More Bucket List Golf

We asked a team of golf travel writers and industry experts to reveal the courses they

Royal West Norfolk

A course that stays with you long after your visit. Why is it that everyone with a soul for golf prefers it to the very good Hunstanton? One word: atmosphere.

Formby

Cracking and underrated golf course. Like Noordwijske in Holland, it changes character as you go round and intrigues you with surprises.

Leven Links, Fife

If you like nostalgia and the thought of stepping back in time, then this works. You just know that golf has been played on this moonscape on the edge of town for hundreds of years.

Doonbeg, West Ireland

The best opening hole in golf and a links experience that makes having fun high on the agenda.

Carne, West Ireland

No-one plays here without staring in awe at the truly mountainous dunes.

Kooralbyn, Brisbane

For a Brit abroad, this course captures so much that is alien to golf at home. It’s a mix of the Aussie outback and what it might be like to play in a Kenyan game reserve. The designer Desmond Muirhead has ensured an intriguing test.

Woking

Beautiful example of Surrey heathland golf that has played a significant role in the development of golf course architecture.

Chicago GC, USA

The first ever 18-holer in the US is full of intriguing holes. Designed by the great CB Macdonald and later redesigned by his protege Seth Raynor.

Gamble Sands, USA

Combine so many enjoyable holes with a fantastic setting overlooking the mighty Columbia River and the result can only be pretty special.

Nefyn

A quirky and eccentric golf course. And there’s a great pub nearby if things get too overwhelming or traumatic for you on the links. It’s an extraordinary piece of land in which to fit a golf course.

Boat of Garten

Slap bang In the middle of the Highlands, Boat of Garten is beautiful, short, heather-laden and fun. You’ve also got the Strathspeym Railway and Aviemore close at hand for other diversions.

Blackwaterfoot

A wonderfully eccentric 12-holer on the west coast of the island of Arran. Blind holes aplenty, it’s a tough and weird golf experience.

Cape Cornwall

Near Land’s End, this is rugged Cornish countryside at its best, complete with wonderful cliff-top views and ancient mine shafts.

Royal Worlington & Newmarket

A stellar 9-holer with history and heritage aplenty. Terrific in winter. Bernard Darwin’s “Greatest Nine”.

Waterville

An absolutely sublime setting. Without doubt, the best golf town outside of St Andrews. Famous for Tiger Woods’ and Payne Stewart’s pre-open trips and, of course, Charlie Chaplin.