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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152 episodes
Updated Saturday

Episodes152

Newest first

April 3 · 30 min
Palmares, Algarve, Portugal
The first of three episodes from Portugal, which has long been a favourite destination for British and Irish golfers, but is now attracting worldwide acclaim The 27 holes at Palmares provide such a variety of challenges, that you might even forget you’re in the Algarve, with some holes akin to a Scottish links. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/palmares https://www.palmaresliving.com/golf/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
March 28 · 35 min
Cavendish, Derbyshire, England
Cavendish Golf Club styles itself as the inspiration for Augusta National, which is not as fanciful an idea as it may sound. It opened in 1925 and was the last English course that Dr Alister MacKenzie designed before heading overseas to ply his trade. Eight years later, his breathtaking course in Georgia was born. So, with another US Masters almost upon us, let us take you to the English Peak District to look for similarities. https://www.cavendishgolfclub.com/ https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/cavendish Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
March 22 · 54 min
Te Arai (North and South), Northland, New Zealand
Our final New Zealand episode and arguably, we've saved the best for last. Both Te Arai courses have leapt into the top 100 in the world despite being less than 5 years old. And we are delighted to say that New Zealand's best golfer, Ryan Fox, was so keen to talk about the courses, he joined us from Florida, while Jim Rohrstaff, the club's managing director, is also our special guest. The South course will host the Asia-Pacific Amateur championship in late 2026, and when you watch highlights on TV, you'll see just how spectacular it is… https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/te-arai-north https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/te-arai-south https://tearai.com/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
March 16 · 30 min
Blackmoor, Hampshire, England
An honours board at Blackmoor gives a hint of its pedigree. How many provincial members clubs can boast of having had a US Open champion win a tournament on their course? Matt Fitzpatrick is one of several future professional stars to win a top amateur prize at this Harry Colt gem in Hampshire. In an effort to preserve the character of the course, the club hired designer Tim Lobb to carry out renovations, and he explains why Blackmoor is on a par with more famous neighbours in Surrey and Berkshire. www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/blackmoor www.blackmoorgolf.co.uk Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
March 10 · 42 min
Paraparaumu Beach, Wellington, New Zealand
It's been called the spiritual home of New Zealand golf, having hosted many tournaments, and is still rated the country's second-best course. It's also the only NZ course that Tiger Woods has played competitively - as a favour to his then Kiwi caddie Steve Williams. Paraparaumu Beach recently welcomed back the tour pros for the New Zealand PGA Championship. It's not a long course, so you might expect a flood of low scores. But the wind blew, and only TWO players finished under par! But good scores can be made in benign conditions… https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/paraparaumu-beach https://paraparaumubeachgolfclub.co.nz/cms/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
March 4 · 42 min
Cleeve Hill, Gloucestershire, England
Cleeve Hill has had a lot of publicity in recent years - largely because it almost went out of business until new owners took over - and it is now in England's Top 100. But this is so different from a lot of courses in the rankings - not just in terms of its setting, high above Cheltenham, but because this is raw golf as it used to be. The course might lack perfect paths and intensive maintenance, but it is a real adventure at a bargain price. Visit this part of the Cotswolds, and you will be rewarded with breathtaking views and some stunning holes. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/cleeve-hill https://www.cleevehillgolfclub.co.uk/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
February 26 · 32 min
Titirangi, Auckland, New Zealand
Titirangi is the Maori word for "fringe of heaven", and is quite a contrast to many of the modern courses which have been opened in New Zealand in recent years. Dr Alister MacKenzie drew up his plans for the course a century ago, shortly after he'd designed Royal Melbourne and before he got to Augusta National. And that legacy has been protected by recent renovation work. www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/titirangi www.titirangigolf.co.nz/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
February 20 · 40 min
Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
If you watch some of the birds-eye view videos of Tom Doak's course, you might think you need a head for heights to play it. Fear not, some of the holes may look precariously placed on the edge of a precipice, but the wide fairways and substantial greens will reassure those with vertigo. That is not to say Cape Kidnappers lacks the "wow" factor. It is world-class, and the vistas are spellbinding. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/cape-kidnappers https://www.robertsonlodges.com/the-lodges/cape-kidnappers Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
February 14 · 24 min
Arikikapakapa/Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
A visit to one of the world's more unusual courses, where, as well as bunkers, you'll find thermal mud springs as hazards. Arikikapakapa is Maori for "the gentle sound of plopping mud", and it's set in one of the country's most popular tourist areas. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/rotorua-arikikapakapa https://arikikapakapagolfrotorua.co.nz/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
February 8 · 37 min
Tara Iti, Northland, New Zealand
It's always a dilemma when we feature a golf course that's so exclusive that you can't play unless you know a member. But we make an exception when a course is so highly rated that anyone who aspires to play the World's Top 100 will try to find a way to get on. Opened in 2015 and designed by Tom Doak, Tara Iti has such a stellar reputation that Rory McIlroy wanted to play a round here while on holiday. Course record holder Ryan Fox describes what their game was like… Interview courtesy Yardage Book Podcast https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/tara-iti https://taraiti.com/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
