An entertaining and informative look at Golf Club life in the UK
Running since 2019, the show features interviews with the people that make things happen in the industry and aims to give a wide perspective of what’s taking place in Golf Clubs in the UK.
Shows:
Golf Club Talk UK Traditional Episodes x 2 per month
GCMA Insights on Golf Club Talk UK x 1 per month
Trending Topics with England Golf x 1 per month
Global Edition: Ad-hoc episodes
Host – Leighton Walker
Having spent over 20 years in the Golf Club industry in both the UK and Australia, Leighton brings a rounded and diverse view to the game and the show. Based in the Cotswolds and working as part-time GM at Cirencester Golf Club, Leighton is now building Golf Club Talk UK to provide more than just podcasts.
Host – Eddie Bullock
With over 35 years’ experience in the golf industry business, Eddie Bullock Golf provides boutique consultancy and advisory services. His time spent with the PGA and as a Manager gives him a breadth of experience that struggles to be matched. Eddie brings a wide network including people outside of Golf.
Golf Club Talk UK can present or host at your event. This can include hosting round table discussions, live podcasts or educational presenting. For more information, call Leighton on 07900 932726
In this insightful and thought-provoking episode of Golf Club Talk UK, we welcome Chuck Gallagher, a renowned expert in business ethics and leadership, to discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the golf industry. From club management and member engagement to operational efficiencies, AI is rapidly changing how golf clubs operate. But with great technology comes great responsibility.
Leighton was fortunate to have seen Chuck delivering a session at the CMAA World Conference in February and agreeing to come on to GCTUK, Chuck shares his unique perspective, shaped by his personal journey through ethical challenges and redemption, on why ethical decision-making must remain at the forefront as golf clubs adopt new AI tools. He emphasizes the importance of transparency, accountability, and maintaining trust with members as technology becomes more integrated into daily operations.
Listeners will gain practical insights on:
The key opportunities AI presents for golf clubs
How to communicate to all ages and demographics of members
Potential ethical pitfalls to watch out for
How to balance innovation with integrity in club leadership
Real-world examples and advice for responsible AI use
Chuck has a fun and engaging style and we're sure you'll love this episode. Whether you manage a golf club, work in the industry, or simply have an interest in AI and ethics, it offers valuable lessons for navigating the future through AI.
We’re excited to bring back our popular Panel Discussion episodes — and this time, it’s a special three-part series running over the next three months!
With thanks to Alastair Sinclair from PlayMoreGolf, we kick off the series with a deep dive into the Green Fee business, joined by a stellar panel of industry experts:
This Episode’s Panelists:
Eddie Bullock – Eddie Bullock Golf Consultancy
James Wilkinson – Albatross Digital
Nick Eden – The Revenue Club
Matt Roberts – 59 Club
The discussion begins with a look at some of the key performance numbers from the early part of the year — showing just how buoyant this area of the business currently is. But it’s not just about the data — we dig into the player experience too: ???? Are golfers leaving the course feeling better than when they arrived? ???? What are clubs doing to enhance that experience?
We also explore dynamic pricing, and how to avoid repeating past mistakes when it comes to discounting green fees. It’s a lively conversation packed with insights, strategies, and excellent takeaways from some of the most respected names in the game.
Coming Up:
July – Membership models and trends
August – The role of AI in golf
Tune in, take notes, and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving golf industry!
In this episode, we’re joined by Cam Ackerman and Aaron Belcher, the talented duo behind Up River Golf Co. – a rising force in golf course videography. With a rapidly growing reputation for cinematic storytelling and stunning visuals, Up River produces high-quality films for both private clients and their YouTube audience.
Cam and Aaron share how they founded Up River and their passion for highlighting golf course architecture through compelling narratives. Their films don’t just show a course – they tell its story through the eyes of architects, superintendents, and those who live and breathe the game.
Featured projects include:
Gamble Sands
Mid Pines
The Loop
Chambers Bay
Erin Hills – which will host the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open in late May, something their film proudly celebrates.
We dive into the of producing these films – from scouting the location to capturing highly effective drone footage – and hear about their favorite courses to date.
The Greenprint and Up River Golf Co. will continue to collaborate, and we’re excited to keep you updated on all their latest work.
Huge thanks to Cam and Aaron for joining us – and for continuing to raise the bar in golf storytelling.
Check out their incredible videos and subscribe to their YouTube channel here:
On this episode of GCMA Insights, we're talking about Food & Beverage (F&B) operations at Golf Clubs. It's a wide ranging chat, based on some of the fundamentals and principles as well as a look at how clubs can do things better, while retaining that "service element"
Our guests are:
Steven Brown – F&B Consultant - Inn-Formation
Heather Moran – General Manager at La Moye Golf Club
Kevin Fish – Club Management Specialist at Contemporary Club Leadership
Guided by Leighton Walker, the guests look at the following:
A snapshot of the current state of F&B in private clubs.
Trends shaping club F&B and the wider hospitality sector.
The practical realities of running an F&B operation within a private club setting, including member discounts. Members looking for a five star product at a one star price?
The balancing act: delivering member satisfaction while maintaining healthy margins and profitability, and the Board's role in this.
Why training for clubhouse staff has never been stronger – and what that training should look like in today’s best-run clubs.
Why you need a F&B Strategy!
The rise of customer service and member experience training
Don’t miss this episode if you’re a club GM, board member, or F&B manager seeking fresh insight or looking to boost profitability without sacrificing service.
In this episode of Trending Topics, we're joined by Sarah Barter, Head of Handicapping & Course Rating at England Golf. Sarah offers an insightful look into England Golf's critical role in managing and supporting the World Handicap System (WHS) in England.
We explore how England Golf provides the WHS service under licence to golf clubs, offers general handicap assistance, and oversees a robust course rating system. Sarah also shares highlights from their recent nationwide WHS workshops, which underline the organization's strong commitment to supporting club volunteers.
Listen in as we dive into key stats around handicap indexes, average handicaps, and the growing number of iGolfers. Plus, Sarah emphasizes why keeping your course rating up-to-date is more important than ever.
Whether you're a club volunteer, player, or just curious about how handicapping works, this episode sets the scene and spotlights the comprehensive support available through England Golf.