Dan Hare

Since you're at Cruden Bay, definitely make a day of it finishing off with a very pleasant stroll around St Olaf's.Shortly to be slightly remodelled due to the main course rerouting its 18th, it shares the best linksland on the property and is maintained to the same excellent levels, so have fun !

By being located in an area packed with quality golf RMGC is easily overlooked, but it's good golf over a well maintained course, sometimes very good golf.Grand but slightly strange clubhouse, but everyone was friendly even on a very busy members day accommodating us, so definitely recommended if seeking variety from links golf.

Very enjoyable seaside golf with mostly good turf and a couple of excellent links holes, well worth playing.Played on a cold clear day with one club wind, played longer than the card with water hazards and some elevation changes.No gorse and wide fairways so with its good value fees and catering (excellent breakfast rolls !) it would be an ideal society venue.

On a beautiful clear Early Spring morning St Andrews courses were closed with hail from the previous day, but arriving at Scotscraig at 9 am the Dawn Patrol were already holing out on the ninth - a micro micro climate when winds are from the North !Excellent value early in the season, all tees and greens were in play and excellent condition.As others have noted the front nine has most of the linksy feeling heathland holes, but the excellent quality turf and greens continue through the round - all shots are possible on this lovely firm turf.Doesn't have Ladybank's seclusion, but together they are two excellent inland courses to add to Fife's abundance of quality links.

What larks, Pip, what larks !We had spent a couple of hours vainly waiting for the haar to dissipate from Cruden Bay - clear blue skies 1 mile inland, but we were here for links golf, so nipped down the coast to Newburgh where we started in great visibility but the fog soon found us, hence no photos !It's a very fun game of 2 halves - first 9 heathland style, second 9 marshland links style.At times in the marshes I would not have been surprised to find Magwitch lurking behind a gorse bush having escaped a convict hulk but instead just found some suicidal dog walkers (similar to Royal Jersey in their lack of awareness and entitlement) and a good honest game of golf.

Even in early season off mats Inverallochy is a fun, quick game of links golf with some challenging holes, friendly members and some very nice sea views.It's courses like this that make touring the Highlands such a joy - whilst in the area we would strongly recommend a visit to Rosehearty adjacent to Fraserburgh whose ex-green keeper has for the last 6 years been polishing a gem.At least 3 holes would belong on any course and together with Peterhead, Newburgh, Cruden Bay and the rest makes this corner of Scotland a great destination for a golf trip full of character and surprise.

It's taken us several trips to this part of the World to finally get to Peterhead, and wish we had done it earlier.We were the only visitors on the course when we played at an incredibly good value Winter green fee, with friendly members checking how we were getting on and offering any assistance making it a lovely experience.A lovely day, and whilst as others have noted (I would say labouring the point) the first few holes were relatively unspectacular they were still good golf, and set us up nicely for the highlights to come.The raised holes with sky lark song give lovely views of the sweeping beach and sparkling waters definitely evoking Dornoch, and the stretch of holes in the dunes heading North before coming back inland brought Royal Aberdeen to mind with the strong finish bringing both back into memory.Whilst those courses have an overall quality and atmosphere that few can match, given that they are booked up anyway and would break most budgets, if you are in the area definitely add Peterhead to your itinerary - a very welcome surprise awaits.

Our tour of the lesser lights continued at Cullen - we'd driven past a couple of times en route from the more famous links in the area so made it a visit this time.A no frills, friendly community course in a pretty town, the golf is great fun and better than one might imagine from the yardage or clubhouse.Obviously the highlight for us was Craig holing out on the 200 yds elevated 7th with a 4 iron, but the whole course was a challenge and had shots that you'll never find anywhere other than British links - Cullen deserves a place with the likes of Shiskine and Bamburgh Castle for unforgettable challenges, and it's a super quick round allowing you to fit in another course if you've the energy.It's great to see so many more golfers up in this neck of the woods drawn by the goliaths old and new - they will be missing out if they don't visit local gems like Cullen, Pitlochry, Boat of Garten, Hopeman, Spey Bay, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Inverallochy, Rosehearty etc etc ...the Highlands must be considered the premier links golf destination in Britain, particularly if scenery, friendly welcome and value for money are in the equation.

We played in shorts and shirtsleeves yesterday, a first for us in the Highlands in March !Even from the positive reviews one might expect a slightly gimmicky short course requiring sherpas, but this is a seriously good course that's tremendous fun to play and not too strenuous a walk.Obviously the views are sensational of high mountains, castles, stately homes, glens, forests etc etc, but don't underestimate the quality of the golf.The greens were amazing this early in the year and this far from the sea, some quality holes like the 5th with a very atmospheric green site - whether or not Mary Queen of Scots or Robert the Bruce ever rested there, anyone making the elevated and well defended green in two will feel justly proud.Some excellent par 3's, and if like us you begin wending your way back down the hill to the cosy clubhouse in the gloaming you're sure to have that "high on life" feeling that only Highlands golf can give you.

Despite being off advanced tees with a couple of holes out of play, on a lovely Spring day it was clear that Wallasey is a quality Championships links.Great turf, sea views, sky lark song, friendly members glad to share their course with visitors, and a sunny terrace to enjoy a post round drink whilst watching others negotiate the long and tricky 18th - a great day.The photo is of the newly refurbished 9th which will be a lovely hole - can't wait to return to try it !

An outstanding, accessible heathland course.Great mix of holes, sense of space, some wind through the course, and when we played very firm running golf conditions, and super friendly club.Highly recommended - we played Hollinwell 2 days later and SF didn't suffer in the comparison.

Not my typical course to review, but I was lucky enough to be in Las Vegas on business in Feb 22.My extremely generous hosts for the day had wisely picked Cascata from Top100 as the highest ranked public access course.Arriving uphill by car at the course builds the expectation – when you look back the view across the desert seems endless.Beautiful clear day, and no worse than a 2 club wind.I had shoes and was equipped by the friendly team with a very nice set of rental Callaways and more (just about enough !) balls - good to go!Firstly, the facilities – great team, very chilled, nice menu on the terrace, uphill driving range, it’s going to get harder from here so enjoy !Every group gets a forecaddie at minimum, and ours was fantastic.My only previous forecaddie was at Renaissance (review by link) and I’m now convinced that this is the best way for a group of friends to play an unplayed premium course.There’s no sense of ownership or advantage, and everyone knows that their drive is looked for and what they are supposed to do on each tee or green, even if they fail to do so !Note - this is a buggy only course in the desert – apparently just to travel the 8 and a bit mile cart path without taking a shot would take 1.5 hours, so just accept you’re not walking and enjoy your day.When we played buggies were allowed everywhere, so none of that 90 degree nonsense. Again, all mistakes in clubbing are your own.The greens were pretty receptive and very true but not too quick - my playing partners had some Stimp PTSD from the day before, but this was fun where a putt ran true if you hit it but you weren’t terrified of the one coming back.As to the course, the eponymous Cascata apparently take an hour and a half to appear down on the course after the pumps go on in the morning - this is golf that Old Tom Morris couldn’t spirit into existence with “mair sand”.So despite the fantastic condition and experience, one can’t give a maximum review since the design is up and down ravines which in retrospect are a little samey without the movement of the land from walking the property.And to the game – everyone had some good holes and LOVED the day, but I stabbed a shortish putt on 15th (pretty sure the only bad green of the day) to put myself and my host out of the match.It’s churlish to mention the outlandish handicaps whereby I was giving Dustin Johnson v2 shots, but at this remove even that cannot tarnish the memory of a great day.Invest in the experience - give yourself the day at Cascata and you will have one of your most memorable days of golf.As our forecaddie said “Easily the best course in Vegas, not a gimmick like Wolf Creek” =)

