5th Hole - To be, or not to be?

5th Hole - To be, or not to be?

Join Rhys ap William, Eryl Williams and Matt Dearden for Episode 5 of Golf Pod Cymru, the podcast dedicated to golf in Wales. This week, the team rounds up the latest news and performances from Welsh golfers, both professional and amateur, highlighting the players making headlines at home and abroad. Topic of the Pod: Golf Membership – To Join or Not to Join? Golf club membership remains one of the biggest decisions golfers face. Is membership still good value? What are the benefits beyond simply playing golf? And how do flexible memberships compare with traditional options? The team discuss the pros and cons, who membership suits best, and whether joining a club is the right move for today's golfer. Special Guest: Nick Daniels We're joined by Nick Daniels, Resort Manager at Machynys, who gives us an insight into managing one of Wales' premier golf destinations. Nick discusses the challenges of hosting large-scale events, how the team prepares for major competitions, and the aspirations for bringing even bigger events to the venue in the future. Golf Pod Cymru Bacon Bap Leaderboard The competition is heating up as we bring you the latest standings in our very own Golf Pod Cymru Bacon Bap Leaderboard. Who's climbing the rankings and who's in danger of falling behind? Matt's Update Matt gives us an update on his game and preparations for his upcoming tournament at Slaley Hall next week. Recorded while out on the course at Machynys, it provides a unique opportunity to assess his game first-hand in real playing conditions and hear how he's shaping up ahead of a big week. Ask Matt Following our round at a breezy Machynys, this week's question for Matt focuses on one of golf's toughest tests – driving into a strong wind. Matt shares his thoughts on club selection, ball position, swing adjustments and course management to help golfers keep control when the conditions get challenging. Comedy Golf A brand-new section makes its debut! Comedy Golf is your chance to share the funny side of the game. From golfing disasters and missed putts to unforgettable clubhouse moments, we'll be featuring listeners' funniest golf stories. If you've got a tale that will make fellow golfers laugh, we'd love to hear it. Golf Pod Cymru – celebrating the people, courses, stories and humour that make golf in Wales so special.

4th Hole - Robot Wars

Golf Pod Cymru – Technology in Golf, US PGA Review & A Front Nine to Remember Join Rhys ap William, Eryl Williams and Matt Dearden for another entertaining and insightful episode of Golf Pod Cymru, the podcast all about golf in Wales. This week, the team starts with a catch-up on where they’ve all been playing and what’s been happening on their golfing journeys. They then review the latest action from the PGA Championship, discussing the standout performances and biggest talking points from one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments. There’s also a full update on Welsh golfers, both professional and amateur, highlighting how players from Wales are performing at home and abroad. Topic of the Pod: Technology in Golf The main discussion explores how technology is transforming every aspect of the game—from the machinery and software used by greenkeepers, to the launch monitors and tracking systems at modern driving ranges, to the clubs and balls we use on the course. One of the standout topics is the growing use of robotic mowers on golf courses. These autonomous machines are becoming increasingly popular for maintaining fairways, tees and rough. The team discusses how robot mowers can deliver a more consistent cut, while also freeing up greenkeeping staff to focus on more specialised course maintenance tasks. Special Guest: Julian Doughty The team is joined by Julian Doughty, Head Greenkeeper at Radyr Golf Club, who provides fascinating insights into modern course management, including how technology such as robotic mowers and advanced turf-monitoring systems are changing the way courses are maintained. Matt’s Challenge Matt shares the story of a remarkable front nine score that has to be heard to be believed. Ask Matt In this week’s listener Q&A, Matt answers all your questions about golf balls—how to choose the right one, what the key differences are, and whether premium balls really make a difference to your game. Golf Pod Cymru – bringing you the stories, insights and personalities that make Welsh golf so special.

3rd Hole - Dodging Divots

This week on Golf Pod Cymru, Rhys ap William, Eryl Williams and Matt Dearden are back in the studio with a packed episode covering all things Welsh golf. The trio kick things off with a look back at their own golfing experiences over the past week, sharing the highs, lows and everything in between. Matt gives an update on his “Road to the Seniors” challenge, including a recap of his first tournaments in six months and how he’s finding competitive golf again. There’s also a roundup of the latest from the Welsh professional and amateur scene, plus big news as the Seniors Open is set to return to Royal Porthcawl in 2027. This episode features a special interview with Peter Evans, Head Professional at Royal Porthcawl, offering insight into the club, the upcoming championship. As always, the team covers the latest Welsh golf news and announcements, before wrapping up with the popular “Ask Matt” segment—where Matt answers a listener’s question.

2nd Hole - No caps in the clubhouse!

We’re back for Episode 2 of Golf Pod Cymru, and there’s plenty to get stuck into! We kick things off with a full Masters round-up, reflecting on all the big moments, standout performances, and talking points from Augusta. Our main topic this week is dress code – what’s acceptable on the course, what’s not, and whether golf still needs to stick to tradition or loosen things up a bit. We’ll hear the latest from Matt on his quest to reach the Senior Tour and we bring you an excellent guest interview with Mike Davies from Glyn Abbey Golf Club, sharing insights from his experience in the Welsh golf scene. We also reveal the winner of our latest competition, cover the latest Welsh golf news, and wrap things up with another edition of “Ask Matt,” where your questions get answered. Another packed episode you won’t want to miss

1st Hole - Jitters

Join hosts Rhys ap William, Eryl Williams, and Matt Dearden as they tee off the very first episode of Golf Pod Cymru – your new home for everything Welsh golf. In this debut episode, we introduce ourselves, share our love for the game, and set the tone for what’s to come. We dive straight into the state of professional golf in Wales, taking a closer look at the current landscape and how Welsh players are performing on the big stage. We also launch “Matt’s Challenge” – following Matt Dearden’s journey as he sets his sights on earning a place on the Senior Tour. Expect honest insights, ups and downs, and plenty of behind-the-scenes perspective. Our Guest Golf Club of the Week is Denbigh Golf Club, where we chat with PGA Professional and Director of Golf, Ben Brierley, about the club, its community, and what makes it special. With the Masters just around the corner, we bring you a Masters Special, exploring Welsh connections to Augusta and building excitement for one of golf’s greatest tournaments. We wrap up with a round-up of Welsh golf news and introduce “Ask Matt” – your chance to get expert advice from our resident PGA Professional to help fix your golfing ailments and improve your game. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just getting started, Golf Pod Cymru is here to bring you closer to the game in Wales and beyond. email us with any comments / feedback / questions - golfpodcymru@gmail.com