I am delighted to be able to share Beth Allen’s 10 favourite courses. Beth is the only American to have won the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit - her 2016 season saw her finish in the top 10 on 8 occasions, with 2 victories.

Beth grew up around golf on the west coast of the USA and has now made her base in Scotland - you can see these two influences coming through in her selections.

It’s always interesting to see what courses a professional golfer enjoys. Beth has selected courses that are fun, but also make you think. I’ve enjoyed reading about some of the selections I hadn’t heard much about before. Click on the links to find out more.

If you want to find out more about Beth’s career and how she has settled in Scotland, this profile in the New York Times and this from Visit Scotland are interesting. You can also follow her on Twitter at @BethAllenGolf

Thanks a lot to Beth for sharing her choices with us - we wish her all the best for a great 2020 season!

MUIRFIELD
If someone asked me where I’d like to spend my last day on earth, it would be here. My favorite links course, tremendous bunkering, stunning views & unique atmosphere. Lunch is decent too :-)
UK Golf Guy Review, Graylyn Loomis

NORTH BERWICK
Super welcoming golf club that is outrageous at times (especially the back 9) but that’s why I love it. Whenever I play the West Links I feel grateful I live in Scotland.
UK Golf Guy review, Scottish Golf History, Planet Golf

TORREY PINES
For various reasons but mainly sentimental. My dad was the director of golf for The City of San Diego. That meant he looked over Torrey Pines. I had the pleasure of driving the beverage cart around that beautiful property. I also sold range balls there (but really that was just paid practice, beer cart much more lucrative). Of course, I played there often with my family & enjoyed it every time despite the South being a complete beast of a course. The par 3 third on the South & the par 3 15 on the North are highlights for me.
Torrey Pines Website, Top 100 Golf Courses

ST ANDREWS - THE OLD COURSE
I’ve had the pleasure of playing a British Open there as well as the odd bounce game. It never gets old. Ever.
UK Golf Guy Review, Scottishgolfhistory.org

ROYAL MELBOURNE (COMPOSITE)
The composite is one of the toughest courses I’ve ever played but so clever. I’ve never had more fun actually having to think around a golf course but not wanting to break anything, does that make sense? Every par three is strong but the 7th is an awesome short one that demands good decision making.
UK Golf Guy Review, No Laying Up Tourist Sauce, Shackelford Golf Channel Analysis

WILSHIRE COUNTRY CLUB
Despite being pretty much in the middle of Hollywood this course is an old classic. It reminds me of a Sand Belt course design but with tiny greens. Really classic old school California track, which I love.
Wilshire Country Club Website, Golf Club Atlas

SLEEPY HOLLOW COUNTRY CLUB
Only got to play Sleepy Hollow 4 times one week of my life, during the 2002 US Women’s Am, but unforgettable. Oddly, Bill Murray caddied in my group which certainly added to the experience. The course’s logo is one of the best but also the golf course is amazing!
Sleepy Hollow Country Club, Graylyn Loomis

THE VALLEY CLUB AT MONTECITO
A beautiful Mackenzie/Hunter course on the central coast of California. Very unassuming upon arrival, but an outstanding layout with great bunkering & challenging greens. Again, very ‘Sand Belty’
Golf Digest, Golf Club Atlas, The Alister MacKenzie Society

PRESTWICK GOLF CLUB
I couldn’t leave out a links in the West! Such a fun starting hole next to the railway. It’s wild & unpredictable, so good.
Golf Club Atlas, Planet Golf

METROPOLITAN GOLF CLUB
Sensing a theme? Another sand belt gem. Actually, the first sand belt course I’ve ever played in my first Australian Open in 2009. I’d never seen greenside bunkers like Metro’s before, and may or may not have putted into a couple of them.
UK Golf Guy review, No Laying Up Tourist Sauce