The Firm & Fast Golf Podcast

Hosted by Shane Derby

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Latest episode

Jul 2026

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EN-IE

About the show

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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60 recent

July 30, 2026Episode 811 hr 28 min

Episode 81: James Henderson from Top100golfcourses.com

James Henderson of Top100golfcourses.com joins us on this episode to discuss, rankings, ranking criteria, panel hierarchies and more. Hendo won the golfing lottery when he was born into an East Lothian golfing family. As a result of this happy accident of birth he has been steeped in a culture of brisk two-ball play, slow lunches and matchplay. He's a well travelled character, not without an opinion or two! Many thanks to James for his time - we hope you enjoy our chat. Roundbook [Top100golfcourses.com](top100golfcourses.com) Book Recommendations The Golf Omnibus by P.G. Wodehouse Early Golf by Neil S. Millar Episode music - Nectar by Dye O Supplied under license from Epidemic SoundSpecial Guest: James Henderson.

July 8, 2026Episode 801 hr 42 min

Episode 80: A Feathery Quest with Gavin Bottrell

Gavin Bottrell joins me on this episode to reflect on a twenty year odyssey to perfect the lost craft of Feathery Ball making. Gavin is an engineer by profession and became fascinated with how one might reverse engineer the process of developing a modern day feathery ball. Over the course of a 90 minute chat Gavin shares his learnings from the bottom of a very deep rabbit hole, from where he has perfected a skill that was lost to time and progress as the development of the gutta percha golf ball superceeded the feathery in the 1850's. Gavin recently tested his mark 43 ball against a genuine 185 year old feathery ball and replicated its performance.... he swears that this is the end of his quest..somehow I get the feeling that a doubling down may be on the cards. I'm led to believe that a book is on the cards at some point in the future, which will lay out the techniques, methodology and processes that Gavin has employed in mastering this ancient craft. We hope you enjoy the episode! Check out the following links that detail some of Gavin's fascinating research How far did Feathery Balls Actually Go? The Shape of Feathery Balls How heavy were Feathery Balls Why did Feathery Golf Balls come in different sizes? The proportions of Feathery Balls Some additional links that might be of interest Hitting a genuine 185 year old Feathery Ball Link to Feathery Golf Ball Website Link to Time Warp Golf Link to British Golf Collectors Book Recommendations Allan Robertson: King of Clubs by Roger McStravick & Bill Williams The Oldest Clubs - 1650 - 1850 by Bob Gowland Episode music - Nectar by Dye O Supplied under license from Epidemic SoundSpecial Guest: Gavin Bottrell.

May 6, 2026Episode 791 hr 34 min

Episode 79: ODG Series #8 - Discovering Donald Ross with Bradley S. Klein

Bradley Klein joins us today to take a look at the life and times of one of Dornoch's favourite sons.... none other than Donald Ross. Over the course of our conversation we explore young Donald's early days in the Scottish Highlands and in the East Neuk of Fife under the guidance of OTM. His appointment as keeper of the green and professional at Dornoch GC and the chance visit of a well connected Harvard Professor to Dornoch in late 1898 which led to life altering opportunities in Boston and later throughout the USA. We take a look at some early projects, the Ross influence in North Carolina, a Colt collaboration at Old Elm, Seminole & the host of this years PGA Championship Aronimink in Philadelphia. We assess the importance of key associates, explore his design tendancies and how the formation of the Donald Ross Society has facilitated and assisted with restoring many Ross courses to their former glories. Many thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy the chat! Episode music - Nectar by Dye O Supplied under license from Epidemic SoundSpecial Guest: Bradley Klein.

April 23, 2026Episode 781 hr 12 min

Episode 78: Winter works at Strandhill, Carne & More with Ally McIntosh

Ally McIntosh joins us for another adventure down the rabbit hole of golf course architecture. Over the course of this past winter Ally and his design partner James Coughlan have been busy overseeing the implementation of their Strandhill masterplan. They also commenced phase one of significant improvements to Carne Golf Links. Ally runs us through the specifics of the work at both sited and explains how they utilise specific site specific solutions to fit the needs of these cery different coastal sites. We also pay tribute to Pat Ruddy, look at some new course developments in the southeast of Ireland, compare and contrast the Top100golfcourses and Irish Golfer Magazine rankings, try to disect Ally's suspicion of 'fun' golf and explore possible upcoming course works at Portmarnock Golf Club. Thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy our chat. Episode music - Nectar by Dye O Supplied under license from Epidemic SoundSpecial Guest: Ally McIntosh.

April 4, 2026Episode 771 hr 28 min

Episode 77: England's Golf Coast with Joe McDonnell of McDonnell & Cooper

Joe McDonnell from McDonnell Cooper joins us to discuss the recent improvements to the 7th hole at Formby Golf Club which has recently reopened for member play. Please click on the link for an instagram video where Joe & Sam give us a sneak peak of the fruits of their labour. You can also check out this link where they detail the issues that the club asked McDonnell & Cooper to address. Joe also walks us through some of the holes that have been lost to coastal erosion, please click on this link to a video that has been lovingly created by our friends at the Cookie Jar with input from Sam & Joe. Finally Joe takes us on a magical mystery tour of some of the bright lights of Englands Golf Coast which stretches from The Wirral in the South to the Fylde Coast. It's always great to catch up with Joe, we hope you enjoy our chat. Episode music - Nectar by Dye O Supplied under license from Epidemic SoundSpecial Guest: Joe McDonnell.

March 5, 2026Episode 7649 min

Golf History & Heritage with David Normoyle

David Normoyle is a respected golf historian who works closely with heritage golf clubs to harness the story telling power of their historical assets. Over the course of our chat, David makes a case for the significance of golf heritage and history - emphasising the need for active conservation of club histories. We look at the distinct difference between tradition and traditionalism, the role of myths and proven fact in golf culture, the danger of recency bias and how the development of a deep understanding a club's past informs and supports future direction. Our conversation also touches on the importance of playing promptly, the distance debate and the influence and importance of literature on the game. Finally David provides actionable advice for clubs looking to preserve their history while engaging with members and visitors. Many thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy our chat. Episode music - Nectar by Dye O Supplied under license from Epidemic SoundSpecial Guest: David Normoyle.

February 5, 2026Episode 751 hr 18 min

Golf at Trinity College Dublin with Gavin Caldwell

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 dugshonsec@gmail.com. Episode music - Nectar by Dye O Supplied under license from Epidemic SoundSpecial Guest: Gavin Caldwell.

December 23, 2025Episode 741 hr 35 min

Episode 74: Common Grounds with Richard Pennell

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 SoundSpecial Guest: Richard Pennell.

October 20, 2025Episode 731 hr 6 min

Terry Thornton - Close & Uncertain Irish Golfing Adventures

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

August 29, 2025Episode 721 hr 0 min

Episode 72: Utrechtse Golf Club 'de Pan'

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.1.1Special Guest: Roderick Ritchie.