Episodes

6d ago

What's life like for an up-and-coming golf course designer working to make a name for himself? Jay Blasi, who's done some outstanding public and private work in California, walks through a life in the industry. Jay worked on Chambers Bay ahead of it hosting the U.S. Open, and has most recently transformed a clunky routing at Poppy Ridge, a beloved Bay Area public facility, into a walking golfer's paradise. In this interview with Josh Sens, Jay lays out the challenges and successes of living in the golf design world.

Dec 8

This quarter of GOLF's World Top 100 list are some of the most hotly contested courses out there. Some get votes as high as top 10, and others are left fully out of the best 150. In the end, the votes all average out to end up in this incredibly prestigious bucket. Scotland's Prestwick hosted the first ever Open Championship, and has inspired holes around the world for a century. Kawana in Japan is home to a course that we say still has the most potential of any established design in the world. And Norway's Lofoten Links and China's Shanqin Bay jumped up the most spots of any other courses on the list. This is an exciting part of our list, and Josh Sens and Simon Holt go deep on each. Enjoy!

Dec 1

After a career built on restoring classic template holes in the U.S., renowned modern architect Gil Hanse now gets to work on a handful of the originals at North Berwick. Longtime North Berwick member, and the leader of GOLF's Top 100 panelists, Simon Holt, sits down with Hanse to discuss his design philosophy, his career working on some of the greatest courses in the world, his original work, and his relationship with his partner Jim Wagner. Enjoy!

Nov 24

These are the courses that really deserve the most conversation, according to Top 100 panelists Simon Holt and Josh Sens. Cabot Cliffs & Links, Bandon Trails & Dunes, and the lesser known courses at Royal Melbourne and Winged Foot are just some of the headliners from the first quarter of our World Top 100 course breakdowns. Simon and Josh run through them all, plus give their reactions to the feedback you've given us so far on the newest Top 100 Courses in the World. Enjoy!

Nov 19

The newest ranking of GOLF Magazine's Top 100 Courses in the World is out now! Simon Holt, who leads the panel, and longtime course rater and GOLF Magazine editor Josh Sens go through all the headlines. Which new courses entered the Top 100? And which courses made meteoric rises? Plus, for our 40th anniversary of the list, we'll take a special stats-driven look back at how trends impact the rankings today. To view the full list, head over to GOLF.com or pick up a copy of GOLF Magazine today.

Nov 17

How much does a Top 100 ranking mean to an architect? One of the modern golden age's most prolific designers, Jim Wagner, weighs in on the list and the courses on it. As a longtime partner of Gil Hanse, Jim has traveled the world restoring the best of the best, and has already cracked the list with their own original projects. If you want to get inside the head of an architect, this interview with Josh Sens is for you. Enjoy!

Nov 10

Razor thin margins decide whether a deserving course earns a spot in GOLF's Top 100 Courses in the World . Ahead of our latest 2025-2026 World list release, we take you behind the curtain for the very first time, revealing every course that just missed out between spots 101 and 150. Simon Holt, who collates the votes, and longtime course rater Josh Sens walk through the process and give their thoughts on all fifty courses in this group. Enjoy!

Nov 3

Groupthink, bias, and gatekeeping are accusations often levied at a list of the best golf courses in the world. But how much of that is true? Simon Holt, the engine behind GOLF's Top 100 Courses in the World, and longtime GOLF Magazine travel editor Josh Sens have an honest conversation about how these human factors come into play in our own rankings. Plus, we'll get into the nitty gritty on architecture, setting, and what our panelists are looking for. If you can't wait for the Top 100 Courses in the World to drop on November 19th, this is the episode for you. Enjoy!

Oct 27

Immerse yourself in some of the world's elite golf clubs, known for amenities far beyond their great golf courses. If you don't happen to have the millions in initiation fees, you might not get access without knowing someone. What's it like inside the gates of Tara Iti, Haesley, Ardfin, and more? Simon Holt and Josh Sens dive deep to bring you these experiences, and at the end of the episode, tell you where in the world you can go to spend a day in luxury with publicly available tee times. Enjoy!

Oct 13

Near San Francisco, an Alister MacKenzie gem serves up glistening views of the California coast. And no, we're not talking about Cypress Point. Sharp Park is the only publicly-owned seaside MacKenzie course in the U.S., making its very existence special. It's one of the incredibly popular Bay Area munis, despite its less than perfect condition. In this episode, Josh Sens interviews Richard Harris of San Francisco Public Golf Alliance. They dive into everything important about municipal golf, and how every golfer is indebted to these courses around the U.S. Looking to improve or save a muni near you? This conversation should give you a great sense of where to start. Enjoy.

