Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2024 i Golf Monthly

LIV Golf’s Talor Gooch believes that if Rory McIlroy achieves his long-standing ambition of completing a Career Grand Slam at The Masters this year, the achievement could be diminished because some of the best players in the world are not in the field. As things stand, Gooch, who won three LIV Golf events in 2023 to become the individual champion, will be excluded. The American is currently 449th in the world rankings, and without an invite, the only other route for him to tee it up at the April tournament would be to reach the top 50 the week before – something that’s pretty close to impossible given his LIV commitments and limited scope for starts in events that award world ranking points. “Hopefully the day will turn when the…

What is the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR)? It’s a system for rating the performance level of some professional golfers, with players accumulating points over a two-year rolling period to determine their ranking. A golfer’s world ranking is their points total divided by the number of events they’ve played. This creates an average score used to then rank players. Are recent good performances factored in? In order to place additional emphasis on recent performances, points awarded for each tournament are maintained for a 13-week period. Points are then reduced in equal decrements for the remaining 91 weeks of the two-year ranking period. How does a golfer receive world ranking points? To qualify for a ranking, a player must play a minimum of 40 tournaments per two-year rolling period. Currently, players…

Adidas went to work on three key principles during its complete redesign of the distinctive and iconic Tour360 franchise: fit, performance and durability. Firstly, fit. The Insite 2.0 Sockliner has been modified to feature lower arch support with a moderate heel cup shape to cradle the foot. These two features combine to help with both stability and comfort. The internal fit sleeve on the sides of the tongue works alongside a new Torsion Bridge in the midsole to give you a real sensation of 360˚ support throughout the golf swing. Next is performance. That new Torsion Bridge already mentioned drives maximum stability across the midfoot and forefoot and is engaged as golfers unload power throughout the swing. For the first time in an Adidas golf shoe, Jet Boost technology is…

No player has won The Masters on his debut since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. Just three players have ever done so in the last 90 years, two of them in the first two stagings. The list of players to have won any of golf’s big four on their very first attempt is a short one, too – just six. This probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise; these are the tournaments that provide the sternest of tests – no one is meant to win one first time out. This year could be different, for it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that a 24-year-old Swede by the name of Ludvig Aberg (you’ve heard of him, yes?) becomes the first player for 45 years to win at Augusta National having…

We are amazed at how Bob Vokey and his team continue to innovate with each new generation Since its inception, the Vokey wedge has been considered the gold standard, offering premium looks, exceptional performance and market-leading versatility. The newest SM10 wedge has been designed to build on that well-earned reputation and maintain Vokey’s status as the most popular wedge in professional golf. Aesthetically, very little has changed, but a new progressive shaping pattern has given the wedges a superb look down at address. The stronger-lofted models – 46° through to 52° – are a little smaller than the more lofted wedges and feature a straighter leading edge, something we really appreciated the look of. While the more lofted wedges do have a more rounded leading edge, they still appear a…

When it comes to choosing a new pair of golf shoes, golfers will normally base their decision around three things – looks, comfort and performance. With its new G/Lock Gallivanter model, G/Fore appears to have covered all three with aplomb. Fans of the brand will notice it has virtually the exact same silhouette as the spikeless Gallivanter, which has been with us for a few years now. It blends a classic, premium look with spikes for the very first time in a G/Fore golf shoe. From a looks perspective, G/Fore has once again nailed the brief. We love how the white pebble leather combines with the grey and white on the outsole on this hero colourway that we tested. It wouldn’t be a G/Fore shoe without a pop of bright…

The early part of the year is always an exciting time for golf equipment enthusiasts as so many manufacturers release their new driver families. This year has been no different. We have rigorously tested all of the new models, as well as those that have carried over from 2023, to see which ones might most warrant a place in your bag this year. Looks In our ‘looks’ category, we think 2024 might just go down as a vintage year for driver releases, with just about every manufacturer upping its game in terms of the shelf appeal and premium aesthetics of its drivers. While it’s been divisive in some corners, we think the new light grey crown on the Paradym Ai Smoke family from Callaway looks great, as do the more…

