
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 over 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
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Cruden Bay Golf Club: Championship Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info
Up 8 places to 58th in our Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar, the links at Cruden Bay is blessed with burns, bunkers, elevation changes and excellent topography
By Rob Smith Last updated
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Carne Golf Links: Wild Atlantic Dunes Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info
Carne Golf Links is set among the wildest dunes on Ireland’s spectacular west coast and offers a sensory overload - it is ranked 78th in our Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar
By Rob Smith Last updated
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Burnham and Berrow Golf Club: Championship Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info
The Championship Course is ranked 29th in our Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar, and is noted for a near-perfect quartet of short holes and a stretch of reed-lined holes
By Rob Smith Last updated
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Blairgowrie Golf Club: Rosemount Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info
At 90th spot in the Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar, the Rosemount Course at Blairgowrie is a golfing haven through the pine
By Rob Smith Last updated
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Ballyliffin Golf Club: Glashedy Links Review, Tee Times and Key Info
This dashing and distinctive modern links, ranked 67th in our Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar, is enjoyable by all golfers while still serving as a test to the best
By Rob Smith Last updated
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Ballybunion Golf Club: Old Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info
Up to number 19 in the Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar, the Old Course at Ballybunion is world-famous and blessed with some of the finest dunes in Ireland
By Rob Smith Last updated
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Aldeburgh Golf Club: Championship Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info
The tough but very rewarding heathland-links hybrid at Aldeburgh Golf Club, ranked 80th in our Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar, is moving with the times
By Rob Smith Last updated
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The Golf Course At Adare Manor: Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info
At 27 in the Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar, the Golf Course at Adare Manor is a brilliantly-conditioned parkland reimagining packed with beauty and drama
By Rob Smith Last updated
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Aberdovey Golf Club: Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info
Rising to 82 in the Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar, the oasis of classic golf at Aberdovey is easy-walking with plenty of charm and challenge to interest all golfers
By Rob Smith Last updated
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Bohemian Rhapsody: Why This Undiscovered European Golfing Destination Deserves Far More Attention
Always keen to add a new golfing region to his CV, Rob Smith heads to the western side of Czechia on a golf and wellness mission…
By Rob Smith Published
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Royal Portrush Golf Club: Dunluce Links Review, Tee Times and Key Info
Up a place to number 7 in our Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar, the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush delivers a thrilling golfing adventure through the dunes
By Rob Smith Last updated
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Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course: Review, Tee Times and Key Info
Remaining in 3rd spot in our Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar, the Ailsa Course is a supreme links that is a joy to play in one of the finest settings in the UK&I
By Rob Smith Last updated
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Swinley Forest Golf Club: Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info
The heathland course at Swinley Forest is an absolute jewel that has passed the test of time with flying colours - it is up to 33rd in our Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar
By Rob Smith Last updated
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St Andrews: New Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info
Ranked 76th in our Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar, St Andrews New is a very strong and strategic links in its own right
By Rob Smith Last updated
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St Andrews Links: The Castle Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info
Back in at 95 in our Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar, the Castle Course at St Andrews is a thrilling alternative at the home of golf
By Rob Smith Published
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The Berkshire Golf Club: Blue Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info
A superb heathland test that is both similar to and very different from The Red - The Blue currently sits at 57th in our Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar
By Rob Smith Last updated
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Europe's Original Golfing Playground Has It All... So When Are You Visiting?
With many fine courses and 325 days of sunshine a year, southern Spain is an irresistible draw for holidaying golfers
By Rob Smith Published
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Five Fabulous Scottish Courses You May Not Know
Alongside the nation’s global superstars, there are many extremely strong but slightly less famous courses often missed by touring golfers
By Rob Smith Published
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Why You Must Visit This Heathland Classic Named After A Desert
Beautifully situated in an idyllic, peaceful location, the heathland course at Beau Desert is a jewel in the Midlands
By Rob Smith Published
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Are Blind Shots The Scariest In Golf? Five Great Par 3s To Make You Think
Prestwick's 5th may be one of our most famous, but there are plenty of short holes where you cannot see the green from the tee including these five beauties
By Rob Smith Published
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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
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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
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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
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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