SportsGolfLeisureHobbies

The Golf Pilgrim Top 100

Neil White and Ian Woods

This is the essential podcast for those planning to play the world's top golf courses.

We now have dozens of reviews from Top 100 courses in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Scandinavia, the USA and Australia…and the library is building every week. All the episodes are stand alone - you don't have to listen to them in any particular order.

In 2020 Neil White began a challenge to play all of the world's top courses. You can read his reviews at www.thegolfpilgrim.com. Now you can listen to his reviews, as he gives an honest account of the courses, the practice facilities, and the food available. Is it value for money? Will you be made to feel welcome as a visitor?

There are champagne and comedy moments to discuss, in the company of his fellow journalist and pal Ian Woods. Ian's a former Sky News and BBC Correspondent, who's now working for ITV. He's played a lot of great courses too, and is a former Captain of the Press Golfing Society.

Play

Open in

29 episodes
weekly
Avg 41 min
English

Episodes 29

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S1 · E159
September 18 · 43 min
Swinley Forest, Berkshire, England
For decades, Swinley Forest was in a world of its own: an ultra-private members' club in a secluded area on the Berkshire/Surrey border, with few outsiders able to enjoy a course rightly rated one of the best in the world. And while some traditions remain - you can pick and place your ball all year round, and your WHS index isn't recognised - it now welcomes visitors. Harry Colt designed it, and golf historians believe it was his favourite of all his many great courses. If you play here, you will understand why. https://www.swinleyfgc.co.uk/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E158
September 11 · 49 min
Ardglass, County Down, Northern Ireland
"It's in the hole!!" Yes, the moment every golfer dreams about… but was it Neil or was it Ian who celebrated a hole-in-one? It was a perfect sunny day with barely a hint of a breeze, and Ardglass was looking at its most spectacular. Perched on cliff-tops with views of the Irish Sea from every hole, this course has become a favourite destination for golfers who also play at nearby Royal County Down. Former US PGA winner Rich Beem is an honorary member of the club and tells us why Ardglass is so special. Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E157
September 5 · 35 min
Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland, England
For the first time in the history of The Golf Pilgrim, we think a Top 100 club is charging too little for visitors to play their course! Dunstanburgh Castle has been offering a a special twilight deal where a round costs just £30….oh, and that also includes a pizza and beer afterwards! The regular green fee is still incredibly good value for a links course with stunning views which has now leapt into England’s Top 100. Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E156
August 31 · 32 min
Galgorm Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Unlike so many of Ireland’s finest courses, Galgorm Castle is not a links, and it is miles from the sea. But you are never far from water. 14 of the 18 holes feature water hazards, with lakes and rivers cutting through the course. Galgorm has staged many professional tournaments, with Ryan Fox and Aaron Rai among those who’ve challenged for titles here. Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E155
August 25 · 55 min
Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin), Lincolnshire, England
It’s the home of England Golf and has a fearsome reputation as one of the most difficult courses in the country. Woodhall Spa’s Hotchkin course is rated as one of the best heathland courses anywhere, but is its bunkering too penal? Course managers past and present discuss the challenge of maintaining its 143 sand traps. This episode is supported by Cmon.golf Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E154
August 19 · 37 min
Castlerock (Mussenden), County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Castlerock is on prime links golf land on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast. Its close proximity to Portrush and Portstewart is both a blessing and a curse; the Mussenden course used to be seen as living in the shadow of its famous neighbours, but visitors to the area often add Castlerock to their itinerary and are delighted with what they find. And if its 18 holes aren’t enough of a challenge, the 9 hole Bann course is rated as even trickier.. Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E153
August 13 · 42 min
Conwy Golf Club, Conwy, Wales
“We’ve had a spectacular week, beautiful weather. The people are amazing here, so welcoming and helpful.” Those were the words of US Curtis Cup captain Sarah LeBrun Ingram after her team’s 2021 win. Allisen Corpuz, who won three matches and went on to win the US Open a couple of years later, tells us why Conwy is one of her favourite courses. Architect Mike Howard and GM Matthew Parsley reveal how the course will be even better. This episode is supported by cmon.golf https://www.conwygolfclub.com/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E152
August 7 · 46 min
K Club (Palmer North), County Kildare, Ireland
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club, it's a good time to revisit the course which has provided so many great memories. The Arnold Palmer designed parkland course has hosted numerous professional events, so this is your opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Rory McIlroy who has twice won the Irish Open here in dramatic style. Our special guest David Howell recalls his memories of the course as both a Ryder Cup player, and as a television commentator. Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E151
August 5 · 36 min
Bonus episode: Ryan Fox tells us how he won The Open!
Earier this year Ryan Fox joined us on The Golf Pilgrim to talk about some of his favourite courses in New Zealand. In July, Ryan became the Champion Golfer of the Year, lifting the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale! Having reviewed the course a few weeks earlier, and presented The Golf Pilgrim guide on how to play Royal Birkdale, it seemed like a good idea to hear from the man who conquered the course. So we're delighted to say - welcome back Ryan, as he describes how he did it….. And this is our Royal Birkdale episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/royal-birkdale-lancashire-england/id1743914901?i=1000771625962 Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E150
August 1 · 39 min
Castletown, Isle of Man
Castletown on the Isle of Man is rightly proud of its pedigree. Old Tom Morris laid out the original links, Alister MacKenzie made improvements 20 years later, and Philip Mackenzie Ross updated it after the Second World War. It has some of the most dramatic holes in the British Isles, and its incredible 18th hole was the climax of Neil's six-year quest to play GB & Ireland's top 100. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/castletown https://castletowngolflinks.com/ This episode is sponsored by cmon.golf/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E149
