Top 10 Golf Course Photos of the Year

The famous 'bath tub' green on Cruden Bay's 14th

In no particular order…

1. Waterville

A trip to the south west took me to Waterville and Killarney for articles for Irish Golfer Magazine. It was early in the year and snow capped the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks above
the cold waters of Lough Leane. These were not specific photographic assignments but the scenery is spectacular and when the light falls sweetly and the sky reflects the ocean you get some striking colours.

The par three 17th at Waterville

For more photographs of Waterville, click here.

2. Killarney

After the rainbows, hail and late sun of Waterville, I was at Killarney the following morning. The Reeks were glorious as the sun picked them out

Views over the 17th green on Killarney's Mahony's Point

For more photographs of Killarney (Killeen), click here.
For more photographs of Killarney (Mahony's Point), click here.

3. Esker Hills

A cold, blustery and windswept day at Esker Hills started with rain and ended in with glorious sunshine. It was a four ball event celebrating Shane Lowry’s inclusion in the US Masters. I played with friends Darren, Aaron and the exuberant Tiffany Chaisson and these are the three golfers cast in silhouette on the 18th green.

4. Cruden Bay

My first photoshoot in Scotland took me to Aberdeenshire and the beautiful Cruden Bay Golf Links. I played it last year with American golf writer, Tom Coyne, and loved the place… photographing it was never going to be a hardship. Doing the course justice, however, was the biggest challenge. This place is incredible. 

Playing the 5th at Cruden Bay

For more photographs of Cruden Bay, click here.

5. Rathsallagh

A separate photoshoot was particularly pleasing as it came on the back of the re-opening of Rathsallagh, in Co. Wicklow. Big, pretty parkland golf and swans on the ponds. What more could you ask for.

The 10th green at Rathsallagh

For more photographs of Rathsallagh, click here.

6. Powerscourt

Do you ever get asked: “where were you when… such and such happened?” When OJ Simpson was acquitted I was standing in a stairwell in London, at the agency where I worked, surrounded by 30-40 other disbelieving souls.

Where was I when I learned that the UK had voted for Brexit? Standing by the 11th green on Powerscourt West at about 5.30am, waiting for sunrise. I got some cracking shots that day but nothing could make up for the unmitigated disaster that is Brexit.

The 16th green on Powerscourt's East course

For more photographs of Powerscourt East, click here.
For more photographs of Powerscourt West, click here.

7. St Annes

You can’t beat freezing temperatures and crisp, white frost on the grass to give a photograph some added bite. Almost lost my nose, too, at St Anne’s in February.

The par three 17th at St. Anne's 

For more photographs St Anne's, click here.

8. Western Gailes

I added a couple of extra days onto my Scottish trip to visit the famous Ayrshire links courses, south of Glasgow. Prestwick, Dundonald, Irvine, West Kilbride and, of course, the ‘new’ Trump Turnberry. And Western Gailes, which proved to be my favourite of the lot. Just so rhythmic and the string of holes above the beach is stunning.

The 18th green at Western Gailes.

For more photographs of Western Gailes, click here. 

9. New Forest

Climbing three storeys, up into an attic and then squeezing out onto the roof of a centuries’ old building is entertaining enough, but throw in the views and charming light over the golf holes below and this golf photo’s inclusion was a no-brainer.

The 18th hole from the roof of the New Forest clubhouse

For more photographs of New Forest, click here.

10. Castlemartyr

It’s almost impossible to pick a favourite photo from my shoot at the fabulous 5 star Castlemartyr Resort. I got beautiful light and that swaying, hypnotic terrain works wonders with the shadows.

The par three 5th at Castlemartyr, with castle ruins behind.

For more photographs of Castlemartyr, click here.