In a county packed with more Top 100 courses than any other, it is all too easy for even a very fine layout to be slightly overlooked. This is perhaps the case at Effingham in Surrey, not too far from the likes of St George’s Hill and Walton Heath. Just a short drive from the M25, the course runs along the gently rising slopes of the North Downs. The undulations have the dual benefit of creating an interesting and regularly changing landscape over which to play, while also providing excellent skyscape views up towards London. Now three years shy of its centenary, the club was founded as Effingham Manor in 1927. This seems entirely appropriate in view of its stately and spacious clubhouse, which has evolved over the years and…

Sometimes the choice is easy; sometimes it’s not. If you’re visiting a 36-hole venue, which course do you play if you only have time for 18… or which do you play first if you’re playing both? It’s fair to argue that at some clubs you simply must play both. Outside Ireland I can give you no finer example than the two heathland wonders at Sunningdale; in Ireland, the Glashedy and Old at Ballyliffin, where each sibling has equal footing and which one you play first should come down to the toss of a coin. Elsewhere that sibling rivalry is more one-sided. Lahinch, on Ireland’s west coast, has 36 holes but its second course (Castle) cannot possibly compete with the revered Old course. Indeed, many golfers won’t even know the club…

After the soggy, grey winter most of us have just endured in the UK, many golfers will be researching somewhere warmer, sunnier and greener to jet off to more desperately than ever. To save you a little bit of screen time, our dedicated writers have done some of the research for you with some excellent recommendations over the following 50+ pages. On the short-haul side, we mix classic evergreen destinations like the Algarve in Portugal, with the three spectacular courses you can enjoy in the Portuguese islands of Madeira and the 45 holes of contrasting golf you can experience at Infinitum on Spain’s eastern seaboard. Further afield, Dan Parker joins a group of solo travellers to savour both courses at Antalya Golf Club in Turkey’s Belek region, while Nick Bonfield…

For sports lovers worldwide, Madeira may immediately spring to mind as the birthplace and childhood home of one of Portugal’s most famous modern exports – five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo. The islands’ main airport near Funchal is named after the record-breaking star and the mere mention of the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend will likely spawn many a conversation between locals and tourists reliving some of his most famous footballing moments. Many of Ronaldo’s family still live in the area where he grew up in the suburbs of the main island’s capital, Funchal. But it is in another sport that Madeira has been making headlines over the last few years, with golfers from all over Europe and beyond flocking to this idyllic Portuguese archipelago to take advantage of…

Most of us don’t get the chance to escape to warmer shores as often as we’d like, so picking the right spot is crucial. Do you opt for somewhere to soak up a bit of history and culture or to enjoy world-class gastronomy… or does the calibre of golf on offer take priority above everything else? If you can’t decide, Infinitum could be the ideal solution. Not only does the beachside resort have three golf courses plus practice facilities with DP World Tour credentials, but when you’ve signed your scorecard, you will also find yourself only 15 minutes from what is arguably one of Europe’s must-visit ancient cities. Tarragona may not be as iconic as its Catalan neighbour, Barcelona, but its charm is quite unlike anywhere else in Spain. To…

Featuring a collection of world-class golf courses, extensive sports and leisure facilities, a wide choice of cultural, gastronomic and authentic experiences and four five-star hospitality offerings, Costa Navarino deserves its reputation as one of the world’s flagship golf destinations. It has certainly come a long way since it was unveiled to the golfing world in 2010, fulfilling the dream of ship owner and keen environmentalist, Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos, to create a sustainable tourism destination in his home region of Messinia. Costa Navarino – winner of the coveted ‘World’s Best Golf Venue’ accolade at the 2023 World Golf Awards – launched its 2024 golf season on February 18, with more experiences on offer for guests and players than ever before. You can enjoy rounds on four signature 18-hole layouts: The Dunes…

As a self-confessed fair-weather golfer, the blast of heat and humidity I experienced after landing on the east coast of Mauritius during the first week of December was as welcome as you might imagine it to be. The scenery on the way to the resort was breathtaking, with the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean on one side of the road and towering mountains and peaks overlooking the sugar cane fields below on the other. The tone of this trip was set early and I was loving it. The beautiful island of Mauritius, situated directly east of Madagascar, is known as a premium holiday location – a once-in-a-lifetime kind of destination to which couples and families flock in order to experience the true meaning of ‘island time’. But I don’t…

