Follow my quest to play the Top 100 Courses in the World. This is based on the Golf Magazine rankings from 2019. 17 out of 100 played (01/04/22).
In addition, I am working through the Top 100 Courses in England (based on the top100golfcourses.com list from 2016) and the UK & Ireland (based on the Top 100 Golf Course Map). Reviews of all of the courses I have played will appear here.
Here are my thoughts on some trips based on the lists I have been working through. This will include costs, suggestions of where to stay and timings travelling between different courses/locations.
The Resort Course The complex at Praia D’El Rey is vast. It now comprises a 5* hotel and hundreds of villas. As it often the way, the golf course weaves through the villas. This course is, however, a little different from most. It combines routing between the villas which is pleasantly tree-lined, with a wonderful
2022 Pilgrimage – Portugal’s Silver Coast The Pilgrimage was back. We had deferred our planned trip from 2020 and were heading out to Portugal’s Silver Coast. The two years of autumn golf in England had been enjoyable, if a little soggy. We were all looking forward to getting back to a warmer (and hopefully dryer)
9, 12 or 18 holes? During its existence, the course at Shiskine has been 9, 12 and 18 holes. Given its surroundings, it is not hard to see why they ended up with 12. The land formed part of Drumadoon Farm and the adjoining area is still used for farming. The strip of links land
The West Links at North Berwick In the changing rooms at North Berwick there is a drying unit. This is the sort of thing that I have only ever encountered previously on ski trips. From our experience of the day, however, https://thegolfingpilgrim.com/muirfield/it was money well spent. We had enjoyed a glorious afternoon in the sun
A side-road in Gullane The approach to Muirfield is discrete. There is none of the pomp and circumstance of Turnberry, or even the understated charm of Prestwick. This is a side-road. There is a sign to the Archerfield Estate and one for The Greywalls Hotel, but nothing more. For those who know, however, a golfing
Golf is unlike any other sport. I play cricket, but I cannot play at Lords. Twickenham, Wembley and Wimbledon equally remain out of reach for all except for professionals and top amateurs. It is, however, possible to follow in the footsteps of the professionals and to play competition and major golf courses. In particular, the
A birthday treat I had grand plans to celebrate my 40th birthday. This seemed like a good excuse for a big trip and so I focussed in on Pebble Beach. Great in theory, but it presented numerous challenges in practice. The decision was taken out of my hands, however, when the global pandemic hit in
What will 2021 bring? So, the last few months have been pretty tedious. I completed my recap of 2020 in January and have been thinking about what might be possible in 2021. Planning golf trips is one of my favourite pastimes. Putting the plans in to practice is, however, more complicated. The complications arise from
2020 in review So, 2020 has come and gone. For me it started with great expectations and some carefully laid plans. It is an understatement to say that it did not quite turn out as anticipated. I should start by saying that I am, in no way, looking for sympathy! My golfing issues do not
Silloth on Solway Golf Club Playing solo golf seems to be a divisive topic. There are many who do not see the point – golf is supposed to be a social activity. I agree with the sentiment, but I am also quite fond of a round on my own. It is particularly good fun when
