A stone wall. A Druid burial ground. The corner of a hotel. An enormous dune. Or, the Pacific Ocean. These are some of the hurdles or for many like me, exhilarations you face at North Berwick, Old Head, The Old Course, Ballybunion and Pebble respectively. There is excitement when sizing up such a formidable barrier…
A ball retriever or scoop. Did you have this tool in your golf bag? I did when I was young. I remember after putting for nickels and consuming Orange Fanta pop, I ventured to the Craigowan Golf Club creeks in Woodstock, Ontario to watch lumbering snapping turtles and search for balls. We hoped to scoop…
US parkland golf courses differ from UK links courses as much as their respective approaches to the opening of their golf courses during the pandemic. Since these are important Athlone outbound golf destinations to our clientele, I monitor closely on what they are doing. The individualistic, American cowboy versus the collectivist, staid Brit. Golf courses…
While waiting to hit my final shot into the green at a beautiful Japanese golf course two years ago, I witnessed the Japanese group ahead of us finish their putts and go directly to their bags. There was no handshake or doffing of caps to bring closure to a glorious match in a wonderful setting….
Power cart, golf cart or buggy. This North American golf course vehicle and scourge displaced the enjoyment of walking courses and eliminated caddy programs for the young. I get it that there are people with health issues that need them. But walking is integral to the game of golf and many golfers have become lazy….
Brora to Royal Dornoch. Ardglass to Royal County Down. Crail to the Old. Do you see the pattern? I like making suggestions in our tailor-made links golf tours to include at least one of the lesser known golf courses with the heavyweights. How about the fun 9-hole Bann Course at Castlerock, NI? Brora has electrified…
Minimalist golf course designs have been popular over the last several years. Bandon, Cabot and Streamsong are just a few big names. Respecting the natural terrain is more the strategy than using bulldozers. Most if not all only allow walking and are either links or links style. Less water is used and bunkering can be…
1. UK and Irish tee sheets are opening sooner this year. You should start planning for your links trip now and get commitments from your mates. 2. Travel insurance, especially for North Americans, should be seriously considered as part of your expenditures. 3. Your competition for in demand 2021 tee times are not only other…
Are you appreciating being outside (if you are allowed) now that the tectonic plates of the world have shifted? My morning stroll in our local, BC park offers new meaning. I usually think about all the golf travel itineraries, my aging mother, how to solve problems, life’s challenges and chat with those walking dogs. Now…
Another terrific volume for golfing traditionalists. Subjects on ballhawks, a generous Tommy Bolt and the Golden Tee machine. There is the interview with 97 year old Jack Burke Jr., writer Jim Moriarty’s farewell to Pebble and the wonders of Royal St. George’s-this year’s Open Championship venue. And the photographs are brilliant. You see pictures of…