Morgan Clarke asked:


We all have tick-lists…Restaurants we have to eat at, hotels we have to stay in, things we have to do. For golfers, it’s the tick-list of “Courses I have to play before I die (and preferably whilst I can still get round a golf course under 100)”.

I’ve been lucky enough to play golf on five of the six continents (Australasia here I come!) and have always travelled with my clubs since the age of nine. Over the years I have seen amazing variety in golf course design - I calculate that I’ve played circa 1,500 golf clubs and I don’t want to know how many balls I’ve lost! It was inevitable that I’ve played golf courses that would be better used as cow fields and others that I could play for the rest of my life. Some of the golf courses’ architecture is flattering on the handicap and others make you think hard, struggle some more and eventually abandon all thoughts of posting a decent medal card. Nevertheless, if the course can beat you up and still entice you back for more, it must be good. Here’s my top 10 golf courses that provide a difficult challenge.

Kingbarns

Wow, this golf course’s design is good. Off the coast to the west of Saint Andrews, it’s quite a new course but you certainly couldn’t tell and the test is relentless. Stunning links golf with large greens, thick wispy rough and views to take your breath away. You need a good caddy, a strong drink and concentration. Deservedly rated by many Pro’s as their favourite course in that part of the world.

Ballybunion

Every time I’ve played here, it’s blown a hoolie but it’s the west coast of Ireland so what can I expect? The golf courses’ architecture (both new and old) provides wonderful tests of golf with every shot in the bad needed. Massive dunes, treacherous greens and wind coming from every direction. You know you’ve played golf after 36 holes here. The clubhouse is great but avoid buying waterproofs - it would be cheaper getting wet!

Hunstanton

I actually prefer Royal West Norfolk just down the road but Hunstanton is a sterner test of nerves. Particularly as I always seem to be playing it in scratch foursomes and I’m playing the evens. The main difficulty here is the greens - many of which are below or above you and all of which are very well guarded. The prevailing wind plays havoc with your drives but a good shot is rewarded and a bad shot is penalised so you can’t complain. Wonderful and traditional golf with a clubhouse to match, ensures this golf course’s design easily makes the list.

Les Bordes

Robert von Hagge is one of my favourite designers and he’s created five courses in France that are rated in the European Top 50: Seignosse, Royal Mougins, Golf National and Kempferhof are the other four. Les Bordes is his best and, as such, easily makes my top 10 golf courses. With water on 14 of the holes and huge white bunkers and some very narrow fairways, you have to concentrate for the full four hours. I can’t think of one easy hole. However, what von Hagge does do well is to offer an easier (albeit longer) route to the green but if you want to play to a decent handicap or just like taking risks then go for broke and rest easy (albeit with a few balls less) at night. You can sleep and eat at this hideaway in the Loire Valley.

Chantilly Vineuil

A beautiful Tom Simpson gem. This designer is probably my favourite and was incredibly prolific considering he was at his peak well before the age of aeroplane travel. And not only did he work hard, he worked brilliantly and his creations have past the test of time to remain amongst the best golf courses in the world with effortless ease. Chantilly, north of Paris, is a parkland course with thick rough and tricky greens. The bunkers are perfectly-placed and every hole presents a challenge - whether it’s the length, an oak tree overhanging the fairway corner, a triple-tiered green or a massive bunker in the middle of the fairway. One of the best golf courses in the world, and definitely deserving of a place in my golf top 10!

Canouan Island

Having just come back from here and lost about five balls per round, I want to go back again better prepared. Part of the Grenadine Islands, this is a corner of paradise and the Jim Fazio golf course fits in perfectly. The front nine is demanding off the tee as the landing zones are quite narrow and the wind off the beach (just yards away) can really punish the ball. The back nine is treacherous and wonderful at the same time…every shot has to be spot on. The greens and fairways are immaculate but the rough is fluffy and the thick stuff is a no-go zone! The best golf course architecture in the Caribbean by a long way.

Pebble Beach

I haven’t played that much in the States but I have played some of their best. For me, Pebble Beach is the tops. There’s the usual US-style slick service that sets you up nicely and the condition of the course is typical of the California climate. Rated No.1 public USA golf course, it isn’t the most difficult challenge you’ll ever face but you know the green-keeper is being kind on you. However, get a little bit of wind and let the history of the course affect you and there’s a very nasty bite behind the beautiful façade of the golf course’s design…

The European

They say that tour pro’s have walked off this course - but they only play for money and the rest of us can play for fun! A simple clubhouse belies the genius of the design. Quite long and with plenty of cunningly-placed bunkers, you have to be Gary Player and John Daly if you are going to beat this golf course’s design and score well here. Again, the views are as distracting as a beautiful girl in a church and you need plenty of balls or a caddy with a long stick. South of Dublin and better than the big-name courses of the area.

