Why The Himalayas – St Andrews iconic putting course – is so special
In my head the atmospheric Old Course was going to be lit up by autumnal sunshine, showing off the home of golf in all its picture postcard perfection. In reality, the stoating rain that had threatened to derail my morning round at the Crail Golfing Society, had followed us up the Fife coast. A dreich morning had seamed effortlessly into an even more dreich afternoon. The rain bouncing off the tarmac, wind buffeting the exposed links. HIMALAYAS, ST ANDREWS: A PUTTING MECCA Sensing an air of reluctance, I offered words of encouragement: “I don’t think the heavy stuff’s going to…
Crail Golf Society: brilliant Balcomie will make you feel alive
It’s no surprise to find the Scots have more than 100 words for rain – several sprang immediately to mind as I arrived at Crail Golfing Society, the seventh oldest club on the planet. It was a dreich morning, the darkest and dankest of starts to an autumnal day at the easternmost point of the Kingdom of Fife. The rain was stoating, droplets bouncing an inch high, turning car park puddles into mini lochs, the only sign of life was the glow of the pro shop. But as daylight began to win its fight, it was easing to a smirr…
Western Gailes Golf Club: one of Scotland’s great links
Western Gailes Golf Club may once have been a hidden gem on Scotland’s Ayrshire coast, but these days is better described as a crown jewel. It offers a pure links experience shaped by wind, sand, and sea. Renowned for its natural routing, rugged beauty, and rich history, it challenges golfers in so many ways. It's a true connoisseur’s course.…
Tom Coyne: in search of the great American golf course
Tom Coyne has chased a golf ball around the globe for much of his adult life, embodying the essence of a true wandering golfer. In doing so, he has carved out a niche as a golf travel writer with a connection to the soul of our game and to the people who bring it to life. His unique brand of storytelling focuses on the humour, heart and history of golf, and his writing is brought to life by the memorable characters he meets along the way as much as it is about the places he visits. His books have all…