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
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.
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.
Podcast Blurb:
Podcast Blurb:
In this episode, Leighton reflects on the recent Strategy Workshops hosted by England Golf, with the support of BIGGA, GCMA, and the Activation Project. He is joined by Matt Draper and Matt Bloor, who helped lead the workshops, to capture the key takeaways and insights shared during the sessions. They are also joined by Simon Gardner and Phil Davis of the Activation Project, who played an active role in facilitating these important discussions.
The workshops provided a comprehensive look at how golf clubs can build or evolve their strategic plans. The focus was on using data, consultation, and best practices to create a roadmap for success. The Activation Project shared a structured approach to developing these plans, emphasizing the importance of understanding where your club is now, and where it aims to be in the future.
Throughout the discussion, the panel explores how clubs can assess their current position and set realistic, impactful goals for the future. They also dive into the critical question of who should be involved in the planning process, from board members to staff, and how to foster collaboration and ownership across the club. Moreover, the conversation highlights the importance of maintaining momentum and ensuring the plan stays on track, even when challenges arise.
Whether you're in the early stages of developing a strategic plan or looking for ways to refine your current approach, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice for golf clubs looking to grow and evolve with purpose.
Check out the episode from July 2024 on the DNA report which captures data from clubs
https://golfclubtalkuk.libsyn.com/trending-topics-with-england-golf-dna-report
https://www.activationproject.org/
Trending Topics with England Golf - Get Planning! Creating a Strategic Plan
Mar 19, 2025Golf Club Talk UK
Leighton and Eddie catch up to discuss the current state of Golf Clubs, a look at CMAA World Conference and Eddie's week at AIMG in Montpelier. Leighton also explains that GCTUK will be commencing some international episodes in late March. In addition to this Leighton will be starting the new show soon - "The Greenprint", a podcast on Golf Courses including Architecture, Sustainability and Agronomy.
Leighton then joins James Caldwell (Head Professional) and David Addison (GM) of Barassie Golf Club. James has recently taken over as Head Professional following the tenure of a successful Professional. We talk about James' journey into the role and some of the things he will have to navigate as he sets up his business and looks to provide the best possible service to members and visitors of the club. David also gives a view on the decision making process in appointing James and the vision he has for success at Barassie.
It's a relaxed and informative chat and we wish James every success in his role at https://www.kbgc.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/golfclubtalkuk/
https://www.instagram.com/thegreenprintuk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/106040189/admin/dashboard/
Discussions With a New Head Professional - James Caldwell and David Addison, Barassie Golf Club
Mar 13, 2025Golf Club Talk UK
With the first four modules of the Advanced Management Programme completed, we catch up with four General Managers who were attendees on the respective courses. These are; Food & Beverage, Governance, Health & Safety and Marketing.
Gareth Morgan, Professional Development Manager for GCMA joins the discussion where we explore the learnings that have come out of the modules and how these can be applied back at club level. The guests also discuss the huge value in the networking and peer to peer connection.
A big thank you to all our guests and their clubs:
@golfclubtalkuk
GCMA Insights - Takeaways from the first Advanced Management Programme Courses
Mar 5, 2025Golf Club Talk UK
On this episode of Trending Topics with England Golf, we spend some time with two of the England Golf board - Julia Regis and Jenny Denyer. The discussion looks to present a picture of the process of becoming a Director, what it's like to be on the board and the role itself and any specialised areas that each Director might take responsibility for.
Julia and Jenny give us an overview of their careers thus far and how that placed them nicely to help the strategic direction of England Golf. Both come from a leadership, coasching and performance angle and have performed roles on other Boards.
The conversation delves into some challenges facing Golf as a sport and how these might be approached. They include improving ethnic diversity in Golf and attracting more women and girls to the game. There's also a look at some of the great opportunities in front of the sport and how these can be exploited.
A great chat and thanks to Julia and Jenny for giving up their time.
https://www.englandgolf.org/leadership-team
Trending Topics with England Golf - Talking to the Board
Feb 27, 2025Golf Club Talk UK
In this second of two episodes from the CMAA Conference, we bring you two insightful interviews recorded on-site. First, we sit down with James Burns and John McCormack of Club Benchmarking dive into the critical role of data, strategic planning, and capital planning for modern clubs. Then, Alex Woodward, CEO of Walton Heath, who shares his thoughts on leadership, service and high performance in the club industry.
While the conference serves as a backdrop, these discussions go beyond just the event—it’s about how clubs can thrive through better leadership, service standards, and long-term planning.
Guests:
Main Topics Discussed:
We hope you enjoyed these valuable insights from the CMAA World Conference. Please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with colleagues in the club industry.
Contact Info:
For questions, guest suggestions, or feedback, email us at [email protected]
www.golfclubtalk.uk
Follow us on Instagram
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/
Insights from the CMAA World Conference: High Performance, Leadership, and Strategic Planning - GCTUK 112
Feb 17, 2025Golf Club Talk UK
