The Spectacular Course At Thracian Cliffs On The Black Sea Is An All-Time Favourite - (Image credit: Thracian Cliffs)

- Golf Monthly contributing editor Rob Smith selects ten of his all-time favourite golf courses from all over the world - 

Having played my first round of golf while still a student, I have now enjoyed playing a very full and vibrant rainbow of courses in almost 50 countries. My tally currently stands at 1,176, but unless you are reading this very soon after publication, it will hopefully now be higher.

Being asked to select my favourite 10 is a challenging task, but after a great deal of thought, this is how it currently stands. I was keen to split the selection geographically, and happily it worked out neatly with 6 in the UK&I - hardly surprising as that is where I live - and four dotted around the world.

There is no implied ranking here, this is simply an alphabetic list. With each, I have tried to sum up why the course means so much to me.

Click HERE to see Rob's list...

WHAT: Cruise The Danube & Play Renowned Golf Courses

WHERE: In Hungary, Slovakia, Austria & The Czech Republic

WHEN: September 18 – October 1, 2020 (14 days)

Special Travel International is staging a very unique high-end cruise for next fall that combines a river cruise along the Danube with culture and some world class golf. Explore the beauty, culture and history of these fabled shores and enjoy great golf along the way.

DANUBE CRUISE: Budapest – Bratislava – Vienna – Wachau Valley Duernstein – Linz – Salzburg – Passau – Vilshofen + Prague

The Hacienda Pinella Club de Golf In Costa Rica - All Images Credit Michael Cunningham

By Michael Cunningham

Brilliant rays of red and orange disperse across the darkening sky as our aircraft gently touches down on the runway at San Jose’s Juan Santamaria airport.

"Pura vida, welcome to Costa Rica”! Is a recurring expression of warmth that I will encounter throughout my visit here, genuine wishes for a “good life and happiness”.

I have arrived in Costa Rica to experience the emergence of golf in this county. My host is Fabio Solano, owner of Tee Times Costa Rica and the unheralded ambassador for the promotion of the sport in his country.

SOUTH AFRICA (Dr. Barry Lotz/Inside Golf) — Today, South Africa is the best country in the world to visit! Due to the strength of the US dollar, you basically are getting a minimum 2 for 1 on goods and services. (R14 to $1.00).

Since leaving South Africa many moons ago, I have returned at least 20 times, if not more. It is one of the most beautiful countries inhabited by wonderful people, in wonderful destinations.

According To Dale Jackson, Golf Belongs In The Olympics, Especially Based Upon His Experience In Rio As A Rules Official - Image Credit Dale Jackson

Victoria's Dale Jackson has been in Rio as a golf rules official for the 2016 Olympic Games and provided a blog on what he saw and experienced as Canada attempted to defend its Gold Medal from the 1904 Olympic Games the last time golf was a part of the quadrennial event. Here is the final entry from his trip to Brazil.