July 26 · 38 min
Seascale, Cumbria, England
Seascale was announced as one of England’s top 100 in the 2026 list, and we discovered it was entirely deserving of its place. It has some classic links holes, including one over a farmer's field and another that is framed by the Sellafield nuclear power plant. As we discovered, it adds a fabulous layer of drama to matchplay golf. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/seascale https://www.seascalegolfclub.co.uk/ This episode is sponsored by cmon.golf/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E148
July 20 · 50 min
Teeth of the Dog, Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
"Bury me in a pot bunker", wrote the legendary designer Pete Dye, so his friends and family did just that at the side of the eighth of his masterpiece, Teeth of the Dog. The Dominican Republic links, which sit on the edge of the Caribbean Sea, were restored while being closed for nearly a year. Now they are back to their thrilling best and will surely return to the world's top 100 after a short hiatus. https://www.casadecampo.com.do/ This episode is sponsored by cmon.golf/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E147
July 14 · 34 min
Appleby, Cumbria, England
A recent new entry into England’s Top 100, Appleby is not your average course. It’s a par 68, with no par 5s, but it does have what designer Mike Clayton calls “the nuttiest of nutty holes in the world”! With grazing sheep to help the green staff keep on top of grass management, and a bargain price for a Top 100 course, Appleby has found a host of admirers. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/appleby https://applebygolfclub.co.uk/ This episode is sponsored by cmon.golf/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E146
July 8 · 34 min
Royal Belfast, County Down, Northern Ireland
The city of Belfast is in County Antrim, but Royal Belfast Golf Club is north-east of Northern Ireland's capital, in County Down. It's celebrating the centenary of its Harry Colt-designed parkland course on the shore of Belfast Lough. But the club is facing a very modern problem; a new housing development adjacent to the course means several holes will have to be reconfigured for health and safety reasons. The club hopes the changes will make the course even better. And its Victorian clubhouse is one of the grandest you will find anywhere. https://royalbelfast.com/ This episode is sponsored by cmon.golf/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E145
July 2 · 44 min
County Louth GC (Baltray), Ireland
Shane Lowry helped bring Baltray, County Louth, to wider acclaim when he won the Irish Open here as an amateur. But connoisseurs of Irish courses have always known this was one of the country’s finest links. It’s also the home course of the 2026 Amateur Champion Stuart Grehan, who tells us how it will help him prepare for playing in The Open, as well as the US Open and the Masters. County Louth remains a members' club at heart, but they’re getting used to sharing tee times with visitors from around the world. https://countylouthgolfclub.com/ https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/county-louth-baltray Commentary: DP World Tour This episode is sponsored by cmon.golf/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E144
June 26 · 39 min
Wallasey, Cheshire, England
Wallasey has not just one, but two great claims to fame, and is a course that attracts plaudits from those who play it. Bobby Jones, arguably the greatest amateur golfer in history, played in a qualifier at Wallasey and went on to win the Open Championship at Hoylake and complete the original Grand Slam. And those of you who prefer playing in stableford competitions rather than a medal round will be forever grateful to Frank Stableford, the Wallasey member who invented the scoring system after a dreadful start to one round there… Both men are honoured in the clubhouse and on the course. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/wallasey-revised https://wallaseygolfclub.com/ This episode is sponsored by cmon.golf/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E143
June 20 · 50 min
Portmarnock, County Dublin, Ireland
A famous old golf course, which is in the running to stage an Open Championship in the coming years, and we have two former Ryder Cup players who tell us why it should. Paul McGinley and Andrew Coltart are big fans of Portmarnock, and so are we… though do try to avoid the bunkers if you want to score well! Andrew also shares his memories of playing in the Walker Cup at Portmarnock, where he faced a cocky young amateur named Phil Mickelson. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/portmarnock https://www.portmarnockgolfclub.ie/ This episode is sponsored by cmon.golf/ Music: Alban Gogh Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E142
June 14 · 37 min
Royal Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
Royal Dublin may be unique among links courses - while many others suffer from coastal erosion, its land grows bit by bit every year. Find out why by listening to this episode… And to guide us round, we have a caddie who has helped his man win the US Open. Colin Byrne has carried the bag for Retief Goosen, Ernie Els and many others, but can he help The Golf Pilgrim boys plot their way around his home course? https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/royal-dublin https://www.theroyaldublingolfclub.com/ This episode is sponsored by cmon.golf/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E141
June 8 · 57 min
Royal Birkdale, Lancashire, England
The Open Championship returns to Royal Birkdale in 2026, but there have been significant changes to the course since it last hosted the championship. This episode tells you all you need to know, whether you're planning to watch the event in person or on TV, or to play the course at some point. Among those joining us on the podcast are architect Tom Mackenzie, who oversaw the changes, and Ian Baker-Finch, who knows Royal Birkdale well, having lifted the Claret Jug here in 1991. royalbirkdale.com/ This episode is sponsored by cmon.golf/ Commentary from R@A Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
S1 · E140
June 2 · 55 min
Royal County Down, County Down, Northern Ireland
A special episode celebrating what many believe is the greatest golf course in the world! Royal County Down regularly tops the list of the best courses outside America, and some rate it as high as Cypress Point and Pine Valley. So why is it so revered? The challenge of the design and the beauty of its surroundings make it a must-play destination. We played alongside some of those who know the course best, and in this episode, you'll also hear from Soren Kjeldsen, who won the Irish Open at RCD in 2015. Neil played pretty well too….. https://www.royalcountydown.org/ https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/royal-county-down Music: Alban Gogh Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!

Showing 1–20 of 29 episodes