A hundred years ago, the Åland Islands were the subject of an international dispute that had to be settled by the League of Nations. Are they Finnish or Swedish? Well, for the last century, the answer is a bit of both. The archipelago is part of Finland, but everyone speaks Swedish. And although the golf courses are relatively modern, the site is historic, with a castle and Viking burial grounds nearby. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/%C3%A5lands-castle https://www.agk.ax/en ...

An all-star edition in which we visit one of the world's best-known courses and talk to two famous figures who know it well. Royal Troon is a regular host of The Open Championship, and in 2016, Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson played some spectacular golf as they vied to become Champion Golfer of the Year. Henrik won, shooting a record 20 under par, and he tells The Golf Pilgrim of his love for the course. We also hear from BBC Commentator Andrew Cotter, who grew up as a member at Roya...

A tale of two courses…one which has mysteriously slipped out of Europe's Top 100 list, while its once lesser-ranked twin has overtaken it. At one point Kytäjä’s South-East course was rated as high as 65th in the continental list and was Number One in Finland. But this stylish resort sited between a forest and a gorgeous lake is definitely worth a visit. Both South-East and North-West courses are great. Make up your own mind which one is best…. www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/kyt%C3%A4j%C3%A...

Western Gailes, on a narrow strip of land between the Ayrshire coast and a railway line is a tough test for any golfer. That's why it's been used as an Open qualifying venue and recently staged the Scottish women's amateur championship. The closing holes in particular will leave you breathless, even when the wind isn't whipping off the sea. Its clubhouse has a very traditional feel, and Western Gailes is now one of the few remaining Scottish clubs with a men-only membership policy, thou...

Finland is often rated as the happiest nation in the world. Is it because of its high standard of living? Is it the beauty of the landscape, or because Finns spend so much time in saunas? Or could it be because they have some beautiful golf courses like Linna which feature in continental Europe's Top 100? One of the holes on this course was designed by the winner of a competition - and Dave Sampson went on to have a successful career as a golf architect. We talk to him about Linna...

There are so many highly rated courses in this part of England, that Camberley Heath probably doesn't get the attention it deserves, even though it's in England's Top 100. But this Harry Colt heathland gem should be on your must-play list, and not just because it's a good deal cheaper to play than many of its illustrious Surrey neighbours. Towering pines line the fairways, and there are plenty of elevation changes to make for a challenging, but fun round. https://www.camberleyheathgolfclub.co...

We're publishing our review of Estonia's top course on a famous day in the country's golf history. It's Day One of The Open championship at Royal Portrush, and, for the first time, an Estonian golfer will be among those taking part! Richard Teder, an amateur, qualified in stunning fashion a few weeks earlier - and by coincidence, he did so while Neil was at Pärnu Bay in Estonia - which is ranked in the Top 100 courses in continental Europe. There was much excitement back home… Ian...

When a young Scottish surgeon moved across the border to north-east England in the early 1870s, he was shocked o discover that there was nowhere for him to play his favourite sport. And so The Durham and Yorkshire Golf Club was born, later renamed Seaton Carew. For the next century, heavy industry dominated the landscape, but in the midst of it all, there is a golfing oasis, which for decades has been recognised as one of England's best courses. And not content with having 18 great hole...

Breaking News alert! The Golf Pilgrim takes on the BBC…as Neil goes head-to-head with BBC TV news presenter Christian Fraser in a matchplay knockout contest. Neutral territory somewhere in central England was required, so Northamptonshire County was chosen. With a Harry Colt and James Braid pedigree, this is a venue that is sure to test the best. https://www.countygolfclub.co.uk/ https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/northamptonshire-county-revised Do you agree with our revi...

The grass may be green and as well-manicured as any we’ve seen this year, but it certainly doesn’t grow under the feet of the management at El Paraiso between Marbella and Estepona on the Costa Del Sol. This is a club that's on the move, and don’t be surprised to see it enhance its position in Spain’s top 100. https://elparaisogolf.com/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!

An exclusive, private club in one of Spain’s most upmarket resorts - but a small number of visitors are allowed to play at Las Brisas, especially in summer. So you can follow in the footsteps of Sean Connery, who used to be a member, and top footballers, who still are. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones and updated by Kyle Phillips - who tells us about the changes he made. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/real-club-de-golf-las-brisas https://realclubdegolflasbrisas.com/ Do ...

Opened in 2000, Kingsbarns has quickly established itself as a course on a par with some of the greatest links courses in Scotland. Every year, it jointly hosts the Alfred Dunhill Pro-Am event alongside The Old Course at St Andrews and Carnoustie. It's now a must-play destination for thousands of visitng golfers, so you might find the pace of play a little frustrating…but just relax and enjoy the spectacular views. And what better way to prepare for your round than to listen to architec...

Only five years old, but Dumbarnie Links blends seamlessly into the Fife coastline and has already made it into the top 50 courses in GB & Ireland. It's a pay-and-play course so visitors are treated as members for the day, with outstanding service from the moment you arrive. Dumbarnie was designed by Clive Clark, and we're delighted to have the former Ryder Cup player and BBC commentator join us on the podcast to talk about his course, along with General Manager David Scott who's ca...

If the bunkers don't get you at Lundin, the burns surely will. Lundin is in the St Andrews belt and its views, history and quirky holes make it a worthy destination for those wanting more Fife golf during their pilgrimage to the Old Course. But good course management is essential for a good score. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/lundin https://lundingolfclub.co.uk/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!

What should make you more nervous on the 1st tee at Elie? A blind tee shot in front of a busy clubhouse terrace, or the fact that a periscope from a decommissioned Royal Navy Submarine is used to see if the fairway ahead is clear? The Golf House, Elie is celebrating its 150th anniversary but golf on this site goes back much further. It combines its wonderful history with some fantastic seaside holes https://www.golfhouseclub.co.uk/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!

Golfer's tip. Don't set your Sat Nav for Kilmarnock! Golfers from the inland town moved their club eight miles to Barassie Beach on the Ayrshire coast a century ago, but retained its name. Neil takes on a member in a matchplay contest. Could he defend a five shot lead with so many bunkers lying in wait? https://www.kbgc.co.uk/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!

Sutton Coldfield, just a few miles from the centre of Birmingham has soared up the rankings after a concerted attempt to go back to its roots. It was designed by Dr Alister Mackenzie, but had gradually lost its heathland feel because trees had grown and the fairways had narrowed. The course manager and the club pro explain the changes that have been made in the last decade to make it a course which is still challenge, but more playable for average golfers. https://www.suttoncoldfieldgc.com/ h...

Do you care who owns the golf course you’re playing? Probably not. But you can’t ignore Donald Trump now he’s back in the White House, and you can’t ignore his name on the courses he owns. So if you don’t like the man, can you still enjoy playing Trump International in Aberdeen? There’s no doubt it’s a great course - it’s in the World’s Top 100. But only one of our presenters chose to play it…. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/trump-international-aberdeen https://www.trumpgolfs...

With its near neighbours in Aberdeen both ranked in the top 100 courses in the world, it would be easy to overlook Murcar Links. But built on the same stretch of land as Royal Aberdeen, this challenging links course is developing a growing reputation. Tommy Fleetwood won an amateur championship here when he was a teenager and still ranks it among his five favourite Scottish courses. Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!

Royal Aberdeen Golf Club traces its roots back to 1780, though the club moved to its present course at Balgownie a century after that. It's staged the Walker Cup and the Scottish Open and is ranked 63rd in Top 100 Golf Courses World List, while National Club Golfer rate it the 38th best course in Great Britain and Ireland. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/royal-aberdeen https://www.royalaberdeengolf.com/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!