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

May 11, 2024 · 28 min
Woburn (Duchess), Bedfordshire, England
The Duchess isn't rated as highly as the Duke's or Marquess courses, but all three benefit from a majestic setting at Woburn, and members there reckon it deserves higher praise. Ian and Neil are guided around the course by David Hay, son of Alex - Woburn's first Director of Golf who became known to millions as a BBC commentator. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/woburn-duchess https://www.woburngolf.co.uk/visiting-woburn/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
May 7, 2024 · 29 min
Huntercombe, Oxfordshire, England
What does Tim Henman have in common with James Bond? Does the former tennis player have a licence to kill? Or is 007 partial to a game of mixed doubles? Well, neither, actually. Bond author Ian Fleming was a member of Huntercombe Golf Club, and Henman regularly wins competitions at his home club. Ian and Neil reflect on not one but two rounds at this quaint course in Oxfordshire. https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/huntercombe https://www.huntercombegolfclub.co.uk/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
May 3, 2024 · 31 min
Gleneagles (King's and Queen's), Perthshire, Scotland
The UK's Number One golf resort and a "glorious playground", according to their website. How were the swings of Neil and Mrs W in a competition organised by the Hole In One club? They played two of the three Championship courses at Gleneagles, the King's and Queens. Find out if they played like Jack (Nicklaus) or a pair of Jokers. www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/gleneagles-king-s www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/gleneagles-queen-s gleneagles.com/golf Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
Apr 28, 2024 · 30 min
Carnoustie Golf Links, Angus, Scotland
Carnoustie will be forever synonyous with Jean Van De Velde's meltdown which cost him The Open championship. So how would Neil and Mrs W cope with the burn on the 18th? And could they meet the challenge and avoid all the bunkers? www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/carnoustie www.carnoustiegolflinks.com Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
Apr 28, 2024 · 25 min
Golf De Seignosse, France
Gorgeous Seignosse, near Biarritz will take your breath away- especially if you decide to walk rather than use a buggy! And save some energy for the big finish - a Par 6! www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/seignosse www.seignosse-golf.com/en/ Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
Apr 16, 2024 · 25 min
Sunningdale Old, Berkshire, England
This week Ian and Neil play one of the very best courses in the world - and discover the joy of golf with two canine companions. There'll be a bit of name-dropping too - as we play spot the celebrity. www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/sunningdale-old www.sunningdalegolfclub.co.uk/old_course Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
Apr 16, 2024 · 30 min
Golf De Chiberta, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France
Mr and Mrs W travel to Biarritz, to a club with more than a thousand members. And one of them, like a fine French wine, seems to improve with age. www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/chiberta www.golfchiberta.com Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
Apr 16, 2024 · 23 min
Worplesdon, Surrey, England
In the coming months Ian and Neil will play on all three of Surrey's famous 3 Ws. Woking, West Hill and Worplesdon. Like so many courses this winter, W also stands for Wet. But Worplesdon copes well with the deluge, and another W - wind - provides a comedy moment. www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/worplesdon www.worplesdongc.co.uk Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
Apr 16, 2024 · 20 min
Real Golf De Pedreña, Cantabria, Spain
Neil is back In Spain to pay homage to his hero. Pedrena was the course where a young genius called Seve Ballesteros first caddied and put into practice skills he learned by playing on a nearby beach. An exclusive club with fast and tricky greens - stay tuned for what happens on the 18th..... www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/real-golf-de-pedreña https://www.realgolfdepedrena.com Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
Apr 16, 2024 · 23 min
Beau Desert, Staffordshire, England
Beau Desert may have a French name, but it's in the heart of England. Neil and Ian pose the question - are Midlands courses are underrated? It's a current favourite of top 100 connoisseurs. And find out why the comedy moment was inches away from being a magnum of champagne moment. www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/beau-desert-review www.bdgc.co.uk Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
Apr 16, 2024 · 27 min
Hollinwell, Nottinghamshire, England
Neil makes the short journey from his home in Nottingham to play Hollinwell, and naturally if you're going to play golf in Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood will get a mention. Was our golfing guide a merry man at the end of his round? www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/nottingham-golf-club-at-hollinwell-review www.hollinwell.co.uk Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!
Apr 16, 2024 · 11 min
Who? What? Why?
Who are we and why are we reviewing top golf courses? www.thegolfpilgrim.com Neil White is a retired journalist who is obsessed with lists. Every year he attempts to see and review every movie released in the UK, and now he is attempting to play every course in the Top 100 list in England, the UK and Ireland, continental Europe...and ultimately, the world. He's an accredited rater for National Club Golfer, and a member of Chilwell Manor and Silloth on Solway. His golf course reviews can be found at www.thegolfpilgrim.com. Ian Woods is a freelance TV reporter with ITV News, after a long career at BBC News and Sky News. He's a former captain of the Press Golfing Society and a member of Fulwell Golf Club. Do you agree with our review? Text us your opinion!