Le Touessrok

For a so-called holiday golf course, this one is tough! Mauritius is now one of (if not the) best exotic golf destinations in the world with no less than six first-class courses. Le Touessrok, though, takes the biscuit with tight fairways and tiny greens. I’ve played this course several times, each with a different game plan…every time I’ve failed, but I’ve come back for more as the course does offer a birdie or two and a wonderful lunch. This golf course’s architecture is unique as it is the only course in the world to take over an entire island, and to get there you take the private launch from the hotel. In fact, maybe that’s why I never play well there as I’m too relaxed by the time I arrive!

Barbaroux

Designed by Pete Dye and located in the heart of Provence, this is a beast of a golf course with a charming three-star hotel and two restaurants. Even by today’s standards it’s long off the back but I remember it being one of the very first courses that I had to hit a driver and a three-wood just to hit a par four in regulation…today’s balls make it shorter but it’s still one of the rare courses where you can play every shot, and every club, in your bag. Plus, some of the greens are 80 yards long so clubbing is so important (unless you like four-putting). Terrific target golf with scenery to take your breath away ensures this memorable golf course’s design was always going to sneak into my top 10!

Wesley

sacha s asked:


going to be starting a new job at golf course later this week , any ideas or hints ?

Manuel

Jon asked:


I am visiting Jacksonville in a few weeks and I am looking for a good golf course to go to. Any courses you can recomend would be appriciated.

Julio

Groshan Fabiola asked:


On the golf course, there are many golf stories that get made and told. In order to enjoy the game of golf, you have to appreciate the entertainment received from golf stories. You also have to appreciate the material that gets passed around from golf course to golf course. Depending on the company you keep on the golf course, there are different golf stories to be told. In the old days, they called them stories for “mixed company.” However, it has become more common to hear golf stories of all types.

Many golf stories these days become legendary on the golf course. Anything can happen. After all, many people take on the golf course to escape daily life. That is the number one ingredient for many golf stories. In order to make them truly legendary though, it is important that these golf stories have something in them that tests the laws of golfing. Make your golf stories last a lifetime, both on the golf course and off. Anything can become a famous story; it just has to be daring enough.

If golf is one of your favorite ways of escaping the daily routine, you will probably be interested in finding out the location of some excellent golf courses. California is the place where you will find some of these excellent public golf courses, not to mention that some of them overlook the Pacific Ocean. The Internet will help you find more information on golf courses in California. The Internet is also a very good source for great golf tips. These lessons and tips that you can find online can improve not only your putting techniques but also your overall performance from a mental standpoint. The golf tips that you can find on some websites include putting tips, driving tips, and chipping tips.

All in all, everything you need to know about golf can be found online. We are talking about great golf tips, reviews of golf courses, including golf course review of the month, golf course locations, and of course, the best and most memorable golf stories.

For more resources about Golf Tips or even about Golf Stories and especially about Southern California Golf Courses please review these links.

Sheila

Shaka Labbits asked:


well, is it appropriate to take pictures on golf course ?
details added:

the scenery is so awesome and I’d probably can’t play here again. thats why I really want to take pics of me on all the courses here whilst I have the chance.

Arthur

Tim Dillard asked:


Sugar Land is a city in Fort Bend County, Texas and is the home to many master planned communities. Throughout the city there are many Sugar Land golf course communities complete with country clubs and lakes. The communities are perfect for families, retirees and professionals who love to golf, and throughout the city there are plenty of these communities that have homes available for sale or lots to build on.

Sugar Land has the most master-planned communities in all of Fort Bend County, which has the most master planned communities in the United States. The very first master-planned community was Sugar Creek. Sugar Creek is located on the east side and is 1,200 acres of mostly luxury homes. Today, there are 13 master planned communities in Sugar Land within the city limits and in the nearby jurisdiction. The southern and southeastern portion is comprised of master planned communities and top Sugar Land golf course communities.

Within this area are three golf courses and two country clubs, two of which - the Riverbend Country Club with 18 holes, and Sugar Creek country cub with 27 holes, are located in development. The third golf club in the area is the Sweetwater Country club and was once the home of the LPGA. In the same region of the city there is a new master planned community development called Riverstone which is approximately 2,800 acres. This new community is planned to have a full golf course and country club, as well as parks and man-made lakes.

