'Top 100 Clubhouse' is the ultimate destination for golf course enthusiasts! Join us as we delve deep into the minds of fascinating individuals from every corner of the golfing world. From players to course designers, caddies to golf historians, we'll leave no stone unturned in our quest to share unique insights and experiences with the Top 100 Community. Together we'll explore stunning courses and breathtaking landscapes, enjoying the unforgettable stories that bring the game of golf to life. Visit our website at www.top100golfcourses.com
In this episode of Top 100 Clubhouse, James speaks with Gilles Gagnon, the long-time ambassador of Casa de Campo and one of the most recognisable figures in Caribbean golf. Gilles reflects on his remarkable journey from a hockey-playing kid in Montreal to becoming an integral part of one of the world's great golf destinations. The conversation explores his decades-long friendship with Pete Dye, the creation and evolution of Teeth of the Dog, and the philosophy that made Dye one of the most influential architects in golf history. The discussion also covers the recent renovation of Teeth of the Dog, the growth of Casa de Campo from a remote resort into a global golf destination, and some unforgettable stories involving presidents, celebrities, and golf's biggest personalities. Play fast, lunch slow. Chapters 00:00 – Intro 02:20 – Gilles Gagnon's Journey Into Golf 06:50 – The Early Days of Casa de Campo 10:15 – Working Alongside Pete Dye 14:30 – Pete Dye's Design Philosophy 23:20 – The Teeth of the Dog Renovation 30:00 – Celebrity Guests & Presidential Golf Stories 37:00 – How Pete Dye Changed His Own Courses 43:30 – What Makes Casa de Campo Special 49:00 – Life Inside the Resort Community 57:30 – More Pete Dye Stories & Memories 01:02:00 – Final Thoughts 🔗 Links & Resources 🌐 Top 100 Golf Courses Website: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/ 🧢 Official Merch: https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/ ✈️ Lockhart Travel Club: https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialtop100/ 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetop100golfcourses #golf #golfpodcast #top100golfcourses
In this episode of the Top 100 Clubhouse Podcast, host James Henderson is joined once again by Jasper Miners, Editor of Top 100 Golf Courses, for a catch up on some of their recent trips, stories from excursions with Lockhart, and some of the most fascinating courses they've encountered across the UK and Europe. The conversation begins with Crownwood Golf Club and the work of friend of the show, Christian Lundin, exploring what makes his work at Crownwood so visionary. James and Jasper discuss how a golf course architect's own playing ability can influence their design philosophy, before diving into Crownwood's exceptional conditioning and attention to detail. The pair then turn their attention to some of England's most revered layouts, including Rye and Littlestone, discussing their rich histories, strategic challenges, and enduring appeal. Later, they explore the unique character of Addington before highlighting the innovation found at Northcliffe, Royal Copenhagen, and Falsterbo. Play fast, lunch slow. Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:31 – Highlights of Crownwood Golf Course & Christian Lundin 08:30 – How a Golf Course Architect's Game Influences Design 12:22 – Crownwood's Conditioning Is Next Level 15:57 – Is Rye One of the Toughest Golf Courses in the UK? 23:32 – Highlights and History of Littlestone Golf Club 28:16 – The Uniqueness of Addington 37:35 – North Foreland Short Course 39:19 – Courses Played with Lockhart Travel 48:25 – Big Walks in Links Golf 51:37 – Switching Off at Royal Copenhagen 57:30 – Falsterbo & Closing Thoughts Top 100 Golf Courses Website 🛜: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/ Top 100 Golf Courses Official Merch 🧢: https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/ Lockhart Travel Club ✈️: https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/membership/ Follow Top 100 Golf Courses: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialtop100/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetop100golfcourses/
