Professionals might well be able to call off a game if the weather turns for the worst. But for us everyday golfers, fitting in rounds after work or while on holiday, we want to use every spare moment we can to perfect our swing.
Getting good weather is as important for our game as our club choice. So when the summer months come, it’s time for us to tackle those links courses with their driving, swirling winds that could send a sweetly struck drive wildly off course. Or take that long-promised golf holiday abroad.
To help you plan your golfing summer, we’ve picked our 8 favourite courses to hit during the warmer months.
England
High tees at Sunningdale
Although this is classed as the ‘new’ course, it has been around for nearly a century and is one of the most stunning and rugged courses in the country. It’s more difficult than the popular Old course. The biggest challenge? Getting your drive right.
It doesn’t have the coverage from trees that its partner course does, so you’re open to the elements. To add to this, the tees are quite elevated and the fairways narrow – so if there’s any wind you may well find yourself going off course. This means visiting during summer could be the difference between a still, peaceful round and a wind-frustrated 18 holes.
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Get beside the seaside at Royal Liverpool
Known by many as Hoylake, this is the second oldest seaside links course in England. A past host of many an Open Championship, it’s also a favourite for amateurs.
With the Dee Estuary on one side and little in the way of protection on the other, this can be an exposed course at the best of times, especially on the par-3 hole 4 and the Dowie (7th), which both come with bracing crosswinds. And while the winds may drop in the summer, the dry days can make landing on the humped greens a challenge to even the best golfers. But make sure to enjoy the panoramic views from the 9th and be hopeful a summer breeze is at your back on the 454-yard 12th.
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The sun shines at Royal Liverpool
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Scotland
Stunning views from Ailsa Course at Turnberry
This historic course has provided the background to many great stories from throughout the Open’s history. And as an amateur, you’ll quickly learn why, with the opening 3 holes at the mercy of the Scottish winds.
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Tom Kite considers his options at Aisla
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During the summer, these challenging holes are tamed slightly and once you reach the 4th you quickly realise why you’ve come to the West Coast of Scotland. The sun-drenched scenery is stunning with views along the coast. Whether it’s the jagged rocks, gently undulating sand banks or the proudly standing lighthouse, you’ll have to keep your focus on the game otherwise you’ll drift off into a Scottish daydream.
The best of Scottish golf at Loch Lomond
Coming away from the coast, this Tom Weiskopf-designed course best represents Scottish golf. Blending almost seamlessly into the stunning countryside, it’s flanked by the deep, foreboding Loch on one side and towering hills on the other.
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Loch Lomond’s beautiful fairways
Come winter, it can easily be covered in inches of snow, so plan your trip for sunnier days. Unlike Ailsa, Loch Lomond lures you in with a few gentle opening holes. But as you get further through you start to spot its challenges – and its beauty. The 10th drops downhill through water hazards, while the 14th ups the ante with a bog from which many balls have never returned. But once you finish off at the 18th in front of the castle, you’ll know it was all worthwhile.
Europe
Verdura’s 5-star golfing
On the Western edge of Sicily, this 45-hole venue is a modern marvel, combining the luxury of the 5-star hotel that guests can enjoy with some truly excellent golf. If there was ever a place to spoil yourself, this is it.
The 45-holes are usually split between the East and West courses plus a 9-hole, par-3 course. So there’s plenty to keep you entertained. The West takes in incredible views, along with a back 4 to challenge even the most advanced golfers. The East is slightly less dramatic but has some great features to keep you at the top of your game.
Rugged Spain at La Manga
This Spanish resort on the coast near Murcia has 4 excellent courses that boast rugged countryside, winding ravines and stunning coastal views.
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Home to rugged Spanish countryside
The West course is the highlight here for the travelling golfer, with a great variety of holes, beautiful views and perfectly kept greens and fairways. The challenges start early on the difficult 3rd and 5th tee shots. But if you struggle, you can just head back to the resort or lie on the beach to plan tomorrow’s attack.
The US
Ocean drives at Pebble Beach
The links course here is open to the public and a joy to behold. While it’s not a cheap round, few places have such history. Opened in 1919, this course is filled with spectacular views as the rock headland falls off into the grand Pacific.
Holes 7 to 10 offer some of the best golf in the world but it’s the 18th that takes the biscuit. If you’ve managed to keep your eyes on the ball and off the views for your game, you may well be forgiven for glancing around here as you drive across the ocean and hope to end up on dry land. We recommend going in late summer, as while the weather here is good all-year round, June can be quite foggy.
America’s No. 1 at Pinehurst No. 2
As American as a Bald Eagle, this course is set within over 2,000 acres of North Carolina countryside, combining sand hills and pine trees to stunning effect.
The biggest test here, apart from focussing on your game and not the scenery, is the small greens. The towering pines offer shelter from the south eastern sun, making it a classic option for summer golfing. Plus, there are always the many other local courses to try out if you’re visiting on a golfing holiday.
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