February 2 · 40 min
The European/Brittas Bay Club, County Wicklow, Ireland
If you've ever played The European Club, or ever wanted to, then this is a must-listen episode! Because The European is dead - but in 2027 will be reborn as The Brittas Bay Club. Raymond and Nicky Conlan bought the club from its founder, Pat Ruddy, and have hired Kyle Phillips (the man who gave us Kingsbarns), to do a complete redesign of the course. We have exclusive interviews with Nicky and Kyle, who explain why they felt a highly regarded course needed to be torn up and rebuilt. We played the course just before it closed, and offer our thoughts on why change was needed. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/the-european-brittas-bay Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
January 28 · 38 min
Martin Ebert Special
When the R&A feel that one of their Open Championship venues needs an update, Martin Ebert is the man they turn to. He's already working on changes to the Old Course at St Andrews ready for 2027, and supervised improvements to Royal Birkdale which hosts in 2026. How does he go about enhancing courses which are already considered the best in the world? Take a listen as he chats about his work around the world. Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
January 22 · 43 min
New Zealand GC, Surrey, England
Join us as we step back in time, to a club where the lockers still bear the names of long-dead members, and where a competitive round of golf often takes second place to a good lunch. The New Zealand Golf Club (listen to the podcast for an explanation of the name) sits on Surrey heathland near Woking, and its well-draining clay base means great conditions even in the depths of winter. It feels private and exclusive, but visitors are welcome. And if you have the stamina to play 36 holes or more in a day, you might consider a visit to be a bargain. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/new-zealand-golf-club https://www.nzgc.org/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
January 15 · 34 min
Top Of The Scots
What are the very best golf courses in Scotland? In 2025 Neil and Ian joined the ratings panel for National Club Golfer, and their new top 100 list has just been published. Dan Murphy, who sets the guidelines and edits the rankings joins us to talk through those on the rise… So if you're planning a golf trip to Scotland this year, this is what you need to hear… Music: Brian Fahey Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
January 9 · 42 min
The Island, County Dublin, Ireland
Some golf days are just a bit more special than others, so this mid-winter visit to The Island, north of Dublin, will linger long in the memory. A chilly, but sunny day; a very warm welcome from the staff, and a challenging course in great condition. Don't just take our word for it…the day after we visited, three-time major winner Padraig Harrington played The Island on a charity day - a sure sign that this is one of Ireland's finest links. And you no longer have to take a rowing boat to get there…. https://www.theislandgolfclub.com/ https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/the-island Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
January 3 · 40 min
Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, England
Even if you've never heard of the golf course, you all know Sherwood Forest thanks to dozens of depictions of Robin Hood in TV and cinema. Any course designed by Harry Colt and later by James Braid is always worth exploring, and the heathland track is particularly appealing in the winter, when fairways and greens remain firm. Renowned course architect Martin Ebert describes the changes he's overseeing, and we recall when the club made national headlines over a court case involving allegations of cheating… https://www.sherwoodforestgolfclub.co.uk/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
Dec 29, 2025 · 30 min
Best of the best of 2025 (Part 2)
In the second half of our review of the year, we explore golf in Scandinavia and the Baltic, as well as Ireland's Wild Atlantic coast. But nothing beats a visit to Fife when the Old Course at St Andrews is on the itinerary. Golf commentators Andrew Cotter and Nick Dougherty share their champagne moments of the year, and we recall the drama of the Ryder Cup, as well as the less savoury moments from Bethpage Black. Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
Dec 23, 2025 · 29 min
Best of the best of 2025 (Part 1)
While we take a bit of a break for Christmas, join us for a look back on some of the best courses we played during 2025. In this first half we recall rounds in continental Europe as well as Great Britain…with Cruden Bay in Scotland among the favourites. And Ewen Murray from Sky Sports returns to The Golf Pilgrim to recall his champagne moment of the year. Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
Dec 16, 2025 · 28 min
Rosendaelsche, Gelderland, Netherlands
The club’s motto translates as “go straight and you will never fail”, which is sensible advice on most courses, but particularly so at Rosendalelsche with its huge number of trees One of continental Europe’s top ranked courses, on the one occasion that it hosted the Dutch Open, it was won by Bernhard Langer. His course record score lasted 30 years! https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/rosendaelsche https://rosendaelsche.nl/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
Dec 10, 2025 · 42 min
The Addington, Surrey, England
"Ch-ch-changes.." sang David Bowie, and we know many golf club members are deeply suspicious of any dramatic alterations to their beloved course. But the vast changes at The Addington this decade have been widely praised. The Addington was once the premier club in London, but the march of time had seen the course become overgrown. Now, the city skyline is more visible, giving it a unique selling point. Owner Ryan Noades explains how thousands of trees have been removed to restore the course to its original design. And former England cricketer Mark Butcher sings the praises of the club he is a member of. https://addingtongolf.com/ https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/the-addington-revised Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!