The game of golf has managed to reap some pretty impressive real manor throughout the centuries. Whether it is a manicured pine forest, exposed sand dune or stunning cliff whet some golf courses not only offer a unconfined opportunity to whack a golf wittiness virtually but moreover provide some rather impressive visual satisfaction.
Right, firstly I’ll shoehorn that I am a golfing geek. Plane my desktop is ornate with a picture of me playing golf and although I may not have experienced all of the courses first hand in the list I’ve certainly researched them well enough! So to quote the well known pop versifier and no doubt huge golf fan P!nk “let’s get this party started”.
Cape Kidnappers – Slum 14
Napier – New Zealand
In late 2008 (yes that does rhyme), I was fortunate unbearable to be invited to play this golfing masterpiece. Despite its relative youth Cape Kidnappers has received hair-trigger tout for its fantastic diamond and use of the natural land.
Dramatic vistas are offered on the par-3 6th slum with steep cliff faces pensile any shot landing just left of the green, it is however from the 11th onwards where golfers are given their real visual treat as the undertow fits perfectly wideness the fingers which stretch out into the Pacific ocean.
Kingsbarns Golf Links – Slum 12
Fife – Scotland
Located just a 20 minute momentum from the Home of Golf and the auld grey toon of St. Andrews, Kingsbarns only officially opened in 2000 but as you can see from the photo it is easy to see why it has composite in perfectly amongst the very weightier that Fife has to offer.
The slum on show is the par-5 12th slum which runs slantingly a rather large water hazard imaginatively tabbed the North Sea. With the wind whistling in this is a rather tricky proposition and with a untried running increasingly than 60 yards in length an overhit or slightly would-be tideway can hands run off into the sea. All in all this is an wool belter of a undertow and well recommended if visiting this popular part of Scotland.
Nefyn Golf Club – Holes 13, 14 & 15
Gwynedd – North Wales
Often referred to as the closest thing to Pebble Waterfront outside of errr, Pebble Beach, Nefyn & District is an wondrous stretch of land including this stunning peninsula which frames the 13th, 14th & 15th holes. As you can hopefully see in the photo, the 13th trundles withal the cliff whet with the 14th a short par-3 where you’ll hit directly out into the sea and hope your golf wittiness lands safely on the green.
Needless to say, thousands of golf balls are lost withal this stretch every year with mis-hit shots falling victim to the wilds of the sea. Although with such scenery all virtually I can’t think of a largest place to lose a golf ball!
Pinnacle Point – Slum 18
Mossel Bay – South Africa
There is nothing quite like finishing on a unconfined slum like this and you’d have to go a long way to try and modernize on this. Located withal the Garden Route, the undertow stretches wideness increasingly than 4 kilometres of dramatic coastline with plenty of risk and reward holes withal the way.
Designed by Peter Matkovich, he has created a undertow which has utilised its surroundings to spectacular effect. Measuring increasingly than 7,100 yards from the when tees, this par-72 layout has been given the big thumbs up by Ryder Cup hero Darren Clarke who described it very simply as “the weightier golf undertow on the planet”. Quite frankly you can’t oppose with that!
Pennard Golf Club – Slum 16
Swansea – South Wales
Often referred to as the ‘Links in the Sky’ due to its spectacular cliff top setting, Pennard has welcomed golfers since 1896 with James Braid and C.K. Cotton contributing to the layout which we enjoy today.
Although the undertow will unchangingly take the visual accolades, Pennard can moreover boast a castle which is now a ruin that is believed to stage when to the 13th Century.
Kauri Cliffs – Slum 14
Kerikeri – New Zealand
Yes, I know what you are thinking, two courses from New Zealand already…well it has to be said that this slum is pretty impressive. A par-3 at the far end of the course, named Waiaua Bay, offers unrivalled views of the Cavalli Islands.
The stunning natural landscape which Kauri Cliffs is built upon would be equally suited to a National Park, it’s just lucky that for the golfers out there that Julian Robertson (owner and Wall Street guru) built what is believed to be one of the weightier golf courses in the world.
Turnberry King Robert the Bruce Undertow – Slum 8
Ayrshire – Scotland
Having previously played host to one of the most famous battles in Open Championship history with the Duel in the Sun between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, Turnberry and its Ailsa undertow are well known in golfing circles.
However, those making a trip to Turnberry may not be enlightened of its second undertow which enjoys some unbeatable cliff top golf with the 8th and 9th holes. The 8th in particular is unlike any other I’ve played, despite only measuring 306 yards as a par-4, the tee shot is a very tricky proposition given that you can’t see the untried and only the sea as a reference point! Once within well-nigh 30 yards of the untried it then becomes visible with the untried set lanugo within a gully with just the sea to protect any shots going long of the flag.
Lemuria Resort – Slum 15
Praslin – Seychelles
Hitting from an elevated tee position is unchangingly a unconfined feeling, although if you are like me it’ll focus your mind on all the hazards which surround it rather the target itself! The 15th is Lemuria’s signature slum featuring a 50 metre waif towards the green.
Despite only measuring 175 yards, the elevation transpiration can make a huge impact on club selection with the bravest of golfers finding themselves taking a penalty from the Indian Ocean!
Vale do Lobo Royal Undertow – Slum 16
Algarve – Portugal
One of the most photographed holes in the world of golf, perched upon the red cliffs with the white sands of the Algarve underneath it there are few places I’d rather swing a club. Measuring a rather stiff 235 yards from the when tees, this par-3 offers golfers the scrutinizingly unique opportunity to post a cricket score on their scorecard with unexampled ease.
