Sunningdale New

Out with the old and onto the new. Those well heeled members are pretty lucky to have 2 great courses to choose from and currently ranked at 57 in the world, the new is an elegant course that put into the shade only slightly by its neighbour. Played here as the first group of the day and barely saw a soul the whole way round, really gave a great sense of isolation.

I found the course slightly more tight than the old with a few more heather lined fairways particularly on the front nine that severely punish any wayward drives. The highlights for my being the holes from 3-8. All very interesting and thought provoking holes with a good mix of risk and reward.

Above, the par 3 5th possibly the signature hole but next, a great dogleg par 5 may contest the honour.

The 10th in addition is an excellent par 3 that leads to the great wee dormie house where the famed sausage sandwiches await.  The back 9 is again full of quality holes that all require careful thought. my favourites would probably be 15 that begs you to bite of a small pond to reduce your length to the green.

Above - the excellent surrounds of the 18th green, a short par 5 but hitting the green is very tricky..

All in all its a great heathland course, and the first of England's non links courses that I've played.  The weather wasn't too conducive for decent photographs but never mind, I may well return at another stage to try again. As for the best course,  I would say the old has the edge but it's not a bad combo.

Sunningdale old

The two courses at Sunningdale my well represent the best 36 hole experience in the UK, and it's the old that will steal the show for most people. The experience certainly does not come cheaply but for most, this is a one off experience and for any keen golfer it's one not to miss. We managed to fortunately catch a dry day in the middle of summer and started as the first group on the new before moving to the old after lunch.

The reception was very warm with the starter and staff very willing to help, a courtesy that is not always evident at some of these prestigious clubs. The clubhouse is an old school classic and sipping a pint after the round, looking back onto the famous 18th green was the icing on the cake.

The course begins with a good par 5 that like the rest of the course, demands accuracy an introduces you to some heathery hazards that can easily eat into your score. The 2nd is a decent par 4 but for me the course really began to show its quality on the 3rd which is a great driveable par 4 that requires a carefully thought strategy to avoid a sandy grave.

The 4th is strong uphill par 3 with a huge green that could lead to some lengthy testing putts and the 5th is a great and thought provoking par 4. Not too long but with two well positioned bunkers and a small pond to contend with for the larger hitters.

I think that many great courses offer a sense of isolation and the old at Sunningdale is great in that respect. You could really be going for a walk in the woods, and many people do as there seem to be a number of well worn tracks around. Each hole is also played with a degree of separation and isolation from the next and there are not many areas that you stumble across other players.

Below, the 7th. A great initially blind par 4 that opens up to a well protected green and typifies the scenery of Sunningdale Old.

The 9th to 11th are probably my favourite runs of holes on he course. I'm a sucker for a great short par 4 and 9th is certainly that, at only 250 yards or so, but with 3 or 4 expertly placed bunkers that ensure a greedy drive not hit to perfection is suitably punished and will make for a testing par. The 10th, below is the signature hole and a lovely downhill par 4 that leads to the famous dormie house.

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The Dormie house sits between the 10th greens of both courses and was fully stocked with bacon and sausages on our visit.

The 11th is great wee par 4 or only 240 or so yards from the mens that is shaped with a row of tall trees that encourage a high fade to a small green and continues the run of strong holes. 

The 13th if I remember is maybe the most benign of the holes on the course, a straight forward par three that I managed to hit the pin on... and then contrive to make bogey.

The finishing 3 holes are all par 4s but there are no gimmies on route to the old oak tree. 16 requires a straight tee shot to avoid some cavernous bunkers and long grass and the green is beautifully framed with great symmetrical bunkers extending along the width of the fairway. 17 finally shows the clubhouse in the distance and is very picturesque.

18 finishes the course on a high and although a fairly flat and in theory straightforward hole, it's a great one to end on for the view of that famous oak and the clubhouse. I even managed a par which is an unusual experience for me on the last holes of these great top 100 courses.

All in all, its well worthy of its lofty position and certainly the best inland course I have played so far. to have the new course side by side makes it a 36 hole gem that would take some beating.. Its a truly great experience.

