Chichester Golf Club – Cathedral course

Type of course? Parkland Pleasant staff? Very Best hole? The 5th par 5. It’s quite short at 439 yards, but there is water on both sides and the entrance to the green is extremely narrow, with a long bunker on the left. You really have to plot your way carefully. I escaped with a 6 for 2. Après golf? A socially distanced drink on the outside terrace with our playing partners. Nice round? It...

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Pitlochry Golf Club

Type of course? I’m not saying it’s crazy hilly, but stick a couple of chairlifts on it and you have a decent ski resort. Pleasant staff? Really, really lovely and chatty. Best hole? The 18th is great: an elevated tee with beautiful views over the gorgeous surroundings and the colourful clubhouse and a stream to get over the reach the green. Après golf? Haggis roll and coffee before,...

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Gleneagles

Type of course? Legendary Pleasant staff? Jolly, jokey volunteers all delighted with their purple waterproofs. Best hole? We sat on the 16th on the last day, which is where the momentum turned for Europe. Oh that birdie putt from Bronte Law! Après golf? Venison burgers, cheese rolls, salami rolls, kit kats, peanut butter and chocolate biscuits, crisps, nothing was off-limits. Nice round? We were...

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Blairgowrie Golf Club

Type of course? Scottish gorgeousness Pleasant staff? Absolutely lovely, all of them and they gave Charlotte courtesy of the course. Best hole? The 16th because the tee box is behind a wee loch that you have to drive over. It’s just stunningly beautiful. Après golf? Massive pot of tea and millionnaire shortbread before hand in the very busy clubhouse – the Solheim Cup effect, we were...

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King James VI Golf Club

Type of course? Flat as a pancake river island with trees  Pleasant staff? As welcoming as can be, as were the two chatty members who were busy painting the women’s changing room. Best hole? Hard to tell, as we could only play 9 holes, half the course being closed due to flooding. Après golf? The bar was closed and anyway, we had to start our epic journey back to the car! Nice...

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Cooden Beach Golf Club

Type of course? Is it a lush links course? Is it a parkland course with few trees? Is it more of a hybrid? Who knows, who cares. Pleasant staff? Yes, and also very jovial, friendly male members on the course. Nice to be made to feel so welcome! Best hole? The par 4 10th signature hole is really very good. There’s water across the fairway and to the left and a raised green protected by two...

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Worthing Golf Club (Lower Course)

Type of course? Downland Pleasant staff? Bit grumpy behind the bar! Best hole? I enjoyed the 10th for its elevated tee and interesting shape, with quite a narrow area to land your ball and an even narrower green. I mean really, I would normally hate that kind of hole where precision is essential, but I parred it, so I guess I’m still surprised and that’s why it stuck to my mind....

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Slinfold Golf & Country Club

Type of course? Parkland Pleasant staff? Very nice Best hole? The 10th, purely because you have to tee off over a lake. Après golf? Nice cup of tea (with a biscuit!) before our round. Nice round? It was a practice round for Charlotte’s upcoming County semi-final. We’d played a foursomes comp in torrential rain that morning and the weather was gorgeous by the time we teed off at...

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Lewes Golf Club

Type of course? Steep downland Pleasant staff? Nice pro Best hole? The 7th because you get to drive over the hill and then, as you walk up, a massive wind turbine slowly comes into view. Quite spectacular even though it’s not as close as it appears at first. Après golf? It was our second 18 holes after playing a medal in the morning, so we threw our clubs back in the car and went home....

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Tyrells Wood Golf Club

Type of course? Undulating parkland Pleasant staff? Lovely Best hole? The 10th. It’s 299 yards and all downhill, so it’s very satisfying to see a good drive sail towards the left of the fairway, catch the slope and settle just a short wedge away from the green. Après golf? It was the women’s Open, so we were treated to a great buffet. Nice round? Opens are rarely anything but a...

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