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Sean Towndrow
UK PGA and NZ PGA Professional
I have a passion for playing golf courses around the world and I've lucky enough to play and experience 22 out of the top 100 golf courses in the world.
I wanted to share my experience of these courses below.
Pine Valley Golf Club, Pennsylvania, USA
I visited Pine Valley in the autumn of 2019 with three friends while in the US for a wedding. Arriving at the gate as a guest of a member, we were waved straight through and the experience from that moment on was exceptional. From valet parking and seamless service to a full caddie experience, everything felt effortless and perfectly put together. The course itself is carved through pine trees, with no sight of another hole, creating a sense of total isolation with just your group and the golf course. With blind tee shots and doglegs throughout, having an experienced caddie was invaluable. From the timeless clubhouse to the halfway house and a memorable Philly cheesesteak, it remains one of the best golf experiences I’ve ever had and one I’m incredibly grateful for.
Royal County Down, Northern Ireland, UK
I visited Royal County Down in 2017 for the Irish Amateur Championship, shortly after completing a year of cancer treatment. The course was in incredible condition for the start of the season in April, and having heard so many good things about it, it certainly delivered. I found it strange that you don’t see the ball bounce until the fourth hole, a tough par three played from an elevated tee box. It’s not something I’m usually drawn to, but the use of alignment poles and the natural shaping of the dunes helps guide you beautifully around the course. Royal County Down is magnificent, and if you’re lucky enough to catch it on a great day, it’s one you won’t forget in a hurry.
St. Andrews Links, The Old Course, Scotland, UK
I’ve been fortunate enough to play here on many occasions throughout my amateur career while competing in the St Andrews Links Trophy. St Andrews has a presence about it that’s hard to describe, it truly does feel like the home of golf. At times the course can get a bit of flack for being too short, and its layout isn’t always ideal for speed of play, especially when hosting The Open. I’ve always found it an incredibly good course. You can hit the ball 150 yards left off the tee on many holes, but doing so usually leaves a very difficult approach, with the undulations on the left side of the greens offering plenty of protection. The weather is its greatest defence, but no matter how calm it is, the 17th hole is incredibly difficult. And while the first tee is almost 200 yards wide, there’s still that small voice in your head telling you not to hit it out of bounds. Luckily I never have, but I’ve certainly seen it happen.
Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland, UK
Royal Portrush remains close to my heart, as it was the first place where I really felt I took a step forward in my amateur career. I played here in the 2014 British Amateur Championship, where I was knocked out in the semi-finals by Zander Lombard. That week my game truly arrived. During stroke play qualifying I shot a course record at nearby Portstewart, another outstanding links course, and went on to beat Jon Rahm in the match play rounds. It was a fun and unforgettable week.
The course itself is one of the best I’ve ever played. The use of the natural links land is incredible, no two holes feel the same, and they all play in different directions, which makes it especially demanding when the wind blows. The course has undergone changes since I last played, with the old 17th and 18th no longer there, and the new holes look incredible while fitting perfectly with the rest of the course. I can’t wait to go back and experience it again.
Trump Turnberry, The Aisla, Scotland, UK
I played here in 2020 as part of a mini tour around Scotland, ticking off some of the country’s great courses. From the moment I arrived, this place felt special. The huge hotel overlooking the course immediately sets the tone, followed by a clubhouse filled with memorabilia that reminds you just how much history surrounds the place.
The course itself had undergone renovation work in recent years by Mackenzie & Ebert, and it’s an absolute pleasure to play. The famous par three beside the lighthouse is the standout hole for me, set in a rugged landscape and completely exposed to the weather. Being able to play the Ailsa Course was a real treat and an experience I won’t forget.