Episode 10: Open Championship Preview - Golf Loopz goes to Royal Birkdale!

Episode 10: Open Championship Preview - Golf Loopz goes to Royal Birkdale!

GOLFLOOPZ EPISODE 10 – THE OPEN PREVIEW: GOLF LOOPZ GOES TO ROYAL BIRKDALE! GolfLoopz is heading to The Open Championship! In Episode 10, we look ahead to golf’s oldest major as it returns to Royal Birkdale. We explore the history of The Open, explain what makes links golf so different and take a closer look at Royal Birkdale’s dunes, deep bunkers and hard, burned-out fairways. We also preview some of the leading contenders—including Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Southport’s own Tommy Fleetwood. Most importantly, GolfLoopz will be at Royal Birkdale throughout the week, sharing the sights and sounds of The Open: the navy-blue grandstands, giant yellow scoreboards, flags cracking in the wind and the world’s best golfers trying to control the ball on a fast-running links course. IN THIS EPISODE * The story of the first Open Championship in 1860 * Why links fairways can become hard, brown and incredibly fast * About Royal Birkdale and previous winners * Predictions and local favourite Tommy Fleetwood * What GolfLoopz will be looking and listening for at Royal Birkdale JORDAN SPIETH’S DRIVING-RANGE ESCAPE IN 2017 * Jordan Spieth wins The Open from the driving range – official R&A video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98dO0ZtAl2I] PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON’S FAMOUS SHOT IN 2008 * Pádraig Harrington’s incredible 5-wood on the 17th – official R&A video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfgFbsoyn-E] * Harrington explains the shot that helped him win [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5sppcwJa6U] HARD & FAST LINKS Carnoustie in 2018 is a brilliant example of a links course becoming dry, brown and extremely fast. * The Open: what was needed to win at hard and fast Carnoustie [https://www.theopen.com/latest/2018/07/whats-needed-to-win-at-carnoustie] * Tiger Woods discusses firm and fast Carnoustie [https://www.theopen.com/latest/2018/07/woods-hopes-to-find-major-success-at-firm-fast-carnoustie] ROYAL BIRKDALE & THE 154TH OPEN * The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale – official championship page [https://www.theopen.com/royal-birkdale-154th-open] * Royal Birkdale hole-by-hole course guide [https://www.theopen.com/royal-birkdale-154th-open/course-guide] HISTORY OF THE OPEN * The story of the first Open Championship [https://www.theopen.com/latest/the-1st-open-finding-a-successor-for-robertson] * The history of the Claret Jug and Challenge Bel [https://www.theopen.com/latest/claret-jug-all-you-need-to-know] * Explore the complete journey of The Open [https://thejourney.theopen.com/] * The Open’s official website [https://www.theopen.com/]

Episode 9 - What is Golf?!

Welcome to Episode 9 of GolfLoopz — the golf podcast for kids. This episode is a beginner-friendly guide to golf: where it came from, how it works, what pars and handicaps mean, and how kids can get started without joining a fancy golf club or buying 14 clubs on day one. Key topics Golf’s Scottish roots, linksland, “gowf”, and the famous 1457 Scottish ban The basic aim of golf: get the ball from tee to hole in as few shots as possible What a golf course looks like: tees, fairways, greens, rough, bunkers and penalty areas Par, birdies, eagles, albatrosses, bogeys and double bogeys Stroke play, match play, Stableford and handicaps The basic spirit of the Rules of Golf: play the course as you find it and the ball as it lies What equipment beginners actually need Ways to try golf: driving ranges, short courses, pitch-and-putt, simulators, adventure golf and Toptracer Range Why golf is strange, brilliant, frustrating — and maybe the greatest game of them all Links Get into Golf - England https://getintogolf.co.uk/junior-golf/ [https://getintogolf.co.uk/junior-golf/] Rocks and Rookies - England Golf https://www.englandgolf.org/rocks-and-rookies [https://www.englandgolf.org/rocks-and-rookies] Scottish Golf - Get Started https://www.scottishgolf.org/get-started [https://www.scottishgolf.org/get-started] Golf Foundation (UK) https://www.golf-foundation.org [https://www.golf-foundation.org] First Tee (USA) https://firsttee.org/programs/ [https://firsttee.org/programs/] US Kids Golf (Junior Clubs) https://www.uskidsgolf.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorxv5Wb2MkEo6q9J3P07eqxR4t4ypbuz6u3ptJbl0_U8hC2cDbA [https://www.uskidsgolf.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorxv5Wb2MkEo6q9J3P07eqxR4t4ypbuz6u3ptJbl0_U8hC2cDbA] The R&A – Rules of Golf https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf [https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf] Rules of Golf According to Dennis the Menace! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rules-Golf-According-Dennis-Menace/dp/0718138503 [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rules-Golf-According-Dennis-Menace/dp/0718138503] The R&A – Handicapping https://www.randa.org/en/handicapping [https://www.randa.org/en/handicapping] St Andrews and the 18-hole round https://www.scottishgolfhistory.org/origin-of-golf-terms/18-hole-round/ [https://www.scottishgolfhistory.org/origin-of-golf-terms/18-hole-round/] Toptracer Range https://toptracer.com/range/ [https://toptracer.com/range/] Alan Shepard’s golf shot on the Moon https://www.nasa.gov/history/alsj/a14/a14.clsout3.html [https://www.nasa.gov/history/alsj/a14/a14.clsout3.html] The Open Championship https://www.theopen.com/ [https://www.theopen.com/] Thanks for listening to GolfLoopz — the golf podcast for kids. Next up: GolfLoopz is heading to The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale — the oldest major in golf.

