Reseñas de thegolfpilgrim (79)

Surely, there can be no better value in golf than the twilight visitor rate at Cavendish - the home of the Alister MacKenzie Golf Society. Yes, it cost just £25 to play this picturesque Peak District course which recently found its way into England's top 100. And it must also be the toughest par 68 anywhere. Cavendish is in Buxton, renowned for being the only place … Más

A brace of pheasants and an eagle were witnessed as we enjoyed the 84th venue in my challenge to play England's top 100 golf courses. Yes, the natural wildlife at Thorndon Park was complimented by our big-hitting host nailing a three on a par five. The first hole sets the tone you can see almost every flag from the tee and the major threat is well-placed bunkers, typi… Más

Chevin is the definition of a hidden gem - memorable golf, quality food and completely unheralded. Let's make no bones about it - Chevin is hilly. I had to catch my breath a number of times during the first-nine ascent. But the hard walk is worth it because the views over the Derbyshire countryside on a clear day are remarkable. Meanwhile, the golf is surprisingly high… Más

This is my type of place. Links golf at its rawest and most exciting and we played it in perfect light in the hours before dusk. A few miles from the exulted turf of Troon and Prestwick, Western Gailes is over the railway track from Dundonald - 100 yards forward geographically but 100 years backwards in its style. And I write that as a huge compliment. This is a club … Más

Dundonald is corporate golf and it brings all the positives as well as the small negatives that this phrase might suggest. So, service standards are very high, the practice facilities are top-notch, the clubhouse is dreamy and our accommodation was as good as in any resort we have stayed. The fairways were also in great shape, the wee burns were all pristine in wooden… Más

For many years, players of golf courses designed by the likes of Alister McKenzie, James Braid, Donald Ross and Harry Colt didn’t realise that they were on hallowed turf. Only in the last 30 years or so, has the genius of the great architects been truly recognised and inspired clubs such as Beaconsfield to turn back the clock. Here, management has been working with Ma… Más

In Italy, they do golf in a rather more relaxed way than the Brits – with delicious food and drink in stylish clubhouses given equal billing to our great sport. This is especially evident at Barlassina – where service is premium and the pasta is scrumptious. And certainly, there is a sense of place. The area around the putting green is especially attractive and the dr… Más

If there is a more impressive photo of a home hole and clubhouse than that at Circolo Golf Villa D’Este, I look forward to seeing it. Having begun my day eating a marmalade croissant and drinking proper Italian Americano on the balcony overlooking the 18th green, it squared the circle perfectly to grab a par at the end of a round on this very pretty course. It may be … Más

Lunch with a former Ryder Cup star, followed by 18 most surprising and invigorating holes – yes, Bergamo D’Albenza really did knock our socks off. This is a club with great ambitions to be the most acclaimed in Italy and from our experience, it might just make it. Bergamo D’Alpenza looks the part – its clubhouse was buzzing, every bay on its range was taken and we war… Más

What’s your favourite hole? ”, we asked the general manager as we chomped in Biella’s sumptuous clubhouse. “The 16th! ”, he said without missing a beat. Suffice it to say that our heightened expectations were met in full. The par-five with a magnificent Alpine backdrop, curves upwards from right to left before dropping dramatically through rough and even rocks before … Más

“Oh, wow! ” The Alpine backdrop to Carimate’s 13th hole is as picturesque as any I have seen on my travels. The fairway descends between trees down to a green which, on our visit, was framed by blue sky and white-topped mountains. Tree-lined holes are Carimate’s hallmark. Accuracy off the tee is a pre-requisite. The club was first up on a five-day golfing tour of No… Más

Porters Park is a curiosity in that it is more than 120 years old and yet feels like a modern venue for golf. I pondered over whether that is because of its new-look clubhouse – a much-favoured wedding venue - or that the course has a corporate feel? On the plus side, its greens were tip-top for our round in the middle of April. Only one had a few bumps and that was b… Más

My first visit to wonderful Worplesdon was for the annual Press Golf Society medal meeting (thankfully, the only one on our calendar). Worplesdon was in terrific condition at the end of a very wet March. Breathe this quietly, but better than its neighbour West Hill in the corresponding week last year. I have only played Woking in the summer and, consequently, think an… Más

I promised myself to return to Hollinwell after ghastly weather had blighted previous visits and, boy, am I glad that I did. Hollinwell was in superb condition early in March despite frightful forecasts of a big freeze. There is great sense of occasion on visiting the Nottinghamshire course which has a long and impressive drive leading up to a gorgeous clubhouse. I … Más

Royal West Norfolk ticks my box because I love exciting and unexpected golf holes. The links are not long but the views are sensational and the bunkers are unforgettable - deep, lined with railway sleepers and fiendishly positioned. Both of our rounds at gorgeous Brancaster had to be timed so that the North Sea had not submerged the road leading up to this celebrated … Más

Mrs W and I were thrilled to be invited to this fabled course which stands in the world top 100 list but maintains an intriguing mystique. The drive towards the golf club is the most impressive of my travels, with stellar properties lining the route towards the clubhouse, which looks like an aristocrat's family home in the early 1900s. However, once we arrived, we wer… Más

A flying bat, a zombie and 500 sheep! Royal North Devon must be England's oldest and arguably most eccentric golf course. I had heard several negative reports prior to our visit to Westward Ho! (one of only two towns in the world with an exclamation mark in their names) from those who thought the course was too raw but I have to say we loved our visit. This is largely… Más

It just had to be hailing in Hayling. I don't know if there is a place called Sunshine, Rain or Snow, never mind golf courses there, so I presume I will never again get the chance to match the weather with a venue. Fortunately, the intervention of icy droplets on our round at one of England's unsung gems was temporary and, despite a bit more rain and strong wind throu… Más

If there is any inland course which plays as well in the second week of January as West Sussex, I need to whizz around there, pronto. It looked gorgeous in the dappled winter sun and the fairways were as firm and fluffy as if it were June. Sadly, our golf didn't match the glorious surroundings, largely because we ignored the wisdom of the cheery chappy in the pro's sh… Más

S & A may often be missed by those making a trip to England’s golf coast because it doesn’t have the acclaim of Royal Birkdale, Hillside or Formby. But this would be a mistake as it definitely deserves its place among them. It is a cracking club and glorious former Ryder Cup course (in 1937, the site of the USA's first win on British soil) and was in super condition … Más