0Mjg3NDE0AAGnU1zCrAG-aLuG9cn_k7H0ELfFmvDnQjS9_FJ8H00FHg0zCxMp0sPq6fG40tA_aem_OY-MjUM1IE6i6ms6c4JRIQ The Australian Golf Heritage Society - http://www.australiangolfheritage.org.au/index.html Golf Society of Australia – https://golfsocietyaust.com/ Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their insta page and website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. It's shorts season already in Sydney - but still time for sweaters and trousers in Melbourne. Grab what you need and look stylish on the course. We thank Matt – our OG partner. Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – doyour wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf. Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagrampage (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators when photos or video is not captured by Scott or Matt.Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop PlayingWith Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

A long-awaited chat with an under the radar figure in golfarchitecture in Australia. And a sensational, humble guy on top of that! Mic spends an hour with us, chatting about his start in the design and construction business, and the many projects he’s been a part of over the last two decades. From his beginnings when submitting competition entries to Tom Doak and Tony Cashmore, to working on master plans, course routings and more. We talk about Mic’s time on the ground at Tara Iti, National (Gunnamatta), Mallacoota, Flinders, 7 Mile Beach and others. He shares his love for understated countrygolf courses, particularly those down in the south east of Victoria. He sheds a little light on some hidden gems such as Loch Sport and Tambo Valley too! Construction, lessons learned from working with some wonderful colleagues and great projects and more. Thanks so much to Mic for chatting with us – a really fun and illuminating discussion. Mic’s site for those who want to know more – https://holesintheground.com/ The website for the golf course & club at Tambo Valley -https://www.tambovalleygc.com/course.htm And a link to Loch Sport too - https://lochsportgolfclub.com.au/ Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their insta page and website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. Some warmer layers are on the shelves now, ensuring you will b stylish and warm during your round – and after! We thank Matt – our OG partner. Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – do your wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf. Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators when photos or video is not captured by Scott or Matt. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

A review of the All-Australian Composite Courses we unveiled in Episode 100. We tackle audience feedback, some reflections on each of our courses two weeks on and some holes that were unlucky to miss out.We mull over the process of compiling such a course and touch on a range of issues related to the eclectic layouts. Do people tend to favour photogenic holes? Are our courses full of our favourite holes ? Do they layouts work as balanced and playable (albeit in an imaginary sense) courses?We then go on to look at a different kind of 18, selecting an Anti-All-Australian 18 featuring weak holes from the top 18 courses in the land (according to our inaugural AGP course rankings). We discuss why some of these holes are less memorable than their colleagues and highlight the fact that even stellar courses have low spots.Bryson's fescue stomping rules snafu during The Open comes in for a little discussion, as does Ryan Fox's win and the upcoming Aussie Open at Kingston Heath, which Corey Connors is confirmed for... We briefly mentioned an old book written by Peter Thomson titled "Classic Golf Holes of Australia" It features some great old images of some of our best holes. There's a copy or two on eBay currently - going cheap.Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their William St Paddington store if you’re in Sydney, or visit their insta page or website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. Splurge on yourself and be the best dressed golfer at your club – grab an AAGGG cashmere sweater while they’re still available. You can thank us later.Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – do your wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf.Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators when photos or video is not captured by Scott or Matt.Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

One hundred episodes! We've come a long way from that nervous first recording in August 2022.We have been looking forward for a while to selecting our ultimate Aussie 18s, and it felt like the right fit for this milestone recording.One hole per course and it had to slot in on our All-Australian layout that the same hole number it occupies on the course it was taken from. We also threw in our favourite clubhouse, halfway house, locker room, post-round feed and drink as well.Matt's course changed regularly from when we embarked on the process of selecting holes, while Scott's course stayed the same until a panicked two hours before we hit record.Thanks as always to our fantastic partners Angus & Grace Go Golfing and Seed Golf. We couldn't think of better teammates than Matt Burns and Dean Klatt.Thank you for listening, it means the world to us.Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators when photos or video is not captured by Scott or Matt. Special thanks to Will Watt of Contours. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing WithMe-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

Not a nervous single nudged to mid on as we near the century – the 99th episode of AGP podcast is a great chat with Charlie Mercer – one of New Zealand’s finest, and host of The Yardage Book Podcast. Charlie recently visited Australia and played some of our best courses. We talk about his views on golf in Australia and New Zealand. The similarities and differences, the good and not so good points, and so much more. Thanks so much to Charlie for speaking with us. Go and take a listen to his back catalogue including his interviews with Jim Rohrstaff, Ryan Fox, Will Kay, Tom Doak, and his latest episode with Leo Barber and Michael Goldstein discussing NZ’s bestpar 3 holes. https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/architecture-spotlight-the-par-3s-of-nz/id1714222287?i=1000772601220 Some courses and other stuff we discussed Clyde Johnson’s book - https://www.blurb.co.uk/b/7548667-the-golf-courses-of-new-zealand-s-north-island Te Arai Links - https://tearai.com/ And an old review from Matt’s first Titirangi visit back in2009.https://golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/titirangi-golf-club/ Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their William St Paddington store if you’re in Sydney, or alternatively visit their insta page or website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. Splurge on yourself and be the best dressed golfer at your club – grab an AAGGG cashmere sweater while they’re still available. Youcan thank us later. Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – doyour wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf. Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators when photos or video is not captured by Scott or Matt. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

