One of the most unique things about golf isn't the equipment, the competition, or even the scenery. It's the fact that every golfer has the opportunity to experience the exact same course as the world's best players, male or female.
Think about it.
If you're a football fan, you're unlikely to ever step onto Old Trafford and play a full match. You won't get the chance to experience Anfield, Wembley, or the Emirates Stadium as a player. Those iconic venues are reserved for professionals and special events.
Golf is different.
You can book a tee time, or you might be lucky enough to be a member at a legendary venue that has hosted some of the biggest tournaments in the world. One week you might be watching the professionals play a course on TV, and a few months later you're standing on the very same first tee, facing the same bunkers, reading the same greens, and taking on the same challenges. A friend of mine is a 3-handicapper and was lucky enough to go play TPC Sawgrass. He didn't even go off the back tees and didn't manage to make a single par. The pros make it look so easy!
Of course, the course may be set up a little differently from what we see on TV: the tees are often longer, the rough can be thicker, and the greens may be running faster. But the essence of the course remains the same. You're playing the same layout that has tested major champions. One of my dreams is to play one of these courses with the grandstands shaping the course. I don't fancy the thousands of spectators! But if I ever get the chance to play a championship course ready for a big day, that's the closest I'd ever get to playing like they do on the telly!
I have been very lucky to play some amazing courses; I do often seem to bring the rain clouds with me, but the feeling of going to another course and making a few pars is just like no other. This is why golf is such an amazing sport. I know the price tag can follow this privilege, but there are many deals and ballots available, and I only need one good shot a round to love the game!
Golf isn't just about competing against others. It's about experiencing the game in its purest form, on the very same fairways where history has been made. So write your bucket list, book that tee time, and walk the fairways like a champion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really play the same golf courses as the professionals?
Yes. Plenty of venues on the pro tour calendar, from TPC Sawgrass, home of THE PLAYERS Championship, to the links courses on The Open rota, are open to public tee times, though cost and demand vary a lot from course to course.
Is TPC Sawgrass open to the public?
Yes. The Stadium Course can be booked directly up to 14 days in advance, or up to 12 months ahead as part of a stay-and-play package, with green fees typically starting from around $550–775 depending on the season.
Does a pro course play differently for everyday golfers than it does on TV?
Often, yes. Tournament setups usually mean longer tees, thicker rough, and faster greens than you'll get on a normal booking so don't be surprised if it plays tougher than it looks on the telly.
Where can I get kitted out before I tick something off my golfing bucket list?
Right here! Have a browse of our collection — we've got everything you need to feel ready for that first tee, whichever course you end up playing.