What sort of course occupies your golfing daydreams? Maybe it’s a walk down the closing fairway at a Major Championship venue, an evening round on a summer links or unearthing a hidden gem that none of your golfing friends have ever heard of (but they really should have)? Golf travel is about the golf courses, about the planning and about the adventure of getting there. It has been a while since I last shared some of the finest golf courses I have played on my travels with you. As a commercial pilot, I find myself in many interesting spots, and I love discovering and visiting golf courses with character – golf courses that I will daydream about long after I have visited. Featured in this article are eight such courses…

State of the game I am writing out of frustration with the current state of the professional game. It seems the ‘lunatics have taken over the asylum’. At a time when golf has recovered popularity, the professional game is becoming increasingly fractured. It is essential that the divide between the PGA Tour and LIV is resolved so the best players compete against each other consistently. Instead, the PGA Tour has wasted time and effort finding an alternative partner to pump up the prize funds for a declining number of top golfers. Viewing figures in America are poor and getting worse. Sponsors are withdrawing, presumably as the product is becoming less attractive. There is too much competition in sport to allow this to continue. Recently in America, fewer than a million…

Gary Player competed in 52 Masters between 1957 and 2009, the most appearances ever 52 BEST CAREER SCORING AVERAGE (MINIMUM 25 ROUNDS) HARDEST HOLES AT AUGUSTA IN MASTERS HISTORY $3,240,000 Jon Rahm’s winning share of the 2023 Masters prize fund 100/1 Tiger Woods’ odds of winning The Masters this year 506 The astonishing number of Masters career birdies made by Jack Nicklaus PLAYERS WITH THE MOST MASTERS TITLES 20 There were 20 eagles on the par-5 13th in 2015, the most ever recorded on one hole in The Masters 11 Anthony Kim made the most birdies ever during a single Masters round on Friday in 2009 13 Highest score on a hole (Garcia, 15th, ‘18; Weiskopf, 12th, ‘80; Nakajima, 13th, ‘78)…

“ON THE 15TH I STARTED THINKING HOW I’D LOOK IN THE GREEN JACKET. THE NEXT THING I KNOW, THEY’RE GIVING IT TO CHARLEY COODY”Johnny Miller on his second place at the 1971 Masters “THE WINNER OF THIS TOURNAMENT DOESN’T JUST WIN A MAJOR, HE BECOMES PART OF THE HISTORY OF THE GAME, AND THAT’S WHAT EXCITES ME”Three-time Masters Champion Phil Mickelson “THE FIRST TIME I PLAYED THE MASTERS, I WAS SO NERVOUS I DRANK A BOTTLE OF RUM BEFORE I TEED OFF. I SHOT THE HAPPIEST 83 OF MY LIFE”Chi Chi Rodriguez, 14-time Masters competitor “IF THEY HAVE A GOLF COURSE LIKE THIS IN HEAVEN, I WANT TO BE THE HEAD PRO. EVERY SHOT IS WITHIN A FRACTION OF DISASTER”Gary Player on the magic of Augusta 10 The par-5 2nd…

GEAR NEWS Nick Taylor used a Titleist TSi3 driver, Titleist TSR2 hybrid and TaylorMade Spider Tour Red putter to win the WM Phoenix Open. Patty Tavatanakit played a Titleist TSR2 driver, Titleist T100 irons and three Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges as she won the Honda LPGA Thailand title. Jake Knapp won his maiden PGA Tour title at the Mexico Open with a Ping G425 LST driver, PXG 0211 ST irons and a TaylorMade SpiderTour putter. Wyndham Clark claimed the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with a Titleist TSR2 driver, Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi 3-iron and Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird putter. Dylan Frittelli played a Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke TD driver and Apex TCB irons plus an Odyssey Ai-One Milled Eleven putter to win in Bahrain. SPOTTED ON TOUR Death, taxes… and Morikawa’s SIM…

