The Golf Pilgrim Top 100

Fancy a round at the exclusive course which hosts the Scottish Open? 

Renaissance is a private members' club for the wealthy.  But when the Golf Pilgrim played with Jerry Sarvadi, he suggested anyone who wants a game should give him a call or send him an email!

You're likely to be vetted…the club suggests its "One Time Experience" deal is for potential members. But there's no harm in asking….

https://trcaa.com/

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A hundred years ago, the Åland Islands were the subject of an international dispute that had to be settled by the League of Nations.  Are they Finnish or Swedish?

Well, for the last century, the answer is a bit of both.  The archipelago is part of Finland, but everyone speaks Swedish.

And although the golf courses are relatively modern, the site is historic, with a castle and Viking burial grounds nearby.

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/%C3%A5lands-castle

https://www.agk.ax/en

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An all-star edition in which we visit one of the world's best-known courses and talk to two famous figures who know it well.

Royal Troon is a regular host of The Open Championship, and in 2016, Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson played some spectacular golf as they vied to become Champion Golfer of the Year.  Henrik won, shooting a record 20 under par, and he tells The Golf Pilgrim of his love for the course.

We also hear from BBC Commentator Andrew Cotter, who grew up as a member at Royal Troon. He explains why The Postage S...

A tale of two courses…one which has mysteriously slipped out of Europe's Top 100 list, while its once lesser-ranked twin has overtaken it.

At one point Kytäjä’s South-East course was rated as high as 65th in the continental list and was Number One in Finland. But this stylish resort sited between a forest and a gorgeous lake is definitely worth a visit.

Both South-East and North-West courses are great.  Make up your own mind which one is best….

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/kyt%C3%A4j%C3%A4-south-east

www.thego...

Western Gailes, on a narrow strip of land between the Ayrshire coast and a railway line is a tough test for any golfer.  That's why it's been used as an Open qualifying venue and recently staged the Scottish women's amateur championship. The closing holes in particular will leave you breathless, even when the wind isn't whipping off the sea.

Its clubhouse has a very traditional feel, and Western Gailes is now one of the few remaining Scottish clubs with a men-only membership policy, though women are welcome as visitors.

https://westerngailes.com/

https://w...

Finland is often rated as the happiest nation in the world.  Is it because of its high standard of living? Is it the beauty of the landscape, or because Finns spend so much time in saunas? Or could it be because they have some beautiful golf courses like Linna which feature in continental Europe's Top 100?

One of the holes on this course was designed by the winner of a competition - and Dave Sampson went on to have a successful career as a golf architect.  We talk to him about Linna, as well as his most famous cr...

There are so many highly rated courses in this part of England, that Camberley Heath probably doesn't get the attention it deserves, even though it's in England's Top 100.

But this Harry Colt heathland gem should be on your must-play list, and not just because it's a good deal cheaper to play than many of its illustrious Surrey neighbours. Towering pines line the fairways, and there are plenty of elevation changes to make for a challenging, but fun round.

https://www.camberleyheathgolfclub.co.uk/

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We're publishing our review of Estonia's top course on a famous day in the country's golf history.  It's Day One of The Open championship at Royal Portrush, and, for the first time, an Estonian golfer will be among those taking part!

Richard Teder, an amateur, qualified in stunning fashion a few weeks earlier - and by coincidence, he did so while Neil was at Pärnu Bay in Estonia - which is ranked in the Top 100 courses in continental Europe.  There was much excitement back home…

Ian caught up with Richard at Portrush and they spoke...

When a young Scottish surgeon moved across the border to north-east England in the early 1870s, he was shocked o discover that there was nowhere for him to play his favourite sport.  And so The Durham and Yorkshire Golf Club was born, later renamed Seaton Carew.

For the next century, heavy industry dominated the landscape, but in the midst of it all, there is a golfing oasis, which for decades has been recognised as one of England's best courses.

And not content with having 18 great holes, Seaton Carew has 22….

https://www.seatoncarewgolfclub.co.uk...

Breaking News alert!  The Golf Pilgrim takes on the BBC…as Neil goes head-to-head with BBC TV news presenter Christian Fraser in a matchplay knockout contest.