Played today in sunny, blustery weather giving sweeping panoramas and very sporting golf. There was a great flow to the course, springy turf and very fun green sites with super tricky grass bunkers - up there with Berkhamsted, Durness and Church Stretton.Obviously the latter is a point of comparison due to its proximity and altitude.It's invidious, since CS is fitted into a crazy topology and Kington is draped over a hilltop, think of Cuillins Vs Cairngorms.Play both - the views are sensational, as is the sense of antiquity - as with all hilltops in England one is conscious of being the latest in a succession of people drawn to the spot for changing reasons.

What an experience - we played in an intermittent gale when frequent showers that then became persistent rain, prompting us to leave the wet weather shelter by the 12th green allowing us to see that most greens were flooded, and then driving down the path by the 18 th which was a torrent.With the cloud-obscured tops it reminded one of embarking on a Munro in bad conditions, is it going to bed worth it ?Obviously the answer is yes !So, prepare for weather but also for sensational fun and incredible views - the only comparison I can make for the untamed golf is Durness dropped on top of a mountain.While we only played a little over half the course its out and back nature meant we saw all the holes and will definitely be back for a replay.

Played as two three balls after an East Midlands society trip to Sherwood Forest, Oakmere and the mighty Hollinwell, so a high standard to meet.We'd been trying to get to Little Aston for years, with varying levels of encouragement from them, so it was a lovely surprise to find it a welcoming and thriving members' club. The facilities and staff were excellent, and the club exudes quality.Slight aside, but they also have the most fun putting green after the Himalayas, being enthusiastically played by a number of people before lunch who have probably hung up their bags - lovely to see, and something other clubs should consider to keep people involved.So to the course. The course was a little back and forth and up and down for the first eight holes - great condition, but perhaps lacking in drama.After the long 9th par 3 things took off - tree lined 4 iron over heather, we then played around the perimeter with more land movement and challenging obstacles like heather, feature trees, ponds and extravagant cross bunkers.We had a blast and would love to return, but the slightly bland front nine precludes a top ranking.

An excellent venue for a pick up game, or as in our case a Saturday game as society visitors - excellent holes that are in great condition given the footfall, and the homemade pie is as good as they say for your post-round refreshment.A few "Duke of York" holes but it was fast running with true, quick greens. Superior pay and play, extremely friendly staff and members, thumbs up from us.

We played Guadalhorce when on a golf trip to the area (remember those ?!?) also playing at La Cala and we really enjoyed it.The ends of the course do feel constrained by the roads, but the course is good fun in good condition and well worth a game.Also, a chance to spot Sr Jimenez with giant stogie in situ !

Very much of its type, this would be your choice of the last day's golf on a stay and play society trip. Nice enough, and you'll get a worthy weekend winner who can avoid water and out of bounds. The round times works be unamusing if you were just turning up for a havie at the weekend.

As per our illustrious editor's review, a challenging, good, buggy-only course that is indivisible from its host facility. Given the footfall and low cost Ashbury Manor delivers surprisingly good golf, but I inherited the "privilege" of bringing a mixed age Society group of 32 here and not for nothing is it still known as the "Tour From Hell". Ideal if you'd like to brush up on your snooker, art and archery, but if you are looking to socialise outside of a lawn bowls demographic try At Mellion !

Very much of its type, you get a proper game of golf whilst not making much demand on your head or your heart.

Stranraer is the star in a lovely, often neglected corner of Britain. Southerness is a serious but dour Championship challenge, Powfoot a hybrid members course, and Portpatrick very superior holiday golf. Throw in Kirkcudbright, the under rated Brighouse Bay (Wigtown yet to play) and the town courses and you've a superb mini break location before heading across to Northern Ireland or up to Turnberry and the Kilbrides.

Based on a few rounds a little while ago, and reading more recent reviews, the Carrick is an enjoyable game once you've got the boggy, slow early holes out of the way. The back nine is lots of fun Portugal style threading between large hooses and the loch before finishing under the gaze of health club members in their hot tubs. Certainly the only converted boat halfway house I've had the pleasure to visit ! Until its illustrious neighbour realises in which country it resides and offers respectful visitors a game, this is the best golf before the Highlands or Islands, depending on your itinerary.

Played Tain a couple of years ago in an Open whilst up in early season staying in nearby, peerless, Dornoch. The course was in great nick on a bright, sunny day so I believe we saw it at its best. There are only a few holes that spring to mind, including "Dolly Parton" named by our accompanying member for its spectacles bunkers on the approach, and a few anachronistic holes on flatter ground in the middle of the round. Definitely worth a round, but certainly ranked correctly. In many other areas Tain would be a star, but here it's in the chorus.

Grantown is definitely worth a game whilst enjoying the glory of the Highlands, the quiet town has a restrained charm like the golf course - a few highlights, but on the whole just an enjoyable relaxing short stay in a lovely place.Take more details from other, better reviewers, but it's ranked about right for me - whilst in the area, definitely play Spey Valley and Boat first in that order.

Good resort golf in very good condition, the course is an excellent place to base a society for goswick, bamburgh and the other local courses. The course has some nice sea views on the back nine, the tumbledown par 5 seventeenth probably the most memorable hole with the village course always a threat out of bounds right and lovely sea backdrop. Some of the par 4's are tough to reach in 2, and the greens have enough movement to make you work for your scores. The 18th finishes in front of the very comfortable club house which has lovely gardens to explore.

Very enjoyable, traditional, unassuming links golf in what seems to be standard conditions of burnt turf and howling wind. Exceptional value playing at 2 pm, Seacroft reminded us of Seaton Carew with touches of Westward Ho ! The in parts unfortunately desiccated ground definitely detracted from the aesthetic experience but the holes to and around the turn are brilliant, and all times the greens were tough to read but quick and true with never an oscillating ball or untrue roll. Would love to revisit after the course has benefited from some overdue benign weather.