GM SAYS We saw ball-speed increases of up to 3mph when comparing the old and new versions of TP5x - a very impressive jump and proof the new tech works. Since debuting in 2017, TaylorMade’s TP5 and TP5x franchise has consistently delivered premium results at the very top of the market. Utilising its proprietary five-layer system, the brand has maintained everything that was good about the previous generation while making a key change to the core design, which aims to lower driver and iron spin yet still optimise greenside control. The biggest change comes via a first-of-its-kind technology called Speed Wrapped Core. TaylorMade has altered the make-up of the core, which now uses a lower-density acoustic material in its original state that sounds and, in turn, feels softer than before.…

Sepp Straka will head to The Masters in mid-April as a fully paid-up member of the ‘anything can happen in golf’ school of thought. He believes he is living proof of that, a view that helps to convince him he can go one better than his runner-up finish at last year’s Open and pull on a coveted Green Jacket in the state where he grew up. Straka was born in Austria, but at the age of 14, the family moved to his mother’s place of birth, Valdosta in southern Georgia, just a couple of hours away from Augusta National. He also went to college at one of America’s most celebrated golf ‘nurseries’, UGA - the University of Georgia – as did the man who finished in front of him last…

1 STOPPING BAD HABITS I have a tendency to want to open my feet at set-up. I think most golfers tend towards an open stance when putting, which is fine. But for me, sometimes I get a little ‘swipey’ with my stroke when I do that. The more open I get, the more I want to leak left-to-right putts. It’s a hard putt sometimes. You feel like you pick a high line and you’ve got to commit to it, but sometimes you feel it can be too high and you just push it down there. That’s when it leaks. Everyone can relate to it. I address this in practice by feeling like I close my stance and almost covering the putt. When I get more square with those left-to-righters, I…

Mizuno says that its new hollow-bodied players’ distance iron, the Pro 245, offers a perfect combination of looks and forgiveness in a compact head. Starting with looks, we’d have to agree – they are quite astounding. From the back, it is genuinely difficult to tell it apart from the bladed Pro 241 iron in the family. Better players will appreciate the chance to own an iron that offers increased launch and forgiveness wrapped up in a blade-like aesthetic. However, we wonder whether some golfers shopping in this market could be alienated and intimidated by its appearance. When you set it down behind the ball, only a marginally longer blade length and thicker topline offer any clues that you might be playing a more user-friendly club. The Pro 245 iron has…

In the third instalment of our Retro Review series, we revisit possibly the most iconic putter of all time – the Ping Anser. Designed by Ping founder Karsten Solheim in 1966, just about every putter produced since has featured at least one element of the Anser, so we wanted to put it up against a modern-day equivalent to see if it could still compete. What was the tech? The Anser was the first of a kind, featuring an offset hosel that provided a clean view of the face. The cavity-back design also featured a low centre of gravity and lines parallel to the face to help with alignment. The Anser has gone on to become the most successful putter in golf history, with more than 500 tour wins, including 19…

Although everyone rightly associates Augusta National with the state of Georgia, if it were a couple of miles further east or north, it would actually be in South Carolina. The two Carolinas therefore share a similar climate, with hot, steamy summers and mild, golf-friendly winters. They are also home to a vast array of varied courses, old and new, with more than enough choice to suit all tastes and pockets. At the epicentre for the golf enthusiast is the amazing Myrtle Beach that straddles the state line and has more than 60 courses, many, if not most, of an extremely high quality. Names such as Glen Dornoch and Prestwick pay homage to the sport’s heritage, and you could enjoy countless holidays here alone. Elsewhere, there are some big names that…

When it comes to a European getaway, the Algarve is never far from the top of most UK golfers’ lists. There are numerous reasons for its popularity, from year-round sunshine to the quality and variety of golf available, with this 150-mile stretch of coastline home to more than 30 courses, each offering something different. Every visitor will have their own unique motives for making the trip, whether travelling with a large group of golfing friends or as part of a more intimate family visit. Away from the fairways, the Algarve is jam-packed with quality hotels, restaurants and historical sites. The local seafood and wine are real highlights, as are the glorious beaches and the hiking country in the hills away from the coast. Golf Monthly staff have made numerous trips…

