This Golfing Life

In this in-depth interview, legendary golf photographer David Cannon shares his extraordinary journey through the world of sports photography, focusing on golf's most iconic moments, legendary players like Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, and the art of capturing history in a split second. Discover the stories behind his most famous shots, including images of Seve and Carl Lewis in the summer of 1984, as well as his insights into the game, the influence of Tiger Woods, and how his passion has shaped a career spanning over four decades. Key Topics The evolution of golf photography over four decades Memorable moments and iconic shots of Seve Ballesteros and Tiger Woods The technical and artistic challenges of sports photography Seve, Norman, Woods, McIlroy: The influence of legendary players on golf imagery The importance of patience, positioning, and luck in capturing perfect shots Listen to this episode to get a 20% discount code on your next Sounder purchase Guest: David Cannon Host: Dan Davies Chapters 00:00 Introducing David Cannon and his early years in golf 04:13 Nick Faldo delivers an epiphany 07:10 The journey into sports photography 09:06 The transition from football to golf photography 12:33 The competitive nature of sports photography 15:42 How golf photography has changed 18:46 The importance of preparation and strategy 21:32 The gear and essentials for golf photography 24:37 The art of patience and David's favourite shot 27:42 memorable missed opportunities - Adam Scott and Justin Rose 30:36 The art of getting the definitive picture 34:06 The impact of Seve Ballesteros 35:14 Reflections on a career in golf photography 37:37 Seve, Carl Lewis and the summer of 84 41:03 The rise of Tiger Woods 45:47 The best light in golf 48:33 Reflections on a life in golf Resources Seve, His Life Through the Lens - edited by David Cannon David Cannon's Official Website David Cannon library on Getty Images Sounder Golf The Sacred Acre: RNGC's official newsletter RNGC on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This special Masters week episode celebrates the extraordinary golfing life of Seve Ballesteros, one of the most charismatic and talented players in golf history. Join us as distinguished guests Robert Green, David Cannon and Mike Clayton share their personal encounters, insights, and iconic moments that define Seve's enduring legacy. Main Topics Seve's innovative playing style and creative shot-making Key moments from his career including Open wins and Masters triumphs Seve's impact on European golf and the Ryder Cup revolution Personal stories from photographers, journalists, and competitors The enduring charisma and personality that made Seve a beloved figure worldwide In this episode: The significance of Seve's 1976 Open run at Royal Birkdale and his rise to international fame Details behind his most famous wins, including the 1979 Open, the 1980 Masters and 1984 Open The story of his near-miss at the 1986 Masters and the emotional impact Behind-the-scenes anecdotes from his close relationships with journalists and photographers His memorable final appearances at The Open and how he was loved globally Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction to this week's guests 02:44 David Cannon on playing with a young Seve in 1976 08:00 Car Park Champion: Seve wins his first major, the 1979 Open at Lytham 11:57 Seve: An elite driver of the ball 13:25 Why Seve loved Augusta National 14:26 Seve’s uncle Ramon Sota and his Masters appearances 15:16 Seve's background and start in golf 17:02 Seve finds life tough in the US 18:11 1980: Seve wins the Masters 19:43 Tuning up in Australia in 1983 20:42 Seve wins the 1983 Masters 23:13 Seve miracles at the 1983 Ryder Cup 27:33 Seve's greatest moment: the 1984 Open at St Andrews 31:53 Seve's heartbreak at the 1986 Masters 40:32 1987: a year of lows and highs 44:21 Getting to know Seve  – personal insights 48:27 1988: Seve's fifth and final major win 51:23 A memorable trip to visit Seve at home 56:20 Seve's miracle shot at Crans in 1993 59:39 Summing up Seve 01:01:41 Seve's Open farewell: 2006 at Royal Liverpool Resources & Links: Sounder Golf Dan Davies on Seve Seve Ballesteros Official Foundation Golf Digest - Seve's Iconic Shots 1980 Masters - Classic Footage 1986 Masters Final Round Highlights 1988 Open: Seve's fifth major (Official Film) RNGC on Instagram RNGC: Sacred Acre newsletter (Dan Davies) Connect with the Guests: Robert Green - Twitter Mike Clayton - Website | Twitter David Cannon - Instagram | Website  Celebrating Seve's spirit, talent, and enduring inspiration for golfers around the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode features a deep dive with Mike Clayton, tour pro, golf course architect, writer, thinker, proud son of Melbourne, and to many, a latter day patron saint of the game. In a wide-ranging conversation, Mike tells Dan about his latest project, the spectacular modern links