They've been playing golf in this part of Scotland for hundreds of years, and for more than a century, they've had three 18-hole courses in Gullane to choose from. Gullane Number 1 is the highest rated and has twice hosted the Scottish Open.

East Lothian is blessed with a large number of quality golf courses, but what sets Gullane apart is the variety of holes and the huge change in elevation as you climb the hill, which provides stunning views over its neighbours.

And if the podcast doesn't whet your appetite, click on the link below for one of the very best club websites we've come across, with course guides and plenty of history to inform prospective visitors.

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/gullane-no-1

https://gullanegolfclub.com/

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We have a Golf Pilgrim Top 100 exclusive!

The Els Club is the first private golf club in the Algarve, and its course was reimagined by Ernie Els from the Vilamoura Victoria, which previously hosted the Portugal Masters.

The doors opened for us to be among the first to review a club which has five-star service and very lofty ambitions.

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/els-club-vilamoura

https://www.elsclubvilamoura.com

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Three courses and a former Ryder Cup Captain are squeezed into this episode from one of Europe's top golf resorts.

Quinta Do Lago South, North, and Laranjal offer different challenges. Paul McGinley has an Academy at the resort and has been going there for three decades. He tells The Golf Pilgrim what makes it such an attractive place to visit.

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/quinta-do-lago-north

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/quinta-do-lago-laranjal

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/quinta-do-lago-south

https://www.quintadolago.com/en/golf/overview/

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The first of three episodes from Portugal, which has long been a favourite destination for British and Irish golfers, but is now attracting worldwide acclaim

The 27 holes at Palmares provide such a variety of challenges, that you might even forget you’re in the Algarve, with some holes akin to a Scottish links.

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

https://www.palmaresliving.com/golf/

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Cavendish Golf Club styles itself as the inspiration for Augusta National, which is not as fanciful an idea as it may sound. It opened in 1925 and was the last English course that Dr Alister MacKenzie designed before heading overseas to ply his trade.

Eight years later, his breathtaking course in Georgia was born. So, with another US Masters almost upon us, let us take you to the English Peak District to look for similarities.

https://www.cavendishgolfclub.com/

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

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Our final New Zealand episode and arguably, we've saved the best for last. Both Te Arai courses have leapt into the top 100 in the world despite being less than 5 years old.

And we are delighted to say that New Zealand's best golfer, Ryan Fox, was so keen to talk about the courses, he joined us from Florida, while Jim Rohrstaff, the club's managing director, is also our special guest.

The South course will host the Asia-Pacific Amateur championship in late 2026, and when you watch highlights on TV, you'll see just how spectacular it is…

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/te-arai-north

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/te-arai-south

https://tearai.com/

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An honours board at Blackmoor gives a hint of its pedigree. How many provincial members clubs can boast of having had a US Open champion win a tournament on their course?

Matt Fitzpatrick is one of several future professional stars to win a top amateur prize at this Harry Colt gem in Hampshire.

In an effort to preserve the character of the course, the club hired designer Tim Lobb to carry out renovations, and he explains why Blackmoor is on a par with more famous neighbours in Surrey and Berkshire.

www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/blackmoor

www.blackmoorgolf.co.uk

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It's been called the spiritual home of New Zealand golf, having hosted many tournaments, and is still rated the country's second-best course. It's also the only NZ course that Tiger Woods has played competitively - as a favour to his then Kiwi caddie Steve Williams.

Paraparaumu Beach recently welcomed back the tour pros for the New Zealand PGA Championship. It's not a long course, so you might expect a flood of low scores. But the wind blew, and only TWO players finished under par!

But good scores can be made in benign conditions…

https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/paraparaumu-beach

https://paraparaumubeachgolfclub.co.nz/cms/

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