I’m like every other golfer in the country right now, gazing out the window at the bright blue early May skies and dreaming of a simpler time when I was actually allowed to step onto a tee. So I’ve been wading through NCG’s expertly put together Top 100 rankings to piece together my bucket list golf courses. There is only one rule: I can’t have played them before.
Let’s get cracking. We’ll start in my homeland…
My bucket list golf courses: Thurlestone
I’ve played plenty of golf in West and North Devon, where I fine-tuned my 14-handicap, but I need to go and tick off a few on the other side of Dartmoor from my hometown.
Top of the list is Thurlestone. The first two paragraphs of our review include the phrases “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”, “quintessential Devon scenery” and “breathtaking views”. That’s enough for me, where do I sign?
Add to this trip: East Devon, Bovey Castle, Yelverton and Teignmouth. And if the stars align maybe I can catch a home game at my beloved Torquay United.
- Related: Top 100 Fun Golf Courses in GB&I
- Related: Best Golf Courses in Devon
Head to the next page where we venture a little further south…
My bucket list golf courses: Mullion
Despite the fact I grew up only 80-odd miles away, I have never ventured this far south to play. Just round the corner from Lizard Point, the most southerly tip of the UK, Mullion is one I’ve been desperate to play for years.
The UK’s most southerly golf course isn’t in any of our rankings – yet – but while I’m down there, I’ll go and play some courses that certainly are, namely Perranporth, St Enodoc, Trevose and Bude. I’ve played them before, but a man who is tired of links golf in Cornwall is tired of life.
- Related: Best Golf Courses in Cornwall
Head to the next page and we’re off to the Emerald Isle…
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My bucket list golf courses: Royal County Down
I have inexplicably only been to Ireland once, when I squeezed in a round at Killeen Castle. And, with all due respect to what is a lovely course, it isn’t why you go to Ireland for a golf trip. So I’m going to head north of the border and go to the No 1 course on my to-play list – Royal County Down.
I don’t think I really need to explain this one. It’s ranked the best golf course in Great Britain & Ireland for a reason.
And while I’m there, it would be rude to not make the trip up to Portrush…
- Related: Top 100 Golf Courses in GB&I
- Related: Top 100 Golf Courses in Ireland
- Related: Best Golf Courses in Northern Ireland
Head to the next page to inject a bit of fun into our trip…
My bucket list golf courses: North Berwick
I was torn between this and Royal Dornoch, but this won because I looked on Google Maps and goodness me Dornoch is a long way to go – and I’ve driven to Machrihanish.
I’ve heard enough about the 13th oldest golf club in the world to know it’s right up my street. (Not literally, obviously.)
Also, I’d get to try this:
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Not only is North Berwick No 1 on our list of fun golf courses, there’s a plethora of other bucket list golf courses right on its doorstep – Gullane, Archerfield and Renaissance to name just three.
- Related: Top 100 Golf Courses in Scotland
- Related: Best Golf Courses in East Lothian
An Open venue and its equally esteemed neighbours is up next…
My bucket list golf courses: Royal St George’s
This has been a very links-heavy list, hasn’t it? Oh well. My final little golf break takes me to glorious Kent and three courses I’ve always wanted to play – headliner and soon-to-be 16-time Open venue Royal St George’s which is sandwiched (get it?) by the equally delectable Prince’s and Royal Cinque Ports. Heaven.
- Related: Top 100 Golf Courses in England
- Related: Best Golf Courses in Kent
Now I want to hear about the courses you’ve never played but always wanted to. Let me know in the comments below or send me a tweet.
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