ABOUT TOMMY

TOM "LONDON" LONG

Tom Long. AKA Tommy Long. Known to his mates as "London" — because the accent gives him away the second he opens his mouth.

He was born in Brighton, UK, to London stock, but he hasn't stayed still long enough to grow roots. Italy. Dubai. The Caribbean. New Zealand. Back to the UK. Then back again. He has taught golf, played golf, and written about golf on four different continents.

The Playing Days

Back in the early 2000s, Tom was the original Golf Punk — ‘man against the world’ when that magazine launched. He played the mini tours across Europe, grinding it out in a number of tour events on the European Challenge tour in 2004. He made it through to Final Qualifying for The Open Championship — twice. 2003 and 2005. Didn't make it through and realise his dream, but he stood there. That's more than some can say.

But, by his own admission, he didn't work at it hard enough. And as he'll tell you: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."

The Man Did Have a Little Bit of Talent Though

The Kinloch Club is widely regarded as New Zealand's toughest test of golf. Wind, uneven ground ,undulating greens and Risk everywhere.

Tom's best scores off the back tees? 65. Seven under par.

Off the standard men's Blue tees? 63. Nine under.

But the most impressive round he's ever played? A 74. Two over par. From the Blue men's tees. Armed with just a single 6-iron. Nothing else. No putter. No sand wedge. No other clubs.

He played that round with fellow PGA professional Paul Charman, who verified the score and signed the scorecard. No putts were given. Every one holed.

Tommy will tell you himself: it's the craziest achievement he's ever managed. And he wouldn't get close to it again if he tried. He also says — and this tells you everything about his honesty — that if someone else told him of that feat, he wouldn't believe it either.

The Writing Life

Since the late 1990s, he's been writing. Instructional articles. Historical deep dives. His work has appeared in magazines across New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The man knows the game from both sides of the page.

The Professional Career

For the past twenty years, before the day it even opened for play in April 2007, he has been the Director of Golf and Head PGA Professional at The Kinloch Club, one of New Zealand's most prestigious addresses.

Before that? He was a teaching professional in Italy. A corporate gig in Dubai. He worked across the Caribbean, hopping from island to island, sharing the game he loves.

The Podcast

Now he hosts Tommy Does Golf — a podcast built on banter, opinions, and the kind of inside knowledge you can only get from someone who's been in the trenches for three decades.


The Reputation

Industry professionals rate his knowledge. Media outlets regularly knock on his door for an opinion. And everyone who's ever shared a microphone or a beer with him knows one thing: the man has a quick wit and a British sense of humour that lands every time.

He's been a key figure in the New Zealand golfing scene for nearly two decades.

But make no mistake — Tommy "London" Long is still that Golf Punk from the early 2000s.

He's just older and maybe a little bit wiser now.

Testimonial

“As the publisher of The Cut golf magazine - I have had the privilege of working closely with Tom Long for some 20 years. Tom has been the magazine's resident PGA Golf Professional, bringing exceptional expertise and dedication to the role.

He has penned many features, showing impressive versatility—from precise instructional pieces to insightful historical and opinion columns. 

A highly popular writer Tom has a rare ability to translate deep technical knowledge into engaging, accessible content.  

Beyond the magazine, Tom is a widely respected PGA professional within New Zealand,

currently in his nineteenth year as Head PGA Golf Professional and Director of Golf at The Kinloch Club - one of New Zealand’s marquee golf resorts. 

Tom Long is an institution in New Zealand golf. His writing consistently sets a benchmark for quality golf journalism.”

Don Hope
PUBLISHER, The Cut Golf Magazine

www.thecut.co.nz