Throughout Sugar Land there are some of the best schools in Texas. There are four high schools in the south and southeastern portions of the city - Clements High School, Dulles High School, Elkins High School and Kempner High School, as well as a variety of middle and elementary schools.

The top Sugar Land golf course communities are some of the top places to live in America, and for good reason. There are many luxury homes interspersed throughout the city and all of the top golf course communities. Many of the top homes for sale are located in the best places to live in Sugar Land.

In the southwestern area there are two master planned communities that are thriving - Greatwood and River Park. Greatwood has a public golf course and this area is almost ‘built out’, however a few lots are still available if you’re looking to hire a custom home builder to build the house of your dreams.

There are many custom home builders located in the area that can help you build the home of your dreams in any of the top Sugar Land golf course communities to suit your needs, wants and budget. However there are many custom homes that are already built and for sale throughout the city and it’s nearby area.

There are many plans for further annexation of new areas to build even more master planned communities which will be added to the area, expanding the area as the perfect place to live if you are looking to purchase a new home in the new gated communities that are being planned.

This area has a lot to offer for everyone, especially if you enjoy living in a golf course community or gated community, which is a little more affluent, yet incredibly affordable throughout the area. Some of the top homes for sale in America are located right here and many people are constantly coming here hoping to find the right home for them.

As more and more people come to the top Sugar Land golf course communities, more and more master planned communities will be planned to keep up with the demand. So even if there is nothing that is currently perfect for your family, one soon will be, or you can hire a home builder to build your dream home in one of the new planned top Sugar Land golf course communities.

Glenn

Martini asked:


What’s a good website on ways on “how to be a good golf course manager”?

Renee

astros fan asked:


i was considering buying a sky caddie gps, but i was wondering if you can use a regular gps to map a golf course on your own. i’ve never used a gps so i really don’t know anything about them.

Edna

The Desert Bird asked:


Many years ago I saw photos in a magazine of this amazing golf course that was build on top of mountain peaks. You would hit the ball from one peak to the other. These peaks were all flat on top but it was very high. I remember from the photos that there was no access to the mountain peaks! On one photo I saw this guy with golfbag on his back climbing out the rock wall to the green hundreds of meters above him.

I can’t remember what the magazine said about the destination and how it was build. Does anybody no what I’m talking about?

Elsie

Charles & Susan Truett asked:


Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has become well-known for its golfing, with many people traveling to what has become known as the Grand Strand, specifically for this purpose. The area includes more than one hundred golf courses throughout, with the golfing being offered on an individual basis and also through golf package deals. Depending on what you are looking for from a golf course, you will find it here. These courses are designed by some of the greats, such as Tom Jackson, P.B. Dye, Clyde Johnston, George Fazio, Rees Jones, Gene Hamm, Fred Couples, William Byrd, David Johnson, and Jack Nicklaus.
These golf courses are well-honored. The Aberdeen Country Club offers the “Meadows”, “Highlands”, and “Woodlands” nines, and has received Golf Digest’s medallions for value and service, as well as the Blackmoor Country Club. Both Golf Digest and Golf Magazine have named the Arcadian Shores Golf Club as a “Course of Distinction”, while Golf Magazine selected Grande Dunes as “Top Ten You Can Play.”
Lion’s Paw at Ocean Ridge Plantation has been judged by Golf Digest as one of the “Places to Stay” and “Best in the Myrtle Beach Area.” Oyster Bay Golf Course is seen as one of the top fifty public courses in the country. Golf Week selected River Hills Golf Club as one of the top fifty in the southeast, while River Oaks was rated one of the top five on the Grand Strand by Golf Course Magazine. Tidewater Golf Club and Plantation has been ranked number one on the Grand Strand and one of the top thirty-two public courses in American since its debut. Golf Digest refers to True Blue as the seventh best in South Carolina and the number one course in Myrtle Beach.
Many of these courses have outstanding reputations. Brierwood Golf Club, just north of Myrtle Beach, is the most played course on the Carolina Coast. Myrtlewood Golf Club ÐÊPinehills Course is believed by some to be the best-kept course on the Grand Strand. Designed by Ray Floyd, holes two, three, and four of “The Cypress” at Arrowhead Country Club are said to be the most scenic in America. Myrtle Beach golfers voted one of the holes at Colonial Charters as one of the “dream holes”, and hole number nine at the Indian Wells Country Club has been named to the “Grand Strand’s Dream Eighteen.” The three toughest holes to finish on the Grand Strand are thought to be at Eagles Nest. Caledonia Golf and Fish Club has often been thought of as the best course built in the past twenty years.

Marilyn