Show Notes
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
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