Having read the varying recent reviews I'm glad to say we loved The Addington, although very tired after carrying clubs and being used to seaside golf.Some of the fairways have clearly struggled with the recent hot dry Summers, a hazard of heathland courses, but they had preferred lies so no great loss.Very friendly welcome from the excellent staff, and good COVID management.The course itself starts slowly but from the 7th onwards (beautiful natural dell green) the golf is brilliant. Reminds me in places of Sunningdale Old, Crowborough and Hindhead - ie sporting, traditional golf with lots of elevation changes.If the conditioning was right it would be a five ball course.

Not up there with the High, but still good golf and a lovely club.

Newquay divides opinion amongst our Society like no other course.I think it's great fun, excellent value holiday golf with superb views and fun features like the slit trenches taking people to the beautiful beach.

West Herts gives a fun, sporting game of traditional golf making the most of the nice terrain in pretty Cassiobury park. A marked contrast to The Grove, its nearest neighbour, highly recommended if in the area.

King Island Golf & Bowling Club was a great bonus en route from Cape Wickham to the airport for the short hop back to Launceston.
It's maintained by volunteer members who clearly know their course - I played in the height of Summer with <img src="/images/king-island-golf-course-review-KINI001.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" alt="King Island Golf Course - Photo by reviewer" title="King Island Golf Course - Photo by reviewer"> a drying Easterly so some seaside fairways were a bit bare, but all of the holes were tremendous fun with echoes of classic holes from GB&I.
Greens were excellent, but a couple embarrassed me badly with wind and contour - I quickly went from playing under handicap after 4 to hoping to staunch the flow of shots by the end.
Extremely friendly, interested staff and members, and reading the local paper the recent medal (back page headline !) was won with 2 under net by a 6 handicap player in stronger winds than those that I experienced - chapeau !

Ocean Dunes is a real challenge in top condition, with some excellent holes, superb location (would be hard not to be on King Island ! ) and the friendly helpful team of David and Tara who thankfully advised me to play by buggy; the swooping terrain, strong <img src="/images/ocean-dunes-golf-course-review-OCEE015.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" alt="Ocean Dunes Golf Course - Photo by reviewer" title="Ocean Dunes Golf Course - Photo by reviewer"> wind and long transitions would be an extreme walk.
I played in an atypical Easterly, thus many of the holes were different to envisaged by the designers - one of the greens is a fescue Pringle that I was unable to hold with any club including putter. Typically the back nine is harder, but my split was 11/20 points - wind is an ever present here !
Loads of spectacular shots and greens, imaginative holes and a very comfortable 19th hole (excellent sausage rolls and pies !) mean you must play here if you make the pilgrimage to King Island.

I loved the whole King Island experience, and Cape Wickham is clearly the pick of the golf - one of the best new courses I've played, and staying there is golf heaven.
The whole of the west coast of King Island could be made into quality links golf (think Royal Aberdeen/Murcar * 20), with inland areas also begging for a Sand Hills development, but sadly the isolation mitigates against this ! I played Cape Wickham in an unusual 4 club easterly wind - I learnt that you never move cows on KI during an easterly <img src="/images/cape-wickham-golf-course-review-CAPW018.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" alt="Cape Wickham Golf Course - Photo by reviewer" title="Cape Wickham Golf Course - Photo by reviewer"> since they are completely disorientated, and I felt the same. For a golfer of my mediocre ability downwind greens were extremely hard to hold or run onto, and upwind par 4 and 5's were murderous.
As a new course something I loved was that the first cut rough was also fescue, giving tufty transitions that one typically associates with historic courses - most of the new courses down here seem to have marram waiting very close to the fairway, like Trump Aberdeen.
There are more classic seaside and dunes holes here than you can shake a stick at, many of which would be signature elsewhere, and I won't attempt to better the comprehensive hole by hole reviews here.
I'll just say that John Geary and his team are doing an amazing job here with a relatively small team producing a unique stay and play destination for quality links golf on a lovely island deserving its place on golfing bucket lists.
As an aside, if you do go into the deep rough it contains snakes, like the chilled out copperhead I met on a path on the back nine; I'd started to ignore the "snakes seen here" signs to look for balls, but rough was strictly water hazard from then on !

Lost Farm is a quality, fun seaside course but one that suffers by comparison to its older sibling. If visiting Barnbougle I would recommend playing Lost Farm first followed by the Dunes. Lost Farm has a few flatter holes that transition around the course, a shortage of truly memorable holes, plus voracious horse flies (at least in February) that made parts of the back nine a hurried affair. Several of the holes are outstanding, such as 5-8 & 13-15 but I feel that there are a few too many samey holes for its lofty ranking. A special mention should go to Randy, an American top 100 bagger, who I caught then joined up with for the last few holes to avoid being stationary fly fodder - his poet caddy Stan was absolutely outstanding value and representative of a superb location for links golf in the Northern winter.

Barnbougle Dunes is an ideal modern golf resort. Ground game links golf in a beautiful location, walking only, very friendly team, reasonable green fees and superbly functional onsite accommodation with good value food and drink. And kangaroos.They've taken the best elements of other modern commercial golf operations and added a Tasmanian twist to produce a brilliant facility.The turf is excellent, the sweeping bay is beautiful and reminiscent of royal dornoch, and the course itself is challenging in the ever present breeze without being unfair.Nice mix of long and short par 4’s, fun green sites often with significant run offs but always recoverable, usually puttable.If you put Castle Stuart in Balmedie it would be a lot like Barnbougle Dunes – natural dunesland with fatal rough, but set a way back and the focus on fun not ego. A couple of minor points would be that I dislike rough mounds in the middle of the fairway as at 8 – guaranteed to be my only straight drive, and that the hole separation is lost at 12, an elevated short 4 like at Eden Course doubling back to the short 13th.All in all though, as you finish the excellent 18th you just want to go out again.As I write this beer in hand watching the shadows lengthening from my terrace, a wombat just walked past before ambling across the practice green, with kangaroos nibbling the ninth fairway. A great links golf experience.

A decent quality and value pay and play course, good for societies and corporate groups (hence can be busy) in very pretty countryside.Some nice mature trees, the garden and rockery can come into play on the last, and the elevated loop that comprises the bulk of the back nine has some nice holes with drop offs if off line. A reasonable choice if in a larger group, or looking for a game at the weekend when members' courses in the area tend to be hard to get on.

Fairmont St Andrew's Bay is an excellent option when in town for something a bit different or when other courses are busy, and Kittocks is probably the pick of the 2 courses onsite. More seaside feel and variety than the Torrance, there's generally a good value game to be had here within a short ride from St Andrews itself.

Gil Hanse has done a very good job with the land that he was given, and while it's impossible not to be aware of the flat location Craighead is a very good golf course. Personally though, I'm not a huge fan of "strategic" seaside courses where the shots you have to play are felt to be more important than the environment and golfing experience. The cliffside holes are beautiful, the old walls are interesting, and the overall quality is excellent at a great club. If it were anywhere else I would probably rate Craighead more highly than I do. It's definitely worth making an effort to play but one can't escape the feeling that there are more fun courses to play within a very short drive (or even a walk over the entrance road.)

