This Golfing Life cover art

This Golfing Life

This Golfing Life

By: Dan Davies
Listen for free

This Golfing Life is a series of conversations about life, golf and the relationship between the two. Join host Dan Davies as he gets to the heart of the game with an eclectic range of guests - some famous, some less so; but all of them hopelessly besotted with the most engaging, infuriating and enjoyable game ever created.Sounder Golf
Episodes
  • JJ Feild: Golf gives me imposter syndrome

    JJ Feild: Golf gives me imposter syndrome
    Jul 2 2026
    Film, TV and stage actor JJ Feild shares his eclectic golf journey, from sneaking onto courses as a kid to playing at some of the world's most prestigious venues. Discover his humorous takes on golf culture, playing in the Dunhill Links Championship, and why he feels like an imposter every time he drives through the gates of a golf club. Hear about his ill-fated trip to Pine Valley, how Simon Farnaby was his golfing mentor, and why JJ’s instinctive rebellion against authority has landed him in hot water on the golf course. Key topics JJ Feild's early golf experiences and sneaking onto courses Memorable golf tournaments and encounters with celebrities The impact of his acting career on his physicality, golf swing and mind set Humorous and controversial golf stories and incidents Insights into exclusive golf clubs and courses around the world Chapters 00:00 Introducing this week’s guest, JJ Feild 02:08 Golfing Identity: From Imposter Syndrome to Club Membership 06:28 Navigating Golf Etiquette: Tales from the Course 07:14 The Anti-Establishment Golfer: A Clash of Cultures 10:07 Breaking into Golf: The Early Days of a Golfer's Journey 15:36 Start in golf - playing at Skull in Ireland 18:25 Joining The Stage Golfing Society 23:19 Playing in the Dunhill Links - every golfer's dream 32:27 Rivalry with his golfing mentor - Simon Farnaby 34:52 Bulking up for roles and how it affects the swing 35:46 Meeting his golfing Fairy Godfathers 37:44 Playing some of America's most exclusive courses 39:24 JJ's imposter syndrome in golf 42:17 Links golf and playing in all weathers 46:09 Talent vs Mental Game 48:24 Rebuilding the Swing: Lessons from Injury 51:05 Being mistaken for Jude Law and Tom Hiddleston 54:12 Reflections on the opportunities provided by golf 56:00 Visiting Pine Valley and losing his new suit 01:00:02 JJ's Crans Montana envy Links Highgate Golf Club Queen's Park Pitch & Putt Pine Valley Golf Club Dunhill Links Championship Sean Quinlivan (Golf Pro at Shinnecock Hills) Guest links JJ Feild on Instagram Get 20% of your next purchase at SounderGolf.com using the code POD20 Follow Dan Davies and RNGC on Instagram Read Dan Davies on Substack at The Sacred Acre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Brian Viner: The greatest Open prank & golf’s greats up-close