Episode 8: Mens US Open Preview

Welcome to Episode 8 of GolfLoopz – the Golf Podcast for Kids. I n this episode, we preview the 2026 U.S. Open at the historic and fearsome Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York. We look at what makes the U.S. Open different from every other golf tournament, explore the history and unusual name of Shinnecock Hills, and examine why its hard greens, coastal wind and sloping fairways create such a difficult challenge. We also run through the leading contenders, including Scottie Scheffler’s attempt to complete the career Grand Slam, Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele — plus GolfLoopz favourites Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland and Patrick Reed. KEY TOPICS: * The history of the U.S. Open and why it is genuinely an “Open” * How players qualify through local and final qualifying * Shinnecock Hills and the meaning behind its name * Why Shinnecock is one of the toughest courses in championship golf * Brooks Koepka’s victory at Shinnecock in 2018 * Scottie Scheffler’s bid to complete the career Grand Slam * The chances of Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau and the other favourites * Wild-card picks Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Reed and Viktor Hovland RESOURCES & LINKS: Official 2026 U.S. Open website: https://www.usopen.com/ [https://www.usopen.com/] Shinnecock Hills course guide and history: https://www.usopen.com/2026/about-shinnecock-hills-golf-club.html [https://www.usopen.com/2026/about-shinnecock-hills-golf-club.html] Video flyovers of all 18 holes at Shinnecock Hills: https://www.usopen.com/2026/videos/features/02/18/2026-u-s--open-course-tour--flyovers-of-every-hole-6389523936112.html [https://www.usopen.com/2026/videos/features/02/18/2026-u-s--open-course-tour--flyovers-of-every-hole-6389523936112.html] 2026 U.S. Open tee times: https://www.usopen.com/2026/tee-times.html [https://www.usopen.com/2026/tee-times.html] U.S. Open qualifying information and results: https://www.usopen.com/2026/qualifying.html [https://www.usopen.com/2026/qualifying.html] Learn more about the Shinnecock Nation: https://www.shinnecock-nsn.gov/ [https://www.shinnecock-nsn.gov/] The story of Brooks Koepka’s 2018 U.S. Open victory at Shinnecock: https://victory.usopen.com/watch/features/2021/05/17/champion-s-journey--brooks-koepka-2018-u-s--open-6254695108001.html [https://victory.usopen.com/watch/features/2021/05/17/champion-s-journey--brooks-koepka-2018-u-s--open-6254695108001.html] Phil Mickelson's meltdown on the greens in 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW084qWwhV4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW084qWwhV4] CONNECT WITH THE HOST: Email: jamie@sportsandlegal.com Instagram: @golfloopzpod

Episode 7: US Women's Open - Nelly wins at Riviera!

Welcome to Episode 7 of Golf Loopz - Golf Podcast for Kids. In this episode we take our first look at women's golf with coverage of the US Women's Open and Nelly Korda's epic win at Riviera CC in California. Key topics: * Overview of the 2026 US Women's Open and the venue Riviera Country Club * Profile of dominant player Nelly Korda and her journey to victory * Charley Hull's rise and personality as a golf ‘rock star’ * Remarkable story of Madeline Sagström competing while seven months pregnant * Future women’s golf majors: KPMG Women's PGA, Evian Championship, AIG Women's Open, and the Solheim Cup Resources & Links: * US Women's Open [https://www.uswomensopen.com/] * Riviera Country Club [https://www.therivieracountryclub.com/] * Hogan's Alley [https://genesisinvitational.com/news/the-making-of-hogans-alley/] * Riviera bunker in middle of the green [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iL868JQYkBM] * Nelly final round [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOqSX-HneTY] * Charley Hull 2nd Place [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMsfvtPzkhE] * Charley "Shy kids don't get sweets!" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfv3RrtTdlw] * Madelene Sagström playing US Open pregnant [https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZKx91LsqVS/] * AIG Women's Open [https://www.aigwomensopen.com/] * 2026 Solheim Cup [https://www.solheimcup2026.golf/] Connect with the Host: * Email: jamie@sportsandlegal.com [jamie@sportsandlegal.com] * Instagram - @GolfLoopzpod [https://instagram.com/GolfLoopz]

Episode 6: PGA Championship Review

2026 PGA Championship Review Aaron wins at The Mink! This episode covers the thrilling upset at the PGA Championship as England's Aaron Rai claims his first major as the pros struggled on the crazy greens at Aronimink GC. We delve into Aaron's funky iron covers, two gloves and more, as well as reviewing the whole tournament - happy listening! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - PGA Championship overview and key questions 00:17 - Aaron Rai's winning performance and tournament setting 01:05 - The challenging course conditions and scoring environment 01:28 - Rai’s final round 01:58 - Rai's career background and steady rise 02:14 - Unique gear choices: two gloves and iron covers 03:35 - Rory McIlroy's week: a tough start but resilient recovery 04:34 - Scotty Scheffler’s tenure as defending champ 05:01 - Jordan Spieth and Ricky Fowler’s performances 05:44 - PGA Club Pros and noteworthy efforts 06:01 - Final thoughts: lessons from the tournament RESOURCES & LINKS: * Aaron Rai's Profile [https://www.pgatour.com/player/46414/aaron-rai] * Aronimink Golf Club [https://www.aronimink.org/] * Tournament Highlights [https://youtu.be/VsbzogOKwOw?si=8NaCSeuXAoR7Q8Tf] * (BIG!) Trophy Presentation [https://youtu.be/KhkOvTUUrtw?si=Vnv4CteKKPrigVwQ] * 2 Gloves [https://www.instagram.com/reels/DYdgsoVKVx4/] * Iron Covers [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t1Xbe6BzuFY] * Long Jim Barnes - first ever 300 yard drive [https://youtube.com/shorts/TCzmObvOsI4?si=bS4m6S8KTuaJ9hj3]