It's been a few years since I played here, but it is as fresh as if it were yesterday and I'm sure it hasn't changed ! They certainly couldn't build them like this any more - it's on a very narrow strip of land, and with the number of would-be dolphin watchers making their way down the beach or peninsula the number of nearby civilians is only rivalled by the old layout at Nefyn. Superb friendly fun, it's a quick round with lots of trouble if you go offline, the condition is great, you can putt from anywhere, and it's nice to see Castle Stuart and Fort George across the Moray Firth.

I'm surprised at some of the low rankings for Balcomie. It's definitely not a championship length course, but if I think of fun rounds of golf I've had on a traditional links in a lovely out of the way location I can't think of many that beat Crail. I played again this Spring, and whilst a couple of holes away from the sea are a bit humdrum they are still fun, and the good holes are great. Add in a cave where a Scottish King was reputedly killed by vikings (he wasn't), its being the supposed home of Shivas Irons in "Golf in the Kingdom" (it might have been) and you've got a brilliant place for a game (make a day off it when combined with the Craighead course). Its new-found popularity overseas does mean that it's more pricey than it used to be, but Crail is a special part of the East Neuk.

St Nicholas is a quality, very enjoyable Links course and fits in nicely with a trip to the nearby star attractions. It's nice to have fun on a shorter, traditional links, with a more affordable and less taxing day in between the highlights. In some ways the course mirrors that - the highlights come at the start and finish of the round. However, this works well in that you can relax a little in the middle of the round but still finish on a high - much better than uneven quality nines, or weak start and finish as with so many Links where the architect had to get you out to the golfing ground.

Torrance feels slight in the shade of Kittocks - slightly less memorable, although perfectly enjoyable clifftop links golf in good condition with some nice views. St Andrew's Bay is a very good facility, an easy taxi ride from St Andrews, and well setup for visiting Societies - weekend golf can be difficult to organise at courses with club competitions. Good deals to be had for both courses whilst staying at the comfortable hotel. Green to tees can be a little lengthy, for a change we took golf boards last time which was great fun.

An excellent complement to its neighbouring Lundin Links, to which it feels like the artisan club. Leven is unpretentious and a little rougher round the edges, but offers excellent natural, traditional Links golf and very friendly hospitality from either of the attached clubs. Feels quite tight sometimes with some narrow blind shots, plenty of gorse, burns and other natural landform hazards to keep you on your toes. As per the main article, the 18th is a brute of a hole and you will be pleased to score on it. Will be returning this Summer.

I've played the Castle Course a couple of times, post-reshaping, both individually and as part of a Society, and it was great and popular both times despite one day being extremely cold, wet and windy (ah, July in Scotland !). Feels like the "biggest" course in the area, rather than Duke's, and you'll be required to hit some staunch shots to get onto the still fun greens in regulation. Eye catching clifftop holes on the way in on both 9's with lovely, unusual views of St Andrews, but the inland holes are equally strong. Top quality clubhouse and outstanding yet friendly service, I would happily return despite all the options in the area.

Another average Vilamoura course - perfectly fine for Societies, but not a destination to "tick off".

Like its siblings, perfectly acceptable for a society golf trip - the shuttle buses etc all work well from a few hotels - but not a destination for a two or four ball. Slow, sometimes poor condition, uninspiring golf.

To concur with other reviewers, this is perfectly acceptable entry level resort golf, but nothing to get excited about.

In an ideal World for your first visit to Gleneagles you wouldn't have to choose between Brawn and Beauty, and you'd play both Kings and Queens. Complementary in nature, they make a brilliant 36 hole destination particularly if you can spend the night at the hotel (yes 36 - we won't mention the drive thru 18 on the other side of the road !) The Queen's has some very satisfying holes around the hillside, and the way the course wends its way through a valley to its conclusion is beautiful and memorable.

Southerness is a perfect embodiment of lovely Dumfries & Galloway; overlooked, somewhat plain to look at but genuine, friendly, good value and not afflicted by the same volume of golf or motor traffic as further up the coast. It's a classic flat links, in a rustic location, with peaceful views across to the Lakes and the course itself is top quality. We've made great extended trips in the past including other less-travelled courses like Powfoot, Brighouse Bay, Kirkcudbright, Stranraer and Portpatrick and have always had a superb time and courses pretty much to ourselves. A great area to explore.

Gullane #2 is an excellent course in its own right, and the first of the 3 that i played, but having played #1 and #3 subsequently the rankings are correct. #2 is like #1 but less so. More ordinary opening and closing, more gentle slopes, flatter up at the top. Still a superb course with excellent greens - if you are hitting it well you will love the course, and will need every club in the bag with the inevitable wind. Great value too, although as a miffed reviewer notes you don't use the main clubhouse, but the alternative is fine and friendly. With the difference in price and accessiblity between them, it's a toss up which I would play next.

I'm lucky to have played the New quite a few times now - locals prefer it since the Old is too busy and slow, and the Jubilee and Castle are tricked up. Much quicker greens that you expect, and you can have a blast and a quick round. Some great golf, particularly around the turn on the Eden estuary, and the backdrop to the run for home reminds you that you are at St Andrews and about to have a very nice and long lunch ! Already booked for Summer 2020.

#1 is a superb course, surprisingly hilly, with top quality fun golf. From the gentle opener, to the very tricky uphill holes that get you to the top of the hill, then round and back and forth until it's time to come back down the hill and a gentle finish. What fun ! Fantastic views, great condition with true greens, and some truly memorable shots and moments. Clearly the best of the 3, but don't miss the other 2, good courses and great fun in their own ways and much cheaper and more accessible, but with the same quality upkeep and no airs and graces.

Prestwick is one of my favourite Links courses, where the old cliche "they don't make 'em like this any more" is probably truer than any other essentially flat Championship Links. From the stressful first which gets narrower and narrower, to completely blind par 3's, humungous bunkers, greens hard up against water to playing onto a green seemingly from the wrong direction - there are many things that should make you hate Prestwick but you come off smiling and wanting to go round again. The history is obviously amazing, and do have a bit of a read up before going - "Tommy's Honour" would be a good start. You are able to work out where the old first was when Prestwick was 12 holes - 578 yards in those days, and Young Tom Morris got a 3 in 1870 with hickory and gutta percha - stupendous. Great conditioning even in shoulder season, this friendly club is a rare treat.

A tremendously fun course woven into beautiful scenery, but it's a real test. Each time I've played King 's it's felt harder: you've got everything here with blind drives and approaches, long par 4's, drivable par 4's etc, but the 18th is one of those annoying holes where the whites are only a little way back but a par 5. The hotel is up there with Turnberry and The Old Course, and the twilight rate is amongst the best value to be had.