Quinta do Lago needs no introduction. With its amazing beaches, fantastic golf courses, world-leading sports training facilities and 300 days of sunshine each year, the resort has long been at the forefront of Europe’s elite golf, sports and family destinations. Set among 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park in Portugal’s famous Algarve region, Quinta do Lago is home to three excellent 18-hole championship golf courses – the South course, the North course and Laranjal. Arguably the best known of the three, Quinta do Lago’s South course is an eight-time host of the Portuguese Open. Set among umbrella pines and wildflowers, the front nine weaves around beautiful parkland before the back nine then loops around the lake. In 2021, the course was transformed by a €7 million overhaul,…

Las Colinas Golf and Country Club celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2021 by being voted the ‘World’s Leading Golf and Villa Resort’ at the World Golf Awards, as well as ‘Spain’s Best Golf Course’. This is the second time that Las Colinas has won the former title. Camerons, specialists in new Spanish property sales across the Costa Blanca, Murcia and the Costa del Sol, offer some wonderful properties for sale on a high-quality development at Las Colinas, which has some of the most prestigious real estate in the southern part of the Costa Blanca. Nestled among the sun-kissed landscapes of Spain’s Costa Blanca, Las Colinas offers both unparalleled luxury and an extraordinary golfing experience. It is a world where the fairways seem to blend almost seamlessly with the beautifully designed…

To many of my peers, Turkey is often the butt of a joke, no doubt thanks in part to it being a popular destination for Brits searching for discount cosmetic surgery. However, when I told them that I wasn’t heading to Turkey for a fresh head of hair or new set of teeth, they were somewhat surprised to hear of the wealth of quality golf courses located on the country’s southern Mediterranean coast. You wouldn’t blame them either. Turkey isn’t particularly famed for its golf, with the country only having 20 courses to its name – stunningly sparse for a nation of nearly 85 million people. Over half of those courses are located in and around the purpose-built Belek region, which has embraced its tag as the home of golf…

In 2023, Dubai was named the ‘world’s most popular tourist destination’ for the second year running in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards. What’s more, data from the emirate’s Tourism Performance Report revealed that Dubai welcomed 15.37 million ‘overnight visitors’ between January and November last year, with record numbers of tourists arriving in the first half of 2023. Dubai continues to solidify its position as an international tourism powerhouse, and while its lavish, sometimes ostentatious, character won’t be to all tastes, one common theme runs through everything: a commitment to quality and first-class experiences. As you would imagine, that ethos extends into the golf sphere. Dubai boasts a number of genuinely world-class golf courses, and I was lucky enough to play two of them just weeks before they staged DP World Tour…

Congratulations on winning the Genesis Invitational. How big an achievement is that in the context of your career? Winning this tournament has been one of my goals since becoming a pro. After Tiger became the host, that goal became a lot bigger. I was a little disappointed I wasn’t able to take a picture with Tiger, however [ed: Tiger had to withdraw through illness]. Riviera is actually a very special place for me. I know the owner, he’s Japanese, and I’ve known him for a very long time. So winning at Riviera is something very special for me. How proud are you to have passed KJ Choi’s PGA Tour wins tally? Reaching nine wins and passing KJ Choi was one of my big goals [ed: he’s now got the most…

Whether in the UK, Portugal, Spain or beyond, certain areas always seem to attract more attention than others for a variety of reasons. In Portugal it has long been the Algarve, and in Spain the Costa del Sol, but the Costa Brava on Spain’s eastern seaboard also has golfing riches to rival its more southerly counterpart. This 120-mile stretch of coastline extending up to the French border in north-eastern Spain is blessed with 300 days of sunshine a year and many fine courses, with the two at PGA Catalunya – now rebranded as Camiral – playing the leading role. Around 40 miles further north of this flagship venue, Torremirona, which celebrated its 30th birthday last year, is one of a strong supporting cast vying for your attention. Laid out in…

