Rob Smith
Rob has been playing golf for over 45 years and been a contributing editor for Golf Monthly since 2012. He specialises in course reviews and travel, and has played approaching 1,250 courses in almost 50 countries. In 2021, he played all 21 courses in East Lothian in 13 days. Last year, his tally was 78, exactly half of them for the first time. One of Rob's primary roles is helping to prepare the Top 100 Courses of the UK&I, of which he has played all, as well as the Next 100 where he is missing two in Scotland and two in Ireland. He has been a member of Tandridge for over 30 years where his handicap hovers around 15. You can contact him at r.smith896@btinternet.com.
Latest articles by Rob Smith
-
Hidden Portugal - Golf Away From The Crowds
Away from its golfing strongholds in the Algarve and around Lisbon, Portugal has plenty of fascinating golf to discover further north
By Rob Smith Published
-
Golf, History and Culture In One Great Middle-Eastern Package
Rob Smith reflects on an extremely enjoyable golfing adventure in Jordan
By Rob Smith Published
-
The Harry Colt Legacy: Is He Golf’s Most Influential Course Designer?
After 45 years of seeking out and revelling in the golf courses of Harry Colt, Rob Smith reflects on his architectural hero
By Rob Smith Published
-
I Played 78 Golf Courses In 8 Countries In 2024 - Here Are My Highlights
Rob Smith looks back at his packed 2024 diary and reflects on the adventures of a golf course writer
By Rob Smith Published
-
Double The Courses, Double The Fun - Five Top Clubs With Two 18-Hole Courses
Each of these five venues is home to two fine and occasionally very different 18-hole designs
By Rob Smith Published
-
Fancy Something Different? Why Not Combine Golf With Safari In This Incredible African Country!
If you fancy a golfing safari with the emphasis on safari, Nairobi and its surroundings in Kenya has it all
By Rob Smith Published
-
Is This The Most Beautiful Inland Golf Resort In America?
Ozarks National is one of a handful of sensational courses at the amazing Big Cedar Lodge golf resort
By Rob Smith Published
-
Halls And Houses - Five Parkland Beauties Linked By Their Stately Setting
These engaging and varied parkland courses each boast a beautiful, stately setting
By Rob Smith Published
-
Is This The World's Best All-Round Golfing Destination?
Along with its stunning scenery, vineyards, welcoming climate and top-quality accommodation, this scenic region is home to a wealth of fine golf courses
By Rob Smith Published
-
Between Regal Royal Aberdeen and Presidential Trump Links Scotland, This Classic Links Flies Under The Radar
Murcar Links is one of the most enjoyable and playable courses in the Golf Monthly Top 100
By Rob Smith Published
-
100 Not Out - Our Look At Five Golf Clubs Who Celebrated Their Centenary In 2024
Let's raise a glass to these five UK&I golf clubs who reached the impressive milestone of 100 years of existence in 2024
By Rob Smith Published
-
It’s A Long Way To Tipperary, But Well Worth It To Play The Finest Courses On The Island Of Ireland
From the finest traditional links to the very best of the new, Ireland and Northern Ireland really do have it all
By Rob Smith Published
-
Is It Possible To Build An Instant Classic? These Five Stunning Golf Courses Suggest It Is…
Links golf is the most traditional form of the game, and these five 21st-century beauties prove there is plenty of new life left in the genre
By Rob Smith Published
-
Is This The Finest Course In A Country Where You’ve Not Played Golf? We Reveal All…
Not too many people visit the Czech Republic for golf, but as this fine example reveals, its stock is rising fast
By Rob Smith Published
-
Is This The Best Links On The North Wales Coastline? We Think So!
Rob Smith revisits one of the finest links courses in the country
By Rob Smith Published
-
Treasure Island - We Discover One Of Planet Golf’s Finest Holiday Destinations
The outstandingly beautiful island of Mauritius is home to some equally scenic golf
By Rob Smith Published
-
'The day is all about golfers having fun, making new friends and supporting a fantastic charity' - inside the popular golf day that's raised £180,000 for Help For Heroes
Torrential rain couldn’t prevent the 2024 Golf Monthly Forum fundraising day for Help For Heroes from delivering a brilliant day of golf and fun
By Rob Smith Published
-
What Does Augusta National Have In Common With Weston Super Mare Golf Club? Find Out Here...
The design and modification genius of the architect of Augusta National shines on brightly
By Rob Smith Published
-
A week’s golf for £140 - We Reveal The Best-Value Golf Pass In The UK
Rob Smith visits Arran, a sensationally beautiful and peaceful island that had long been on his hit list
By Rob Smith Published
-
Brilliant design or architectural madness? This lovely golf course has one hole that really divides opinion...
Broadstone in Dorset is a cracking course but has one hole that really divides opinion
By Rob Smith Published
-
Is This The Most Exotic Coastline In Golf?
This exotic, scenic and culturally diverse region is a golfing holidaymaker’s dream
By Rob Smith Published
-
Not Links, Not Heathland, Not Parkland… Five Examples Of The Most Overlooked Type Of Golf In England
These rolling designs provide a different and visually rewarding test of golf
By Rob Smith Published
-
5 Of The Best Island Greens In The UK And Ireland - How Would You Get On?
These thrilling holes with water lapping up to the green will live long in the memory
By Rob Smith Published
-
The Surprise European Golfing Destination That's Building Quite A Reputation
A small but varied and high quality collection of golf awaits those visiting this holiday island
By Rob Smith Published