A newish course, some quite long green to free transits, lots of water and sea views but no seaside holes so not really my kind of course, but a fun relaxing fairly quick game when set alongside its siblings, and worth a go on those terms. Greens and general upkeep were good, elevation changes keep you on your toes and you'll use every club in the bag - but you'd better be hitting your driver straight.

A perfect afternoon of seaside golf; cloudless skies but not too hot, and a tremendously fun and scenic golf course. The benign and forgiving sibling of West Cliffs shouldn't be overlooked, mistakes are more likely to be punished with a bogey rather than a <img src="/images/praia-del-rey-golf-course-review-PRAA046.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" alt="Praia D'El Rey Golf Course - Photo by reviewer" title="Praia D'El Rey Golf Course - Photo by reviewer"> blob, so worth keeping score not just playing matchplay. Nice variety of holes, full par fives, and quick receptive greens.
 "Seaweed smells from sandy caves
And thyme and mist in whiffs,
In-coming tide, Atlantic waves
Slapping the sunny cliffs,
Unidentified local birdsong and sea sounds in the air
And splendour, splendour everywhere..."

Played Penina a few years ago now, so can't comment on current condition, but it's a superior resort course, longer than many Algarve courses with a more English style layout. She long walks green to tee, so would probably buggy it if visiting again. Nice resort to stay and play, with more other local courses to play away from the madding crowds in the Vilamoura area.

Played yesterday in perfect conditions and we were still beaten up by this beautiful, but uncompromising course. We buggied the 55 tees, and would follow an earlier tip to play the par 3 off the 59's. Not only are they wedge/9 irons, but are shot holes which as the donor I find infuriating ! It would be walkable, and we've walked similar layouts like Monte Rei, but a few times we were glad we had the buggy. <img src="/images/west-cliffs-golf-course-review-WESL032.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" alt="West Cliffs Golf Course - Photo by reviewer" title="West Cliffs Golf Course - Photo by reviewer"> Not walking, with circuitous paths, did make finding errant shots even more difficult, and there will be errant shots - first time up it's not clear where to hit, and knowing that missing the (generous) fairways will result in a lost ball allows gremlins to surface. Cynthia Dye has followed the Colonel Sanders approach of finding a unique blend of bushes and plants to make finding a golf ball almost impossible. We were warned that 4.5 hours was the norm, but we played through a couple of groups and finished in 4 hours. No great hardship in such beautiful surroundings, the course and scenery are as spectacular as you'll play anywhere, in perfect weather too. The greens were quick and fun, and only the 4th (?) was a bit bonkers. Lots of houses being built along the first, so enjoy the natural beauty while you can !

We played yesterday, based in the very pretty coastal town of Sesimbra 40 mins away, and Aroeira 2 is a strong course that could do with a little TLC in the bunkers and trees. Front nine more straight forward, but the back nine builds very nicely and the 16/17/18 closing stretch is excellent. The 17th in particular is a very good looking long par 4 that wouldn't be out of place on a top Surrey track.

Once we heard of Trump's plans we visited Balmedie on a Scottish golf trip to see what the fuss was all about. What a location ! We were very excited to see what would result, and the result is a mixed bag. It's undeniably impressive, but misses the fun factor of new courses like Castle Stuart and Spey Valley. Having the largest putting green in Europe, plus taking you on an odyssey through The Great Dunes Of Scotland (TM), is obviously a positive but one can't help but feel that it could have been the best new course in Scotland.

Vila Sol was in reasonable condition last weekend, and an ok venue for a society outing, but a very typical resort course where it's hard to lose a golf ball in a worthy, but ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to keep up pace of play.

Played today in pleasant sunny weather, a very enjoyable game of golf until we ran into the back of s Scandi golf tour that apparently required people missing putting out from a foot. Good condition, tightish turf, and some nice holes but like all forest courses for me it's hard to place all the holes due to lack of external context. Worth a game, for sure.

We played yesterday en route from the Algarve to Sesimbra and really enjoyed our game. Nice low key club, with some nice sea views early and late on, good upkeep and in parts linksy turf and greens and artfully deployed waste areas. Reminded me a little of the middle of Formby for its tree lined links holes. The 17th is a delightful par 3 that felt like being in Devon or Cornwall. I do wish RTJ had left more holes with ground options - it's frustrating as a first time player when a truly hit tee shot is partially blocked by a tree and you can't run the ball up instead. They could get rid of some bunkers and trees too to emphasise the simple beauty of the setting. The course is compact thus a bit samey for a top rating, but it's challenging, good golf and a memorable day when combined with the ferry trip.

Stayed and played with a Society group, and ideal for such a trip with Interesting greens, elevation changes and good upkeep but like most resort courses most holes don't really stick in the mind

Played the other day as part of a society, and it's ideal for that market - difficult to lose a ball but enough variety to keep the interest with elevation changes and nicely framed tee shots. Easily walkable, and excellent greens - receptive but quick. However as with all resort courses, I wish they would have rangers to keep slower groups moving.

As others have noted, with the variety in the area Val de Lobo is showing its age. It's compromised by the patchwork quilt effect of the golf holes crammed into the developments. The 16th is fun and beautiful, but it feels tacked on. Worth a game but no longer in the top courses of the area.

I've played Carnoustie a number of times, and it can be an absolute brute. Great opener, beastly second and it goes from there right through to the famously exacting final three holes.Some houses border the course at the far end, but otherwise it's a surprisingly natural Links for such a famous course. Walk back to the Championship 18th tee and thank God you'll never need to thread a drive between the OOB and the Barry Burn with the World watching !Visiting tips - If you get your dates right you can play the full course without mats at the Winter rate, and excellent packages are available with Montrose, Monifieth and Panmure staying at the course hotel.

Bramshaw offers great value golf in a beautiful, unspoilt location with a very friendly club with excellent home made food making it an excellent Society venue. I've played the Forest Course a number of times, most recently in the hot and dry Summer of 2019.Recommended to check in at the club then drive the short hop to the course car park.Since this is protected common land the course has the minimum possible impact other than true, quick greens. Whilst not everyone's cup of tea, i find it charming with some classic lie of the land holes across rolling open terrain shared with horses, cows, walkers and a cricket pitch ! As our helpful starter pointed out, if you can't see the ground ahead there's a stream there...great fun, and a pleasure to support a true community club.

Reddish Vale is a really good golf course, with fine turf, good greens, some very challenging shots and a great variety of holes. Once you tee off you have no idea that you are so close to a major and expanding city. The first five holes play on the clubhouse level, including the very enjoyable first with a chasm to avoid, before a heroic tee shot on the downhill 6th followed by holes on the river level finishing with a strongly uphill approach to the 18th green. The river certainly was in play on some holes for our group this week ! One needs to be driving well to bring the par 5's into range which still have very challenging approach shots, and the par 3's require precision whilst still having gathering areas to aim at. Highly recommended, and a very friendly clubhouse with good food reflecting a quality, value place for a game of golf.