In this episode of Top 100 Clubhouse, host James Henderson is joined by Jasper Miners and Simon Barrington for a deep dive into the latest GB&I rankings and the factors shaping the future of golf course architecture across Great Britain & Ireland. From the influence of unique UK landscapes on course design to the movers and shakers in the rankings, the team breaks down which clubs are rising, which are falling, and which courses narrowly missed out on the coveted Top 100. They also take a closer look at the bottom 10, discuss the vital role of course management and conditioning, and explore what clubs should be doing more of to improve both their ranking potential and the golfer experience. Play fast, lunch slow. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – GB&I Rankings 07:25 – How Unique UK Landscapes Impacts Golf Architecture 12:10 – GB&I: Fallers and Risers 24:43 – Near Misses: Courses Just Outside the Top 100 26:47 – Bottom 10 Golf Courses 36:13 – The Importance of Golf Course Management 48:23 – How Could The Top 100 Golf Courses Change? 54:00 – What Should Clubs Be Doing More Of? Links Top 100 Golf Courses Website 🛜 https://www.top100golfcourses.com/ Top 100 Golf Courses Official Merch 🧢 https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/ Lockhart Travel Club ✈️ https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/membership/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/officialtop100/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thetop100golfcourses/
Episode 109: English Rankings
In this episode of Top 100 Clubhouse, the guys explore whether England now offers better value golf than Scotland, and there’s also a closer look at how lesser-known, more affordable courses are climbing the rankings; raising questions about what truly defines a “top” course. 🔗 Links & Resources 🌐 Website: Top 100 Golf Courses https://www.top100golfcourses.com/ 🧢 Official Merch: https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/ ✈️ Lockhart Travel Club: https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/me... Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:48 Upcoming England Rankings and Their Importance 04:03 Value of Golf in England vs. Scotland 06:54 Best Value Golf Courses in England 09:35 Challenges in Ranking English Golf Courses 20:52 Golf IQ on Display at The Masters 22:53 The Augusta Effect on Golf Course Architecture 30:00 What Makes English Golf Courses Different? 34:46 Increasing Awareness of Golf Course Architecture 44:27 Augusta Going Firm and Fast 49:55 New Entries in the Top 100 England Golf Course Rankings 59:59 Honourable Mentions & Clyde Johnson 1:05:03 Technical Mentions on Rankings & Fake Panellists
Episode 108: Golf's GREATEST Logos with Fescue and Dunes
In this episode of Top 100 Clubhouse, host James Henderson sits down with Tim Neill and Joe Petrucci, the founders of Fescue and Dunes, to explore the fascinating intersection of golf course architecture, branding, and visual identity. From their early beginnings to working with some of the game’s most recognisable clubs, Tim and Joe break down how logos shape perception, drive engagement, and elevate a club’s presence both on and off the course. The conversation dives into the cultural differences between UK and US golf markets, the rise of alternative logos, and what truly makes a golf club identity resonate. Along the way, the group also shares personal favourites, discusses the enduring appeal of Royal Birkdale, and reflects on what defines a truly great golf trip. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:15 – The origin story of Fescue and Dunes 03:23 – How logos influence club visibility and perception 09:37 – Early challenges, navigating regulations, and dream collaborations 15:40 – Are golfers buying logos from clubs they’ve never played? 20:00 – Key differences between UK and US golf markets 32:00 – Alternative logos, marketing strategies, and member identity 39:29 – Favourite golf club logos 41:59 – Why Royal Birkdale stands out 44:00 – What makes a great golf trip & favourite courses 🔗 Useful Links Top 100 Golf Courses Website 🛜 https://www.top100golfcourses.com/ Top 100 Golf Courses Official Merch 🧢 https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/ Lockhart Travel Club ✈️ https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/membership/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/officialtop100/
Episode 107: Scottish Rankings Updated!
