7 Hidden Gems in France
When talking about golf courses in the far north of France to a largely American audience, the term “hidden gem” may be a little redundant. We know many readers are keen travelers and like to experience the game away from home, but it’s likely even the most intrepid won’t know the golf on the Brittany, […]
15 Hidden Gems in Ireland
Has anything or anyone benefitted more from the internet than Irish golf? Images of Waterville, Tralee, Old Head, or Royal County Down speed along the information superhighway and soon the world wants to visit. Courses that once charged 25 Pounds/Punts for 18 holes and lunch, and which people only knew about by reading the World […]
Q&A: Geoff Shackelford Reflects on “The Future of Golf”
Seventeen years ago, Geoff Shackelford was somewhat disillusioned with the direction golf was headed. The acclaimed golf commentator and author, and future Golf Channel analyst, had serious issues with the way the USGA was operating and had become indifferent toward professional tour golf which, he felt, was now a dreary procession of long drives and […]
10 Hidden Gems in Scotland
Recently, we gave you 10 English courses that probably wouldn’t feature on any itinerary of first-time visitors, but which anyone who had been several times and was looking for something outside the country’s Open Championship venues and heathland classics might try. They were/are exceptional courses, each possessing a proud history, a distinct English flavor, and […]
10 Hidden Gems in England
England is a long way for American readers to go—and when they do, they’re likely to head to Open Championship venues and/or Surrey and Berkshire’s world-renowned heathland layouts. But we know there’s a small percentage of readers who go often and for whom the historic courses are old hat. Those are probably familiar with a […]
How Bunkers Show the Evolution of Golf Course Architecture
To understand how golf course architecture has evolved, just look at bunkers Don’t plan on a discussion about Donald Ross’s bunkers being a quick one, especially if you’re talking with architect Ron Forse. After two hours on the phone with the Ross-renovation specialist (well over 50 courses, plus others by Seth Raynor, A.W. Tillinghast, William […]
9 Fascinating Lesser-Known Stories from the Masters
With 2012’s Making of the Masters, in which he describes how Bobby Jones steered his dream golf club and tournament through tough economic times, and 2021’s The Story of the Masters, where he details the 84 contests that had taken place prior to publishing, it’s likely author David Barrett knows as much about Augusta’s April […]
6 Lesser-Known Pete Dye Courses
Pete Dye’s magnificent creation at TPC Sawgrass, born of a swamp half an hour east of Jacksonville, Fla., first hosted the Tournament Players Championship in 1982. Since then competitors have adapted to its quirks and learned not to be too dismayed when their ball behaves unexpectedly. Though the event’s May date (2007–2018) certainly produced some […]
The Best Public Golf in Idaho
The Gem State features majestic mountains, national forests, rushing streams, and surprisingly affordable green fees—making Idaho a diamond in the rough for public golf Greg Bullock makes the 350-mile, seven-hour drive from his home in Nampa, Idaho, to Circling Raven at least twice a year. “It’s totally worth it,” he says. “It’s like nowhere else […]
The Best Public Golf in California
Ranking the states for the quality of their golf is a subjective business, though it’s clear some are better than others. Florida, Michigan, New York, Hawaii, Arizona, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and even Ohio all get high marks, and another ever-present in the conversation is California whose course count almost reaches 1,000, and which boasts an impressive number of layouts […]
