To prepare for the Open next week I read through the Ireland chapter of Bernard Darwin's Golf Courses of the British Isles. After Ireland comes the chapter on Wales and I was surprised at how glowingly he spoke of Aberdovey. It was not on my radar before, but the way he wrote about it made me want to add it to my UK bucket list. "There are several very excellent courses in Wales, but I am determined to put Aberdovey first - not that I make for it any claim that it is the best, not even on the strength of its alphabetical pre-eminence, but because it is the course that my soul loves best of all the courses in the world." It struck me similarly to how Andy speaks of Elie, a course that I fell in love with as well when I played it. It might not be the greatest in the world, but there is a peculiar delight you feel when you're on your way to play it again.

As a Brit (resident of the U.S. for 25 years now) obsessed with golf from my early teens, I've been lucky enough to play most of the country's great courses. The one I never got to, though, and the course I've most wanted to see for a long time, is Muirfield.

Elegance describes Ross’s work well. Interesting, hard to score on holes that tend not to be photogenic. Trying to make new courses photogenic has been a curse. But it is hard to resist. Developers want brochures with pretty pictures.

I totally agree. I recently did a 3-day trip to Scotland and 3-day trip to Nebraska/Kansas solo and they were great because golf usually pairs you up with interesting people.

This might be the only child in me, and I know it's not for everyone, but I can wholeheartedly endorse doing the trip solo if there's a place you want to go and see. While nothing beats a trip with friends/loved ones, a trip without having to take into consideration anything other than what you want to do is both freeing and pushes you. In Scotland, you are never really a stranger. I did the Highlands trip you have outlined above last year over 4 days and it was great! Having just turned 40, I don't suspect that I'll have less responsibilities or things to do and the golf isn't getting cheaper anytime soon, so its ok to be selfish sometimes and book the trip!

There has been a trend for a while to figure out how to have a "golf trip" alternative to the Pinehurst packages. It started in 2001 with Tobacco Road offering golf trips that would book you at the local Holiday Inn + rounds at TR and the non-Pinehurst courses. And now we see all sort of tie-togethers from SP/MP/PN being owned by the Bells (and now partially Marine & Lawn) to things like Birdie House and being able to get tee-times through them (via Talamore and others). Pinehurst is even doing it to themselves, as the PHurst members can't play #10 because it requires a stay at the Pinehurst hotels.

The town of Cork is supposed to be amazing. Very jealous

Thanks James! Yes - this is the 'ideal' trip if I somehow find I can free up 2-4 weeks of time (not likely). Probably better to knock these out over a few trips over the years, but tomorrow is never a given so I am dreaming big. I appreciate your additions!!!

Thanks Stuart! I'll check them out!

They also just aquired Whispering Pines and Fox Fire this week as well… looking like they are going the resort route model soon …. Using the new upgraded hotels at Mid Pines and Pine Needles as the base locations…