This episode we record a Q&A episode after reaching episode 401, using it to look back on a busy run of golf, travel and listener questions. We also mention upcoming episodes, including a conversation with Walker Cup captain Dean Robertson, and other planned Q&As and features.

We talk about recent trips, including Rossapenna, where we played matches and the club championship finals, and the quality of the pitch and putt there. We also discuss visiting Royal Liverpool for a retirement celebration, and how strong the course was in condition.

A large part of the episode is spent discussing golf course architecture and course types. We compare parkland, heathland and links golf, argue that parkland gets an unfairly bad reputation, and talk about how many great courses fall into that category. We also discuss how modern architecture often focuses on length, while arguing that many of the best everyday courses are shorter, more strategic and more enjoyable for regular play.

We answer listener questions about courses we would play for the rest of our lives, with Blackwell, Hoylake, Royal Porthcawl and Wokefield Park among the courses we mention. We also discuss underrated heathland courses, including Delamere Forest and Rygate Heath, and mention Halifax and Crossland Heath as upcoming visits.

Other questions include snooker comparisons, with Ronnie O’Sullivan and Alex Higgins, the value of expensive green fees, and favorite niche pro shop purchases. We finish by thanking Rossapenna for their hospitality and looking ahead to the next set of episodes and visits.

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In this episode, we look back on our 95-hole challenge on the Isle of Arran and compare it with the earlier Durness trip. We explain that Arran was more enjoyable largely because of better weather, shorter transfers, and more variety between courses, while Durness was much harder because of wind, rain, and the terrain.

We go through the courses we played in order: Whiting Bay, Lamlash, Brodick, Corrie, Lochranza, Machry Bay, and Shiskin. We describe Whiting Bay as a short but very hilly and quirky course with small greens and dramatic views. Lamlash is presented as similarly hilly and scenic, with a view across to the Holy Isle and a course layout that climbs and drops throughout.

We discuss Brodick as a flatter, more forgiving round that came at a good point in the day, with mountain scenery behind it and a strong morale boost for the group. Corrie is described as a hidden course with a tiny clubhouse and very steep, dramatic holes that drop through wooded terrain. Lochranza stands out as a compact 11-hole campsite course with deer on the fairways and a simple, accessible layout.

We also cover Machry Bay, which we say has been kept going through a lot of effort and feels like a serious but rustic nine-holer. Finally, we talk about Shiskin as the standout course on the island: a true links with firm turf, memorable greens, and a strong finish as the sun set.

Alongside the golf, we talk about the planning, the ferry crossing, the accommodation, the food stops, and the people who helped make the day work, especially Greg and Ian. We close by mentioning the charity fundraising for Arran Cancer Support and how important the donations were.

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We speak with Alex Buckner about his work as a short game coach and how he got into coaching after starting golf seriously in his teens. He explains that he reached scratch as a junior, later moved into work and training, and eventually focused on coaching after realizing that specializing in short game was the clearest path for him.

We discuss how he built his approach during his time at Swinley Forest, especially through COVID, when he gathered a large amount of information from courses, books, online resources, and conversations with other coaches. He describes sorting through that material, simplifying it, and turning it into a clear system he could present to players.

We also talk about his early work with Richard Mansell, which led to more tour coaching and a wider role beyond short game. He explains that his work developed into performance planning and accountability, and that his first major was at St George’s during the COVID year, followed by more tournament experience under stricter conditions at other events.

A major theme is his philosophy on short game. He says it is about adapting body positions, club delivery, and shot selection to the lie, surface, and target rather than following one fixed technique. He stresses that low point control is essential, then distance control, and then the ability to adjust angle of attack and loft for different situations.

We also cover bounce, grind, and wedge fitting. He explains that bounce must match both the player’s low point and the turf conditions, and that the right wedge setup depends on how a player naturally strikes the ball. He adds that ball selection also matters, and says fitting should begin around the green before moving to longer clubs.

Finally, Alex talks about his plans for the future, including building his academy in North London, expanding into Asia, and raising coaching standards. He says he wants players to arrive with clear questions and take more responsibility for understanding what is costing them shots.

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