Neutral territory somewhere in central England was required, so Northamptonshire County was chosen.  With a Harry Colt and James Braid pedigree, this is a venue that is sure to test the best.

https://www.countygolfclub.co.uk/

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The grass may be green and as well-manicured as any we’ve seen this year, but it certainly doesn’t grow under the feet of the management at El Paraiso between Marbella and Estepona on the Costa Del Sol.

This is a club that's on the move, and don’t be surprised to see it enhance its position in Spain’s top 100.

https://elparaisogolf.com/

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An exclusive, private club in one of Spain’s most upmarket resorts - but a small number of visitors are allowed to play at Las Brisas, especially in summer. 

So you can follow in the footsteps of Sean Connery, who used to be a member, and top footballers, who still are.

It was designed by Robert Trent Jones and updated by Kyle Phillips - who tells us about the changes he made.  

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/real-club-de-golf-las-brisas

https://realclubdegolflasbrisas.com/

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Opened in 2000, Kingsbarns has quickly established itself as a course on a par with some of the greatest links courses in Scotland.  Every year, it jointly hosts the Alfred Dunhill Pro-Am event alongside The Old Course at St Andrews and Carnoustie.

It's now a must-play destination for thousands of visitng golfers, so you might find the pace of play a little frustrating…but just relax and enjoy the spectacular views.

And what better way to prepare for your round than to listen to architect Kyle Phillips talking to The Golf Pilgrim about the course he bui...

Only five years old, but Dumbarnie Links blends seamlessly into the Fife coastline and has already made it into the top 50 courses in GB & Ireland. 

It's a pay-and-play course so visitors are treated as members for the day, with outstanding service from the moment you arrive.

Dumbarnie was designed by Clive Clark, and we're delighted to have the former Ryder Cup player and BBC commentator join us on the podcast to talk about his course, along with General Manager David Scott who's captain of the PGA and has just been appointed as the R&A's H...

If the bunkers don't get you at Lundin, the burns surely will.

Lundin is in the St Andrews belt and its views, history and quirky holes make it a worthy destination for those wanting more Fife golf during their pilgrimage to the Old Course.

But good course management is essential for a good score.

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/lundin

www.lundingolfclub.co.uk/

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What should make you more nervous on the 1st tee at Elie?

A blind tee shot in front of a busy clubhouse terrace, or the fact that a periscope from a decommissioned Royal Navy Submarine is used to see if the fairway ahead is clear?

The Golf House, Elie is celebrating its 150th anniversary but golf on this site goes back much further.

It combines its wonderful history with some fantastic seaside holes.

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/the-golf-house-club-elie

www.golfhouseclub.co.uk/

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Golfer's tip.  Don't set your Sat Nav for Kilmarnock!  Golfers from the inland town moved their club eight miles to Barassie Beach on the Ayrshire coast a century ago, but retained its name.

Neil takes on a member in a matchplay contest.  Could he defend a five shot lead with so many bunkers lying in wait?

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/kilmarnock-barassie

www.kbgc.co.uk/

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Sutton Coldfield, just a few miles from the centre of Birmingham has soared up the rankings after a concerted attempt to go back to its roots.

It was designed by Dr Alister Mackenzie, but had gradually lost its heathland feel because trees had grown and the fairways had narrowed.

The course manager and the club pro explain the changes that have been made in the last decade to make it a course which is still a challenge, but more playable for average golfers.

www.suttoncoldfieldgc.com/

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Do you care who owns the golf course you’re playing? Probably not. 

But you can’t ignore Donald Trump now he’s back in the White House, and you can’t ignore his name on the courses he owns.  So if you don’t like the man, can you still enjoy playing Trump International in Aberdeen?

There’s no doubt it’s a great course - it’s in the World’s Top 100. But only one of our presenters chose to play it….

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/trump-international-aberdeen

www.trumpgolfscotland.com/

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With its near neighbours in Aberdeen both ranked in the top 100 courses in the world, it would be easy to overlook Murcar Links.  But built on the same stretch of land as Royal Aberdeen, this challenging links course is developing a growing reputation.