When the 88th edition of The Masters whirrs into (superficially) laid-back action in early April, we may be witnessing the old Georgia jousting field establishing a new and unwanted tradition. The Augusta National members love a tradition. Over the years they have come up with a few that have stuck. The club’s Green Jacket, which must be worn by members when on site, is one. The giddy Wednesday Par-3 Contest is another. Not allowing anyone to run is slightly weird but they like it, while the ban on phones, electronic devices and, wait for it, backpacks or even handbags larger than an average-sized ladies’ purse is meekly accepted by a public desperate to see and be seen at the Augusta spring ritual. However, this year anyway, topping all these contrivances…

Ben Hogan had not played a competitive round for ten months prior to The Masters Tournament of 1967. He was 54 years old, suffering a persistent shoulder injury, and his troublesome legs were aching. But on Saturday April 8 at Augusta National, ‘Bantam Ben’ shot the lowest round of the tournament to give himself a realistic chance of a most unlikely victory. This is the story of how the sweet-swinging veteran equalled an Augusta scoring record in his last ever Masters outing. Hogan was a late developer as a professional. Unlike his contemporaries Sam Snead and Byron Nelson (all three were born in 1912), his early years in the paid ranks were tough and he didn’t get an individual win until 1940, ten years after turning pro. His nine Majors…

How can I improve my ball-striking? By GM Top 50 Coach John Howells Many club golfers struggle to strike their irons well. Typical faults are either striking the ground early and catching it heavy or making contact halfway up the ball with the leading edge and thinning it. Both are caused by weight being too centred or towards the back foot at impact. To strike it better, get more pressure onto your lead foot through impact. Place a tennis ball chopped in half under your toes to help get this sensation. By forcing weight onto the lead foot through impact you automatically have to strike your irons with a downward force. You’ll enjoy a much cleaner ball-then-turf contact and more consistency in your ball-striking. How do I get distance out…

PLAYING A WRONG BALL Few things can bring greater despair to a golfer than looking down to see they have just made a stroke at a wrong ball, says David Wilson, rules manager at The R&A. If a stroke has been made at a wrong ball, the stroke does not count but there is a penalty and the player is required to correct their mistake, either by playing their original ball or by taking relief under the Rules. This is exactly what Justin Rose was required to do on the 7th hole during the first round of The Sentry, after mistakenly making a stroke at his playing partner Taylor Moore’s ball. The stroke Rose made at the wrong ball was cancelled, meaning it was not included in his score, and…

While many other driver manufacturers have targeted high MOI this year, Cobra has doubled down on the story of speed in its new family of sleek drivers. The X model here sits in between the slightly more draw-biased Max version and the low-spinning LS. First impressions were excellent, with the all matte-black profile giving a seriously sophisticated appearance. For those who keep track of this sort of thing, the headcover is a thing of beauty, too. It continues the all-black visual and adds a touch of class in the form of some high-quality embossed logos. Down behind the ball, the Darkspeed X looks very neat and tidy. The head is exceptionally clean with only a subtle Cobra logo and carbon highlights to complement the pure minimalism of the crown. The…

Gog Magog GF: 18 holes: £90, either course Blessed with a peaceful site on the outskirts of Cambridge, this unusually named club is home to not one but two of the very best courses in the county. The gently undulating Old course opened just before the club was founded in 1901 and has subsequently benefited from the input of various architects, including Willie Park Jnr and JF Abercromby. The Wandlebury is Martin Hawtree’s mature but somehow more modern-looking expansion of the club’s nine-holer, and there are plenty who struggle to choose which they prefer. There is no doubting that together they add up to an enjoyable and varied downland destination. The Vale Resort GF: 18 holes: £50 Lake, £60 Wales National Although neither course is particularly old, they are dramatically…

OPINION The one thing nobody is really trying to do in golf is the one thing all of us desire more than anything. Ever had a hole-in-one? I read a piece recently investigating which of golf’s ultimate non-target, snooker’s maximum 147 or a nine-dart finish was hardest. After drilling deep into the statistics, The Telegraph’s excellent chief sportswriter, Owen Slot, decided the nine-darter was the hardest, followed by a hole-in-one, with snooker coming up on the rails in third. Fair enough, that’s what the data suggests but I disagree. A hole-in-one is third in my book for the simple reason we’re never seriously trying to do it – we’re just trying to whack the ball somewhere puttable. Still, it’s magical when it happens, although the harsh reality is that it…