In this episode of Top 100 Clubhouse, James and Jasper dive deep into the Scotland Rankings and the architectural principles that inspire good golf. They look at everything from the subtleties of ground movement and bunkering to the philosophy behind the “bucket system,” and how it relates to the ranking process in 2026. There's also a somewhat heated discussion about what modern golf architecture might be missing today... Play fast, lunch slow. Chapters 00:00 – Intro & Southport and Ainsdale Appreciation 02:38 – Top 100 Golf Courses Scottish Rankings Explained 11:33 – The Role of Ground Movement 13:41 – Top 100 Principles & Fundamentals 19:09 – The Bucket System Explained 21:19 – Turnover in the Rankings 22:36 – Which Scottish Golf Course Surprised Jasper The Most 25:58 – Jasper’s Rough Time at Trump New 30:59 – Scotland’s Best Architect Debate 35:00 – What’s Missing From Modern Architecture? 🔗 Links & Resources 🌐 Top 100 Golf Courses Website: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/ 🧢 Official Merch: https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/ ✈️ Lockhart Travel Club: https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/membership/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialtop100/ 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetop100golfcourses/ #golf #golfpodcast #top100golfcourses
Episode 106: Irish Rankings Updated
In this episode of Top 100 Clubhouse, James and Jasper sit down at Porthcawl to discuss changes to the Irish Rankings. Jasper's three month stint in Ireland has culminated in new appreciation for old favourites such as County Louth, and given everyone at Top 100 a glimpse into the evolution of some outstanding Irish courses. This episode questions if bad weather can inadvertently impact perception of a course, whether subtle courses get overlooked in the age of social media, and touches on upcoming Top 100 Golf Courses events in Ireland. Top 100 Golf Courses Website 🛜: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/ Top 100 Golf Courses Official Merch 🧢: https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/ Lockhart Travel Club ✈️: https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/membership/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtop100/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thetop100golfcourses/ Chapters 00:30 - Intro 01:29 - Porthcawl Atmosphere 03:42 - Top 100 Golf Courses Irish Rankings 09:17 - American Perspectives on Parkland Golf 12:50 - Courses Rising in the Rankings 16:03 - Is Weather Impacting Course Rankings? 18:51 - Underrated Irish Courses 21:34 - Do Subtle Courses Get Overlooked? 25:30 - Upcoming Ireland Events #golfpodcast #top100golfcourses #golfireland
Episode 105: Golf Course Architecture from an Amateur Player's Perspective with Luke Hodgetts
In this episode of Top 100 Clubhouse, James and Jasper sit down with amateur golfer and golf videographer Luke Hodgetts to explore the game through the lens of a competitive amateur player. From storytelling in golf videography to filming at Royal Melbourne, Luke shares how his perspective has evolved, and how his playing style informs how much he enjoys the architecture of a course. Jasper also provides us with deep bunker insight, and briefly explores why different players might prefer strategic vs. penal designs. Top 100 Golf Courses Website 🛜: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/ Top 100 Golf Courses Official Merch 🧢: https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/ Lockhart Travel Club ✈️: https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/membership/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtop100/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thetop100golfcourses/ Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – How Luke Hodgetts Got Started in Golf 04:51 – Luke’s Amateur Golf History 10:30 – Rory McIlroy & Royal Melbourne 12:45 – Filming at Kingston Heath 14:58 – YouTube Plans, Business Model & Rankings 18:50 – Capturing the Essence of Courses 25:39 – The History and Thinking Behind Naturalised Bunkers 30:30 – Luke’s Personal Favourite Golf Courses 36:30 – Why is Conditioning Often Overlooked? 39:59 – Closing Thoughts #golfpodcast #top100golfcourses #golfcoursearchitecture
Episode 104: Lessons From Playing 1000+ Courses with David Davis
On this episode of the Top 100 Clubhouse podcast, host James Henderson sits down with David Davis, CEO of Lockhart Travel, for a deep dive into what it really means to chase the world’s greatest golf courses. David shares stories from his golfing pilgrimages, reflecting on the mindset, logistics, and relationships required to play the Top 100 courses, and how being a relentless networker has opened doors that most golfers assume are permanently closed. They explore the practical challenges many golfers face when trying to experience bucket-list venues, including what to do if you don’t have direct access to private clubs. David offers candid insight into how rankings influence demand, how lists evolve over time, and why changes to Top 100 tables often spark more debate than celebration. Having played more than 1,000 courses worldwide, David reveals the most surprising golf club he’s encountered, his