Royal Dornoch

Well having just returned from a trip back to the UK with 3 new courses ticked off, it was actually a return to the magnificent Dornoch that stole the show. Having last played there in competition and without much appreciation for golf course design etc it was fantastic to catch it on a sunny day in late afternoon. Currently sandwiched between pebble beach and Portrush in the rankings at 13, it has catapulted into my personal top 3 and may well be the best I've played in Scotland along with Kingsbarns and Turnberry.

Below the view as we walk down to the 3rd with the 17th green to the right.

I think its important to start the course with a playable hole and this is absolutely the case here.. only 300 yards and straight away eases you into the round before the second comes in to bite. A 160 yard par 3 that showcases the famous donald ross greens. Miss either side at your peril as a steep 15 foot slope awaits on either side of the narrow green.

3 and 4  are great par 4's though quite similar on the eye. The 5th to me is an excellent short  par 4 and one of the best on the course. starting high on the dunes it plays down to another elevated green with multiple bunkers down the right side of the fairway and guarding the green.

The The 6th carries on the theme of tricky par 3s with penal run offs down the right and back and then its up to the top of the hill to the long par 4 7th ( with the view below)

The 8th is downhill dogleg left with a drive over a post and is a very good hole though again very similar in design to 17, and the front 9 is finished by a glorious par 5 along the coast that really emphasises the beauty of the place.

The back 9 all play closer to the sea and amongst the dunes that are not as pronounced as Turnberry for instance but allow the holes to snake around with a sense of isolation. 13 'foxy' as it is known is the signature hole of the course. A lengthy par 4 without a single bunker but with an enormous green in the typically 'upturned bowl' shape that Ross went wild with here.

14th, the most straight forward ( but still excellent) of the par 3s.

being a fan of short par 4s with a bit of risk/reward, the 15th is another of my favourites, despite getting a double from 30 yards short of the green. Certainly driveable but with a large grassy mound in the fairway that can play havoc and a green that certainly got the better of me with a tight front pin.

Above the driving pole on the 17th, yet another excellent par 4..

Maybe it was the weather, the scenery, the greens, the isolation.. or the fact the opposition was routed 6/5 but Royal Dornoch left a lasting impression. It's far north of course but its an absolute must when playing in scotland and with so many quality courses within an hours drive or so its the jewel in the highland crown.

Barnbougle Lost Farm

The Lost Farm is the second course created on the Barnbougle estate. Created by Coore/Crenshaw of Sand Hills lore it sits partly amongst some towering dunes but also spreads onto less undulating land away from the sea. Only a few minutes drive from it's older brother, Its entered at 85 in the world and may well be on the rise.

The drive up seems to take forever, through a dusty road that ends at a facility that is immediately a lot more tourist or visitor orientated than the 'simply golf' approach at Barnbougle. Anyway, don't like to dwell on those things so on to the course...

The first gives an idea of whats to come with a generous fairway dotted with huge waste bunkers leading to a small green ( that In my opinion could have done with a bit more design), though still a strong par 5. The next is a short par 4 with a fairway thats impossible to miss but with two large strategic bunkers to capture some poor strikes. Note this is a bit similar to Barnbougle that starts with a fairly gentle opening before springing to life.

As such, the 3rd is a fantastic short risk/reward hole that is easily drivable but onto a very narrow green full of undulations...a great hole that is followed by one of the signature holes of the course. The 4th is 140 yards with gorgeous views off the headland and looking back over at Barnbougle ( below)
















The 5th continues what is in my opinion the best stretch on the course. A Unique left to right dog leg around a huge dune still leaves a long approach to a St.Andrews size green. Without prior knowledge of where to go or a strokesaver, the line off the tee is a total mystery!

The 6th is a nice par 3 with another undulating green that can leave a few interesting putts but its the 7th that gets the interest up again. A testing par 4 with a fairway literally 100 yards wide, it could almost be the first at the old course were it not for a huge hill of rough at driving length. Left of it is narrower but offers a superior line to the pin. Right is safe but leads to a more difficult approach over a greenside bunker.

