The feeling of driving through the gates at Pine Valley is a mix of nervousness, excitement, and a frantic need to soak in every single moment and view. All of those emotions are heightened even more when you pull up to the clubhouse where everyone seems to share an unspoken, “can you believe we’re at Pine Valley?!” look every now … Read More
Oakmont Country Club Review
The journey of playing top golf courses around the world takes you down unexpected roads. I was sitting at my desk at LINKS Magazine when an email came into my inbox. It was from the USGA and it offered the chance to play Oakmont in the 2016 US Open Media Day. The only problem was that it was a Tuesday, … Read More
Kiawah Island Ocean Course Review
This latest round on the Kiawah Island Ocean Course marked my chance for redemption. During my first round on the course I played with rental clubs, was intimidated by the “hardest course in the United States” moniker, and I didn’t really embrace the beautiful course. Five years later, I got another crack at it and I found the course to … Read More
All Courses Played
Below is a list of many of the golf courses that I have played. I have not been able to review every course, but those with reviews are linked to the article (just click on them). If you have any questions or tips, leave a comment below. Scotland: Archerfield Links Blairgowrie (Rosemount) Braid Hills Brora Golf Links Bruntsfield Links Carnegie … Read More
Cypress Point Review
“No one but a poet should be allowed to write of the beauties of the Cypress Point Club…” – Samuel Morse I had an early morning tee time at Cypress Point, and the solitary drive down from San Francisco allowed plenty of time to reflect on the upcoming round. I purposefully drove the scenic California Highway 1 all the way … Read More
Olympic Club (Ocean Course) Review
The weeks leading up to my afternoon at Olympic Club in San Francisco were filled with anticipation for my rounds of golf in California. I was initially disappointed that a tournament was taking place on the famed Lake Course during my visit, but I was pleasantly surprised playing the “secondary” Ocean course! My very generous friends who took me to play … Read More
Pinehurst No. 2 Review
In the same vein as St Andrews, a golfer’s life isn’t complete until he has made the journey to play golf at Pinehurst. The entire experience is unique, from the lodgings to the golf and people. Bobby Jones is quoted saying, “There is something about Pinehurst that tops even the position which it naturally occupies as the St Andrews of … Read More
Winged Foot (East & West) Review
My invitation to play Winged Foot came unexpectedly. I received an email from a friend at my home club reading simply, “When can you play Winged Foot?” From that point, everything fell into place. A quick phone call lined up a morning to play the very next week. My host member for the day insisted that we play 36 holes, … Read More
Fishers Island Club Review
Fishers Island is located just off the coast of Connecticut, but it is technically located in New York. The island serves as a summer getaway for the upper tier of society. It is a place of understated wealth, the “anti-Hamptons.” You do not see any overt statements of wealth on Fishers. Most of the families who spend summers on the … Read More
Bethpage Black Review
I played two rounds on back-to-back days on the Black course at Bethpage State Park. The course was built in 1936 by A.W. Tillinghast and, since its inception, it has hosted two U.S. Open Championships (2002, 2009) among a slew of other tournaments. Tillinghast built the course to compete with its fellow northeast neighbors (read Pine Valley and Winged Foot), … Read More