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.

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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/

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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

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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

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Even if you've never heard of the golf course, you all know Sherwood Forest thanks to dozens of depictions of Robin Hood in TV and cinema.

Any course designed by Harry Colt and later by James Braid is always worth exploring, and the heathland track is particularly appealing in the winter, when fairways and greens remain firm.

Renowned course architect Martin Ebert describes the changes he's overseeing, and we recall when the club made national headlines over a court case involving allegations of cheating…

https://www.sherwoodforestgolfclub.co.uk/

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In the second half of our review of the year, we explore golf in Scandinavia and the Baltic, as well as Ireland's Wild Atlantic coast. But nothing beats a visit to Fife when the Old Course at St Andrews is on the itinerary.

Golf commentators Andrew Cotter and Nick Dougherty share their champagne moments of the year, and we recall the drama of the Ryder Cup, as well as the less savoury moments from Bethpage Black.

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While we take a bit of a break for Christmas, join us for a look back on some of the best courses we played during 2025. In this first half we recall rounds in continental Europe as well as Great Britain…with Cruden Bay in Scotland among the favourites.

And Ewen Murray from Sky Sports returns to The Golf Pilgrim to recall his champagne moment of the year.

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The club’s motto translates as “go straight and you will never fail”, which is sensible advice on most courses, but particularly so at Rosendalelsche with its huge number of trees

One of continental Europe’s top ranked courses, on the one occasion that it hosted the Dutch Open, it was won by Bernhard Langer. His course record score lasted 30 years!

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/rosendaelsche

https://rosendaelsche.nl/

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