The 8th ( left)  is a massive par 5 that for me anway would be impossible to get anywhere near in two whilst the 9th is a decent par 4 that takes us back towards the clubhouse.

I've often thought that if I had to create a composite course what holes would I have. For me, 3-5 would definitely get in though Barnbougle is so strong throughout that I don't think the rest would. Not saying that any of the holes are poor but they are just up against world class opposition.

From here the course heads out onto the 'lost farm' away from the dunescape. the 10th is another long par 5 that starts off well but I just feel the uninspiring approach could do with a few more bunkers or undulations. The 11-12 are decent holes but don't really get the pulse racing.

13 is an interesting one that is played in a gully between two rows of dunes though I was again left with the feeling that a bit more bunkering on the right could improve it. Next is one of the extra holes ( for there are 20 here) and its a lovely little par 3 at the top of the dunes that would grace many a course.

The 14th raises the bar a few notches and is again a hole that would make my composite course. From high up you have a stunning view of the coast and down to the green is only 300 yards or so but the approach is guarded by bushes and sand making the driver sheer folly. The 15th pictured above looks up to the spa with some great ocean views.

A flat but strong par 4 16th is followed by a great uphill par 3 but the finishing hole (above) is a real masterpiece and one of my favourite holes on the course. teeing up high on the dunes we hit down to the fairway and to a relatively narrow and softly undulating green.

The course finishes with the second 'betting' hole which is a nice little par 3 under the clubhouse. Overall I would say it is a very good course with some world class holes. It's problem for my is that it will always be compared to it's neighbour and in my opinion it has a few holes that are not quite in the same league. It does however help make this small region of Tasmania a little piece of golfing heaven.

New South Wales Golf Club

New South Wales is without doubt one of the best courses in Australia and currently sits at 33 in the world. It's one of Dr Alistair Mackenzie's great works and he was quoted to say the land on which it stands is about a stunning as what he saw with Cypress Point on the monterey peninsula.. High praise indeed. In my opinion it's about as close to links golf as mainland Australia can give you. It has the look of an Open Championship venue with some great undulations and cavernous pot bunkers. It also has the constant wind that is so associated with the great links of the UK. It has a very different feel to its neighbour, St Michaels golf club that is much more tree lined and a lot less 'links-like' in character.

Some describe it as a clifftop course akin to those on the monterey peninsula. I have not had the pleasure of getting there yet but to my eyes this course resembles the likes of  Dornoch a great deal more than Pebble beach. Regardless of how you would describe the nature of the place however, its just a great course.


Below - the 7th fairway and Botany bay that acts as  a passageway for huge ships docking in Sydney.

 

Above,  The 13th proves that Mackenzie was even a fan of the infinity green.

The first is, probably one of my favourite opening holes of any course that I've played so far. It's a short par 4 around 300 yards but pull out the driver at your peril with bushes left and 3 or 4 huge bunkers to the right. The conservative play just requires a mid iron and a wedge to an elevated green that is easier said than done. After that it's a tough par 3 that is certainly a bit reminiscent of Dornoch with anything right or long ending up a long way down a hill.

After this it is the unique 3rd that is the most blind of blind tee shots that you will ever come across. Some people probably love this hole but for me this downhill blind dogleg asks a bit too much.. Or maybe thats because I've probably never done better than a double at it.

Looking up to the 3rd green from the fairway bunker.

The 4th is certainly less memorable but has been improved by some recent waste bunkering and green remodelling. Next however come the 5th and 6th, without doubt the highlights of the course. The par 5 offers a great driving opportunity with those finding the middle, and the distance to clear the crest of a hill being rewarded by another hundred yards of so downhill and a short iron to a green that hovers on the edge of the bay.

The Signature 6th is around 190 yards from its back island tee that requires a carry over the ocean to a green protected by two bunkers. I'm sure the good doc had Cypress point on his mind when trying to come up with this one.