Oct 6

What makes the linksland of Kent, England so special? Three world class courses: Royal St. George's, Royal Cinque Ports, and Prince's line the coast. But they also share a unique moment in history, when Walter Hagen created his own routing of the three tracks after he was denied access to the clubhouse. John and Alex, the creators of the golf apparel brand Holderness & Bourne, played in this special event newly open to the public with Simon Holt, and relive their experience in this fun conversation. Enjoy!

Sep 29

The Ryder Cup marks the unofficial end of the golf season. To mark the occasion, Josh Sens and Simon Holt recap a great year traveling around the world. Enjoy!

Sep 22

Introducing one of GOLF's youngest Top 100 course panelists, army veteran Pete Phipps. The Ohio native became obsessed with golf early in life while playing his local Donald Ross designs, and now lives in Ross-rich North Carolina. Pete competed in NCAA tournaments on the golf team at West Point, playing all over the U.S. before serving in Afghanistan in the early 2000s. He's a seasoned traveler who takes pride in saving cash where he can while exploring the world's great golf courses. We hope you enjoy this unique conversation with Pete and Josh Sens.

Sep 15

This panel conversation between the greats of modern architecture was perviously only available to InsideGOLF members. Now, our discussion with Tom Doak, Bill Coore, Andrew Green, and Rob Collins is here for you to listen too. For more exclusive course and travel coverage when it arrives, sign up for InsideGOLF today at https://golf.com/subscription/

Sep 8

Golf Channel's Mark Rolfing is the biggest advocate for the diversity and quality of golf in Hawaii. The islands boast several different climates: along the ocean, high in the mountains, deep in the forest, and even on black lava. Josh Sens and Simon Holt explore the special world of golf on the Hawaiian islands to help you plan your next trip. Enjoy!

Sep 1

The northwest of Ireland is one of the most underrated golf destinations in the world. A trip there is now anchored by St. Patrick's Links at Rosapenna Golf Resort, a magnificent seaside links only a few years old. Frank Casey Jr. and his family are the caretakers of the resort, and they're the reason St. Patrick's came to life the way they did, after a start-and-stop attempt over a decade ago. Frank and Simon Holt discuss the Rosapenna story, lay out a trip to NW Ireland, and go deep on some of their architectural preferences in this wide-ranging interview. Enjoy!

Aug 25

Royal Dornoch, Old Petty, and Nairn are among the tracks that steal the show in Scotland's northernmost links land. Golf in this region is defined by dramatic views, quality architecture and friendly locals. More courses are coming to the area, with Rob Collins and Tom Doak designs coming online in the next few years. Simon Holt and Josh Sens lay out an exciting weeklong itinerary for your next trip to the Highlands. Enjoy!

Aug 18

The Tennessee native behind Sweetens Cove is making huge progress on a new venture in his home state. Bounty Club, just 15 minutes from Nashville's Broadway, is set on wild, rolling land perfectly set for a golf course. Simon Holt and Rob Collins have walked it together, and now bring you a detailed walkthrough of what's to come when the work is finished. Rob and Simon talk about design philosophy (courses should NOT be easier), Rob's journey to where he is today, and exciting projects coming up next. Enjoy!

Aug 11

What do Bethpage Black, Torrey Pines, and East Lake all have in common? Besides hosting some of the most memorable events in pro golf, they all have the character they do today because of Rees Jones. A prolific course architect with a legendary father, Rees walks us through his life growing up around Robert Trent Jones. He discusses his work on Bethpage Black, and how two decades of changes there lead us to the course that will host this fall's Ryder Cup. Josh Sens presses Rees on the changes he's seen in the last 80 years he's spent on golf courses, and where the industry goes from here. Enjoy!

Aug 4

Bethpage State Park is famously known as "The People's Club" for its five courses open to all. But the world-renowned Black course is surrounded by a collection of some of the world's greatest private courses. To the east: Shinnecock, National Golf Links, and Maidstone. Closer to New York City you'll find The Creek, Piping Rock and Rockaway Hunt Club. If you get one single invite to a private club on Long Island, it's time to say yes and make the trip for yourself. Producer Connor Federico walks us through the public courses to fill out your journey all over Long Island with Josh and Simon. Enjoy! Here's the link to watch our videos featuring golf all over Long Island: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY50fiEpEyX-VLD5JxQtLPCOvCbp0CjZX

Jul 28

Golf in the UK nation of Wales is known widely for Royal Porthcawl, where they say you can see the water from all 18 holes. Friend of the pod Hayes Jackson just recently wrapped up a last-minute trip to Wales, where he was easily able to get on at all its local gems. Hayes joins Simon Holt and Josh Sens to take us through this beautiful country and all the great clubs it has to offer. Enjoy!

