Top 10 Golf Courses – Kyle Philips

Kyle Phillips is an American golf course designer of international repute with more than 25 years experience in the field and his work has spread across five continents and no less than 30 different countries. Phillips is considered to be a modern great when it comes to golf course design so it is ironic that he takes most of his inspiration from the great links and heathland courses laid down by past greats including the likes of James Braid and Alister Mackenzie. Phillips designs put the natural lay of the land to use where possible but perhaps his greatest strength is his ability to make his constructed landforms look entirely natural. With an ever growing portfolio of stunning courses across the world we hope it’s only a matter of time before you get to play a Phillips design and if the chance resents itself here are ten of his very best.

Kingsbarns

Kingsbarns opened in 2000 and it didn’t take long to be recognised as one of the finest golf courses in the world, appearing in the top 50 of Golf World’s Top 100 golf courses list less than a year after being opened for play. The European Tour were also quick to recognise the quality of Philips’ design and since 2001 Kingsbarns has been one of the three courses that hosts the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Every single hole is a stunner and although it is difficult to pick a signature hole the par 5 12th and the par 3 15th are strong contenders. Multiple tee positions make this course playable for any golfer but when the weather is rough don’t expect to tear it apart! The greens feature severe undulations and of course all the strategically placed run off areas and bunkers you would expect from a top class links course. Although you really need to be able to hit shot under the sun it is the short game that will be the key to success at Kingsbarns.

Yas Links

Phillips had already proved that he could create world class links courses with his work at Kingsbarns and on the Dundonald Links but this was a different challenge. Rather than using the features inherent to the land he was working on, the Yas Island Links was created from nothing more than a desert wasteland.

The Yas Links was the first of its type in the Middle East and it remains one of the finest links layouts outside of the UK & Ireland. Measuring 7,450 yards with a par of 72 this course is a real monster from the tips but there are plenty of teeing positions to ensure the higher handicappers can also give it a go. As with any great links course pot bunkers, sweeping undulations, wispy rough and heart-breaking run off areas are all present so apart from the blazing sunshine this is every bit a genuine links test!

The Grove

Following the huge success of Kingsbarns Phillips next creation was always going to be scrutinised so it is just as well the man from the USA sculpted yet another modern master piece! The 7,152 yard layout is akin to the great stadium courses of the USA so is a far cry from Phillips’ links style creations but it is still a joy to behold. The quality of the course was confirmed when it was chosen to host the 2006 American Express World Golf Championships; a tournament that a certain Tiger Woods would dominate and win by 8 shots.

The course has been blended into the natural surroundings with great skill and the latest technology has been used to ensure it is in immaculate condition all year round. Pristine fairways are lined by deep, treacherous rough and strategic bunkering and severe run off areas place a further emphasis on accuracy. Hitting your iron shots close will present may birdie opportunities as the greens are so good that you only have yourself to blame should you miss the putts!

Hilversum

Hilversum Golf Club was founded in 1910 and the original holes were designed by none other than Harry Colt. More recently the course has been completely remodelled by Kyle Phillips and it is now more popular than ever. The course is tight from the tee so accuracy is key, however you will also have to be long to score well here. The course opens and closes with testing par 5s but the highlights of the course are undoubtedly the par 3 holes. These holes are relatively short for a championship course but their clever designs make them the standout holes on the course.

The quality of this stunning layout has been underlined by the fact that it has played host to the Dutch Open no less than 11 times, most recently in 2010 and 2011.

Eichenheim

When you hear Phillips’ name associated with a golf course you usually expect something pretty special and that is exactly what awaits golfers travelling to the Austrian Alps. As with most Kyle Phillips courses every single hole is an absolute gem and as such it is a tough task to pick out a signature hole.

Threaded through some of the most stunning alpine terrain you could possibly imagine, there are few courses that enjoy such a privileged location. Perfectly manicured fairways are flanked by towering and intimidating mountain forests and like all good golf courses bunkers have been strategically placed to force the golfer to plan each shot with careful consideration.

The course is situated between the mountain villages of Kitzbuhel and Aurach which have long attracted budding skiers during the winter months. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Eichenheim is the fact that it has helped make the area nearly as popular with golfers in the summer as it is with skiers in the winter.

Verdura

The warm Sicilian climate makes this part of Italy a fantastic destination for a golf holiday all year round and the addition of a Kyle Phillips designed golf course has made that proposition all the more attractive.

Phillips was entrusted to sculpt both of the wonderful 18 hole courses on the resort and it is hard to say which one is the finer layout. Both courses enjoy a seaside location and Phillips’ understanding of what makes a great links course has again come to the fore. The West course is a very classical design with a nine out and nine back style layout while the east changes direction more frequently meaning players have to be more vigilant thanks to the changing direction of the wind.

Add sunshine and views of the sparkling Mediterranean from all over the course and you have a recipe for 36 immensely enjoyable holes.

Al Maaden

Situated near to the fascinatingly vibrant cultural centre of Marrakech, Al Maaden provides an exciting and varied test of golf as well as spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the breathtaking Atlas Mountains. The course has been stretched out over rolling terrain at the foothills of the mountains and as with many Kyle Phillips layouts there is more than one way to play each hole on this stunning course. Strategically placed bunkers and punishing run off areas around the greens call for accuracy from both the tee and the fairway.

Dundonald Links

The Dundonald Links is the newest addition to the Loch Lomond Golf Club portfolio and we have Kyle Phillips to thank for creating a modern links course that holds its own alongside classic neighbouring courses including the likes of Royal Troon, Prestwick and Turnberry.

Dundonald is very much a mixture of the old and the new. State of the art technology and construction techniques were masterfully blended with a deep appreciation of everything that goes into creating a classical links course of the highest order. This course features everything you would expect from a world class links course. Mind-boggling undulations, deep rough and devilish gorse bushes are par for the course and, unlike other links courses, there are areas of the course that are bordered by towering pine trees which gives this stunning layout an extra and most welcome dimension.

PGA of Sweden National

The Lakes Course at the PGA of Sweden National was laid down by Kyle Phillips, who worked in conjunction with European Tour winner Peter Hanson. As the name suggests the course is defined by the huge purpose built lake that comes into play on many of the holes. However the lake is not all that golfers will need to avoid to post a good score. Immense bunkers dominate the course so accuracy and shot selection are of paramount importance.

Hitting the greens in regulation will offer you good birdie chances thanks to the quality of the greens. Like the Grove, the Lakes Course is very much like some of the famous stadium courses in the USA so if you’re a fan of target golf then a round on this Swedish stunner will not fail to impress.

Lage Vuursche

Originally the land on which this fabulous course resides was beautiful, rolling countryside until it was levelled out to provide land for farming. Phillips was charged with retuning the site to its former glory while building a world class golf course and, while this was a tough ask, he has managed just that.

Measuring a little over 6,900 yards from the tips this course is long enough to test even the most talented players out there. Serpentine shaped water hazards and a number of lakes come into play on many of the holes, as do well placed bunkers. The greens are sizeable so you can afford the odd misplaced approach shot but this may well leave you in three-putt territory!

Phillips planted numerous new trees during the design and while they have not had time to fully mature they still add to the challenge.