picks for the best sets of par 3s, par 4s and par 5s, and the finest fairways he’s walked. It’s an episode that blends travel, architecture, rankings culture and pure golfing passion — essential listening for anyone serious about the world’s greatest courses. Play fast. Lunch slow. Ecco Biom C5: https://gb.ecco.com/product/ecco-golf-biom-c5/132614/50874 Top 100 Golf Courses Website 🛜: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/ Top 100 Golf Courses Official Merch 🧢: https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/ Lockhart Travel Club ✈️: https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/membership/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtop100/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thetop100golfcourses/ #golfpodcast #top100golfcourses #golftravel
Episode 103: How Saudi Arabia is Redefining Modern Golf Course Design with Christian Lundin
In this episode of Top 100 Clubhouse, James Henderson is joined by renowned golf course architect Christian Lundin for a wide-ranging conversation on modern golf course design, global development trends, and the subtle architectural decisions that separate good courses from great ones. From the philosophy behind Crownwood to designing golf in emerging regions like Saudi Arabia and Asia, Christian shares first-hand insight into how culture, geography, media influence, and developers shape courses. Christian also talks Trump Aberdeen, and how his relationship with Eric Trump has inspired bold architecture, usurping minimalistic approaches that have defined the past generation. 🔗 Useful Links 🌍 Top 100 Golf Courses https://www.top100golfcourses.com/ 🧢 Official Top 100 Golf Courses Merch https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/ ✈️ Lockhart Travel Club https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/me... 📸 Instagram / officialtop100 📘 Facebook / thetop100golfcourses
Episode 102: How To Understand Golf Course Architecture with Matt Ginella
In this episode of Top 100 Clubhouse, James Henderson sits down with Matt Ginella, founder of Fire Pit Productions, previously the Senior Travel Editor and Director of Photography for Golf Digest. Matt explains how the personalities of course architects are embedded in their designs, how he learned to appreciate golf course architecture, and why he believes golf travel is one of the most romantic ways to understand the sport. Along the way, Matt shares his favourite courses, his most memorable golf trips, and how his coverage of Tiger Woods' professional debut at the Greater Milwaukee Open launched his career with Sports Illustrated; cementing him as one of golf's premier storytellers. Top 100 Golf Courses Website 🛜: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/ Top 100 Golf Courses Official Merch 🧢: https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/ Lockhart Travel Club ✈️: https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/me... Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtop100/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thetop100golfcourses/
Episode 101: A Year In Review
In this episode of Top 100 Clubhouse, James and Jasper are back at Hadley Wood again to give Top 100 Clubhouse listeners a behind the scenes look at Top 100 Golf Courses, reflect on 2025, and talk about what's coming up for 2026. Back by popular demand, the map has returned! Catered specifically to the needs of the travelling golfer, you can now find the best courses nearby during that long business trip or week away. Plus, there's a behind the scenes look at how Top 100 operates, changes to leaderboards, and James' disastrous time with footwear. The Top 100 Golf Courses team wants to thank all who listened, commented and got involved throughout 2025. Our New Years' Resolution? Same as always: Play fast. Lunch slow. Top 100 Golf Courses Website 🛜: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/ Top 100 Golf Courses Official Merch 🧢: https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/ Lockhart Travel Club ✈️: https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/membership/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtop100/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thetop100golfcourses/ Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 02:03 - Changes to the Top 100 Golf Courses Website 05:40 - How AI Will Impact Top 100 Golf Courses 09:36 - Return of Leaderboards 13:05 - The Map is Back! 15:11 - Changes to the Review System 19:07 - Behind the Scenes of Top 100 Golf Courses 26:28 - Best Golf Shoes For Links Golf? 30:20 - Social Media and Upcoming Content in 2026 35:50 - Closing Thoughts #top100golfcourses #golf #golfpodcast
Episode 100: Top 100 Golf Courses Rankings Update