Below, the view from the 6th tee on a glorious day.

I have to say that absolutely none of these holes could ever be described as easy and with what seems like a standard two club wind here, the course is a brute.

The 7th is a nice par 4 up the hill to an undulating green and the 8th is a par 5 that features a blind second shot over the crest of a hill to a green that I imagine would hardly ever be hit in two. The 9th again has a mixture of waste and pot bunkering and finishes below the clubhouse.

The back 9 is equally strong though it starts with a degree of light relief in the form of a short par 4 and lovely par 3 downhill . The par 5 12th may also be a birdie chance depending on the wind but from then on the course starts to show its teeth again.

The finishing stretch from 13 is very strong. The 14th is a great short par 4 to an elevated green with its rollercoaster fairway the highlight. This is followed by one of the toughest holes in the land, a dogleg right that can't be made if into any sort of wind and flanked by deep bushes either side. 16 sweeps around in the opposite direction and is again characterised by great sloping mounds of scrub that lead to an intimidating approach, often of around 200 yards.

The penultimate hole is ( hopefully) only a short iron but the 18th is a monster of a par 5 that reminded me a lot of Muirfield with some expertly positioned pot bunkers off the tee. In the few times I have played here I have been absolutely nowhere near that green in two. It's a great closing hole that would grace any course, check it out below.

In terms of the aussie tracks played so far, I would place NSW only below Barnbougle. Cant say whether I prefer it to the Lost Farm as they are very different seaside courses.  I certainly found it more enjoyable than Royal Melbourne (poor conditioning) and Kingston Heath that seem to always come out at the top of the rankings.

Royal St.Georges

Royal St Georges, the site of last year's open and THAT win for big Darren Clarke. I played it in more benign conditions than those he had to deal with. It's certainly a traditional place with the clubhouse full of memorabilia and many famous names on its winner boards. The thatched roof huts are dotted about and add to the character of the place. It also has the added 'vista' of the power factory in the distance that I thought was quite interesting actually.

The course is classic links but like Carnoustie for instance, is slightly removed from the water and lacks the stunning views that go along with some like Turnberry or  Castle Stuart. It has a nice dune system and I love the contours and natural amphitheatres created by them. It starts with a couple of good par 4s but it's from the third that the course begins to show its teeth with a 240 yard par 3 onto a narrow tiered green.

The 4th is one of the best in the course with a simply huge bunker that must be navigated before a lengthy approach to a green that runs off on 3 sides. at 495 yards it's certainly one of the toughest holes around.

The 5th offers some light relief where and is more of a risk reward par 4 that I particularly like and the 6th, below is a solid par 3 again to a tiered green guarded by bunkers and sheltered by the dunes

The characteristic thatched roofs, this time next to the 6th green

The 7th played downwind when I was there and was a certain birdie opportunity as long as you can get the right line with the tee shot that is blind. The 8th, like the 5th has a large area of rough, maybe 60 yards or so short of the green. I think these are a nice feature that make you think about shot placement and can be a decent way of 'tiger proofing' courses.

The last hole on the front 9 is a short par 4 but certainly one of my favourites on the course with a great approach to a narrow green that you don't want to miss right ( as I did) and end up down a significant hill. The tenth is has a similar feel with any misplaced approaches to the green rolling well down a slope on any side, a bit Dornoch like in that regard.

approach to the 9th with view enhanced by not only the power plant but a great 'dead cat flying'


The 11th is another really long par 3 at about 240 yards that I hope normally plays downwind as it did when I was there. I was't really a fan of the hole but maybe that was due to a solid triple. Fortunately that was followed by my only birdie on the next that is a nice short dogleg to the right.

I cant actually remember 13 but 14 will stay in the mind for a long time. The 'suez canal' must be one of the best and toughest par 5s on the open roster, as Dustin Johnson will testify. O.B the entire way down and  4 bunkers guarding the 'safe' left side make going for the green in two a very daunting experience.
I think I would always play it as a 3 shot hole.

Above - chipping to the green on suez canal.