Played as a party of 12 yesterday and had a superlative day in glorious sunshine. Not a lot to add to the recent reviews, but the combination of fine undulating ground, blooming heather, exciting golf, tough fun greens and some of the best presentation I've ever seen is hard to beat. It certainly doesn't feel short, and they've worked within the compact parcel really well, but there inevitably isn't the isolated man vs elements feeling of a Sunningdale or a few longer par. 4's. That aside it's hard to think of many things that could be improved, it's clearly a thriving club that welcomes visitors. From the helpful staff to our volunteer greeter, nothing was too much trouble. Would love to go back, and would join in an instant if in the area.

Played this Spring as part of a very reasonable deal, and really enjoyed the changes to what was already an excellent course. The holes around the turn are completely different, and the new 9th is possibly the most exhilarating hole on both courses - a brilliant job, with a good drive setting up a real death or glory long iron approach shot from a cambered fairway with cove and gorse threatening left. Much closer in quality to the Ailsa than previously, but still a few too many similar flat gorse-lined gentle doglegs. Possibly the best stay and play 36 hole destination.

Having played Ailsa a number of times before, and having walked it whilst under reconstruction, we were of course very excited to play here on a very reasonable shoulder season deal in the Spring.Much is made of the fact that every hole has been changed, but I didnt really notice much change in many of the holes other than they are a bit "more so" than before, but fundamentally recognisable. Those that aren't are the new tees on the 6th (which I actually preferred previously !), and then round the turn with the new 9th which, a great, tough par 3 and the best halfway house in golf, 10th with its fantastic new green site and eradicated stupid doughnut bunker and the exciting new 11th over the rocks. All in all, they've made it even better, but a couple of the less exciting holes early in the back 9 seem plainer than before by contrast. A superb course and facility, and along with Portrush the most exciting, fun Open venue on the rota..

We'd always wanted to visit Spey Bay, and are very glad we finally made it ! We played yesterday in breezy sunshine for a reduced winter rate, reflected in temporary tees, but not the greens which were excellent. Sadly only a couple of them were the squares of legend, but they and the surrounds ran very true and quick. Apart from the slightly confusing 7/8/9/10 loop (all great holes) this is a natural routing that has a couple of fiendish green sites on the way back in. The course reminded us a little of Minehead, Goodman and Fortrose and Rosemarkie in its layout. Many of the aforementioned tees seem to be under construction, I'd be keen to hear if they get finished this year since this is potentially a very strong, rather than charming, course.. As an aside, there has been speculation in the past about the club, but their Seniors section is clearly thriving from what we saw ! Well worth a trip of looking for a fun, quick, good value game whilst taking on the local heavyweights.

Eight years have passed since our first game and review at Spey Valley and it is great to see the course having matured so well. We haven't, so took a buggie, which was a good call except that it conked out on the 17th - it may still be out there ! The first was much better than I recalled, and from then on it's a superb experience, stunning scenery along and above the Spey, springy turf and sporting, fun golf. We played an attenuated Boat of Garten yesterday, and once again are reminded of the familial resemblance. Dave Thomas was given a great location here, and he's come up with a classic. Despite the expected bumpy, early season greens, this was a top quality golfing experience. Buggies recommended, you can focus on the scenery not the path in front of you !

We played Kilspindie two days ago on a sunny day in a 2 club westerly breeze straight down 2 & 3 with the beach hard right (OOB here rather than a water hazard as at North Berwick the previous day) so a real challenge to start! This is a traditional links with tight turf, elevation changes, true greens and fantastic views of Arthur's Seat, the Forth bridges and snow covered mountains beyond. As you putt out on the last you certainly won't feel it was too short. Would definitely return, and echo a previous reviewer that this would be an ideal intro to Links novices to see what all the fuss is about without having to take on the bigger siblings nearby.

I've played the Eden several times now, and to echo the other reviewers it would be foolish to overlook what is the best value course in the Town - on a fine day, it's an ideal second round after one of its bigger siblings.It's certainly a brilliant taste of St Andrews for a group of mixed ability - a quick round, some fun green complexes, ground game opportunities but not so long and narrow that you don't have a chance to score if you don't nail it off the tee (unless you develop a block on the back 9, from personal experience !).

We played Wick several years ago, but I remember it very clearly, which is clearly a good sign. Like many links it's much better than it appears from the road as you drive in.As per other reviews, the outward 9 is on flatter inland terrain with quite a bit of moss on the first few holes that were to be targeted in the future.After 8 holes going straight north, the par 3 9th "Tern" takes you to the dunes, and then it all kicks off.There are a run of tees in the dunes that remind one a little of RCP and Royal Aberdeen with testing drives, albeit with a scenic large rusting shipwreck on the beach when we played which I can't see in any photos or mentioned in reviews, so maybe it's been removed or I imagined it !The round went by too quickly and we had a great post round drink with a couple of members who were somewhat startled to find visitors (this is before the North Coast 500). There's not much other golf in the vicinity, and incorporated with visits to John o'Groats and Duncansby Head it's a great day out from Dornoch through some of the starkest scenery to be found in Britain.

A friend is a member at Whitley Bay so we have been lucky to have played several times.It's a very friendly club in a nice town with good pace of play.The course is a fun challenge with good greens, and the elevation changes give some difficult tee shots up to raised fairways or to greens that are benched into slopes. Several holes have been reworked in recent years which has added to the experience.With Bamburgh Castle, Dunstanburgh, Seahouses and Goswick the Northumberland coast is a good quality, excellent value place to play golf.

Played with a society and we found it very playable and great fun. The part where you play alongside and under a flyover is a bit strange, but other than that we really enjoyed it, particularly the uphill 9th and 18ths that finish under the very comfortable terrace.Excellent staff, and much more fun than the Faldo.

I'm evidently a little out of tune with the other reviewers here, but I didn't really enjoy my two rounds on the Faldo in October.We were visiting as a society, and whilst the course appears to have everything I would like in a course from reading in advance, in practice I found it very short of fun.I wasn't driving that well, and if you find yourself in that position prepare for a beasting and quite a few lost balls !The greens weren't in great nick, it certainly was very slow, buggies are absolutely required (including a weird green-to-tee few minutes on a post apocalyptic abandoned road for yet more unbuilt condos), and with so many upturned saucer greens it was very poor that the first fringe was shaggy meadow grass, making recovery shots extremely difficult.A real shame, because with a bit more room off the tee and less trouble on some of the long approach shots, there were some fun looking holes. I just didn't get to putt on most of them !

Very happy to see Glencruitten on the site ! An ideal place to play if en route from Machrihanish, The Machrie or Arran to the more numerous delights of the Highlands. We played in late Spring for a pittance, so didn't begrudge the damp conditions, and as always in out of the way Scotland we received a great welcome. Super fun, you'll get more exercise per yard than any other golf course other than Stewart Island, and don't forget some seafood on the harbour before heading North or South.

