Type of course? Links as it’s right by the sea, but not really according to this definition. Too much lava, not enough sand. Pleasant staff? Very lovely and chatty, in perfect English of course. Best hole? The 10th looked really tricky, with a ditch and cliffs to negotiate in order to reach the green. Après golf? Excellent fish and chips and burger from the gorgeous, modern clubhouse...
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Type of course? Heathland Pleasant staff? Helpful pro Best hole? The 4th is a brilliant par 4 with the fairway suddenly ending in a steep grass slope/precipice with the green far below. Après golf? We didn’t stay as it was early evening and we both needed our dinner. Nice round? Nope. Still shanking. Special memory? Finding two Pro v1s in the heather and topping up my tan nicely. Must...
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Type of course? Links Pleasant staff? Nice and welcoming Best hole? The 18th because it was the last one Après golf? Nice pre golf tuna sandwich in the company of the two ducks who come every day for their lunch. Nice round? Horrendous. One word: shankytown. Special memory? Chipping onto the 6th elevated upside-down saucer green, only to see my ball dribble over the edge and end up at the bottom...
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Type of course? Heavenly clifftop links Pleasant staff? Yes Best hole? The signature hole is the 14th leading to the lighthouse, but the 9th par 3 is particularly daunting and beautiful, with seven pot bunkers protecting the green. Après golf? A rush back to the house so my panna cotta would have time to set. Nice round? Fantastic. Every hole is different, the setting is stunning and the course...
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Type of course? It’s described as heathland, but really, it’s more of an enchanted forest type of course. Pleasant staff? Very nice. Best hole? There is no standout hole golfing wise, but the 17th green is surrounded by particularly beautiful trees. Après golf? I had the cheesiest cheese toastie this side of Switzerland before playing. Superb. Nice round? Lovely. The course is very...
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On 6 January 2017, I embarked on a quest to get my handicap from 17 to 12 in a year. Today, two years, four months and sixteen days later, I achieved it. What is the secret to my not-so-lightning fast success? Play more golf! What’s next? Play more...
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Type of course? The Old Course is all heather, slopes and forest (unsurprisingly). Pleasant staff? Lovely pro. Best hole? The 249 yard par 3. Elevated tee, big space, heather left and right and the green in the distance. Boom. Après golf? Very good coffee and flapjack avant golf in one of the two bars of the traditional clubhouse. There were repairs being done to the balcony so we couldn’t...
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Type of course? Undulating parkland. Pleasant staff? It’s a huge business, with a hotel and two courses, so the service is professional, but quite impersonal. Best hole? We played both West and East courses and there are lots of great holes, but the 10th on the East course is beautiful, with a babbling brook snaking around the green. Après golf? We stayed there two nights as part of our...
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My first guest review! Charlotte is on a business trip in California and was lucky enough to play this very famous course that I’d never heard about. Type of course? Iconic and jolly famous. Pleasant staff? Yes, very. Best hole? The third. A beautiful par 3 that you need to be bold with because you know you probably aren’t going to play it ever again. It’s a hole that has been...
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Type of course? Hilly. So so hilly. Pleasant staff? Yes. Best hole? The 18th because if I tonked my drive, I was able to get on the green in two provided I avoided the bunkers on the right. I just needed one more round to make it happen! Après golf? Delicious steak bolo de caco and coffee in the clubhouse with an amazing view over Funchal. Nice round? We had three rounds there and they were all...
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