picayune1

Invited to play by a member I had met at Carnoustie, the course has had some issues with their turf. They are dealing with the problem so the course is a bit patchy in places. Despite that, this is a former world top 100 and the layout does not disappoint. A beautiful parkland, a former arboretum now golf course with watering rights to sustain the trees so the droughts are not an issue. Fantastic parkland course with some elevation changes, still a nice walk. I cannot praise the clubhouse staff enough, from the pro shop to the dining rom, a very warm and welcoming experience.

Frankly a bit disappointing. Doesn't equal its sister resort course Kauri Cliffs. Some spectacular holes along the water but the inland holes are good not great. Didn't stay at the resort, drove over from Napier. Very pricey green fee, nice facilities but somehow the whole experience failed to impress.

Played as a guest of a long time member, very warm and friendly reception. Practice range closed but they had nets set up for a warm up. A beautiful Mackenzie track with typically gorgeous almost distracting bunkering. Truly a sight to be seen. Of all the fantastic courses I played in Australia this is the one not to be missed. Four months later I am still in awe of this golf course.

A classic links layout, this is a must play course an easy 1/2 hour from Wellington. Course conditions a bit patchy from the drought but if you like hard and fast links this is a classic, a real treat to play. Reminded me of Royal Troon. Played with 3 members, they were very welcoming and friendly. Well worth the trip

If you find yourself in the area this is one of the must play courses. Booked well in advance, played with 3 members, had a great day despite playing badly. A beautiful links course, steeped in history. Very friendly staff and nice facilites A must play in the Melbourne sand belt area

Stunning layout, this Nicklaus Signature course is spectacular, well worth the price. The amount of earth they moved is mind blowing but the result is gorgeous. The routing and terrain requires a cart but this course is a must play if you are in the area. In fact if you are planning a trip to NZ then make a detour to the area just to play this course, you won't be disappointed. Definitely a top 5 NZ course

Absolutely fantastic golf course for the 1%'ers. Remote, you pretty much have to stay at the resort to play there and that is going to cost you a lot. If you have to ask, you can't afford it kind of price. Having said that, this is a bucket list golf course, and the resort is nice too. Seaside with beautiful views, it out Pebbles Pebble Beach, easily. You have to take a cart because of the geography, hilly with huge gullies. Good caddies, mine held the course record! A truly memorable experience. If you have gone all the way to NZ, if you can afford it, you need to go the extra distance and play Kauri Cliffs

Even if you're not a fan of Alistair Mackenzie golf courses this one is worth playing if you are in Auckland. Moderately priced, easily accessed from downtown, it is a beautiful track, great bunkering, some elevation changes but no billy goat factor. Very warm reception, walked it with a member, had a great day. Not to be missed if you are in the area

Not very interesting, nice layout, a bit patchy in spots due to the drought. A nice track, doglegs right and left, good par 5's. An American style resort course, you have to take a cart which is rare in Australia. If you are in the Hunter Valley this is the one to play but it's not worth the drive from Sydney for just golf. They serve a great breakfast!

Played NSW as a guest cutting the price in half. Fantastic course, very challenging with spectacular views. Great layout with all kinds of holes, doglegs, carries over waste areas, seaside holes. You better be used to walking because it is a hilly course. Tremendous Mackenzie designed course with gorgeous bunkering. An absolute must play if you are in the area, despite the price. Has moved up in my rating of top links courses in the world.

Unbelievable scenery matched to a very enjoyable golf course.Not a true links in the strictest sense, it does play linksy at times,, at other times its more billy goat territory. Course was in great shape after a wet spring,, not a lot of roll to the fairways, huge greens that at times will let you run there ball in, at times it's all carry. Magnificent bunkering. The course has it all, dog legs left and right, blind shots, forced carries and above all else the views! Not sure why people don't like the short 17th, it's a bit gimmicky but still very fun to play so who cares. Currently ranked #9 in the world, the only thing holding it back from a higher rating is the clubhouse: one yurt for the pro shop another for the bar/halfway house. A bit tougher walk then Cabot Links but not an issue if you are used to walking a golf course. Well worth a visit

Wow, what a links, and in North America! A true links course built to play links style, keep it low ands run it along the ground. Too bad they've had a wet spring, go later in the summer when the fairways really run fast.Beautiful bunkering, nicely routed holes, some elevation changes, not a tough a walk if you're used to walking. Caddies can be a bit hit and miss, definitely ask for an A class caddy. Greens are fescue so a bit wonky, need to be firm as the ball will break a lot once it loses speed, can get away from you fast on downhill puts, and need to be firm on uphill puts. You try and figure it out! Play the right tee boxes, we got caught behind 4 guys playing from the blues who spent all day searching for balls because they couldn't reach the fairway! A must see course, between it and the Cliffs course well worth the visit.

Get out and play this course before it goes private. The Arnold Palmer design team has moved more earth than I've ever seen in Florida. None of that typically flat Florida stuff here. Massive, challenging greens that are still young, so they need to grow in, generous fairways, nicely bunkered. Visually very pleasing and a lot of fun to play. The clubhouse is under construction so no facilities to mention. Good driving range. Quite pricey unless you can get an early bird special

If you can't get on to Gullane #1 then #2 is just a fun. Some might say more... It's a junior version, same feel, same look, same everything except it's No.2 not No.1 so some people turn away. I like it because I always score well there, so maybe it's a bit easier than #1. Lots of elevation change, generous fairways, doglegs both ways, uphill shots, downhill shots, lots of greenside bunkers. What's not to like!

Loved the Dunes but be warned, it is hard on the knees. The undulations make the course a fascinating place to play but it is not an easy walk. It is one non stop roller coaster from the first tee on and you will get some weird bounces and rolls off the humps and bumps. Gorgeous links course especially considering how new it is. With Macrihanish GC down the road a fantastic pair of links well worth the rather tortuous drive from Glasgow. It's a matter of some discussion among cabbies and caddies in Scotland whether this course is any good, but I rate it as good as, if not better than Macrihanish GC.

Finally got to scratch this one of my bucket list. With the Dunes just up the coast these 2 courses make the long drive worth it. Macrihanish is a great layout with some elevations changes. A gorgeous links. Very wet and windy the day I was there after the wettest summer on record so there was not a lot of roll to the fairways. After the spectacular opening hole it quickly starts challenging you, doglegs, blind shots, and carries (not too long). Members were great in letting my caddy and I play through. A tremendous day on the links

This is one of those places you may not of heard of but is well worth the visit. An absolute must play course, and I am saying that after a round of non stop wind and rain. Pot bunkers, burns, greens tucked into the swales, this course has it all. Cheaper than most and they throw in a free lunch! Easily accessed from anywhere on the Ayrshire coast. It has moved into my top ten list!

Played for the 8th or 9th time and I'm still surprised why I keep lining up at 4:30 AM to play this course. It's not that great a course, not even my top 5 links, but there is definitely something about the place that makes you want to keep going back. Take a caddy, take a breath and relax because you're playing "The Old Course" and enjoy. Listen to your caddy, he knows more than you!

Vey expensive for what is really a parkland style course set out in the middle of nowhere with only 4 0r 5 truly links styles holes. Apart from that it's a very enjoyable golf course. Some great holes.

One of those hidden gems, save yourself 200 GBP and play here instead of Kingsbarns. Classic out and in links, been around forever, great sea views, friendly staff. This place is what links golf is really all about. A pleasant stroll with generous fairways, some quirky holes (#13!). Time well spent at Crail Balcomie