We were lucky enough to play St George's Hill on the beautiful May Bank Holiday. It's a private club, but I must mention Secretary Gary Peddie who was very helpful in assisting our visit. From the drive through the exclusive private estate to the last putt, the whole experience was tremendous. For any fans of the peerless PG Wodehouse golf stories, I can't imagine a better template for its nameless club than SGH. One expected to find the Oldest Member on the well appointed terrace with his labrador, gazing across the lovely heathland golf course watching the progress of the Wrecking Crew down the first opining "Golf (resumed the Oldest Member) is the Great Mystery." The lovely touch of prize lists being painted on the stone columns of the stunning club house is most atmospheric. And to the golf - the first and tenth both have elevated tees and challenging drives in opposite directions from the Starter's hut, and the fun doesn't stop until you return back to the club house with tricky raised approaches. There are sensational views and vistas, surprising changes in elevation and brilliant conditioning. We were told that the club is aiming to move back towards Colt's original design, so would love to make a return visit including the Green 9 (which is also being improved) to see how they go ! A brilliant experience.

Played in beautiful May sunshine, what a great, fun golf course. We had whipped around the New ahead of schedule, so were able to have a quick very pleasant lunch on the terrace and then get away earlier than scheduled, assisted by the friendly pro shop. The Old is very much in the classic style, with much sportier golf than the New, some heroic elevated tee shots, tough par 3's and and blind shots. We agreed that the course was unique in our experience in that the stunning neighbouring houses actually enhanced the experience - lifestyles of the rich and famous ! There really wasn't a weak hole on the course, other than potentially 1 and 18 as with the New, but having putted out we enjoyed a nice light tea on the terrace, followed by a couple of beers watching the shadows lengthen over the stunning view. Certainly not cheap, but unlike some others they are very welcoming to those who have dug deep to be there, including a welcome sign listing all visiting golfers. Probably my favourite day of golf to date.

The New was the first course of our day at Sunningdale which was an exceptional experience in every way. We had an early start after checking in our handicap certificates at the frinedly pro shot and enjoying a very nice bacon roll and cup of tea.We teed off into a rising Sun and with dew on the fairway it was tough to see where the ball went, but an atmospheric start even if the hole is somewhat pedestrian with the aforementioned leyandii partially shielding the practice ground. Once through the first the course really took off, and after some very nice heather and woodland holes I finally had the answer to a question I've often asked myself as I go down the M3 past Fleet Services "I wonder what's in there, that looks nice". Heaven lurks just the other side of the gorse - I was unprepared for the sheer scale and land movement of the New after only seeing the Old on TV. The heathland is huge, with stunning views, and room for another wondrous golf course or more. As one would expect, the course was in superb condition, very good greens and fantastic fun golf even if the heather got a bit of a battering. Like many Links courses, the 1st and 18th are the weakest holes and feel like a means of getting you out into the landscape. That aside, a tremendous course and a very contrasting companion that you definitely should play if you are also playing the Old; it's not too hard walking to do the 36, particularly if you play in nice weather - we were walking on air.

A little more variety than the North, the round takes a little time to get going but a very strong closing to the course.Pace of play wasn't bad considering the volume on the course, definitely superior to many Algarve courses.Just below San Lorenzo, but the best 36 hole destination in the Algarve for strong golf on a beautiful course in good condition and excellent greens..

We really enjoyed both Quinta do Lago courses, easily walking both in the day unlike Val do Lobo which really requires buggies.A lovely place to play golf, with bowl fairways encouraging you to really rip fairway woods on a couple of par 5's, and the trees stopping your ball and allowing play from the needles if you stray wide.Like the South just a bit below San Lorenzo, but a great day's golf.

I played Royal Hobart on a driving and golf trip to lovely Tasmania and had a great day. Unlike some other Royal courses I could name, they were were very welcoming to an individual visitor sorting me out with clubs and a playing partner. This was helpful since this is a difficult course, and best lines of play weren't always obvious. When I return to Tasmania to play the new big name courses I'll definitely return to Royal Hobart.

I played "Shirley", as it's known locally, before the earthquake and had a tremendous day at a friendly course, certainly more enjoyable than some of the more modern courses nearby. One note of caution, try to ensure your tee time doesn't coincide with large parties of visitors which can lead to a slow game. The pro shop helped me with this, but as the incredible range of branded products in the pro shop showed it's a very popular course for visitors.

I found myself in Invercargill with a spare afternoon before a trip to fantastic Stewart Island (which has the most fun and arduous 6 hole golf course imaginable) and enquired about a game here. They couldn't have been more helpful, and I enjoyed a quick run round. As noted by other reviewers, it's not a sporting course, but you can open your shoulders and there is definitely enough here for a fun game of golf in a lovely area.

I played stunning Kelvin Heights on a driving/golf trip to NZ (highly recommended !) several years ago, so can't comment on current condition. However it lives the longest in my memory. I played on a lovely sunny day, The Remarkables looking close enough to touch, and had a tremendously fun game of golf. The course was quiet, so I was free to take plenty of photos and enjoy the clear air and sporting golf. There was plenty of variety, but for me the picturesque lake front holes with risk reward lines of play are the most memorable. There aren't many places where you can paraglide in the morning to check out the course from above, then play in the afternoon as I did! Friendly KH would be the first course I return to when I make it back to New Zealand.

Great fun links golf in a beautiful location, excellent variety in superb condition for this early in the season. On our way back from the North West (sob !) to spend the night in Donabate before our early ferry, it was a beautiful evening so called by at 5 pm to see if we could race the Sun home. The excellent team of pros couldn't have been more helpful, and out we went onto a very quiet course. The club has obviously invested in the course and its surrounds, a huge swathe of turf around the first and a nice waste area next to 8 th tee. The opening string of par 4s are strong, traditional holes along dune valleys, fun green sitings, and tremendous condition greens and run offs allowing creativity in one's recovery shots. By far the best turf we've seen in 2 weeks in Ireland, the fairways are like carpet. I had a bit of an " Uh oh" moment looking at the flatter 10th and 11th, but the green complexes are excellent, and then the dunes recommence for a very strong finish. I do agree with other reviewers ref the narrow par 4, but it's still fun and 14 - 18 are as tough as any finish. We got round in 3 hrs and we treated to a beautiful setting sun casting long shadows in the rippling fairways, and the dell green on the outstanding long 15, with as Bernard Darwin would say much "pleasurable anticipation" of seeing where one's first 2 shots had finally alighted in the swooping fairway. A pink full moon rising above the Sea set the seal on a magical round of golf that will live long in the memory and fittingly brought to a close a fantastic trip to North West Ireland which deserves to be compared to the Scottish Highlands as a good value golf and scenic destination.