When it comes to travelling golfers and Portugal, the Algarve has long been the go-to destination. For more than four decades, golfers have flocked to the region in their thousands to escape the cold, dreary weather at home. The Algarve will always be a popular spot for travelling golfers due to its year-round sunshine, but when it comes to golf in Portugal, a strong argument can be made that the best destination in the country (pound for pound at least) actually lies a few hours north, in and around the capital of Lisbon. It is here, just an hour north of the City of Seven Hills, that you will find an incredible resort widely regarded as one of the very best in all of Europe. Situated on the majestic Silver…

Roda Golf and Beach Resort is an exclusive Mediterranean haven nestled along the sun-drenched shores of the Costa Calida. Camerons is thrilled to introduce this prestigious, award-winning community where excellence meets relaxation. Its remarkable 18-hole course and the breathtaking views of the Mar Menor lagoon and the Mediterranean capture the hearts of all golfers. But Roda Golf isn’t just a golfer’s paradise: it’s also a lifestyle and a sanctuary. Owning property at Roda Golf does not simply provide a place to live next to the Mediterranean, just a mile from the Mar Menor. It’s also an excellent investment opportunity. There’s a thriving property market in this region and whether you seek a stylish apartment, a stunning villa or a lavish townhouse, the real-estate experts at Camerons will help you find…

A fter touching down in Milan and hastily jumping into the hire car, I embarked on a mesmerising three-hour drive into the heart of the Swiss Alps. Little did I anticipate the extraordinary adventure that awaited me in St Moritz. Known for its winter charm and elegance, this famous Swiss town is not the first destination that comes to mind when you think of a golf tournament. Yet here I was, about to experience the exhilarating world of snow golf in a town that proudly declares itself the ‘Top of the World’. The journey began with a picturesque drive through the Maloja Pass – not a route for those easily prone to motion sickness. The breathtaking scenery of snow-topped mountains served as a fitting introduction to the opulence that awaited…

A ntognolla is more than just a world-renowned Robert Trent Jones Jr layout, twice voted ‘Italy’s Best Golf Course’ at the World Golf Awards. It is also where you can experience the essence of Umbria through its flavours, landscapes, art, history, architecture and UNESCO world heritage sites. Umbria is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets, and the privacy and seclusion of the valley in which Antognolla lies is all part of its undoubted charm. Nestled among forest-covered hills, such is the beauty of one of Italy’s most spectacular, challenging courses that each hole is memorable. The exquisite harmony between the landscape and the world-class 18-hole course makes for a stunning destination. The course is open all year with recent upgrades to the irrigation system providing exceptional playing conditions. Gary Player is…

When Apes Hill Barbados unveiled its refurbished, reimagined course at the end of 2022, it did not take long to get the golf world talking. Built by the late Ron Kirby, a revered architect, the layout – blessed with the kind of views over the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea that money simply cannot buy – was a statement of intent from a one-of-a-kind venue that has since gone from strength to strength. Back then, the course was open only to members and their guests, but that’s all changed now. This slice of golfing paradise has never been so attainable. That is thanks to Apes Hill’s new Courtyard Villas, which are – put simply – the ultimate stay-and-play accommodation. These spacious two-storey properties have everything: secluded gardens to bask in…

Prince’s in Sandwich is one of three great links on the Kent coast to host The Open Championship, with Gene Sarazen lifting the Claret Jug here in 1932. Since then, the course has been reworked into three loops of nine – Shore, Dunes and Himalayas – all teeing off from a central clubhouse towards the far end since 1985. The old clubhouse area, close to the 14th tee of Royal St George’s, has been transformed into the excellent Lodge at Prince’s for those looking to take in a bit of links golf in the area. It opened in 2012 and has proved hugely popular with golfing groups of all sizes thanks to 38 large rooms and suites looking out over either Sandwich Bay or the course. Its Brasserie on the…