In this episode of the Top 100 Clubhouse, James and Jasper sit down to discuss updates and changes to the rankings, including a release of the New Zealand and Australia rankings in the coming weeks, thanks to an increased pool of contributors who have a lot of depth of play in the Oceania region. The pair also discuss what's coming up for Top 100 Golf Courses for 2026, and talk about how the new ranking system is a natural evolution, designed to help travelling golfers best navigate countries they're visiting. Later, they touch on the controversial decision to start grouping courses based on county lines, and how that will impact how courses are compared against each other. Top 100 Golf Courses Website 🛜: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/ Top 100 Golf Courses Official Merch 🧢: https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/ Lockhart Travel Club ✈️: https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/me... Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:05 - Hadley Wood Appreciation 02:44 - Rankings Update 07:02 - Separating the Course from the Experience 12:38 - The Benefits of Well Traveled Panelists 17:41 - We Aren't Down on Parkland Golf! 22:37 - County Lines Rankings 28:53 - Spanish Panel Shout Out 32:57 - Irish Courses & Hidden Gems 37:13 - Plans for Top 100 Golf Courses USA 38:24 - Closing Thoughts
In this episode of the Top 100 Clubhouse Podcast, Paul Jansen, a golf course architect and founding member of Himalayas Golf, shares his journey and insights into the world of golf course design. He and James discuss the evolution of golf spaces, the role of artificial turf, and the importance of creating unique and engaging environments for golfers. Paul reflects on his experiences in various countries, the challenges faced in golf course construction, and the significance of a sense of place in design. He also shares his favourite golf courses and the stories behind them, emphasising the need for innovation and adaptation in the sport. Top 100 Golf Courses Official Merch 🧢: https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/ Lockhart Travel Club ✈️: https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/membership/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Paul Jansen and Himalayas Golf 02:57 The Shift to Smaller Golf Spaces 05:41 The Role of Artificial Turf in Golf 08:56 Common Misconceptions About Artificial Turf 11:43 The Evolution of Golf Practice Spaces 14:32 The Intersection of Technology and Golf 17:30 The Future of Golf and Entertainment 20:32 Paul's Journey into Golf Course Architecture 23:22 The Influence of South Africa on Paul’s Career 26:27 Challenges in Golf Course Design 29:21 Unique Experiences in Golf Course Construction 32:30 The Importance of Sense of Place in Golf 35:30 Paul's Favourite Golf Courses 41:12 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Episode 98: The Lockhart Travel Club with David Davis
In this week's podcast, James welcomes David Davis (CEO Of Top 100 Golf Courses) to the podcast, to talk about The Lockhart Travel Club, and what's coming up for 2026. The Lockhart Travel Club is a sister company of Top 100, and provides members with the opportunity to play world class golf all around the world, and meet like minded golfers. They discuss the challenges and joys of organising golf trips, the camaraderie among members, and the exciting future of Lockhart, including upcoming trips and events around the world. David shares memorable stories from past trips, highlighting the beauty of hidden gem golf courses such as Waverley, and the importance of enjoying the journey with like-minded enthusiasts. Lockhart Travel Club: https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/ Follow us on socials: On Instagram: @officialtop100 On Twitter: @top100golf
Episode 97: Is Royal Melbourne The World's Best?!
In this week's episode, James & Jasper catch-up on various goings on from around the golfing world. In particular, they discuss the upcoming Australian Open, and whether the composite at Royal Melbourne is the best golf course in the world. Follow us on socials: On Instagram: @officialtop100 On Twitter: @top100golf
Episode 96: David McLay Kidd Returns & Discusses Streamsong Project
In this week's episode, renowned golf course architect David McLay Kidd, chats with James about his new project at the Streamsong resort in Florida. Follow us on socials: On Instagram: @officialtop100 On Twitter: @top100golf
FROM THE VAULT - Episode 1: Saudi Arabian Involvement In Golf W/ Josh Ralston
In this week's episode, we revisit one of our early podcasts with Josh Ralston (A lecturer in Christian-Muslim relations at Edinburgh University) to discuss Saudi Arabia's involvement in the game of golf. What is their goal, and what does it mean for the game? Follow us on socials: On Instagram: @officialtop100 On Twitter: @top100golf
Episode 95: How Can The USA Win The 2027 Ryder Cup?
In this episode, James is joined by Matt Ward (Long-Time Golf Journalist) to reflect on the fallout from the recent Ryder Cup in New York. They chat about what needs to change in the US setup going into 2027. Follow us on socials: On Instagram: @officialtop100 On Twitter: @top100golf
Episode 94: A Golfer's Guide To Utah
This week James sits down with Cody Cunningham (a colleague at Top 100 Golf Course) to discuss the golf scene in his home state of Utah. They chat through the variety on offer, from Mountain Golf in the North, to Desert Golf in the South. Follow us on socials: On Instagram: @officialtop100 On Twitter: @top100golf
Producer's note
Steal the structure. Not the show.
Keep the useful structure, then change the audience, point of view, and voice until the idea is unmistakably yours.