The next is only a 495 yard par four from the backs so not much let up after the suez canal.
16 (below) ruined Thomas Bjorn's open chances on the year the Ben Curtis took the Claret Jug and is interesting with it's multiple bunkers stretching all the way across the front of the green. definitely better to be long here.

The final two holes are solid par 4s and a decent way of finishing a very good golf course. It's currently ranked as the top course in England and obviously worthy of multiple Open championships. We even managed some celebrity spotting with hugh grant parking his ferrari next to us and the 'legend' jimmy Tarbuck playing ( pretty quickly may I add) in the four ball in front. Overall its a great track that I would certainly come back to and fits in my favourite 5-10 probably.

Probably not the most photogenic place that I've been but I did miss the ideal times to be out with the camera.

The Kinloch Golf club

The Kinloch golf Club is located near Taupo on New Zealand's North Island. I actually stumbled across this Jack Nicklaus designed track as it was nearing completion and thought there was great potential. 1 year after  opening it found its way to the top 100 but has just been squeezed out of the 2012 rankings. It is however one of the most photogenic courses I've got to and especially as I walked around it with the camera in the hour before dusk.

Below, the great 1st hole with characteristic tough approach to an angled green.

I know Jack gets a bit a slating over his golf courses for being too difficult and this is no exception. He seems to love designing holes that require long approaches to angulated greens that mainly require a high fade. For the majority of golfers this is a very tough ask. The quote at the time was that Danny Lee had played the course on 3 occasions and could only muster a 76, with nobody ever going below 70.

I played this course twice and actually shot the same 8 shots over handicap from the back and middle tees though I didn't feel as beaten up the second time, mainly as I had the help of a buggy which I normally never use but having hiked about 20k the day before it would have been a struggle.

I would actually rate the front 9 amongst the best that I have played anywhere. I would classify all the holes as at least very good if not excellent, with the exception of the short par 3 7th. The par 4 stretch of  4 to 6 are absolute gems.

above, the ( of course difficult) but excellent par 5 2nd where being on the green in two is but a dream for most.

Below, what awaits many an approach to the 1st green

The 5th is a short par 4 with a side on drive to a narrow fairway well guarded with numerous bunkers and one of the best holes on the course.

The par 3 3rd over the lake.

The back 9 is full of excellent holes though If i'm being critical, there are a couple of par 3s that are a little similar in appearance and the mammoth par 5 18th, although an excellent hole doesn't seem to be totally in keeping with the style of the rest of the course.

What I love is the feeling of isolation here. There is a small but perfectly formed clubhouse and the practice range is the most impressive I've seen - almost like a mini course. The conditioning is sensational, probably as there never seems to be too much traffic on the course and the greens are excellent. Like barnbougle it's a struggle to get there but definitely worth the trip... Though Jack, we are not all as good as you!

Above the 10th, a welcome view after a steep climb. Another great par 4 to start the back 9.

The par 4 5th onto a slanting fairway.




Whilst in the area if can manage to Tongariro crossing then do it, on a good day you can get a view like this from the slopes of 'mount doom' from Lord of the Rings. Its a tough climb but worth it!

The Emirates Golf Course

Though not ranked in the top 100 at present, the Emirates is the first and one of the most impressive tracks in the Middle East and held the number 1 spot there until recently being replaced by the Kyle Philip's Yas Links. Famous for being the host of the Dubai Desert Classic, its not the longest course but demands accuracy off all tees with numerous doglegs to contend with.

The experience begins in the clubhouse where the Desert classic trophy is displayed and previous winners have their own lockers that the seem to share with past captains of the club.

The course itself is in fantastic condition and the view towards the seemingly endless skyscrapers are impressive. None more so than on the 8th that is possibly the signature hole, a pretty harsh left to right dogleg with a challenging second up the hill.

The thing I found most difficult apart from the endless doglegs were the grainy greens that for me, a novice on such things made putting a total lottery.

My overall impression was that the course had many 'good' holes but was a bit short on 'great' ones. Having watched the dubai desert classic over the years, my personal highlights were playing the 9th and 18th to the huge double green in front of the stands.