at 7 Mile Beach in Tasmania. We learn more about Mike's start in the game, the rich golf scene in the Melbourne sand belt, course architecture, the mental challenges of golf, the historical figure he’s most like to have a conversation with, and his views on modern equipment and the sport's governing bodies. Opinionated, deeply knowledgable and unafraid to tell it it like it is, Mike Clayton has led a golfing life worth living. Key Topics Golf in the Melbourne sand belt Golf course architecture and design Mental and psychological aspects of golf Technology vs Tradition  Influence of legendary figures like Alistair MacKenzie and Peter Thomson How we get more beginners into the game Guest: Mike Clayton Host: Dan Davies Chapters 00:00 Introducing Mike Clayton, this week's guest 01:19 Update on 7 Mile Beach in Tasmania 03:40 Inside the mind of a golf course architect 04:56 Why England has the greatest variety of courses 05:51 Mike's start in golf 06:54 The sweet elixir of the sweet spot 08:21 Melbourne: Golf Mecca 10:01 Embracing Golf's Inherent Unfairness 12:58 Mind Games and the Power of "Don't" 15:30 Locating and getting into 'The Zone' 20:48 Mike's Favourite Courses on Tour 25:16 Influence of Alistair MacKenzie 28:41 Imagining Conversations with Golf Legends 30:10 The Legacy of Peter Thomson 35:39 Influential Figures in Golf History 36:55 Mike Clayton's Perspective on Golf 38:49 Fantasy Golf Tour: A Dream Itinerary 41:10 The Essence of Great Clubhouses 45:04 How to make golf accessible and change perceptions 49:07 The Elements of a Great Golf Club 53:36 Happiest Times in Golf 56:28 End Quick links Sounder Golf Mike Clayton's writing and projects Mike Clayton on X/Twitter Mike Clayton in Instagram 7 Mile Beach Clayton. Devries & Pont RNGC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us in this lively opening episode as host Dan Davies talks to comedian, actor, author and screenwriter Simon Farnaby (Paddington, Wonka, Horrible Histories, Ghosts, The Detectorists) about his remarkable journey through golf. From childhood beginnings to memorable experiences on some of the world's most famous courses, Simon shares hilarious stories of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, dreaming of greatness, and the infamous Maurice Flitcroft, aka The Phantom of the Open. He also talks about meeting and playing a few holes with Tiger Woods, as well as the game’s emotional highs and lows, and the special bond that golf fosters between fathers and sons. In this episode: Simon's memorable trip to Turnberry and the “gateway drug” moment of falling in love with golf Bad temper on the golf course and trying too hard to impress your Dad The significance of club competitions, handicaps, and the joy of personal progress The importance of his Dad in his golfing journey The legendary Maurice Flitcroft, aka The Phantom of the Open: his story, attempts to play in The Open, the book and film  A memorable encounter with Tiger Woods — from a rare photo opportunity to the chance to play a few holes The importance of playing for enjoyment, the impact of family, and the lifelong bonds golf fosters Insights into Simon’s recent golf activities alongside a hectic career in film and television Links Sounder Golf Phantom of the Open - Book Phantom of the Open - Movie Maurice Flitcroft's autobiography (unpublished manuscript) Scott Murray - The Guardian Golf in the Kingdom by Michael Murphy RNGC - Britain’s toughest backyard golf course Connect with Simon Farnaby: Twitter Instagram Time stamps 00:00 Introduction to Simon Farnaby, this week's guest 01:58 The visor debate in golf 03:35 Wonka 2 and Timothy Chalamet 04:15 Turnberry and his start in golf 08:00 Junior golf and national prizes 10:32 Disaster in the Leech Cup at Darlington GC 13:36 Bad temper on the golf course 21:59 Realising you're obsessed with golf 24:39 Simon's relationship with his Dad 31:28 Cherished memories and golf trips 33:58 Taking his Dad to the Masters at Augusta National 36:55 The role of golf in his relationship with his Dad 39:30 Maurice Flitcroft: The Phantom of the Open 48:45 Mark Rylance learning golf 50:03 Hugh Grant and the best golfing actors 51:14 Simon's happiest times on the golf course 54:21 Meeting Tiger Woods and playing a few holes A candid, humorous, and heartfelt chat about golf, family, and chasing dreams against the backdrop of this ridiculous, confounding game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to This Golfing Life, a new podcast from Sounder. Each week host Dan Davies invites a guest to share the intimate details of their love affair with this ridiculous but unbeatable game. Join him for conversations with actors, writers, artists, musicians, tour pros, course designers, historians, elite amateurs and more... some of the are household names, some are barely known beyond their own household. But all of them are united by a hopeless and helpless infatuation with golf. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices