What course if any has blown you away ?

Both courses at Saunton are just superb. The views from the clubhouse are great.

Also been hugely impressed by Walton Heath, Woburn, The Hotchkin at Woodhall Spa and The Grove (which I am playing later today!!!)

Played the grove yesterday for 55, and it's in good shape. I got sun burned. Greens are a bit slower than usual though. Played off the blacks, and in the wind, it was a beast.
 
The Ailsa and The Hotchkin for me both well worth the journey.

Abroad I'll go for Quinta da Lago South quality from start to finish, Monte Mayor that's some golf course all that way up, and I'll give a mention to one hole that I didn't know about prior to arriving on the tee - the 16th at Vale do Lobo Royal!

Both the QdL courses are great and VdL Ocean is fabulous as well
 
I haven't played a quarter of the courses that some of you guys have. How on earth do you have the time and afford it?

Anyway, of those I have played the Grove was the most impressive. I played the Back on Black tournament last year and it was just in fantastic condition and the staff there really do look after you. The course was long and tough, but fair. A really good course if you like to let rip with the driver, although that deep rough did look nasty. I put my drive on 9 just short of the plaque for Tiger's eagles.

Also, I loved the amphitheatre feel to the holes on the back nine at Hillside.

My other favourite courses - Brab', FoA, 2010 & Beau Desert.
 
I haven't played an big name courses, so none have really blown me away except for my home course when the sun's out and when the sun sets as the course and the views look absolutely magnificent.
 
I've been lucky enough to play some fantastic courses over the years: Muirfield, Wentworth, Royal Lytham, Royal Birkdale, Gullane 1, Hillside, The Belfry, TPC Sawgrass, Portstewart and many more.

The one that's left me feeling like a kid in a sweet shop was Royal Portrush. Played it last year and absolutely loved everything about it. Every hole was different and just left me with a huge smile on my face. Going back in October to play in the Great Northern Links challenge - Royal Portrush, Portstewart and Ballyliffin over 3 days for 175 Euros. Can't wait.
 
Next on my list, hopefully this summer.Looks like golfing heaven



My favourite 'normal' course.I simply love walking on that turf.



Disneyland golf but great fun.someone told me it had shut down?Shame if true.




Try and change to the kings.Outwith the 3rd and brutally hard 4th, the kings is mega.


no-one mentioned the daddy of all golf courses yet...Royal Dornoch.On a warm calm day there is no better spot to play golf*


*I've yet to experience RCD

Yes it is indeed shut and has been for a while yet.Damn shame as it was a great experience and always in top nick. Last time I was there half the Toon team were there and yes they were all crap at golf as well as fitbaw.:lol:
 
The reason i ask is my mate has just played The Old Head of Kinsale and was blown away with how good it was.

For me it was the first time i played The Strand course at Portstewart the front 9 holes are something else,and it got better the more i played it.
Now i'm looking forward to hopefully going to play The Old Head and Waterville with him later on in the year.

Same here wanting to play Old Head.....absolutely love the look of it on the website when I looked 2 years ago......

Abroad courses have blown me away....Anfi Tauro in Gran Canaria and Don Cayo in Spain.

Probably best courses I have played my way are Slaley Hall and Goswick (reputation wise) prersonally think Goswicks over rated.
 
Played the grove yesterday for 55, and it's in good shape. I got sun burned. Greens are a bit slower than usual though. Played off the blacks, and in the wind, it was a beast.

The Grove yesterday was great - course in lovely condition; greens were excellent but 'only' at 10 on the stimpmeter!!
 
Well my'n is the simply awesome Yas Links of Yas Island Abu Dhabi. The contours of the fairways and quality is unbelievable. Greens smooth as you like. And then some fantastic holes with water carries and bunkering lining the coast. A must play if your in the UAE.
 
For looks, Sunningdale (sadly only as a specator) - just beautiful.

As a player, Royal St Georges. Nothing to look at but an amazing test of golf.

For both, Hunstanton and Saunton (East).
 
few lucky guys on here! i've led a sheltered existence in comparison, best knock i've experienced is probably lough erne however the back 9 at slieve russell really impressed me. i love links golf might try and enter the great north links later, knock a few of the to-do list!
 
New Zealand golf club for me. Not so much the course itself (I think Worplesdon has more memorable holes for example) but the atmosphere of the place. Like nowhere else I’ve been – so quiet and tranquil and a beautiful setting, you can’t see any other hole than the one you’re on, and a very well maintained track to go with it.
 
Old Prestwick, simply loved the place, the history and a couple of iconic holes, played 2 rounds on a gloriously sunny Saturday a couple of years back and probably my most enjoyable days golf so far.

Also thoroughly enjoyed Hillside, Beau Desert and Boat of Garten with great company from the forum, Spey Valley had potential to be up there but was the coldest I have ever been on a golf course!
 
Muirfield #1 for me.

From the pretty anonymous entrance road, impressively tacky gates and spectacular view when you step through them, to the quiet elegance of the walk to the clubhouse, 5 dog bowls outside and some old set of (13) rules just inside. Everything about that first day was memorable - except the score!

Only real comparison was my first experience of Links - Princes in the late 90's. Driving around RSG and onto the beach road past the dilapidated old clubhouse (since burnt down and rebuilt I believe) to the Clubhouse the evening before our day was fabulous. Guys fishing from the beach, seagulls squawking, a gentle breeze and the sunset on such an apparent desolate place was magnificent. Small shame about the blight of the Pfizer factory (now gone?) and the Airport across the water, but that's just a small reminder that London isn't all that far up the river!

Nothing in the Heathland style really grabs me as, imo, these courses are at their best when appearing a little scruffy. That said, the drive into and the clubhouse and views from 1st tee of St Georges Hill are rather impressive!

Best manicured (Parkland) setting is Bearwood though, with 1st in front, 18th to the left and 7th sweeping down through the trees on the right - once you get to the White tees, which could be some time if you are playing off the Blacks! And it' the same view from the balcony of the Clubhouse too!
 
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