Tommy Fleetwood won an amateur championship here when he was a teenager and still ranks it among his five favourite Scottish courses.

https://murcarlinks.com/

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Royal Aberdeen Golf Club traces its roots back to 1780, though the club moved to its present course at Balgownie a century after that.

It's staged the Walker Cup and the Scottish Open and is ranked 63rd in Top 100 Golf Courses World List, while National Club Golfer rate it the 38th best course in Great Britain and Ireland.  

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/royal-aberdeen

www.royalaberdeengolf.com/

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Cruden Bay styles itself as "unique and unforgettable", and both those qualities put it firmly in the World's Top 100 courses.

An extraordinary layout with imaginitive use of the natural contours, and stunning views, mean lots of people love it.  But the quirkiness and and frequent blind shots isn't to everyone's taste. 

Ian and Neil regretted not using a caddy for their first visit, but still managed to plot their way around - and voted it one of their all time favoutites!

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/cruden-bay

www.crudenbaygolfclub.co.uk/

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Having hosted the Walker Cup, the Curtis Cup and the R&A's Amateur Championship, Nairn Golf Club is used to hosting top amateur golfers from around the world.

So how would Neil and Ian, often described by playing partners as a couple of complete amatuers, cope with the challenge?

On a beautiful day, and with the first seven holes running alongside the beach and the Moray Firth, there was ample opportunity for sun, sea, sand and sixes.  And sevens…

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/nairn-reprised

www.nairngolfclub.co.uk/

We begin our latest Scottish road trip with a double dose of Nairns….and we're not talking about the famous biscuits.  

First up is Nairn Dunbar which has been striving to emerge from the shadow of its more famous neighbour, and is ranked among Scotland's Top 100 courses.

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/nairn-dunbar

https://nairndunbar.com/

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For centuries, Harlech Castle has seen off those who came to conquer it.  Royal St David's, overlooked by the 13th Century Castle, has a similar reputation.  

The club described the course as the toughest Par 69 in the world, and one of the most picturesque.

Would the latest Englishman to tackle the challenge use cunning tactics, or just rely on bravado?

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/royal-st-david-s

www.royalstdavids.co.uk/

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The Golf Pilgrim celebrates its first anniversary by making a long overdue visit to Wales.  

Aberdovey lies in the heart of Eryri National Park, or Snowdonia to give it its English name.  We hear how the club was founded by a soldier whose first course consisted of nine flowerpots, embedded in Aberdovey Common.

It's come a long way since then - and you'll probably have a long way to come to play it.  But it's well worth the journey…

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/aberdovey

www.aberdoveygolf.co.uk

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While everyone's talking about The Masters, we're talking (again) about the master architect behind August National.  Moortown's neighbours at Alwoodley have first claims on Alister MacKenzie's designs - but there's no dispute that he honed his craft in Leeds.

And not content with having a link to The Masters, Moortown can also boast that it was the first British course to host the Ryder Cup.

So plenty of history - but the present-day course is hugely impressive

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/moortown

www.moortown-golf-club.co.uk/

If a golf course is named The Sea, you might expect to see the sea from the links. You’ll hear the waves crashing, and the bouncy fairways will certainly indicate you’re on a coastal course, but the English Channel (or La Manche) remains just out of sight. 

But don’t let that put you off visiting another great value-for-money venue. Le Touquet has three courses at the resort, and La Mer has hosted the French Open, where Seve Ballesteros triumphed and Sam Torrance holds the course record. 

And the drama didn't finish at the 18th...

It's Hardelot than you think….especially off the white tees.

The second of our northern France trilogy, and another bargain compared to the equivalent, and similar in feel courses in southern England.

Les Pins are the pine trees which line the course, but many have been removed in recent years to restore it to its original design.

www.hardelotgolfclub.com/en/

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/golf-d-hardelot-les-pins

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Travelling through the Channel Tunnel can be like entering a portal to an earlier era, where golf green fees are still reasonably priced.

Belle Dune is the first of three courses Neil played within easy reach of Calais, and they're around half the price you'd pay for the equivalent standard in the UK.

