Playing Privileges

GOLF's Top 100 Resorts in the World list is out. Jake Stoutland and Simon Holt explain how dramatically the global golf landscape is changing. For a world traveler or a bucket-list daydreamer, this episode is full of insider information. You might not play like a pro, but this episode will help you travel like a pro. If you're looking for trip inspiration, start here.

Simon Holt talks with Royal Dornoch General Manager Neil Hampton about how a remote Highland links in Donald Ross's hometown became one of golf's most coveted tee times — and what comes next: a new clubhouse, a King Collins Dormer master plan for a third course, and a 150th anniversary in 2027.

This incredible Gil Hanse project in the Nebraska Sandhills is well on its way to becoming one of golf's most celebrated modern golf courses. It's already been featured in GOLF's Top 100 Courses in the U.S., even though it only opened in 2021. But the dramatic land and the beautiful golf course it sits on is only part of the story here. Simon Holt and Jake Stoutland tell you everything you need to know about a day at CapRock Ranch.

The Five Farms campus of Baltimore Country Club is one of the most beautiful experiences in golf. A full time horticulturist and dedicated maintenance team add a pop of color into every view. The Tillinghast gem is a star on this property, but it's a truly cohesive experience. From the boxed water on the course to the full culinary experience inside, every moment spent here is a winner. Jake Stoutland and Simon Holt walk through a great day at Baltimore Country Club.

Some of the greatest land for golf in the world, along the cliffs of Long Island's Peconic Bay, was not too long ago owned by ... electrical workers? It's an unlikely story, but Sebonack isn't your everyday golf club. It's unmistakably Hamptons, and boasts back patio views you wouldn't believe. Surrounded by greats like Shinnecock Hills, National Golf Links, and Southampton Golf Club, there's no reason to be sleeping on Sebonack. Jake Stoutland and Simon Holt dive into the fascinating beginnings and unforgettable experience.

Hundreds of thousands of Merion Golf Club mementos have been cataloged through their archiving efforts. John Capers III, a lifetime member, has been a key figure in the Merion Archives for 50 years. He's seen it all, has incredible stories, and a deep knowledge for Golden Age golf, not just at Merion. Jake Stoutland comes to the Archives Room armed with questions about Hugh Wilson, William Flynn, and all the supposed history surrounding the old Merion Cricket Club. How much is true? Mr. Capers has those answers. The U.S. Amateur is back at the Merion East Course this week, ready to again host an incredible USGA championship.

Merion's East Course has long been a top-15 staple of GOLF's Top 100 Courses in the World, internationally recognized as one of the most fun layouts in the game. To spend a full day at Merion is incredibly special, from the wooden green locker room door to their brand new outdoor Wicker Bar. Ahead of the U.S. Amateur, Jake Stoutland and Simon Holt share their favorite Merion stories and hidden details you'll have to look out for if you're ever lucky enough to get an invite.

Jake Stoutland and Simon Holt have traveled to the best private clubs in America. Here are their five favorite locker rooms in the U.S. What makes a locker room great? Showers, history, and "the hang" are all qualifying criteria, but the truth is that the best locker rooms in America all give their members and guests a special feeling that can't always be described.

Longtime Bethlehem Steel president Eugene Grace built a club unlike many others. Every detail is executed to perfection, yet every moment you spend here feels like home. It's a massive golf facility, with elite courses that truly show off the hilly Pennsylvania terrain. Join Jake Stoutland and Simon Holt as they explore the story behind this incredible club.

In 1611, the first recorded playing of golf happened on a piece of land that would become one of the most architecturally significant courses in the world. Home to arguably the most copied hole in the world, among a number of holes that would become the most studied in the game, leading to countless templates being influenced across the globe. Today, North Berwick West Links is home to three storied clubs. Simon Holt is a longtime member of the North Berwick Golf Club, and walks us through the proud history and detail that make this course so great.

Two failed clubs before it and a difficult plot of land made Hudson National Golf Club a less than ideal site for a great modern club. But the visionaries behind its creation have delivered in every way. Jake Stoutland and Simon Holt tell the story from the very beginning to now, highlighting a fantastic practice tee, Hudson River charm, a great Fazio course, and an elevated food and drink experience.

Could this be the most beautiful course in Massachusetts? A truly fine William Flynn design along the beach, this Golden Age club exudes New England golf greatness. From the clean scallop shell logo to the island green along the beach, spending a day at Kittansett is truly special. Jake Stoutland and Simon Holt dig in to all the details, then discuss the possibility of the PGA Tour playing at Pine Valley, Cypress Point, or Seminole. Maybe it's not as crazy as we once thought!

Tucked away on the East End of Long Island, a day at Atlantic Golf Club is an unforgettable golf experience. It's an unmistakeable Hamptons scene from the moment you arrive, marked by a warm welcome from the staff and the clubhouse's navy and white awnings. Jake Stoutland and Simon Holt bring you all the details you need to know about the great course, locker room, and food before you make your first visit. Plus, we honor the men who made this club possible and established a true club legacy.

What's it like waking up every morning to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club? Jake Stoutland finds out in this special interview with the club superintendent, Jon Jennings, who's preparing for his second U.S. Open. What can we expect for playing conditions this year? How much preparation goes in with the USGA? What is he thinking when choosing pin placements? Every little detail matters. Enjoy this fun conversation with Jake and Jon!

What's it like to walk on the hallowed grounds of Shinnecock Hills Golf Club? Jake Stoutland and Simon Holt trade stories from inside the Stanford White clubhouse and out on the legendary William Flynn course in Southampton, New York. This episode is all about everything you won't see on TV at this month's U.S. Open. Welcome to Playing Privileges! Let us know what you want to hear from behind the scenes at the world's greatest golf clubs. We look forward to sharing this experiences with you!