Show Notes
Broadcaster, journalist and lifelong golf fanatic Gordon Smart joins Dan Davies for one of the most entertaining and revealing conversations yet on This Golfing Life.
From hosting Jon Rahm and Tom Grennan at The Open to following Scotland at the World Cup, Gordon shares remarkable stories from a life spent at the heart of sport, music, broadcasting and Fleet Street. But beneath the laughter lies a deeply personal story of resilience.
Gordon reflects on growing up in the golfing heartland of Fife, learning the game with his grandfather, the magical pull of St Andrews, and why golf remains unlike any other sport. He also opens up about the devastating period that saw him lose his voice, his radio career and much of the life he'd built during the pandemic — and how walking the fairways of Kinross Golf Club became the therapy that helped him rebuild.
Along the way, there are tales of Sean Connery and Michael Caine's legendary clubhouse nights, Alan Hansen's house at Royal Birkdale, playing The Old Course in reverse, Fleet Street excess, Scotland's unforgettable World Cup adventure, and why golf is ultimately about far more than the scorecard.
This is a conversation about friendship, identity, resilience and why the game we love has an extraordinary ability to heal.
In this episode
Hosting Jon Rahm and Tom Grennan during Open Championship week
Why Tom Grennan fell in love with golf
The magic of The Open at Royal Birkdale, Portrush and St Andrews
Growing up between Gleneagles and St Andrews
Childhood golf in Fife and the influence of family
Hidden gem Scottish golf courses
Golf and mental health during the pandemic
Losing his voice—and rebuilding his life
Fleet Street, celebrity journalism and life at The Sun
Playing The Old Course backwards
Scotland's World Cup journey and the spirit of the Tartan Army
Why golf remains the greatest game of all
Chapters
00:00 Introducing this week’s guest, Gordon Smart
01:43 Hosting Jon Rahm and Tom Grennan at The Open
03:03 Tom Grennan's extraordinary journey to golf
04:47 Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish and Open week at Birkdale
07:21 Why The Open is golf's greatest championship
08:13 Growing up between St Andrews and Gleneagles
10:25 The magic of St Andrews and unforgettable Open memories
12:56 Jim Leishman, the R&A and golfing royalty
15:40 Why elite sportspeople become obsessed with golf
18:31 Learning the game in Kinross
22:45 Scotland's hidden nine-hole gems
24:12 Golf tours, Jimmy Nesbitt and surviving Portrush
26:12 Losing everything during the pandemic
30:42 Golf as therapy, memory and healing
35:18 Football dreams and choosing journalism
38:09 Fleet Street, celebrity culture and life at The Sun
43:41 The impossible balance of celebrity journalism
49:37 Playing The Old Course... backwards
53:08 Scotland, the World Cup and the Tartan Army
57:54 France '98, football memories and what sport means
Links
Gordon Smart on Instagram
Dan Davies on Substack
RNGC - Dan Davies’ backyard golf course
Kinross Golf Club
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