Send us a Text Message.

In sport, everyone knows how important it is to be First.

Prestwick's fame is largely based on being the first venue of the Open Championship. That contest, over the original 12 holes, was won by Willie Park. Prestwick hosted the Open a total of 24 times, but it hasn't staged golf's oldest and most famous competition since 1925.

So, a century later, does it still stand the test of time, as a true test of lnks golf?

https://www.prestwickgc.co.uk/

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/prestwick

Send us a Text Message.

NOW UPDATED!

One of the world's greatest golf courses, owned by one of the world's most controversial men. Is it possible to discuss Turnberry without mentioning Trump? Of course not.

One is universally praised; the other divides opinion like no man on earth.

Would Turnberry be so good without Donald Trump's involvement? Would it stand a better chance of hosting another Open without his presence?

Ian and Neil debate these questions - but the focus remains on one of the truly great places to play golf. And they hear why from Quintin Dunlop, Captain of Turnberry Golf Club and Leonard Van Nunen from LeadingCourses.com

https://www.turnberrygolfclub.net/

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/turnberry-ailsa

Send us a Text Message.

"I loved the place so much I bought it."

Well not quite...but Neil and his wife played one round at Silloth on Solway and immediately applied for membership. This is a hidden gem and probably the best value top 100 course in the UK, despite rating higher than many illustrious names in the list of great British courses. It can be a trek to get there, but if you do, you'll be rewarded with spectacular views and challenging links.

https://www.sillothgolfclub.co.uk

Send us a Text Message.

We're back at England's premier two-course club to play Sunningdale New - which is now more than a hundred years old. It's not quite as highly rated as the Old - but they're both in the Top 100 in the world!

It's a tough round for Neil, but even more painful for his playing partner...

https://www.sunningdalegolfclub.co.uk/

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/sunningdale-new

Send us a Text Message.

Moor Park may have one of the grandest clubhouses in the UK, but was Neil's driving as majestic as the surroundings? Spoiler alert...no. This is a club which is steeped in history. And this is certainly the only episode where Capability Brown and Jane Austen will get a mention.

Plus Ian confesses to locker room pilfering!

https://www.moorparkgc.co.uk

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/moor-park-high

Send us a Text Message.

Woking - the first of the famous 3 Surrey Ws to be built and the second we've reviewed in recent weeks. It's a fantastic course to play, but Woking has also written a significant chapter in golf history. When the club introduced the first fairway bunkers on an inland course, it revolutionised golf architecture around the world.

It also has some of the most undulating greens in the UK....which is Ian's excuse for three-putting on almost every hole...

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/woking

https://www.wokinggolfclub.co.uk

Send us a Text Message.

The course where US Open champion and Ryder Cup hero Justin Rose mastered the game. Don't get lost on the way....it's North Hants, not Northants! It's about to undergo major renovation work which should help it retain its place in England's Top 100.

Did Neil succeed in nailing his first ever hole in one?

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/north-hants

https://www.northhantsgolf.co.uk

Send us a Text Message.

Is this is the most spectacular course we've ever played?

St Patrick's Links opened only three years ago, but a layout some have hailed as Tom Doak's masterpiece has already leapt into the top 50 in the world!

We played it on a beautiful day when the course had surely never looked better. The scenery takes your breath away. But how did St Pat's play? And does its lack of on-site facilities let it down?

Plenty to talk about in this episode...including how Ian had his BEST ROUND EVER! But don't let that put you off listening....

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/rosapenna-st-patrick-s

www.rosapenna.ie/st-patricks-links-by-tom-doak-2021.html