With the untried so tropical to the cliff, plane a firmly struck putt could end up lanugo on the beach. Although I don’t have the scorecard to hand to trammels the local rules I think anyone finding the waterfront is considered out of premises but still it would provide an interesting second shot!
Fairmont St Andrews Kittocks Undertow – Slum 17
Fife – Scotland
The Kittocks Undertow isn’t necessarily the first name to spring to mind when golfing in Fife but as you can see from this photo a trip here is well worth it. The par-4 17th slum used to form part of the Torrance course, however since some significant redesign and investment in the resort, it now features as the penultimate slum on the Kittocks.
Measuring over 500 yards from the Championship markers could midpoint as much as 3 wood is needed for a second shot which is guarded by an inlet well-nigh 50 yards short of the untried and the raging North Sea to the right!
Royal St Davids – Slum 15
Gwynedd – North Wales
On paper with a par of 69 and a yardage of 6,500 Royal St. Davids doesn’t squint like a particularly intimidating prospect. However with plane the gentlest of breezes whistling in this immediately becomes one of the toughest scoring golf courses within the British Isles.
Sculpted beautifully through impressive sand dunes the undertow provides as natural a setting for a game of golf possible. The 15th is a special slum providing a spectacular frame for the slum in the way of dunes either side of the untried and the Irish sea as it’s when drop.
Pine Cliffs – Slum 9
Algarve – Portugal
To be frank when a golf slum is named “The Devil’s Parlour” you would expect it to be a rather tricky proposition. Thankfully this rather testing par-3 at Pine Cliffs lives up to its name and offers any golfer straying short or left of the untried a rather embarrassing trip lanugo some escalators to the waterfront while lamister any sunbathers who may have taken up their spot for the day.
Although Pine Cliffs is only a 9 slum undertow it is a really enjoyable treat to include within an Algarve golf holiday.
St Andrews Castle Undertow – Slum 17
St Andrews – Scotland
Although it is the newest golf undertow within the St. Andrews stable, golf has been played withal this stretch of tailspin for centuries so the undertow itself feels very much Old Tom Morris rather than a new trademark new out of the box layout.
The 17th is a particularly daunting prospect measuring 184 yards with anything right of the flag finding the less than welcoming rocks and North Sea.
Pebble Waterfront Golf Links – Slum 7
California – America
You couldn’t have a list like this and not include one of golf’s most picturesque golf courses. Having visited this fantastic undertow as a Nick Faldo wannabe at a mere 8 years old, my walking the undertow with my Dad is one of my primeval golfing memories and given the 7th short distance, it was one of the few holes at that age I would’ve fancied conquering.
Almost all of the cliff top courses in the world will all be referenced when to as the Pebble Waterfront of this and that which is testament to how the undertow is regarded in the world of golf.
Royal Portrush – Slum 5
County Antrim – Northern Ireland
As the only golf undertow outside of England and Scotland to hold the Open Championship, Royal Portrush is a very special golf course. Modern greats of the game such as Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell have all had associations with the course, a recommendation from the likes of these illustrious golfers is one which reflects the impressive undertow which has been created wideness this scenic coastal piece of land.
The par-4 5th slum measures 411 yards and is one which unchangingly sticks in the memory without playing the course, from the elevated tee position the slum doglegs towards the Ocean with just the waterfront and some rocks to stop your wittiness at the when of the green.
Tralee Golf Club – Slum 16
County Kerry – Ireland
Aptly named “Shipwreck”, this incredible par 3 is the feather in the cap of one of the most spectacular golf courses in the world – designed by The King himself, Arnold Palmer.
Nestled between a valley of imposing dunes and the rocky Atlantic coastline, golfers are confronted with a 20-foot waif from tee to green. But with 199 yards to imbricate and unpredictable wind conditions, picking the right club can be extremely tricky – you might need anything from a short iron to a driver!
Castle Stuart – Slum 16
Inverness – Scotland
Although in this photo the undertow and the Moray Firth which provides its scenery squint sensationally calm, I can reassure you when the wind is self-glorification and golfers have only the prospect of hitting straight into the sea it isn’t the easiest place to play golf!
Having received tout in the same malleate as Kingsbarns has since its inception, Castle Stuart has quickly wilt a welcome wing to anyone seeking to play some links golf in Scotland.
Casa de Campo Teeth of the Dog Undertow – Slum 7
La Romana – Dominican Republic
Designed one of the modern greats of golf undertow architecture, Pete Dye, the rather imaginatively named Teeth of the Dog has personal many golf balls since opening in 1971. Although he unmistakably had an impressive bit of land to work with, Dye created a golf undertow which catapulted the Dominican Republic into the forefront of golf holiday destinations.
Now forming the centrepiece of a luxury five-star resort, Dye has left a legacy which will stand the test of time (obviously provided the sea doesn’t requirement the undertow back!)
Old Throne – Slum 17
County Cork – Ireland
Named simply Lighthouse, the 17th slum at Old Throne is one of golf’s most photographed holes. Providing the focal point of the peninsula where the golf undertow is based, the Lighthouse is the final point surpassing golfers turn when to play their final slum which is aptly named Sanctuary. As a big fan of the 19th hole, I can’t think of a largest name for a finishing hole!
Kauri Cliffs – Slum 7
Kerikeri – New Zealand
Hmmm, I know you are thinking this might be a little unfair to full-length two holes from the same undertow but I don’t think you can find a largest visual golfing wits than that found at Kauri Cliffs.
The 7th slum is named Cavalli due to the islands which sit in the Ocean overdue the hole. At just over 220 yards, this is a stiff test with anything short or right of the putting surface needing armbands to survive. If you have the endangerment throne over to the North Island in New Zealand, grab your clubs and a camera!
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