The R&A

You know, I think there's lots of reasons why certain golfers or groups maybe do improve or don't improve.

But if we're looking at the whole spectrum, you know, this is just numbers taken across, I guess, USGA or RNA handicaps over a big long time.

You're the better man to talk about that kind of data set.

So have they stayed flat? Have they changed? What is going on?

The sources also suggest the potential for smart sensors embedded directly into the club, perhaps within the graphite shaft, communicating directly with AI-driven fitting systems to continuously analyze biomechanics.

However, the governing bodies of golf, the USGA and the RNA, strictly constrain things like face size, spring effect limits, and on-course adjustability to prevent outright gimmicks.

So these upcoming enhancements will likely be incremental rather than revolutionary.

The club can only do so much legally.

But when the Open was thinking of returning to Northern Ireland and returning to Royal Portrush...

The RNA wanted to make some changes to it.

They didn't like the existing 17th and 18th on the Dunluce.

So they decided to create new holes, which became the current 7th and 8th.

And it's kind of the sad element as some people look at it, that I had that kind of interest, but I did.

I think I had less than a month to prepare for my full RNA level three exam.

And my boss goes, oh yeah, by the way, I've put you in for this.

And I was like, okay, I hadn't done any other kind of rules exams to this point and did rather well and got, I think around, I think I got 89 or I think I was one mark off getting 90%, which was obviously great.

A psychologist, Dr. Kaylee Smith, joining us about that connection between fans and live sport, how that's been changing, particularly since the pandemic.

Mark Darbon, as we mentioned, from the RNA as well, about what it costs to put on fans.

a major sporting event and sports finance expert Tom Bason will be with us.

And we were looking at next summer's Ashes.

Highly comparable against big name concerts.

So yeah, that's the opposing side and we are going to look at that.

All of these parts of the argument, we're going to hear from Mark Darbon from the RNA as well about what it costs to put on a major sporting event.

And we're going to hear from DAZN too on how this newer streaming service approaches the market.

right? And then check out the 2026.

Because they wanted to, RNA wanted to move it starting this year.

to make it in even years to prevent scheduling conflicts with the World Amateur Team Championships.

Oh, there you go then.

Didn't see Count Binface.

Uh, the RNA did get a new captain this week, though, too.

Claire-

How about that?

And the first, I th-

Female

... first female captain of the RNA.

Yeah.

Can you tell us a bit more about that? Yeah, sure.

That is correct that, you know, the Augusta National and the RNA, you know, they co-run this event.

And you've got the, you know, two of the best in the business for running golf tournaments and organizations in the game.

And they're bringing down the, you know, the A-team that produces the event for the Masters Tournament.