Favorite Golf Course

The European Golf Course

European Golf Course

They say that golf tour pro’s have walked off this course – but they only play for money and the rest of us can play golf for fun! A simple clubhouse belies the genius of the design. Quite long and with plenty of cunningly-placed bunkers, you have to be Gary Player and John Daly if you are going to beat this golf course’s design and score well here.

Again, the views are as distracting as a beautiful girl in a church and you need plenty of balls or a caddy with a long stick. South of Dublin and better than the big-name courses of the area.

Pebble Beach Golf Course

Pebble Beach Golf Course

I haven’t played that much in the States but I have played some of their best. For me, Pebble Beach is the tops. There’s the usual US-style slick service that sets you up nicely and the condition of the course is typical of the California climate. Rated No.1 public USA golf course, it isn’t the most difficult challenge you’ll ever face but you know the green-keeper is being kind on you.

However, get a little bit of wind and let the history of the course affect you and there’s a very nasty bite behind the beautiful façade of the golf course’s design…

Ballybunion Golf Course

Ballybunion Golf Course

Every time I’ve played here, it’s blown a hoolie but it’s the west coast of Ireland so what can I expect? The golf courses’ architecture (both new and old) provides wonderful tests of golf with every shot in the bad needed. Massive dunes, treacherous greens and wind coming from every direction.

You know you’ve played golf after 36 holes here. The Ballybunion Golf clubhouse is great but avoid buying waterproofs – it would be cheaper getting wet!

Kingbarns Golf Course

kingbarns golf course

Kingbarns golf course’s design is good. Off the coast to the west of Saint Andrews, it’s quite a new course but you certainly couldn’t tell and the test is relentless. Stunning links golf with large greens, thick wispy rough and views to take your breath away. You need a good caddy, a strong drink and concentration. Deservedly rated by many golf pro’s as their favourite course in that part of the world.

Hunstanton Golf Course

hunstanton golf club

I actually prefer Royal West Norfolk just down the road but Hunstanton is a sterner test of nerves. Particularly as I always seem to be playing it in scratch foursomes and I’m playing the evens. The main difficulty here is the greens – many of which are below or above you and all of which are very well guarded.

The prevailing wind plays havoc with your drives but a good shot is rewarded and a bad shot is penalised so you can’t complain. Wonderful and traditional golf with a Hunstanton golf clubhouse to match, ensures this golf course’s design easily makes the list.

Les Bordes Golf Course

Les Bordes Golf Course

Robert von Hagge is one of my favourite designers and he’s created five courses in France that are rated in the European Top 50: Seignosse, Royal Mougins, Golf National and Kempferhof are the other four. Les Bordes is his best and, as such, easily makes my top 10 golf courses. With water on 14 of the holes and huge white bunkers and some very narrow fairways, you have to concentrate for the full four hours. I can’t think of one easy hole.

However, what von Hagge does do well is Read more…