Episodes

  • Cavendish, Derbyshire, England
    Mar 28 2026

    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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    36 mins
  • Te Arai (North and South), Northland, New Zealand
    Mar 22 2026

    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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    54 mins
  • Blackmoor, Hampshire, England
    Mar 16 2026

    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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    31 mins
  • Paraparaumu Beach, Wellington, New Zealand
    Mar 10 2026

    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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    42 mins
  • Cleeve Hill, Gloucestershire, England
    Mar 4 2026

    Cleeve Hill has had a lot of publicity in recent years - largely because it almost went out of business until new owners took over - and it is now in England's Top 100.

    But this is so different from a lot of courses in the rankings - not just in terms of its setting, high above Cheltenham, but because this is raw golf as it used to be. The course might lack perfect paths and intensive maintenance, but it is a real adventure at a bargain price.

    Visit this part of the Cotswolds, and you will be rewarded with breathtaking views and some stunning holes.

    https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/cleeve-hill

    https://www.cleevehillgolfclub.co.uk/

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    42 mins
  • Titirangi, Auckland, New Zealand
    Feb 26 2026

    Titirangi is the Maori word for "fringe of heaven", and is quite a contrast to many of the modern courses which have been opened in New Zealand in recent years.

    Dr Alister MacKenzie drew up his plans for the course a century ago, shortly after he'd designed Royal Melbourne and before he got to Augusta National.

    And that legacy has been protected by recent renovation work.

    www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/titirangi

    www.titirangigolf.co.nz/


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    33 mins
  • Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
    Feb 20 2026

    If you watch some of the birds-eye view videos of Tom Doak's course, you might think you need a head for heights to play it.

    Fear not, some of the holes may look precariously placed on the edge of a precipice, but the wide fairways and substantial greens will reassure those with vertigo.

    That is not to say Cape Kidnappers lacks the "wow" factor. It is world-class, and the vistas are spellbinding.

    https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/cape-kidnappers

    https://www.robertsonlodges.com/the-lodges/cape-kidnappers


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    41 mins
  • Arikikapakapa/Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
    Feb 14 2026

    A visit to one of the world's more unusual courses, where, as well as bunkers, you'll find thermal mud springs as hazards.

    Arikikapakapa is Maori for "the gentle sound of plopping mud", and it's set in one of the country's most popular tourist areas.

    https://www.thegolfpilgrim.com/post/rotorua-arikikapakapa

    https://arikikapakapagolfrotorua.co.nz/


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    25 mins