It’s a municipal course and it's a great example of how new courses can exist in harmony with nature.

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/belle-dune

www.golfdebelledune.fr/

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Rail passengers speeding from London to Edinburgh will catch a glimpse of this pure links course as they approach Berwick-upon-Tweed.  Golfers heading to Scotland by road will need to make a short detour off the A1. It's well worth it.

Despite being highly ranked, Goswick's remote location means the club work hard to improve and promote the course to attract more visitors.  It means it's great value for money.

Ian gets a guided tour of the changes being planned which should make it even better.

www.goswickgolfclub.com/

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Champagne corks are popping and why not? There are very few courses in the world that are as good as North Berwick, and are as much fun to play.

Other Scottish courses may host The Open and other major championshps —  North Berwick isn't big enough to do that.  But the number of top professionals who pay to visit when in the area is testament to how highly it is rated.

Neil describes his best ever round on a Top 100 course while Ian has to make do with comedy..but both of us left North Berwick with...

When doctor-turned-golf archietct, Alister MacKenzie unveiled the design for his very first course, even fellow members of this Yorkshire club were a little sceptical.  They asked for a second opinion.  Harry Colt took a look and gave it the thumbs up.

After that, MacKenzie was in demand designing courses which are still among the very best in the world.  Cypress Point, Augusta National, Royal Melbourne…

Respect the history, but enjoy the present…because Alwoodley merits its place among the top courses in the UK.

www.alwoodleygolfclub.com/

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This week we are in Italy - the tenth country on our podcast travels.  If you're a tourist who wants to visit Rome, but don't want to miss out on the opportunity of a round of golf, then Olgiata is for you.

Half an hour from the famous sights in the Eternal City is a course which Neil reckons is one of the toughest he's played - but he wasn't helped by an accident en route….

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/olgiata

www.olgiatagolfclub.com/

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Beware the injured golfers! Ian is forced to skip playing Burnham & Berrow because of a broken finger as well as foot surgery, while Neil isn't much better - hobbling round Burnham & Berrow with a painful toe affliction!

Which is a shame because this Open Qualifying Course is a gem - and counts Justin Rose among its top admirers.  The list of men who had a hand in designing and refining the course reads like a who's who of golf architects….

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/burnham-berrow-reprised

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/burnham-berrow-golf-club-review

www.bur...

Ian returns to the place where he first learned to play golf - in between reporting on the England football team who used this luxury resort as a base before the 1998 World Cup.

Back then, La Manga attracted many sports stars and celebrities. But when Neil and Ian last visited a decade ago, the condition of the courses was definitely below par.

We're delighted to report that the South Course, which used to host the Spanish Open, is back to its best.

lamangaclub.com/en

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/la-manga-south

Las Colinas near Alicante is rated as Spain's 20th best golf course, but we give it top marks for value for money in January.  Three nights in a two bedroom apartment, including two rounds of golf for two players was £500. Definitely a more attractive option than enduring cold and wet weather back home.

We can't promise your balls will stay dry though…there's a fair amount of water to negotiate!

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/las-colinas

https://lascolinasgolf.com/en/

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To mark the start of our partnership with National Club Golfer, we find out how courses earn their ranking in the Top 100. And we ask whether some clubs in Britain and Ireland are now out of reach for regular golfers.

We are joined by two guests: Dan Murphy is the Editor of NCG's Top 100 list, and this year Ian and Neil have joined his ratings panel to judge Scotland's top courses.  

And NCG's Steve Carroll has been comparing the prices of all the top courses in GB & Ireland.  Why are some so expensive, and are th...

And it's off to sunny Spain to shake off the winter blues and kick off a new year of Top 100 golf reviews.

This course in Seville was designed by two-time Masters winner Jose Maria Olazabal and, since it opened in 1992, it has staged three Spanish Opens.

sevillagolf.com/en/home/

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It's our final podcast of the year, so rather than reviewing one course, we are looking back over our previous episodes and choosing the best of the best.

Which courses, holes and centres of golfing excellence really stood out? And because we are talking about members of the Top 100, rest assured that there will be no turkeys in this Christmas special!

Happy New Year!

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