Played yesterday, the amazing scenery en route and at the course make it a fun experience and a good way to break up the trip East or South from the brilliant Connemara Links. We played yesterday on a lovely sunny day and enjoyed the game, but stopped at 9. The course is very wet at present, and whilst one doesn't expect a manicured experience at a course like this, the fairways were very mossy making it a heavy walk. The holes on the island are the pick, and great fun in lovely surroundings, and no doubt later in the season when the friendly team is able to do some maintenance it would play well.

Connemara is a good, long, fun links in a spectacular location. Getting there may be involved but it's definitely worth the trip, and nearby Clifden is a charming town. The drive from similarly nice Westport is one of the best we've done, remenescent of Rannoch Moor, although if anything quieter. The greens were the best we've played on in 2 weeks, and the lack of sand dunes was a pleasant reduction in stress. The fairways are fairly generous, which is just as well since every non par 3 was a driver off the tee. We are definitely glad we made the trip, one of the very best courses in NW Ireland.

Belmullet is miles from anywhere, but any links lover definitely needs to make the trip - Carne is stunning, and unlike other "golf porn" courses, if anything the photos don't do credit to the amazing topography. The dunes may be higher at Enniscrone, but their use is more varied at Carne. The overall quality of a Dunes Links experience often rests on the holes on the perimeter. Carne's flatter landward holes still have plenty of good golf around dunes, including the 12th requiring a strong drive drawing around the dune then another well hit approach into the wind with a bad drop off to the right with OOB waiting a tentative shot. There are some farm views to the North, similar to RCD back 9, but then supplanted by glorious sea and beach views at 13. The quality continues through to the notoriously hard 17th (cavernous drop offs left and right of the fairway) and then the 18th with its huge dip short of the green. Very good front nine, but one of best back 9's we've played. Recommended to stay in Belmullet, one of the nicest and friendliest villages we've been in so far, with a great play and stay deal at the excellent Drum Caoin B&B, and beers at McDonnell's bar run by the irrepressible Padroig. Not for nothing is its nickname "The Lobster Pot" since it's so hard to get out once you're in ! Will definitely come back again when the extra 9 is in play, those holes look other worldly !

A round at Enniscrone is a great experience, and if you can see the dune holes in the evening as the sun sets it's one of the most beautiful courses I've seen. Coming at the tail end of a tour that includes Ballyliffin, Rosapenna and Strandhill, the dunes at the West end of the course are still jaw dropping and the biggest we've ever seen. The dune holes twist and turn with elevation changes and scary drives in the ever present wind, and there are very challenging par 3's. The team are friendly and helpful, especially Keith in the office who dealt with our Atlantic Links Pass booking (excellent deal with Co Sligo and Strandhill) with great patience whose twin we met at Rosses Point. Sadly the greens are in a bit of a state at the moment which always takes the edge off, and the flat landward holes, whilst better golf than equivalents elsewhere, disrupted the flow. They certainly have lots of weather in this part of the world, thankfully we watched most of the heavy showers miss us to left and right, but definitely pack for all contingencies. Would love to return later in the season when the greens would be recovered, but I'd be scared if the rough got up !

A really enjoyable place to play, beautiful scenery of mountains, sea and massive dunes and lots of fun holes. Noticeably shorter than other Links in the part of Ireland made for a more relaxing game. The course is organised in 2 lips, the front 9 on the outside giving more seaside golf, the back 9 more up and down dunes holes. The greens had been hole tined yesterday but were excellent, the best and quickest so far in the North West. The ninth and tenth were a little flat compared to the rest, and the dune top green on the 15th was terrifically hard to hold. My ball went across the putting surface 5 times before I picked up at the bottom of the hill ! Mostly though the golf was excellent and great fun, featuring elevated tees, blind shots, spectacle bunkers and a bathtub green through a gap in the dunes. Ref the comment that the course feels too big for the property, there were 1 if not 2 holes not in play tucked away in the centre of the dunes, hidden to all but the most wayward drivers. Perfectly placed between Rosses Point and Enniscrone, noone would be disappointed with a game at Strandhill followed by a drink at the friendly, scenic clubhouse where we had the satisfaction of seeing the rain sweep through ten minutes after we'd finished our sunny round.

County Sligo is a terrific golf course in a beautiful raised location that slightly defies classification. It starts with gentle then severe elevation change followed by sweeping downhill like Gullane 1/2, gully redan par 3, heroic elevated tee shot like Cruden Bay... And so it goes. Add in elements of Royal Porthcawl for the topography, Castle Stuart in fairness and sight lines, Royal Dornoch for the mid back 9 stretch, a finishing duo with blind shots like the Machrie and you have a must play course. The greens were the best we've seen so far in North West Ireland with fun contours but no buried elephants but tough in the wind, the low lying holes always had interest with properly defined burns, shaved surrounds allowing the running game, the ever present beautiful scenery, changeable weather and the bonkers but fun 17th and it's a course it would be hard to improve. Would love to come back.

Donegal is a big course in a great location, bring your A game ! We played mid Sunday afternoon in intermittent sunshine and a 2-4 club wind. The first is a gentle opener along the driving range, after that the course bares its teeth and never really relents until the well appointed 19th. As with every other course we've played in Donegal this is long. Since the course was busy by Donegal standards (read populated, on a fine ish Sunday afternoon we had to wait on about 7 shots) we elected to play off the 6600 yds or so Orange tees and it was very hard for 10/12 handicap players. However, it was never less than fun with absolute stand outs like the par 5 8th with its steepling roller coaster fairway amongst the biggest and best we've played, up there with the likes of Royal Aberdeen, Machrie and Perranporth. If you don't have a handicap from these parts forget your gross, if you get 30 points congratulations !

Sensational dunes and coastal holes which rank with the very best. Sadly the relatively dull low lying holes drag the overall course down (N&P is in good company, the same could be said of Seaton Carew, Burnham & Berrow, RND, RSD, Aberdovey and many others. At least here the last hole could be improved by reclaiming the lovely dunes currently playing host to static caravans - the perennial beast to the beauty of links golf courses in the British Isles.) I dislike unprotected lateral water hazards in links courses, particularly here where it would (was) be possible to lose balls in quick succession at 3 & 4 to greens tight to the hazard and the wind blowing left to right. Anyway, enough negatives, the course really comes alive on the 5th approach shot and it's all fun from then on. Crumpled fairways, chasms, blind shots, downhill, uphill, threading the needle approaches - they are all here amongst a lovely location. Happily past some financial problems due to the brilliant new holes in the dunes, the course was in good shape and we had a great game at Narin & Portnoo and would definitely return.

The beautiful, wild drive over the bridge certainly sets the scene nicely for the golf course. Hard to describe, other than to echo others' observations of the amazing variety of views from all parts of the course - on a sunny day like ours it is superlative. The greens were excellent, none of the blind shots too confusing, and the staff were very helpful and friendly. Maybe the 5th could be softened to reduce lost balls, but other than that keep it as it is and enjoy its quirky individuality, much as you should other fun but good courses like Durness, Traigh, Shiskine, Glencruitten and Anstruther.