Jul 21

A late bloomer into the world of golf, CBS Evening News anchor loves golf in the New York area. Enjoy this interview with Josh Sens!

Jul 14

If you’re a golfer that hasn’t visited the likes of Cypress Point, Lofoten Links, Royal County Down, and Tara Iti, but you’ve seen photos of them, then you’ve enjoyed the work of Gary Lisbon. He’s photographed nearly 700 courses in 30 countries, and might be one of the most traveled men in golf. A Royal Melbourne member with a deep love for golf, this accountant turned course photographer is one of the most genuine characters in golf. Enjoy this interview with Simon Holt.

Jul 7

It's the legendary golf resort that kicked off the destination golf movement in the United States. Inspired by golf in Scotland, Mike Keiser built Bandon Dunes, then Pacific Dunes, and now a property that features a half dozen courses on the Oregon coast. Josh Sens and Simon Holt love this very special corner of the golf world, and they're ready to share their secrets about making the most of your trip there. Enjoy!

Jun 30

An accomplished aerospace engineer turned golf course architect, Mike Nuzzo has one of the most fascinating journeys in the industry. What made him pursue this new career? What kind of projects does he enjoy working on now? The man behind The Squeeze and The Roost at Cabot Citrus Farms opens up in this interview with Josh Sens. Enjoy!

Jun 23

Golf along the great lakes? A reversible Tom Doak routing? You can find great value for exciting golf all over beautiful Northern Michigan. Josh Sens and Simon Holt introduce us to Arcadia Bluffs, Forest Dunes, and a host of great public courses along the very top of the Lower Peninsula. Then, the guys will draft their Dream Foursome of GOLF Magazine's 50 Greatest Experiences in Golf. Enjoy!

Jun 16

What's it like working designing golf holes with Tiger Woods? And how did early experiences on Augusta and Cypress Point shape a future course architect? GOLF.com's Josh Sens asks these questions and more of the accomplished architect Beau Welling. Enjoy!

Jun 9

Golf's spotlight is on Royal Portrush, Royal County Down, and all the great golf in Northern Ireland as they prepare to host the 2025 Open Championship. If you want to plan your trip to the golf-crazed country, Simon Holt and Josh Sens are here with every course, hotel, and pub you need to know for a weeklong itinerary. Then the guys draft their Dream Foursome of the legendary Open rota courses. Enjoy!

Jun 2

Known around the world for its top-tier private courses, public tracks in the Bay Area also have so much to offer a visiting golfer. Josh Sens, who's lived in the Bay for decades, takes us around to the can't miss spots to eat, drink, and play if you're visiting Northern California. Enjoy!

May 26

One of the game's most famous faces chose Montana as his retirement destination, but why? 6-time major champion Nick Faldo talks about his golf course projects, life after broadcasting, and his favorite courses around the world in this interview with Josh Sens. Sir Nick also dives in to his new business venture, building short courses in small paces with both turf and grass. Enjoy!

May 19

Beautiful beaches, great wine, and proud rugby traditions define the two islands of New Zealand. For golf lovers, this is a special bucket list destination. Courses like Te Arai and Paraparaumu Beach capture our attention for their incredible views and sand-swept topography, but there are many more tracks out there for you to discover. Simon Holt and Josh Sens lay out their weeklong itinerary for a golf trip to New Zealand. Enjoy!

May 12

Every experience on a GOLF Magazine Top 100 Course is a special one. But imagine traveling the globe in pursuit of playing every course on the list? Panelist David Margolis has completed multiple lists, and he's had plenty of fun along the way. Enjoy this interview with Simon Holt on world travel, once-in-a-lifetime golf experiences, great food, and more.

May 5

Walking the Old Course at St. Andrews is a lifelong anticipation for golfers around the world. But how can you actually make it happen? Simon Holt and Josh Sens relive their favorite memories from the home of golf, and they'll help you get on too. The surrounding Scottish county of Fife is full of great golf that dates back hundreds of years. We pick out a 5-day itinerary of great links courses, restaurants, and bars you'll have to visit when you make your own golf pilgrimage. Enjoy!

Apr 28

The golf culture in China is truly unlike anywhere else in the world. Take it from course architect Brian Curley, who’s built dozens of tracks in China and throughout Asia. Brian grew up in Monterey, CA, with early exposure to Cypress Point, Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill. His first jobs in the industry came working for Pete Dye on PGA West and Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course. Many of Brian’s designs are credited to big time golf pros, whose names were used to attract real estate purchases in the 80s and 90s. Today, the landscape for marketing golf is far different, and Brian walks through the evolution of golf architecture around the world. This interview with Josh Sens is full of music, culture, architecture, global travel, and more. Enjoy!