Back to the mailbag to answer listener questions. Almost two hours' worth, ranging from travel advice, hot takes, favourites and some wild hypotheticals.Shoutout to Bryson, you're probably fine company on the golf course but we're just not that fussed to find out.Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their insta page and website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. Some warmer layers are on the shelves now, ensuring you will be stylish and warm during your round – and after! We thank Matt – our OG partner.Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – do your wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf.Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

Part 2 of our recap of our recent trip to King Island focuses on Ocean Dunes.OD was our first round of the trip and made an enormous impression. We go chapter and verse on 1-18, answer some listener questions about the course and there's inevitable comparisons to Cape Wickham.But first, a chat about last week's news that the Aussie Open for both men and women will be headed to a new course in Adelaide on a regular basis over the coming decade. There's a lot about this issue and announcement that brings to mind the Alonzo Mourning gif.Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their insta page and website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. Some warmer layers are on the shelves now, ensuring you will be stylish and warm during your round – and after! We thank Matt – our OG partner.Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – do your wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf.Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

AGP finally touched down on King Island, with a group of mates in tow, all very excited to see the golf on offer.This episode will be the first of a couple devoted to King Island, and one where we principally discuss the course at Cape Wickham. The turf, location, the 18th green, the wind, sets of 3s and 5s, favourite holes – all of it.The inevitable comparisons are made with Ocean Dunes, as well as the collection of leading Tasmanian courses.  The layout at Wickham is such a spectacular course, and one that generates endless discussion and opinions. We hope you enjoy this episode, and the other King Island centred chats in the pipeline. A few links below, as discussed in this episodeAccommodation options on the island include AGP’s base:https://kingisland.org.au/accommodation/blencathra-coastal-spa-getaway/And the house where No Laying Up stayed:https://basslodgekingisland.com.au/ Sights to see on the island for non-golfing time include –The calcified foresthttps://parks.tas.gov.au/things-to-do/60-great-short-walks/calcified-forest-(king-island) A guided platypus walkhttps://kingislandwalks.com.au/itinerary/platypus-penguin-tour/ The GCA thread dating back to Matt’s first visit to Cape Wickham in 2015.https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php?topic=62850.0 Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their insta page and website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. Some warmer layers are on the shelves now, ensuring you will be stylish and warm during your round – and after! We thank Matt – our OG partner.Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – do your wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf.Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

A fair bit happening in Aussie golf this week, so Matt and Scott caught up for a quick trip through recent announcements and happenings:Rory is returning to the Aussie Open with the green jacket still in his possession.The Aussie PGA is headed to The Lakes and Bryson could be the drawcard (?!).LIV might be collapsing, but the North Adelaide redevelopment is all systems go with construction beginning next week.Moore Park’s time as an 18-hole course may be drawing to a close, but could there be a silver lining?Lovedale Farm will now be designed by “the project’s developer and various consultants” after architect Darius Oliver departed the project.Newcastle GC's renovation is beginning to take shape and there's some promising sights.Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their insta page and website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. The latest Australian Golf Passport cap and tee have both sold out but there’s tons more cool stuff in store – and Cashmere is soon to arrive. We thank Matt – our OG partner!Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful.Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators.Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

We invited Clayts on to help us profile St Andrews Beach, so naturally the episode opens with a discussion about 1970s house prices, closes with a brilliant Clayts monologue about molded grip trainer clubs and namechecks at least 20 Aussie courses along the journey!Early in the life of this pod, we recorded an episode with Clayts where we discussed a bundle of Mornington Peninsula courses. We thought it was best to go back and revisit some of those layouts, devoting individual episodes to several courses. And who better to discuss St Andrews Beach than Clayts? Co-credited with its creation, he was there when the course was being designed and built, and nobody has completed more laps of the course than Mike.In a wide-ranging chat we talk about the early days of the St Andrews Beach project, when it looked like being a 27-hole project with involvement from Ian Baker-Finch, a 36-hole private club with a buy-in of $50k for a 99-year membership, eventually becoming a publicly accessible 18-hole course, which at one point almost 20 years ago was closed for play and faced with a very uncertain future.Our episode addresses Tom Doak’s work and his views on one of his best and favourite creations. A great thread on St Andrews Beach on golfclubatlas - https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,48455.0.html Another great review by Garrett of Fried Egg Golf –https://www.thefriedegg.com/courses/st-andrews-beach-golf-course And Doak discusses St Andrews Beach back in early 2020 with Andy Johnsonhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/6pmUSLrmApr0pLCTkopL2J?si=r_-Y-KWIR0Wv97reAqq2kw Thanks to Clayts for his time and his continued support of our pod. It’s wonderful to get his views on his beloved St Andrews Beach and a whole host of other topics we discussed through this episode – one which we’re sure you will enjoy. Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their insta page and website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. The latest Australian Golf Passport cap and tee have both sold out but there’s tons more cool stuff in store – and Cashmere is soon to arrive. We thank Matt – our OG partner! Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. The article we discussed during the episode is below for those who want to read more on the high quality Seed SD-02 model… https://www.todays-golfer.com/news-and-events/equipment-news/seed-sd-02-v-vice-pro-plus-golf-balls/ Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com