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.

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20 episodes
Updated Saturday

Episodes20

Newest first

Saturday · 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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
May 27 · 36 min
St Mellion (Nicklaus), Cornwall, England
It's more than 30 years since St Mellion last hosted a top-level European Tour event, but that shouldn't reflect on the quality of a course which saw the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Jose Maria Olazabal triumph. The top pros now play fewer events in England as the Tour embraces ever more international venues. But the course that Jack Nicklaus built, because Seve had criticised the original St Mellion course as being too easy, presents a challenge for every golfer. And for a championship course, the green fee is very competitive. https://www.st-mellion.co.uk/en/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
May 21 · 44 min
Old Head, County Cork, Ireland
You know what you're getting if you book a round at Old Head - but even the photographs of the spectacular setting don't do justice to the experience of playing golf on fairways perched precariously next to clifftops, with the waves crashing against rocks 300 feet below you. What you won't know until you get there is how big a factor the wind will be - the weather forecast had suggested it was going to be a benign day for our round. The reality was a little different! It all makes for an unforgettable round of golf… https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/old-head https://www.oldhead.com/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
May 15 · 36 min
Waterville, County Kerry, Ireland
Here's a top tip to take note of even before you play the wonderful Waterville Links. If you're driving a car from Killarney, take the scenic Ballyghisheen Pass through some of the most spectacular scenery in Ireland; coaches transporting tourists and golf groups have to use the main N70 around the coast. And the breathtaking views continue as you reach Waterville. Framed by the Atlantic Ocean and Ireland's most impressive mountain range, Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Waterville Golf Club has 360 degrees of scenery on every hole. Payne Stewart fell in love with the course, but his premature death soon after winning the US Open prevented him from taking up the role of Honorary Captain. A statue of him greets those about to follow in his footsteps. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/waterville https://www.watervillegolflinks.ie/golf/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
May 9 · 35 min
Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland
Legend has it that an Irish monk, St Brendan, set sail from Tralee and landed in America centuries before Columbus. Now thousands of Americans make the reverse journey on a pilgrimage to a golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. Mind you, he credited God with doing half the work. Tralee Golf Club is surrounded by water and sand dunes, with scenic holes that set the pulse racing and a few quirky ones to test your imagination. Like the Rose of Tralee, the attraction is not her beauty alone…. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/tralee https://traleegolfclub.com/ Music: Daniel O’Donnell Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
May 3 · 34 min
West Lancs, Lancashire, England
Formed in 1873, this is one of the oldest clubs in England, but it is as relevant to the history of golf as it was when it was founded. Its close relationship with Royal Liverpool means that West Lancs will jointly stage the Amateur Championship with Hoylake in 2026. And it will also continue to host the Final Open Qualifying for the top pros looking for a last-minute ticket to Royal Birkdale. But even if you are neither a top amateur nor professional, you will be thrilled by the challenge and the condition of the West Lancashire course, which runs alongside the Mersey Estuary, and is one of the gems of North-West links golf. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/west-lancashire https://www.westlancashiregolf.co.uk/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
April 27 · 45 min
Muirfield, East Lothian, Scotland
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers can lay claim to being the founders of modern golf, having established the first set of competition rules soon after being founded in 1744. Muirfield has been their home since 1890, and the course has hosted the Open Championship sixteen times - but not since 2013. The club changed its much-criticised rules and now admits women as members, but it still awaits the return of the Claret Jug to a course regarded as among the best in the world. https://www.muirfield.org.uk/ https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/muirfield-the-honourable-company-of-edinburg-golfers Commentary credit: R&A Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
April 21 · 31 min
Gullane No.1, East Lothian, Scotland
They've been playing golf in this part of Scotland for hundreds of years, and for more than a century, they've had three 18-hole courses in Gullane to choose from. Gullane Number 1 is the highest rated and has twice hosted the Scottish Open. East Lothian is blessed with a large number of quality golf courses, but what sets Gullane apart is the variety of holes and the huge change in elevation as you climb the hill, which provides stunning views over its neighbours. And if the podcast doesn't whet your appetite, click on the link below for one of the very best club websites we've come across, with course guides and plenty of history to inform prospective visitors. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/gullane-no-1 https://gullanegolfclub.com/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
April 15 · 28 min
The Els Club Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal
We have a Golf Pilgrim Top 100 exclusive! The Els Club is the first private golf club in the Algarve, and its course was reimagined by Ernie Els from the Vilamoura Victoria, which previously hosted the Portugal Masters. The doors opened for us to be among the first to review a club which has five-star service and very lofty ambitions. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/els-club-vilamoura https://www.elsclubvilamoura.com Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
April 9 · 38 min
Quinta Do Lago, Algarve, Portugal
Three courses and a former Ryder Cup Captain are squeezed into this episode from one of Europe's top golf resorts. Quinta Do Lago South, North, and Laranjal offer different challenges. Paul McGinley has an Academy at the resort and has been going there for three decades. He tells The Golf Pilgrim what makes it such an attractive place to visit. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/quinta-do-lago-north https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/quinta-do-lago-laranjal https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/quinta-do-lago-south https://www.quintadolago.com/en/golf/overview/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!