Apr 21

Known for its vast selection of courses, there's plenty of reasons to visit Myrtle Beach, one of America's favorite golf destinations. Although not known for its architectural prowess, the region boasts courses from Tom Doak and Robert Trent Jones, among many others. Learn about why this fun, affordable location makes for a great vacation in this destination guide with Josh Sens and Simon Holt. Enjoy!

Apr 14

Obsessed with golf course architecture since he was a kid, Kyle Franz is living out his childhood dreams. From his first gig under Tom Doak at Pacific Dunes, to breathing new life into a trio of Donald Ross courses in Pinehurst, Franz has proven his devotion to thoughtful architecture. Now, the praise is piling on for his work on the Karoo course at Cabot Citrus Farms in a style all his own. Kyle takes us to the places he's traveled to and lays out his favorite holes in the world in this interview with Josh Sens. Enjoy!

Apr 7

If you're lucky enough to score Masters tickets, you'll want to bring your sticks with you, just not to Augusta National. Where can you play golf during Masters week? With the proper planning, you can get on basically everywhere, including private gems like Broomsedge, Old Barnwell, and Tree Farm. Josh Sens and Simon Holt break down the booming golf market of Aiken, South Carolina, just across the state line from Augusta National. The guys detail the recent changes at ANGC, and pick their Dream Foursome of the best holes at the iconic Masters course.

Mar 31

As the son of 1968 Masters champion Bob Goalby, our guest Kye Goalby has incredible stories from growing up around Augusta National, like hitting shanks onto Magnolia Lane in front of Sam Snead and Jack Nicklaus. Decades later, he's found his own way in golf, working on big projects like Tree Farm, Tara Iti, and Ballyneal. Kye explains why he loves his craft enough to spend more than 300 days a year away from home. This conversation with Kye is one of Josh Sens's favorite interviews yet. We hope you enjoy it too.

Mar 24

On the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, Cabo has developed into a desirable golf destination. Diamante Dunes, Cabo del Sol, and Quivira top the charts in this part of the world where the sun shines bright. Josh Sens interviews Brian McCallen, a former GOLF Magazine travel writer who moved to Cabo San Lucas in the 1990s. Today, he's painting the picture of great coastal golf in Mexico, upgrading its status as an underrated collection of courses south of the border.

Mar 17

Lahinch, Ballybunion, and Adare Manor are some of the most well-known courses in this golf-rich region of Ireland. Simon Holt and Josh Sens lay out the weeklong itinerary to play these three, plus a collection of great tracks you'll find in GOLF's Top 100 Courses in the UK & Ireland. From the Guinness and black pudding to the Cliffs of Moher, the heaving dunes of South West Ireland offer a spectacular experience for all travelers, not just golfers. Learn how to plan your trip bigger and better in this special Destination Guide episode. Enjoy!

Mar 10

In the southeast of England, three Open Championship hosts are available for travelers to play some of the greatest courses in links golf. At Royal St. George's, "temporary members" are treated to the experience of a lifetime, including one of the greatest lunches in golf. Club secretary Colin Sinclair makes this is all possible. He speaks with Simon Holt about what makes this part of the world one of the greatest off-the-radar spots for traveling golfers. Enjoy the listen!

Mar 3

The golf in Australia is truly some of the best in the world. The soil in the Sandbelt region is perfect for undulating greens and terrain with firm running ground. Steep edged bunkers surrounding greens make for incredible photos. Every course in the area is great, but some standouts are Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Kingston Heath Golf Club and Metropolitan Golf Club. Join Simon Holt and Josh Sens as they take us through the travel, culture, food, and golf that makes this the perfect 10+ day destination for your next golf trip.

Feb 24

Pete Dye's ashes are spread at Teeth of the Dog, the mesmerizing course in the Dominican Republic where you can dip your driver in the Caribbean on several tee boxes. Pete's friend, and longtime Director of Golf at this Top 100 Course in the World is Gilles Gagnon. He talks about his first-ever meeting with Dye, and tells several laugh-out-loud stories about the famous architect up until his final days. Josh Sens asks Gilles about his hockey background, golf in Canada and the D.R., and much more in this one-of-a-kind interview. Enjoy it!

