Modern Classics: Ardfin
It’s not easy getting to the Scottish isle of Jura, but this dramatically challenging layout—which roams from beach to cliffs—is worth the effort The whispers started in 2010: “Someone’s going to build a course on Jura.” At the time, I was traveling to southwest Scotland often—to the Mull of Kintyre, home of the two fine […]
Great Holes of the British Isles: 17th, Prestwick, “Alps”
The story of Prestwick Golf Club begins in 1851, when a group of friends gathered at the Red Lion Inn decided to create a golf club. Old Tom Morris was hired to be its first greenkeeper, and he competed in the first 12 Open Championships held on his then 12-hole home course, winning four times. […]
Great Holes of the British Isles: 15th, North Berwick (West), “Redan”
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the 15th Hole at North Berwick’s West course has much to be proud of. The original “Redan” hole has been copied dozens of times, and wherever this hole’s unique design appears, it’s always a highlight of the round. No one’s 100 percent sure who created the original […]
Professional Golfers with Their Own Wine Brands
Many a golf pro has put their name on a bottle of wine. Only a few have put their heart and soul into creating truly special vintages. Greg Norman enjoyed a vintage year in 1995. The Great White Shark captured three tournament titles, carded the Tour’s best scoring average, topped the annual—and career—money lists, and […]
10 Must-Visit Public Golf Destinations for 2022
Let’s assume for a moment that traveling the world in search of new courses to play and new scorecards to fill out is something that golfers will be able to do without reservation in 2022. (Or at least do relatively safely by taking common-sense precautions.) The question then becomes, where should you go? Many golf […]
Scotland’s Best Hotels for Golfers
There was a time, not so long ago, when the usual hotel experiences in Scotland were something one tolerated rather than embraced. Too often, it seemed like you were staying at something more like grandma’s house than a modern hotel. Fortunately, that era has gone the way of the gutta percha. Today, you’ll find excellent […]
Why Lessons Are the Perfect Golf Gift
’Tis the season when golfers of all stripes receive golf-related gifts from non-golfers that are cringe-worthy at best. Of course, you try to appear grateful, smiling as you hold up the tie with the pattern of golf balls on it or the 500-count bag of tees that are an inch shorter than your preferred length. […]
Dutch Masterpieces: The Best Golf in the Netherlands
Linksland, heathland, parkland—the Netherlands has it all Most Americans who venture across the pond to play golf get no farther than the British Isles, whose famed links courses are like Homer’s sirens calling mariners thither. But it’s time people discovered the Netherlands, home to many of Europe’s finest courses. Holland has always been a fun […]
My 10 Favorite Holes in Ireland
Ireland is a magical place—especially for golfers. Anytime you set foot on the verdant shores of the Emerald Isle, it’s a chance to enjoy some of the world’s best golf, along with off-course experiences that make you want to never leave. Ireland is famous for its storied links gems, of course, but there are many […]
6 Great Public Golf Courses In Plymouth, Mass.
Though golf was being played in some manner across several parts of the world by 1620, it’s unlikely that anyone who stepped off the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock brought a set of sticks. But if they had, they’d have found a landscape ideally suited for the royal and ancient game. And today, visitors to the […]
