Nothing can prepare you for the glorious sense of isolation and escape that envelops you at Silvies Valley Ranch. We made the journey to this spectacular corner of eastern Oregon, in search of a truly unique golf experience. And yet long before a putt had dropped, I knew our time would be about…
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As a golfing destination, Costa Navarino has it all: attractive accommodation, striking scenery, fabulous food and, as I’ve written elsewhere, ecotourism at the forefront of its plans. But what about the golf? Despite starting in the final knockings of the 19th Century, when British soldiers fashioned a rudimentary layout on Crete, the sport…
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It’s remarkable how you can grow up on what is, in the grand scheme of things, a pretty small island and yet reach the age of 40 having seen so little of it. In Ireland, we tend to stick to the coastline. That’s where you’ll find all the big cities – Dublin, Cork,…
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There is no doubt that Scotland is golf’s holy land; the birthplace of the game itself as well as some of its greatest players. But for centuries, since golf began here some 400-odd years ago, there has been a question over where in Scotland offers the greatest golf experience. There’s East Lothian, with…
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It’s official, Hillside Golf Club when the wind blows will test even the very best golfers in the game. Reader, I am not one of them. I walk off the 18th green and towards the comforting embrace of the white clubhouse here, a beaten man. Hillside has got the better of me today…
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Scotland is, of course, synonymous with golf but within its many diverse golfing regions, Ayrshire stands out as a truly remarkable destination. Boasting breathtaking natural beauty and a rich golfing heritage, Ayrshire offers a collection of many of the best golf courses in Scotland. From challenging links along the Firth of Clyde, to picturesque…
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Costa Navarino stretches out along the breathtaking Peloponnese peninsula, once the playground of Greek Gods and heroes. Myths and legends brought to life by some of Europe’s earliest communities in these parts have enthralled and inspired mere mortals for centuries. The ancient Palace of Nestor, nestled in the hills overlooking the idyllic Ionian…
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Love at first sight is a fickle concept in golf, but Barnbougle Dunes had me at ‘good morning.’ I had arrived at this fabled golfing destination in the dead of night. Through the darkness I found my way to my bed and fell asleep dreaming of what lay in wait. I was awake…
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I fell in love with Royal Liverpool Golf Club the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once. I can still recall the first time I drove through the gates and caught sight of the majestic clubhouse which stands guard over the links land here. On that day, I walked around to…
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New Zealand is in the midst of a golf boom: new courses are being built, existing courses restored and airport carousels are abuzz with one golf bag after another – but breathtaking Kauri Cliffs Golf Course was here well before the masses. With the likes of Tara Iti and Tea Arai Links driving…
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My first year of High School was an absolute blur, I barely remember a thing. However, looking back there is one person who has withstood the test of time and lived long in my memory – Mr Killian. A brawny and brash South African mathematics teacher, Mr Killian was loud, bold and confrontational…
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Since its grand reveal, Tara Iti Golf Club has occupied a place in the hearts and minds of golfers across the world. To most it feels a world away: isolated geographically, almost heavenly in its beauty, and, given its famed privacy and exclusivity, almost impossible to access. In a country dominated by public golf courses,…
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No committees, no captains and a casual approach to clothing – welcome to Centurion Golf Club: where the normal rules do not apply. The Hertfordshire course, situated 25 miles north of London, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023 and has been creating headlines right through its first decade. From hosting the inaugural GolfSixes…
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Here’s an admission to kick off with: I’ve never been on a golf trip before. Golf has been like an old friend to me; floating in and out of my life, squeezing in time together when we can and picking up where we left off after long periods of separation. It’s constantly in…
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At their best, golf courses captures the soul of their surroundings, gradually revealing a place over 18 unique chapters: never is that more the case than at Cape Kidnappers Golf Club. Tucked away on a 500 foot cliff in a corner Hawke’s Bay on New Zealand’s North Island, this is a place that…
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For a for few years, Te Arai Links felt like a myth. Its ultra-exclusive and highly-acclaimed sister property, Tara Iti, had captured the imagination of the golfing world with its beauty, tranquillity and its natural wonder. This extraordinary stretch of coastline on New Zealand’s north island was no longer a secret among golfers…
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My P.E. teacher used to call it the shrivel effect and as I prepared to play St Andrews Old Course for the first time, I finally knew what he meant. You know the feeling, it’s the one where every fibre in your body tightens, a pit forms in your stomach and, in my…
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As the Craigewan Links at Peterhead Golf Club comes into sight, so too does the path to reach it. There aren’t many clubs where you find yourself crossing a footbridge to reach the clubhouse but Peterhead is one such place. For many years after this club was first formed, the only access…
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Golf trips are sacred: they’re opportunities to experience new destinations, create lifelong memories and to spend time with your people. The likes of Pinehurst, Bandon and the great links courses of Scotland and Ireland might immediately spring to mind when you’re going through your bucket list but sometimes straying off the beaten track…
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From the 5th tee of the La Hacienda Alcaidesa Links, I can see it all: the sparkling Mediterranean, the iconic rock of Gibraltar, the Atlas Mountains in Morrocco and a golf course I could never tire of. This stunning destination sits on an idyllic stretch of Spain’s south coast, not far from Marbella,…
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