My golfing year

Rob Smith looks back on his packed 2024 diary and reflects on the many and varied adventures of a dedicated golf course writer

Writing, as I do about courses for Golf Monthly in print and online, many assume that I’m out playing ‘Top 100’ courses all day, every day – they’re wrong, of course – there are some days when I don’t play any golf. Also, I do need to actually sit down and write. And, far from playing only the finest courses, I delight in experiencing designs of every style, shape and magnitude.

In odd contrast, but I think I love golf courses – their design and setting – more than the game itself. And, whereas my wife will tell you I am a grumpy old man with a glass-half-empty attitude to life, when it comes to courses, I see only the best in them and enjoy each for its own unique characteristics. This, then, is how my 2024 golfing year unfolded...

TOP 100 AND NEXT 100 VISITS

The 2025/26 Golf Monthly Top 100 rankings will be revealed in the May issue, and one of my roles is to oversee the assessment process. Computer course reviews are conducted by our panellists and staff, and I have to visit a good number myself in order to see the changes and developments. This gives me so much experience and insight as possible to help prepare a balanced and fair ranking. Last year, I played 22 of the Top 200, with one particular highlight being my round at Murcar. Finally ticking off this testing but extremely enjoyable links meant I have now played the entire Top 100. Finishing just as the expected heavy rain arrived, I celebrated with a sausage bap and a coffee, privileged and lucky to have reached this goal again as courses come and go in the rankings.

To do so, I had earlier in the year also played the hugely impressive St Patrick's Links at Rosapenna, as well as the newest of the three nines at Carne. I live within striking distance of many Top 100 and Next 100 courses, so it was good to get back to the likes of Walton Heath and see the continuing fine work at The Addington, Chart Hills and other layouts.