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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!