The Cookie Jar Golf Podcast

358 - Richard Pennell on ‘Common Grounds’

Sam sits down for a catch-up with friend of the pod, West Byfleet membership secretary and exceptional writer Richard Pennell. Together, they cover a wide range of topics, including Richard’s latest book, Common Grounds, which chronicles his journeys to some of the rawest and purest forms of the game.Building on the success of his first book - Grass Routes - you can secure a copy through the wonderful folks over at Grant Books here.  Send us a message if you liked the showIf you've enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!You can follow us along below @cookiejargolf Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Website

357 - BTME with James Bledge

Tom sits down with Golf Badgers’ James Bledge at BTME in Harrogate to discuss the event. Send us a message if you liked the showIf you've enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!You can follow us along below @cookiejargolf Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Website

356 - Course Diaries: West Sussex w/ Tom Mackenzie

Sam and Tom sit down in the West Sussex clubhouse to chat to one half of Mackenzie & Ebert - Tom Mackenzie - about his love affair with landscapes, and a career in course architecture. We talk about West Sussex and making alterations to your home course, as well as work further afield.  Send us a message if you liked the showIf you've enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!You can follow us along below @cookiejargolf Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Website

355 - Motorway Services & Golf

Sam & Tom head to where it all began for the British motorway service station: Watford Gap. Not only the official north–south divide, but the birthplace of what has grown to become a staple of travel culture in Great Britain — none more so than in our world of planning stops at service stations on the road to and from the links.This is an episode we’ve wanted to do for some time. And while the connection with golf is extremely tenuous, it’s fascinating to explore the evolution of the motorway service network — from the early days of the M1, through how service stations have changed over time, and what the future might hold.Of course, we talk about some of our favourites, but now you can rank your own as well. The link below will take you to a ranking website specially created by Tom, where you can leave reviews and help us shine a light on the good, the bad, and the ugly.https://cookiejarservices.com/ Send us a message if you liked the showIf you've enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!You can follow us along below @cookiejargolf Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Website

354 - Jean van de Velde

Sam talks to Jean van de Velde about his career in the game, which began as a six-year-old in Mont-de-Marsan, in the Pyrenees in south-west France. Growing up in the era of persimmon drivers and balata balls, Jean turned professional in 1987 and went on to compete at the highest level of the game for several decades. He is perhaps best known for his performance at the 1999 Open Championship at Carnoustie, where he slept on a five-shot lead going into the final round.Jean has also been involved in the administration of the game and was instrumental in bringing The Ryder Cup to France in 2018.A huge thank you to Jean for his time on the podcast. His reputation as one of the game’s great characters — and as a wonderfully honest, funny, and brilliant storyteller — remains fully intact after this epic episode. Send us a message if you liked the showIf you've enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!You can follow us along below @cookiejargolf Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Website