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AUGUSTA, Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Valderrama, and every venue on the Open rota—over my nearly 25 years as The Sun’s golf correspondent, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to play them all.
I’ve also explored numerous other courses throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, plus Australia and New Zealand. All in the noble pursuit of research and broadening my golfing horizons, of course!
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When friends ask me for my top ten favorite courses, I’m always ready—though my choices might surprise you.
Here they are.
This list includes not only the most famous or recognized courses I’ve played but also the ten I would revisit without hesitation—no pun intended!
And of course, in reverse order…
10) Federal (Canberra, Australia)
I had the privilege of experiencing this hidden gem while covering the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, and I was instantly captivated. Naturally, I returned on my days off.
The highlight is the fifth hole, a par three of approximately 170 yards leading to an elevated green.
It’s exceptionally bunkered and features a lightning-fast putting surface, typical of all the greens here.
Several holes meander beside the Red Hill nature reserve, where kangaroos frequently hop the fences to find shade under the trees lining the golf course.
If you haven’t heard a kangaroo snort in the background after missing an easy putt, you haven’t truly lived!
The Gang-gang cockatoos, Australia’s national emblem, also thrive in this region and aren’t shy about voicing their opinions.
PGA Tour star beams as he gets first look inside Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ TGL SoFi Center venue
9) Carnoustie (Scotland)
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Carnoustie lives up to its reputation as the toughest course around—though on a windy day, Troon is a close rival. So why would this draw someone whose handicap has never dipped below double digits?
I tackled ‘Carnasty’ for the first time with an 18 handicap just before the 1999 Open.
Pre-tournament discussions suggested it would be more challenging than usual due to the ankle-deep rough, and my sports editor was interested to see how a novice would manage.
A photographer tagged along to document all my “fun” moments, and for a time, it was going according to plan.
I recorded a 55 for the front nine, sending (at least) a couple of balls over the railway lines, followed by two additional double bogeys after making the turn.
But then something remarkable happened—I scored three birdies in a row starting from the 12th, marking my only hat trick ever.
That’s enough to create a lifelong love for a course.
Even though I quickly returned to bogeys, a 42 on the back nine allowed me to break a hundred!
8) Emirates (Dubai)
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The original and arguably the premier course in Dubai or anywhere else in the United Arab Emirates, despite many other respectable options like Dubai Creek, Yas Island, and Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
When the Emirates first hosted the Desert Classic in 1989, just one year after opening, it felt like stepping into an oasis.
For miles, the only structure was the Hard Rock Café, which soon gave way to a cityscape reminiscent of Manhattan.
Yet, Emirates has always been more than just a grassy spectacle in the desert.
Every hole here is noteworthy, and making a birdie on the iconic par five 18th is a tremendous accomplishment—especially for me.
The par four eighth provides the best view of the breathtaking skyline, prompting players to often pause for photos. It’s also one of the most difficult holes on the course.
The uphill approach can be notably intimidating.
7) Tralee (Ireland)
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Ireland boasts an impressive array of exceptional links courses, and I’ve been lucky to play many of them.
But none calls me back quite like this particular course.
Three holes on the front nine offer breathtaking views of the 12th-century tower—an impressive backdrop for the par three third hole—perfectly suitable for featuring on any golf course worldwide.
Arnold Palmer designed the course in the 1980s and believed he had “a lot of help from God.” It’s hard to believe this course has only existed for about forty years; it seems ageless.
Tralee might not be as famous as its nearby competitor, Ballybunion. However, when Ballybunion hosted the Irish Open in 2000, a group of us opted to forgo a chance to play there on a Monday because we had already decided to return to Tralee. That says it all.
6) Wentworth East (Surrey, England)
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While the West course receives the spotlight, welcoming top names in golf each year for the BMW PGA Championship, it’s the East course that captures my heart.
At just over 6,200 yards from the white tees, the East course is significantly shorter than its neighbor and more suitable for medium to high handicappers.
With a multimillion-pound renovation celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the experience has notably improved.
The East is a par 68—featuring only one par five, the ninth—but five of the par fours exceed 400 yards.
This provides ample challenge without exhausting players, unlike the West, especially if they’re not at their best.
Every hole creates memorable experiences, especially the 325-yard 12th.
Playing shorter than it appears from an elevated tee, if the ground is firm, distance isn’t necessary to get close to the green—or even to sneak one on!
5) Turnberry (Scotland)
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Turnberry has consistently held its status as a top links destination, and thankfully, worries that Donald Trump would destroy it after acquiring it for £60 million a decade ago proved unfounded.