It's a course that should be played when in dubai for the history alone, though if I'm back in the area I'll need to check out the impressive looking Yas Links.



Below , a view to the !st green, a tricky par 4 with a long bunker lodged right in front of the green that is also a bit of a recurring theme.

The most photogenic area of the course, the 8th tee and the manicured bunkers beside that green
(below)

The rather impressive clubhouse and the famous 9th/18th double greens with the corporate boxes still present after the ladies masters.

The view to the 16th green, one of numerous tight doglegs

On the 18th fairway from 250 yards out where Monty smacked a driver to the green and birdied to win. My attempt was less than perfect but managed to get pin high to the left of the green

One of the more famous finishing holes in golf, quite intimidating even from 120 yards here. The 18th was one of only 2 pars for my on what was a very bad day golf-wise but a fantastic experience overall

barnbougle

I thought I would start with the most impressive course I have visited so far. Currently ranked 30 in the world and climbing  year on year this course must be one of Tom Doak's finest creations. It's remote to say the least, located on the north coast of Tasmania nearly 90 mins drive from Launceston. It is a fantastic links reminiscent of the Scottish greats and as someone who has played most of Scotland's best courses I have to say that in my opinion it exceeds them all.

The course begins with a couple of gentle openers, the initial a wide and gentle dogleg followed by a flat par 4 whose only defence may be a strong wind into the face and an undulating green. These are followed by a fantastic run of holes that doesn't ease up at all. The 3rd is an excellent par 4 with a blind tee shot towards a huge dune and a tricky second to a narrow and well protected green. The 4th is another short hole at only around 275 yards but go for the green at your peril as some simply enormous bunkers await any errant drives. Doak modelled the hole on ( I think) the 10th at Royal Melbourne and some believe it to be up with the best short par 4s in the world... I would tend to agree.

  Above - the melbourne beach hut style accomodation that allows you to fall out onto the practice chipping green.
Below - view to the 4th green and the native wallabies that dominate the course at night behind the second green

Moving on, the walk between 4 and 5 is steep but worth it as you are greeted by a stunning view over the huge dunes that has to be seen to be believed. The 5th is a great downhill par 3 that would be the signature hole of many a great course but only two holes later is the tiny 7th that equates to Royal Troon's Postage Stamp but in my opinion, exceeds it. Playing not much over 100 yards but nearly always into a stiff breeze it will often require a mid iron to a small green guarded by huge waste bunkers and drop off the back that Donald Ross would be proud of. 

Below - 7th green in the evening, the walk between 4-5.

Above - view to the 9th green and clubhouse

Hole 8 is probably the toughest on the course and offers two strategic options off the tee. Fire one left to the narrow fairway and minimise the length but increase the risk of finding an impossible lie in the rough. The 9th another semi blind dogleg that ends the loop to the clubhouse.

The Second 9 forms another loop and again begins with a gentle opening par 4 with a huge fairway towards an uphill undulating green. Next follows a par 5 with an enormous drop in the fairway that when downwind allows the bigger hitters to get within 150 yards of the green. The 12 and 13th are a couple of my personal favourites. The 12 is a  short par 4 that demands strategy. Its an uphill dogleg over a dune system with anything right being lost.  A Pure drive may find the green but the smart play is an iron or lesser wood to the left that leaves what can be a tricky chip to a small green.

The 13 simply has one of the most crazy greens I've seen ( not been the the castle course at st andrews yet!) find the wrong side and its easily a three stab. Some may criticise that but I think its fun.

The 14th is yet another fantastic par 5 that really gives you that sense of isolation that I love and the 16th with the river and lost farm to the right is one of the most photogenic areas on the course ( below)

Below - 16th tee, and views over the the Lost Farm golf course

Overall its just a stunning golf course that makes you think strategy on every shot. I have the feeling that if this course was american It would be well in the top 20 of the world. As it is, it remains an almost hidden gem that is fully accessible to all, and at the moment my favourite golf course that I've played.