2020 new courses

So through a difficult year I have still tried to seek new destinations and enjoy my leisure golf.

I have 11 new courses to add to the growing list of courses played.

Here they are in the order I played them.

Alferini Golf Course

Well if you ever want a test of golf then this is the place to come. It is the big boys and girls course at Villa Padierna in Andalucia. It is touted as being a course to play for the low handicappers (I’m not!), it is certainly tough and you have to be really on your game. There are though some wonderful golf holes, you really are playing millionaires golf, seemingly miles away from anywhere, in your own little golfing world. It has to be done, but take plenty of balls with you!!

2. Ras Al Hamra

Oman for golf who would have thought it a few years ago? Well think of it now.
Ras Al Hamra is a stunning track, yes it’s a 9 holer but playing it twice from different tees and to different greens really does feel like tour playing 18.
The course is floodlit, I played at 16:00 so had 9 holes in daylight and 9 holes floodlit. First time under floodlights and it was fantastic. So surreal to start with and then it was just pretty normal. With the lovely warm Oman air nothing could be better.

Absolutely nothing to fault about this track

3. Ghala

Ghala golf course is a real treat, superb condition and layout. Greens that you would like to pick up and take with you, absolutely perfect.

The course is set in a ravine and the hills around it make it a pretty hot day. That’s not a complaint as golf is perfect in hot weather, in my view., just keep the fluids up.

The clubhouse is good, food excellent and for those who enjoy a beer after the round there are no time restrictions at Ghala when alcohol can be served.

Definitely worth the trip.

4. Al Mouj

From the first shot on this course you know you are playing a course graced by the professionals. It’s a stunning course. You have to be straight for sure, there’s too many hazards for you not to be!

The holes running down the side of the Arabian Sea are a joy to play, and the 18th again with the Arabian Sea on the right provides a stern finishing test.

This is one of the best and toughest (long and strategic) courses I have played.

The clubhouse, the people, Mubarak the Golf Manager is an awesome host and the food all make this a top class golfing option. This area of the world is perfect for winter golf for the UK golfer.

5. Muscat Hills

On my trip to Oman we weren’t sure if we would get to play Muscat Hills as for a couple of years the owners had fallen out of love with golf and it hadn’t been cared for. New owners took over, all part of the same Omani Royal Family, and the course is being revived.

I played it and I would definitely send people there, I would say it was 85 to 90% back to it’s former glory. It is though a lovely course to play with lots of variety and very tricky greens.

So that’s the four excellent golf courses played in Oman.

6. Seaton Carew

Up on the North East Coast in the industrial town of Seaton Carew lies a proper links course. Pot bunkers, great links fairways and extremely undulating greens. It is a real joy to play and if you are in the area definitely get it on your list. If you enjoy links golf then get this course ticked off. And the big plus is you are not paying the big bucks that you pay further up the North East coast.

7. The Hotchkins Course

Home of the English Golf Union Woodhall Spa boasts two course, the Bracken And The Hotchkins course.

The Hotchkins is the premier course and is ranked number 54 in the world.

It certainly lived up to expectation. This is a proper grown up golf course where the fairway is definitely your friend, stray from it and you get in to SERIOUS trouble.

Every hole is a test, you have to be on your golf guard all the time. The course was laid out in 1905 And has certainly stood the test of time.

The whole set up at Woodhall Spa is enjoyable. Get there if you can.

8. Antognolla

This has to be my favourite new course this year. First time playing golf in Italy and it will be something I do again.

Set in Umbria Antognolla is a course that lights up all your senses.

The views, outstanding, the course opens in front of your eyes and is played on different levels, climbing up to the top of the iconic par 5 ninth hole then back in to the valley and the view of the rolling hills. And to top it all the castle on the hill, part of the Antognolla complex which is under going renovations to be an exclusive hotel, how fantastic.

The course doesn’t come second to all this beauty, it stands up for itself and is a track you could play again and again and yes, again. It is a Robert Trent Jones JNR design.

9. La Bagnaia

Set in an old village La Bagnaia is a great relaxing retreat with another fantastic Robert Trent Jones JNR layout.

The course spreads out over a vast area with lots of variation in holes and elevations. Some great tee shots over ravines and tricky par 3s. It is a great test., it has a feel of a links course with some great bunkering. The final hole is a big uphill sweeping par 5. For the average golfer, me, it’s a a definite 3 shotter!! For the big boys and girls it would be a cracking hole to have a go at reaching it to… and then your back to the wonderful clubhouse to enjoy that Italian beer.

10. Terre Dei Consoli

The third of the RTJ Jnr courses played on the Italian trip. Another fabulous course, really well laid out and using the contours of the land to perfection. The start is a pretty long tee shot over water so you need to be in the zone from the start, then a par 5 with water all down the right just to keep you on your toes. The course then meanders up in

11. The Goswick course
Again set on the North East Coast in Northumberland, just to the South of Berwick Upon Tweed. Magnificent links golf is all I can say, every hole is a complete test of your golfing ability. Excellent design, superb greens and bunkers you don’t want to go near.

A great place to visit on it’s own or on your way to play in Scotland. Definitely one to play again and again.