Actually, it’s the opposite. Improvements on holes nine, ten, and eleven—especially transforming nine from a standard par four to a stunning par three, with distances from 248 yards to considerably shorter—have been triumphs.
Additionally, upgrades for holes seven and eight are in the works. I’ve seen the plans and am confident these will also be positive changes.
No matter personal views on Trump—including mine—he’s known for his investments in his courses.
When the Open eventually returns to Turnberry, revitalizing its prestige reminiscent of the time when Watson and Nicklaus faced off in their legendary ‘Duel in the Sun’—presumably after Trump’s name is no longer associated—it will generate tremendous excitement among golfers.
4) Palmetto (South Carolina)
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When people think of the Carolinas, Myrtle Beach and similar ‘vacation’ courses may come to mind, but this stunning piece of American golfing history eclipses them all.
Palmetto ranks as the second-oldest 18-hole golf club in the United States, just after Chicago, and stepping onto this course feels like traveling back in time.
Even if you didn’t hit a single shot, relaxing on the old rocking chairs in front of the 120-year-old white clubhouse justifies the visit.
The course itself is nearly as picturesque but does have its challenges. Most greens are multi-tiered, and tricky bunkers are strategically scattered throughout.
Successfully hitting the narrow green on the par three sixth is always a cause for celebration.
Situated in Aiken—about thirty minutes from Augusta—the town itself is another charming slice of history.
Missing a round at Palmetto during my regular visit to the Masters would simply be unacceptable for any self-respecting golf writer.
3) Royal Portrush (Northern Ireland)
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This course was stunning even before enhancements made for the Open in 2019—and has only become better with the introduction of two new holes.
I had the fortunate chance to play the course shortly after it reopened post-renovation, and I couldn’t believe my luck when I achieved a birdie on the par five seventh.
The secretary at the time claimed it was the first recorded birdie there. I’m curious about how many others might have similar stories, but I’ve kept mine!
My playing partner also birdied the eighth—sadly, I double-bogeyed it, but reality quickly set in.
The Open will be returning to Portrush in 2025, and members of the Association of Golf Writers get a couple of chances to play each Open venue a few months before the championship.
That date for next year has been circled on my calendar for a long time.
Who are golf’s most famous Wags?
World-class golfers enjoy an amazing lifestyle—and their Wags lead thrilling lives of their own.
Here are some of the most high-profile beauties…
- Playing off a handicap of three, this sports reporter could give her partner a run for his money on the greens.
- This low-key beauty married a superstar golfer before Stevie Wonder, Chris Martin, and Niall Horan.
- A former gymnast who has been her husband’s unwavering support for 14 years—even paying homage to her on his golf balls.
2) Augusta National (Georgia, US)
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One of the perks of being a golf writer is the chance to enter the draw to play this iconic course the Monday after the Masters—with less than 30 names selected from approximately 600 eager participants.
If your name is chosen, you’re out of the running for ten years, ensuring that luck doesn’t favor the same players repeatedly.
My name was drawn in both 2002 and 2014—so I can try again!
And yes, it’s as pristine as it looks on television, enhanced by playing from the members’ tees, which shortens the course from 7,435 yards for professionals to a more manageable 6,365.
I mentioned this to my caddie, Tall Paul—an imposing 6ft 8in figure you wouldn’t argue with—who assured me that the real challenge lies in the greens that retain their speed on Mondays, preserving the final round hole placements. So recording scores of 95 and 92 isn’t anything to dismiss.
1) Royal Birkdale (Merseyside, England)
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When I place Birkdale at the top of my list, I often face questions like, “How can this be when you’ve played Augusta? Twice!”
If I had to choose just one final round at any course of my preference, this would be it.
For me, Birkdale is not only the premier course on the Open rota but also the fairest.
There are no odd bounces or awkward lies; just a classic layout that punishes poor shots while rewarding good ones.
Some courses resonate with us and inspire our performance in inexplicable ways. Birkdale has consistently done just that for me.
Having played it at least a dozen times, and without tempting fate, I’ve generally played close to or beneath my handicap.
Among its many stunning holes, the par three 12th—across a deep dip to a well-protected green—stands out.
With the Open returning to Birkdale in 2026, I can hardly wait for that media day.
Just below my top favorites: Muirfield, Royal Lytham, Wallasey (Merseyside), Sawgrass, Pinehurst, Royal Melbourne, Fairhaven, and Fleetwood (both located on the Fylde Coast), among numerous others.
However, NOT St Andrews.
While I value its historical significance and traditional charm, I’m not keen on six-hour rounds on shared greens—and I know I am not alone in feeling this way…
