An hour’s drive from Derry Airport sits a hidden gem of a four star resort known as Rosapenna. Set right in the sand dunes of Mulroy bay both the 1893 Old Tom Morris Links and the newer 2003 Sandy Hills Links boast panoramic views of the bay and nearby town of Downings, with an additional 9-hole academy course that was once the back nine holes of the Old Tom Morris Links. The Old Tom Morris Links were laid out by the man himself in 1891,at the request of Lord Leitrim, and then lengthened by Harry Vardon and James Braid in the early 1900’s. Changes by Pat Ruddy in 2009 stopped the golf course from crossing over the road on a number of holes. New changes on the front nine holes, which give extensive views of Mulroy Bay and Tramore beach, extend the course to just under 7,000 yards from the  blue pegs. More...

Buried beneath the celebration of Shakespeare’s birthday and the 30th anniversary of the ZX Spectrum, was the revelation that Monday was also St George's Day. Contemplating the curious lack of pride in this Sceptered Isle of ours, it was with perfect timing that I happened across Golf Digest magazine’s latest ranking of the Top Courses in the World outside the United States.

Espousing a refreshingly un-American outlook (that there is a whole other world out there) the editors helpfully provide readers with not just a ranking of the +best courses in no less than 199 countries globally, but also the number of courses that exist in each nation. So if you’ve a penchant for finding out more about golfing powerhouses like Suriname, Uzbekistan, Syria, Macau and Djibouti, this article is a real treat. More...

I truly love the Open Championship. With so many fantastic courses - each with its own history and memories to evoke - the Open has a different story every year. When it’s Turnberry, we recall the Duel in the Sun. At St Georges, it’s Greg Norman’s Sunday 64 or Thomas Bjorn’s bunker breakdown. At Carnoustie thoughts turn to Hogan ‘53 or our last home winner, Paul Lawrie (and, of course, a certain Frenchman). Nevertheless, Masters week – make that Masters month - is unquestionably my favourite time of the golfing year. With the Open at St Andrews on a five-year rotation we are very familiar with the Auld Grey Toon… but it feels like we know every inch of Augusta’s famous green baize. More...

Normally, I’m the sort of golfer who turns up just before the tee-time and plays. Sometimes I might roll a few on the putting green. Occasionally, but not often, I might swish the driver once or twice. Usually I’ll then smash said club into the unknown…  otherwise known as the right rough. But occasionally, and usually at somebody else’s invitation, the opportunity arises to do things a little differently.

So it was last weekend at the Grove, a  glorious golf, hotel and spa resort in the unlikely environs of Watford, just inside the M25. With five-star luxury and sensational facilities, it’s little wonder that it’s become the England football team’s venue of choice ahead of Wembley internationals.  In fact, the last time I visited, one of the abiding memories was of then-manager Fabio Capello sclaffing a wedge through the 17th green and throwing his arms in the air as only Italians can. I suppose there’s little time for practising golf when you have six games a year to prepare for! More...

In case it escaped your attention, last Thursday was St David’s Day. This begs the question of why the pubs of Birmingham, Bournemouth and Blackpool weren’t decked out with dragons and daffodils…

as they surely will be with shamrocks and all things green come March 17th?

When it comes to marking the Saints Days (or any other occasion for that matter) we’re very quick to jump on the bandwagon... any bandwagon actually, especially if it’s of the noisy, drink-fuelled variety. From the Fourth of July or Australia Day to Chinese New Year or St Patrick’s Day, we just love to join in. More...

After a short flight from the UK, we were welcomed by our transfer company at Antalya airport and driven to the nearby town of Belek; home to 14 of Turkeys 18 golf courses and currently one of Europe’s most popular golf destinations.   The gentleman who greeted us was responsible for all our golf and airport transfers for the week but was also a knowledgeable and willing source of information for the resorts and the area in general.

The first half of our stay was spent at the Maxx Royal Hotel, the newest and arguably the most impressive hotel in Belek.  We mistakenly assumed we had been given suites but in fact these were the largest and most luxurious standard rooms I have seen.  The facilities and service were impeccable throughout our stay and as a result I would have no hesitation in recommending the Maxx Royal to anyone seeking a ‘top end’ 5 star hotel for their golf break. 

We were fortunate enough to play some of Belek’s best courses during our stay.  The Faldo course was my personal favourite; not just because of the wonderfully designed golf courses More...

I have never understood the concept of the fair-weather golfer. You know the sort… those who pack the clubs away in November before re-emerging in the spring, usually around the time when thoughts turn to the Azaleas of Augusta National, and usually complaining about not having played for four months. I’d like to know exactly what they’ve been doing all this time. DIY? Christmas shopping? How could they step outside on one of those crisp, clear days and not be overwhelmed by an urge to grab the clubs and head for the tee? I just can’t understand people who can turn it off and on like a tap. You’re either a golfer or you’re not. I most certainly am a golfer. And I’m not alone. More...