Next up in the ‘Favourite Courses’ series is one of the world’s leading golf journalists, John Huggan. John has had a lifetime in golf. As a boy he played in Dunbar on the Scottish East coast and went on to become one of Scotland’s top amateur players, representing the country at Boys, Youth and Full International levels.

He then moved in to golf media, starting his career at Golf World before going on to be the Instruction Editor of the US publication, Golf Digest. Since then John has been a freelance journalist writing for a huge range of publications across the world. This interview from Golfshake.com will give you a good taste of the life and times (to date!) of John.

In recent years John has become a podcast star. He was one of the early voices on the excellent State of the Game, joined up with Lawrence Donegan for the brilliant BytheMinGolf which has made a renaissance under the McKellar brand, as well as guesting on many others.

The format suits John brilliantly. He has a strong perspective on what makes golf great and how the modern game both enhances it and puts it in jeopardy. He spends a lot of time around professional golf and is clearly well connected to players and the industry, yet he is always forthright in his views. You know you aren’t getting a commercially sanitised opinion from John, which makes him the perfect podcast guest!

Many thanks to John for sharing his list

BARNBOUGLE DUNES
Wonderful scenery. Terrific holes, both long and short. Love them all.
UK Golf Guy, Golf Club Atlas Review, Planet Golf Review

CYPRESS POINT
Most fun. Coolest place on planet. Every hole memorable… apart from the 18th.
Graylyn Loomis, Golf Digest, Playing the Top 100

MORFONTAINE
Played there in the 1982 French Amateur. Sublime and never forgotten
UK Golf Guy review, Top100golf blog, Geoff Shackleford Article

MUIRFIELD
Best course I’ve ever played. No more to be said, other than they should get rid of all that rough on left side of 9th fairway.
UK Golf Guy Review, Graylyn Loomis

ROYAL MELBOURNE
Have played all 36-holes, but not the composite as the composite. Best course in southern hemisphere.
UK Golf Guy Review, No Laying Up Tourist Sauce, Golf Channel Analysis

ROYAL PORTRUSH
Loved it back in the mid 1980s. And it’s even better now.
UK Golf Guy Review, Royal Portrush Website

SHINNECOCK HILLS
Best course I played during my eight years living in the States. Pure. And most links-like.
UK Golf Guy Review, Golf Monthly History

SUNNINGDALE (OLD)
Is there a better place to play golf? I think not.
UK Golf Guy Review, Golf Club Atlas, Top100golfcourses

THE OLD COURSE
In a class of its own. So much to learn. So much to appreciate. And different every time out.
UK Golf Guy Review

WINTERFIELD
Where it all began for me. Short 14th still one of my favourite holes anywhere.
Winterfield Golf Club, Golfshake.com

You can see others in the ‘Favourite Courses’ series here.