| We all have tick-lists...Restaurants we have to eat | | | | Chantilly, north of Paris, is a parkland course with |
| at, hotels we have to stay in, things we have to | | | | thick rough and tricky greens. The bunkers are |
| do. For golfers, it's the tick-list of "Courses I have | | | | perfectly-placed and every hole presents a |
| to play before I die (and preferably whilst I can | | | | challenge - whether it's the length, an oak tree |
| still get round a golf course under 100)". | | | | overhanging the fairway corner, a triple-tiered |
| I've been lucky enough to play golf on five of the | | | | green or a massive bunker in the middle of the |
| six continents (Australasia here I come!) and have | | | | fairway. One of the best golf courses in the |
| always travelled with my clubs since the age of | | | | world, and definitely deserving of a place in my |
| nine. Over the years I have seen amazing variety | | | | golf top 10! |
| in golf course design - I calculate that I've played | | | | Canouan Island |
| circa 1,500 golf clubs and I don't want to know | | | | Having just come back from here and lost about |
| how many balls I've lost! It was inevitable that I've | | | | five balls per round, I want to go back again |
| played golf courses that would be better used as | | | | better prepared. Part of the Grenadine Islands, |
| cow fields and others that I could play for the | | | | this is a corner of paradise and the Jim Fazio golf |
| rest of my life. Some of the golf courses' | | | | course fits in perfectly. The front nine is |
| architecture is flattering on the handicap and | | | | demanding off the tee as the landing zones are |
| others make you think hard, struggle some more | | | | quite narrow and the wind off the beach (just |
| and eventually abandon all thoughts of posting a | | | | yards away) can really punish the ball. The back |
| decent medal card. Nevertheless, if the course | | | | nine is treacherous and wonderful at the same |
| can beat you up and still entice you back for | | | | time...every shot has to be spot on. The greens |
| more, it must be good. Here's my top 10 golf | | | | and fairways are immaculate but the rough is |
| courses that provide a difficult challenge. | | | | fluffy and the thick stuff is a no-go zone! The |
| Kingbarns | | | | best golf course architecture in the Caribbean by |
| Wow, this golf course's design is good. Off the | | | | a long way. |
| coast to the west of Saint Andrews, it's quite a | | | | Pebble Beach |
| new course but you certainly couldn't tell and the | | | | I haven't played that much in the States but I |
| test is relentless. Stunning links golf with large | | | | have played some of their best. For me, Pebble |
| greens, thick wispy rough and views to take your | | | | Beach is the tops. There's the usual US-style slick |
| breath away. You need a good caddy, a strong | | | | service that sets you up nicely and the condition |
| drink and concentration. Deservedly rated by | | | | of the course is typical of the California climate. |
| many Pro's as their favourite course in that part | | | | Rated No.1 public USA golf course, it isn't the |
| of the world. | | | | most difficult challenge you'll ever face but you |
| Ballybunion | | | | know the green-keeper is being kind on you. |
| Every time I've played here, it's blown a hoolie but | | | | However, get a little bit of wind and let the |
| it's the west coast of Ireland so what can I | | | | history of the course affect you and there's a |
| expect? The golf courses' architecture (both new | | | | very nasty bite behind the beautiful façade |
| and old) provides wonderful tests of golf with | | | | of the golf course's design... |
| every shot in the bad needed. Massive dunes, | | | | The European |
| treacherous greens and wind coming from every | | | | They say that tour pro's have walked off this |
| direction. You know you've played golf after 36 | | | | course - but they only play for money and the |
| holes here. The clubhouse is great but avoid | | | | rest of us can play for fun! A simple clubhouse |
| buying waterproofs - it would be cheaper getting | | | | belies the genius of the design. Quite long and with |
| wet! | | | | plenty of cunningly-placed bunkers, you have to |
| Hunstanton | | | | be Gary Player and John Daly if you are going to |
| I actually prefer Royal West Norfolk just down | | | | beat this golf course's design and score well here. |
| the road but Hunstanton is a sterner test of | | | | Again, the views are as distracting as a beautiful |
| nerves. Particularly as I always seem to be playing | | | | girl in a church and you need plenty of balls or a |
| it in scratch foursomes and I'm playing the evens. | | | | caddy with a long stick. South of Dublin and better |
| The main difficulty here is the greens - many of | | | | than the big-name courses of the area. |
| which are below or above you and all of which | | | | Le Touessrok |
| are very well guarded. The prevailing wind plays | | | | For a so-called holiday golf course, this one is |
| havoc with your drives but a good shot is | | | | tough! Mauritius is now one of (if not the) best |
| rewarded and a bad shot is penalised so you can't | | | | exotic golf destinations in the world with no less |
| complain. Wonderful and traditional golf with a | | | | than six first-class courses. Le Touessrok, though, |
| clubhouse to match, ensures this golf course's | | | | takes the biscuit with tight fairways and tiny |
| design easily makes the list. | | | | greens. I've played this course several times, each |
| Les Bordes | | | | with a different game plan...every time I've failed, |
| Robert von Hagge is one of my favourite | | | | but I've come back for more as the course does |
| designers and he's created five courses in France | | | | offer a birdie or two and a wonderful lunch. This |
| that are rated in the European Top 50: Seignosse, | | | | golf course's architecture is unique as it is the only |
| Royal Mougins, Golf National and Kempferhof are | | | | course in the world to take over an entire island, |
| the other four. Les Bordes is his best and, as | | | | and to get there you take the private launch |
| such, easily makes my top 10 golf courses. With | | | | from the hotel. In fact, maybe that's why I never |
| water on 14 of the holes and huge white bunkers | | | | play well there as I'm too relaxed by the time I |
| and some very narrow fairways, you have to | | | | arrive! |
| concentrate for the full four hours. I can't think of | | | | Barbaroux |
| one easy hole. However, what von Hagge does | | | | Designed by Pete Dye and located in the heart of |
| do well is to offer an easier (albeit longer) route | | | | Provence, this is a beast of a golf course with a |
| to the green but if you want to play to a decent | | | | charming three-star hotel and two restaurants. |
| handicap or just like taking risks then go for broke | | | | Even by today's standards it's long off the back |
| and rest easy (albeit with a few balls less) at | | | | but I remember it being one of the very first |
| night. You can sleep and eat at this hideaway in | | | | courses that I had to hit a driver and a |
| the Loire Valley. | | | | three-wood just to hit a par four in |
| Chantilly Vineuil | | | | regulation...today's balls make it shorter but it's still |
| A beautiful Tom Simpson gem. This designer is | | | | one of the rare courses where you can play |
| probably my favourite and was incredibly prolific | | | | every shot, and every club, in your bag. Plus, |
| considering he was at his peak well before the | | | | some of the greens are 80 yards long so clubbing |
| age of aeroplane travel. And not only did he work | | | | is so important (unless you like four-putting). |
| hard, he worked brilliantly and his creations have | | | | Terrific target golf with scenery to take your |
| past the test of time to remain amongst the best | | | | breath away ensures this memorable golf course's |
| golf courses in the world with effortless ease. | | | | design was always going to sneak into my top 10! |