Dear Harvey,
It has been four years since we hugged goodbye and Cathy and I moved to London. I thought it was time to reflect on the golf courses I’ve played in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Then, I’ll compile an aspirational list of courses I most want to play in the future and will have fun getting your feedback and others.
To do so, let me first break things down geographically: England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. I’ll send separate ‘Dear Harvey’ letters to discuss the courses I’ve played (and hope to play) in each geo, starting with the Nation of England.
The Nation of England
Most American golfers dream of golf in Scotland and Ireland, but do not fully appreciate just how remarkable (and numerous) the golf courses are in England. Each region has a different flavour—coastal links, classic parklands, and world-famous heathland courses. The choices are endless and the courses, for the most part, are accessible to all who want to play them.
- London and Home Counties (Surrey, Berkshire, Hertfordshire): The heathland belt—England’s version of Augusta National-style courses. Fast, firm turf and towering pines. Some of the most prestigious private clubs in the world.
- Southwest England (Devon & Cornwall): Wild, beautiful Atlantic coastlines with less tourist traffic. Perfect for links purists who love raw scenery and authentic golf.
- Southeast England (Kent & Sussex): Royal St George’s is a regular Open Championship venue. This area features traditional English links courses along the Channel coast.
- Northwest England (Lancashire & Merseyside): The highest concentration of Open Championship courses outside of Scotland. Coastal links with deep history and strong tournament pedigree.
- Midlands (Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire): Historic Ryder Cup sites and classic inland championship layouts. Centrally located for broader travel.
- Yorkshire & Northeast: A mix of links and moorland courses with serious pedigree and less crowding. Ganton Golf Club is a hidden gem with Ryder Cup history.
- East Anglia (Norfolk, Suffolk): Secluded, classic English links with a throwback feel. Coastal beauty and great hospitality.
The Nation of Scotland
When planning a golf trip to Scotland, the country is often divided into several distinct golfing regions, each with its own character, landscape, and world-famous courses. Here’s a practical breakdown of how to think about Scotland in golf terms.
- East Lothian (a.k.a. “Scotland’s Golf Coast”): A dense concentration of historic links courses right along the coast. Easy to reach from Edinburgh.
- St Andrews & Fife: The Home of Golf. Pilgrimage-worthy for any golfer, with a rich blend of ancient and modern.
- The Highlands: Wild and remote beauty, fewer crowds, some of the most breathtaking settings in golf.
- Aberdeenshire (North East Coast): Dramatic dunes, historic courses, and one of the best stretches of rugged coast in Scotland.
- Ayrshire (West Coast): Deep Open Championship history and stunning seaside courses.
- Perthshire & Central Scotland: Lush parkland settings in the Highlands foothills; ideal for variety and luxury.
- The Islands (Islay, South Uist, Isle of Arran): Off-the-beaten-path links with charm, solitude, and bucket-list value.
Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland
Ireland is a golfing paradise, and much like Scotland, it can be thoughtfully divided into key regions based on geography and course density. These areas reflect both the legendary links courses and some excellent inland tracks. Here’s how to break it down.
- Northern Ireland: Home to two of the most iconic links courses in the world. Royal Portrush hosted The Open in 2019 and 2025. Spectacular coastline, history, and excellent value.
- Northwest (Wild Atlantic Way – Donegal, Sligo, Mayo): Remote and wild, this is Ireland at its most rugged and raw. Far fewer crowds. Consistently ranked among the best-value golf in the world.
- West Coast (Clare, Galway, Limerick): Stunning Atlantic scenery, Cliffs of Moher nearby, and iconic courses like Lahinch, beloved for its charm and eccentricity.
- Southwest (Kerry & Cork): Ireland’s “classic golf loop.” Spectacular coastal courses and postcard towns. Popular with American golf tourists. Many say this region offers the most dramatic views.
- Dublin & the East Coast: Great for a short trip or beginning/end of a longer one. Portmarnock is an Open Qualifying course and one of Ireland’s most prestigious.
- Midlands / Inland Ireland: Parkland luxury, championship pedigree, less weather risk. Often paired with East Coast trips.
The Nation of Wales
Wales offers a rich but often underappreciated selection of world-class golf courses, many of which combine dramatic coastal scenery with challenging links or parkland layouts.
South Wales
At the top of the list is Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, located in Bridgend, South Wales. This championship links course has hosted numerous prestigious events, including just this week’s 2025 AIG Women’s Open. The course is known for its classic design, firm fairways, and uninterrupted views of the Bristol Channel.
Not far away is Celtic Manor Resort near Newport, which gained international recognition after hosting the 2010 Ryder Cup. The Twenty Ten Course was purpose-built for that event and offers a modern, stadium-style challenge with plenty of water hazards and elevation changes.
North Wales
In North Wales, Conwy Golf Club stands out as a top coastal links near Llandudno, blending strategic bunkering with views of the Snowdonia mountains and the Irish Sea. Nearby, Nefyn & District Golf Club, perched on a rugged peninsula near Pwllheli, is one of the most scenic and unique courses in the UK—often compared to Pebble Beach for its clifftop holes.
Aberdovey Golf Club, located on the west coast near Tywyn, is a traditional links course beloved by purists and famously favored by Bernard Darwin, one of golf’s earliest and most influential writers. Together, these courses highlight the regional diversity of Welsh golf—from the windswept links of the north and west coasts to the resort-style layouts of the south—making Wales a worthy destination for any serious golf traveler.
So there you have it, Harvey. That’s my breakdown of the golf regions of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
I look forward to continuing my series with another letter soon.
All the best,
gPage
“Millions of people were charmed by the homespun golf advice dispensed in Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book, a sports classic that became the best-selling sports book of all time. Yet, beyond the Texas golf courses where Penick happily toiled for the better part of eight decades, few people knew the self-made golf pro who coaxed the best out of countless greats — Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw, Betsy Rawls, Mickey Wright — all champions who considered Penick their coach and lifelong friend.” – Kevin Robbins, author of Harvey Penick: The Life and Wisdom of the Man Who Wrote the Book on Golf.
