There can be little doubt that 2011 was one of the best golf seasons
in living memory for the European Tour and its members. We had
Schwartzel’s remarkable run at Augusta, Rory’s miraculous redemption at Congressional and the glorious sight of the old warhorse Darren Clarke showing players half his age how to tame the links of St George’s. And that’s saying nothing of an Englishman dominating the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic and claiming the coveted World No.1 slot. There were first-time winners, multiple winners and 40-something winners. And after a handful of events in 2012, that trend seems to be continuing again.

I love watching professional golf – especially in the flesh - but for all the heroic deeds of the players, I always think that the great courses are the real stars. 2011 was a great year for this, with the Tour taking in the stellar venues we’ve become accustomed to, as well as issuing timely reminders of places that hadn’t been visited for a while. From the pine forests of El Prat to the dunes of the Kent coastline – as well as a first look at a stunning new addition in the form of Castle Stuart – we were treated to some wonderful Tour stops last year.

And luckily for us, one of the many wonderful things about golf is the fact that the average player can follow in the footsteps of Messrs Donald, Westwood, McIlroy and Woods by testing themselves on the very same sporting arena as the greats of the game. Short of driving your car round the streets of Monte Carlo or cycling up the Champs Elysees (making sure the life insurance is up to date), there isn’t another major sport where this is possible.

So why not make 2012 the year you add some of these iconic venues to your golfing CV? Golfbreaks.com has plenty of 2012 Tour stops on its books and here’s a few of my top picks. 

 
Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland
With Tour golf returning Northern Ireland for the first time in a long time (starting with the Irish Open this year) there’s never been a better time to play Portrush. If you love links golf, this is quite simply a must. If Royal County Down is the beauty, Northern Ireland’s other colossus is the beast.. it’s a raw, tough, uncompromising links that will challenge every part of your game. It’s in my Top-5 in the world, no question.

Royal Lytham & St Annes
Appearing to lack the glamour of a Turnberry or the history of a St Andrews, Lytham is often overlooked by golfers looking to play the star turns of the Open rota. If only they knew (or bothered to find out) the truth! It might appear flat and featureless but its challenges are myriad and its pedigree indisputable. For the record, doubters should note the architects (Fowler, Colt, Simpson) and past Open winners (Jones, Player, Ballesteros). Don’t judge until you’ve played it!

Castle Stuart, Scotland
The new kid on the block, Castle Stuart only opened a couple of years ago but such was the quality of this course that within no time it was hosting the Scottish Open. It has all the elements needed to acquire instant classic status: sweeping coastal views, banks of gorse, firm links turf and a location on the Moray Firth to die for. A fantastic addition to the Scottish Highlands’ canon, it’s also remarkably playable for golfers of all standards with plenty of teeing options and surprisingly generous fairways.

Gleneagles, Scotland
Originally the handiwork of Jack Nicklaus, tweaked by David McLay Kidd and altered again recently by the Golden Bear himself, Gleneagles’ PGA Centenary course has undergone plenty of work to get in shape for the 2014 Ryder Cup. It’s very different to the classic (and slightly quirky) layouts of the King’s and Queen’s, being big, tough and fraught with very obvious dangers. In short, it’s a perfect Ryder Cup course. Book a round there and it will make watching the Ryder Cup on TV even more enjoyable. One other great thing about Gleneagles is that one of the starters is called Tom Watson. How good is that!?

Celtic Manor, Wales
Just like the Belfry, the 2010 has become a must-play after the epic scenes at the Ryder Cup. Because it was designed with a Ryder Cup in mind, it was always going to be a brilliant match-play course, meaning lots of water, lots of strategic options and lots of risk-and-reward holes that tempt you into taking them on. It’s really come on since it opened and as host of the Wales Open is also always in great condition. Perfect for a weekend break.. and for having a go at G-Mac’s putt on 16!

Le Golf National, France
Along with Les Bordes, this is the late Robert Von Hagge’s legacy to golf. Home of the French Open and now the 2018 Ryder Cup, this former potato field (yes, another one!) on the outskirts of Paris remarkably has something of a linksy feel and one of the best finishing stretches on Tour. It’s a regular in the Top-10 European course rankings and with good reason. It’s only half-an-hour by train into the centre of Paris from the resort, making it perfect to combine with a city break.

Oceanico Victoria, Portugal
Designed by no less a figure than Arnold Palmer, the Victoria Course hosts the Portugal Masters every year and is truly a course in its maker’s image. It encourages the sort of swashbuckling, attacking play that Palmer’s immense reputation is built on, with challenges galore from start to finish. It’s always in beautiful condition and has some of the best greens you’ll ever three putt on.
With plenty more cracking courses on the doorstep, this is one of the best golf venues on earth.

Fancourt, South Africa
Recent host to the Volvo Champions event, Fancourt is one of South Africa’s most beloved resorts. The Links was built by Gary Player on an old airfield, and the three-time Open Champion has somehow managed to recreate a seaside feel on what is a stunning parcel of land in the Western Cape. It’s a beautiful place to play, in the heart of the famed Garden Route, and should be on every golfer’s wish list.

Finca Cortesin, Spain
There are lots of courses on the Costa del Sol so it takes something really special stand out. Finca, which only opened in 2007, does just that. Already the host of the World Matchplay, it’s a stunning layout that’s in immaculate condition all year round and may one day challenge Valderrama’s position as Spain’s best course.

Aa Saint Omer, France
One of the most enjoyable courses on the European Tour schedule, Saint Omer is close to Calais and is the perfect addition to the perennially popular Le Touquet/Hardelot itinerary which . With massive elevation changes and panoramic views, it’s one to savour.

Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai

With 20 lakes and more than 100 bunkers, Greg Norman’s Earth Course is a fitting challenge for the culmination of the European Tour season. Host venue of the Dubai World Championship, this magnificent layout has already produced plenty of memorable moments, not least Alvaro Quiros’ 72nd-hole eagle to win last year.

Verdura, Sicily
Having learned his trade under the great Robert Trent Jones Snr, Kyle Philips has a made an impressive name for himself with courses like The Grove, Kingsbarns, Dundonald and Yas Links on his design CV. Verdura, on the southern coast of the beautiful island of Sicily, is another special venue, as the Tour will discover when the Sicilian Open is held there in March. If you plan on holidaying in the Med, Sicily could be just the ticket.