Reseñas de thegolfpilgrim (102)

Is there a better venue than Sunningdale to play golf anywhere in the world? If so, I would love to play there. We had the very good fortune to play 36 holes on the Old and New at the height of summer. There is a sense of place as soon as you arrive. And even though the tourist bus was parked up, the course was not as overwhelmed by visitors as might be seen in Irelan… Más

For me, Formby seemed to have echoes of tracks across the Pennines at Alwoodley and Moortown as well as its near neighbours at Birkdale and Hillside. The resulting melting pot conjures a wonderful combination of the visually spectacular and quirky. Its bunkers are all unforgiving and our host, one of the course's artisan members, advised that sensible players should ta… Más

We had a fabulous day at Royal Liverpool, aka Hoylake, thanks to our host - a great guy as well as an avid golf historian. With huge enthusiasm, he told us of Hoylake’s rich past over lunch in the spike bar, surrounded by mementoes of triumphs over more than 150 glorious years. We were introduced to the current captain and the club secretary who is busy preparing for… Más

At Skibo Castle’s exclusive Carnegie Club,60 per cent of the members are Americans and, therefore, when we played had not been around because of the pandemic. Even when they are, they can expect the championship track largely to themselves because members of the public are only allocated one tee time a day. The lucky few, for a premium price, can experience what it is… Más

Dunstable Downs oozes history and Mrs W and I had the immense good fortune to be in the company of two of its greatest enthusiasts. So, while we had a fabulous game, we were told of its dramatic background and current ambition – to become best in Bedfordshire, one of the most acclaimed downland courses in Britain and ranked in England’s top 100 by 2025. The team will… Más

Mrs W's long putt from off the green pulled up just three feet short of the flag and the crowds on the balcony and in the clubhouse cheered and hollered. Blow me down, if I didn't do the same and the reaction was equally fist-pumping. When we played Cabot Cabot Links and Cliffs in June 2022, I made a comparison with Castle Stuart in Scotland. Within a few weeks, it was… Más

The plaudits for Hillside from Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman hang proudly in its halfway house and the course is certainly worthy of the praise. Hillside hosted some of golf’s greats in the DP World Tour in the summer as it emerged as a top venue from the shadow of its very near neighbour, Royal Birkdale. When we played at the latter last year, one of my pals reckoned… Más

Stoneham’s was the most friendly welcome of the 90+ clubs I have visited on my quest to play those in top 100 lists. Should it matter when reviewing courses? After all, it is nothing to do with the architecture, routing, conditions etc. I believe so because it puts the customer/player in the mood to enjoy all of the above. Stoneham’s team were on point from begin… Más

Liphook has undergone some dramatic changes since the Covid lockdown but, as a first-time visitor, I can report that they are seamless. From the pristine paths, striped fairways, knotty heather, sticky sand traps and pure greens, Liphook meets a consistently high bar. It impresses from the first turn onto its premises – with the picturesque 17th at the side of the dr… Más

This is one of the most attractive courses in the south-east – with its bright yellow gorse alongside the clinging heather which was a couple of months from blooming when we played on a glorious May afternoon. A colleague had warned me that keeping straight and selecting the right club would be essential for success and I was determined to gain revenge on a former Engl… Más

This, and neighbouring Wimbledon Common, make up a divine oasis in the bustling metropolis. And the welcome at this prestigious club is one of the warmest I have received on my travels so far. I won a fourball at Royal Wimbledon in the on-course foundation’s auction run by the remarkable Stacey Jeffries in aid of the wounded veterans’ National Golf Club Challenge. … Más

For 24 hours only, we had the chance to live how the other half (or five per cent) do. Like us, Tiger Woods had the chance to have his photo taken and see his face in the foam of a pint of Guinness, thanks to laser technology. I don't know whether he took advantage of the offer when he played in July's pro-am but we certainly did when we spent a night and day at Adare… Más

Am I allowed to say that Ballybunion didn’t meet the hype or our very eager anticipation? Let me explain – while, there are undoubtedly some world-class holes on the course, its opening six are frankly rather bland. Secondly, it took a dismal five and a half hours to complete. We were held up for virtually every shot so had no hope of building any momentum. At one sta… Más

Lahinch is simply fantastic. It has maintained its staggering natural beauty and the views over the Atlantic and the Inagh River estuary will live long in the memory. It also boasts some of the quirkiest holes in high-level golf. These include the 4th, a descending par-five in a valley before a blind tee shot over a giant dune with a green 150 yards beyond. The obst… Más

One of the great quirks of Woking is that the clubhouse is in play – indeed, signs on the veranda confirm this but warn golfers continue at their own risk. They make no mention of the poor devils who are supping after-match refreshments while attempts to rescue pars are made around their tables. Woking is different from any other course I have played. Sure, there is a… Más

Ballyliffin's Glashedy is the perfect environment for golfing heroism. Even as early in the season as the last week in March, it was in magnificent condition with wonderfully maintained, tight fairways and true greens. But, boy, was it cold with the wind blowing off the Atlantic and temperature so low that we were told that the staff were expecting to close the follo… Más

With dunes the size of skyscrapers framing fairways and greens in natural valleys, Portstewart is rightly acclaimed to have some of the most dramatic holes in golf. Indeed, the first nine are as picturesque, quirky, undulating and demanding as anywhere. We were lucky to play with two long-standing members who were passionate about their beloved club and matched the … Más

I had played Royal Portrush twice before and was in attendance for two days of the Open’s return to Northern Ireland three years ago. But I have to confess that it had previously not conjured the same magical spell as it had done over some of my pals. That changed on this day. It was as if a bolt had struck me from the golfing gods and I suddenly had a heightened app… Más

Saunton is one of the finest links destinations in the UK because it is home to two top 100 courses. We were playing both over two days and the opener was on the West, deemed to be its ‘second’ course. This certainly wasn’t an ugly sister. It had already charmed with its quirks and undulations over the front nine but after the clouds parted on the way back, its true… Más

West Hill deserves its place in top 100 lists because of its beautiful course which is almost as gorgeous in the opening week of March as it would be with heather in bloom in August. It also nods its head to some sporting history in its splendidly appointed clubhouse where the most scrumptious lunch is served. Its course is not overly long (par 69) but it certainly de… Más