Feb 17

There's no experience in the world like the days you'll spend at Muirfield and North Berwick. Instead of bouncing around Scotland quickly from place to place, our expert Simon Holt implores you to stop and stay a while. Or in this case, to stop and stay in North Berwick, and use it as a home base to play all the great golf in the East Lothian region. In this episode, Simon lays out his full travel guide for a perfect five-day itinerary to this historic golf-rich region of Scotland. Enjoy!

Feb 10

Cabot continues its global takeover of remote golf with its latest opening, Cabot Citrus Farms. Josh Sens sits down with Cabot's CEO and co-founder, Ben Cowan-Dewar, to discuss how far golf travel has come, where it's going next, and the lessons he's learned along the way. Enjoy it!

Feb 3

The California coast is one of the most beautiful (and famous) golf destinations in the world. Are you ready to book your trip? Josh Sens, GOLF's Senior Writer based in the Bay Area, and Simon Holt, the founder of 8AM Travel and the man in charge of GOLF's Top 100 Courses panel, lay out everything you need to know about traveling to Pebble Beach and Monterey. With this guide to golf, travel, food, and off-course activities, you'll be set to book your visit. Later in the episode, enjoy Josh's interview with Pebble Beach Pro-Am defending champion Wyndham Clark, and then the guys pick their Dream Foursome of clubhouse bars.

Jan 27

What do architects Tom Doak, Coore & Crenshaw, Gil Hanse, and David McLay Kidd all have in common? Now, they'll appear with their own designs at Streamsong in Florida. Destination GOLF host Josh Sens has been following McLay Kidd's career ever since he burst on the scene 25 years ago at Bandon Dunes. The two talk Scottish golf, the importance of the ground game, and flying around the world in this interview from Streamsong Resort.

Jan 20

The new year is in full gear for GOLF.com travel experts Simon Holt and Josh Sens. The guys tell us what they're up to and what we can expect from the Destination GOLF crew this winter. We wonder how to properly communicate with your spouse why you're really on this vacation, and how best to prepare for (and recover from) a long flight. After that, we hear from Hall of Famer Gary Player, who says he's the most-traveled man in history. Then we wrap up by giving our own TGL analysis, highlighting our favorite holes from the simulator golf league, and asking 'might they be better off with some real architectural marvels instead?'

Jan 6

What is it like to travel the world golfing with the members you teach? GOLF Top 100 Teacher and World Top 100 Course Rater Michael Hunt knows the best of both. He explains to Simon Holt how he puts these trips together, where he's gone, and what you can learn from traveling with a large group. Then we'll get his two Dream Foursomes: his favorite courses now and the places he's most looking forward to playing in 2025.

Dec 16, 2024

Now that you've planned out your trip, how are you going to make the most of it? Lifelong travelers Simon Holt and Josh Sens are sharing their secrets for what to (and not to) pack, telling their favorite caddie stories, and going deep on every little detail you should know during your golf trip. Join us for our most fun episode yet!

Dec 2, 2024

What makes a golf trip great? Bringing the right people, playing beautiful courses, and making lasting memories are all incredibly important. A great golf trip requires detailed planning, setting you and your group up for success when the time comes to make the most of your itinerary. What are the keys to a fun, worthwhile trip? Global travelers and course raters Simon Holt and Josh Sens break down every detail in this first part of our Golf Travel 101 guide. Then, Simon and Josh draft their Dream Foursome of international golfing destinations.

Nov 18, 2024

GOLF Magazine course raters Simon Holt and Josh Sens have the all-new list of the best public, resort, and municipal courses in the United States. Today, we're bringing you the inside details of where each of these beloved courses fell in our rankings. Josh and Simon go state by state, compiling their Dream Foursome of states for public-access golf.

Nov 11, 2024

GOLF Magazine course raters Simon Holt and Josh Sens are the first to bring you the details from this year's list of the best courses in America. We start by introducing the 11 courses new to this year's list, including The Lido (WI), Old Barnwell (SC), and Pinehurst No. 10 (NC). At 8:35, we ask, how much does recency bias play a part in our rankings? At 10:00, we reveal the reshaped Top 10 and dig into whether Pine Valley really is the single best course in the world. Then at 15:40, we make some suggestions on how you can get on at some of the best courses in the world, even private clubs. 22:40 introduces our Travel Bag questions segment with a question about the remote courses on the list, and at 25:50 our Dream Foursome segment has us draft a team of our favorite golf club logos in the U.S. We wrap up at 30:40 explaining how our list comes together and what drives our GOLF panelists' decisions.

Nov 9, 2024

There's incredible golf to be played all over the world, and we're going to explore all of it. From GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com, introducing Simon Holt and Josh Sens, two seasoned veterans of global golf travel. Listen along as we experience the greatest courses, towns, and meals the world has to offer.