    Brian Viner: The greatest Open prank & golf’s greats up-close
    Jun 25 2026
    Respected sports journalist and author Brian Viner joins Dan Davies to discuss a lifetime spent covering sport, his love affair with golf, and the remarkable characters he's encountered along the way. From growing up in Southport among some of the world's greatest links courses to interviewing legends such as Arnold Palmer, Seve Ballesteros, George Foreman, Richie Benaud and John McEnroe, Brian shares unforgettable stories from both inside and outside the ropes. The conversation ranges from following a teenage Seve at Royal Birkdale in 1976, to studying at St Andrews, witnessing Jack Nicklaus's legendary 1986 Masters victory, and pulling off one of the greatest golfing pranks in Open Championship history. Brian also reflects on golf's biggest personalities, the changing landscape of televised golf, the enduring magic of links golf, and why St Andrews and Southport will always hold a special place in his heart. Key themes Growing up in Southport's golfing heartland Watching Nicklaus, Watson and Seve in the 1970s Following Seve Ballesteros at Royal Birkdale in 1976 Interviewing Seve in Spain and discussing his views on modern golf Brian’s legendary St Andrews Open prank Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and golf's greatest rivalries Witnessing Nicklaus's 1986 Masters triumph The art of interviewing sporting legends The challenges of golf on television LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy and the future of the game Why Tom Watson at Turnberry remains one of golf's greatest stories Brian's favourite courses and golfing happy places Chapters/timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Brian Viner 02:00 Growing up in Southport's golfing culture 04:30 The Open Championship heroes of the 1970s 07:10 Following Seve Ballesteros at Royal Birkdale in 1976 08:50 Interviewing Seve Ballesteros in Spain 10:20 Seve's ideas for changing golf and his gamesmanship 12:30 The charisma and legacy of Seve 14:45 Why Brian chose St Andrews University 15:45 Playing St Andrews for £15 a year 16:20 The famous Open Championship impersonation prank 20:00 Becoming "David Ridley" at The Open 24:00 The sequel: repeating the prank at Carnoustie 26:00 Interviewing sporting legends for The Independent 27:00 George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard and John McEnroe 28:30 Why older sporting greats make the best interviewees 29:30 Collecting answerphone messages from famous commentators 32:00 Arnold Palmer at Bay Hill 35:00 Palmer's impact on The Open Championship 37:00 Understanding golfers through their fathers 38:30 Palmer vs Nicklaus: golf's great rivalry 42:15 Jack Nicklaus and the 1986 Masters 44:00 The greatest unseen shot in Masters history 46:00 Turning down Augusta with Jack Nicklaus 47:00 A date with Jack Nicklaus's daughter 48:00 Golf as a television sport 49:00 LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy and modern golf coverage 52:00 Tom Watson's near-miracle at Turnberry in 2009 56:00 Why following one player reveals golf's true genius 58:00 Lee Trevino and entertaining the galleries 59:15 Royal Birkdale's redesign and preserving golf history 1:01:10 Who Brian wants to win The Open 1:03:30 Brian's golfing happy places 1:04:00 Kington Golf Club and St Andrews 1:05:00 Why links golf is the ultimate golfing experience 1:06:00 Closing thoughts Links Brian Viner’s greatest sports interviews Sounder - Use Code Pod20 for 20% off your next purchase The Open Championship Official Site Dan Davies - The Sacred Acre on Substack Brian Viner links Twitter Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 8 mins
  • David Howell: Ryder Cups, Taming Tiger & Playing with Joy

    David Howell: Ryder Cups, Taming Tiger & Playing with Joy
    Jun 18 2026
    Ryder Cup hero and Sky Sports commentator David Howell joins Dan Davies for a wide-ranging conversation about a pro golf career spanning three decades, the advantages of a ‘joyful’ mindset, playing in Ryder Cups, battling and beating peak-era Tiger Woods, and formative experiences alongside legends such as Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal. Across the episode, Howell reveals how a self-made but super smart mental approach helped him compete at the highest level, why joy and a love for the game shaped his career, and how his passion for team golf—especially the Ryder Cup—became his defining motivation. Key Themes How David Howell built a long DP World Tour career from an unconventional junior background Mental strategies used to handle pressure against world-class players Inside stories of Ryder Cup preparation and team-room dynamics Competing against peak Tiger Woods and simplifying performance goals Early career breakthrough in South Africa and self-belief development Playing with and against Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal Evolution of the DP World Tour and global professional golf The secrets, sounds and sensations of elite putting Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to this week’s guest, David Howell 02:05 – Broadcasting with Sky Sport and the 2025 US Open at Shinnecock 03:39 – Turning pro in 1995 & South African breakthrough 05:08 – Playing alongside Ernie Els & early belief moment 08:37 – First DP World Tour wins & career progression 09:16 – Peak Tiger Woods at HSBC Champions 11:43 – Strategy against Tiger & mindset of control 13:01 – Amateur background & peers on the rise 15:08 – No obsession with heroes: the focus on enjoyment 17:19 – Seve Trophy memories & beating Seve and Olazábal 23:09 – Ryder Cup inspiration & childhood memories (1985–1989) 25:44 – 2004 Ryder Cup debut at Oakland Hills 29:58 – Team strategy with Paul Casey 34:34 – Thoughts on Ryder Cup captaincy 37:53 – European Tour identity & Ryder Cup “DNA” 41:41 – The challenges facing the DP World Tour 52:09 – Life on tour: friendships, dinners & social culture 54:54 – Walker Cup memories & early Tiger Woods encounters 59:33 – The art of putting & short game philosophy 1:02:19 – When was David Howell happiest in golf? About the Guest David Howell is a former European Ryder Cup player with multiple DP World Tour victories and over 700 career appearances. He is also a respected golf broadcaster with Sky Sports and a senior figure within the DP World Tour. Known for his affable personality, deadly short game and fund of great stories, Howell offers one of the most candid and thoughtful perspectives in modern professional golf. Links David Howell on Twitter David Howell on Instagram Sounder Golf - use code POD20 for a 20% discount RNGC - Britain’s premier backyard golf course Dan Davies on Substack The Mini Masters in aid of Leukaemia UK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 8 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet