Oliver

About Oliver

Like many, my pathway into golf was through my Dad. When his cricket and football days came to an end, golf became his staple. His interest sparked mine and my brother’s and the competitive sibling nature ensured that we played the game from pretty much dawn till dusk each summer.

My brother (James) went onto become the Head Professional at Effingham Golf Club and I continued as an amateur at Walton Heath Golf Club and Kingswood Golf Club, where I’ve been a member for over 25 years.

Whilst I don’t get to play as often as I’d like and my bucket list of courses to play is getting longer, I’m still hopeful of taking a few memorable golf holidays in the not too distant future.

Home Course: Kingswood Golf Club
Handicap: 1

Best golfing moment

"Playing golf with Lee Westwood at Walton Heath. Lee made the course look so easy and made me appreciate how far my game, even on it's best day, is away from pro golf"

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Oliver about planning your next golf trip.

LinkedIn: Oliver Gunning

Where Oliver has travelled

I’ve been pretty fortunate at Your Golf Travel to chalk off a host of amazing golf courses. I’m 99% sure I have been the furthest of anyone at YGT in playing at Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand but there’s still plenty of golf courses nearer to home that I need to play.

Some of the best places I’ve been to on a golf holiday are a lot closer to home in Dublin, where I played The K Club, Carton House, Portmarnock Links and one of my favourite courses anywhere in the world, Portmarnock, as part of a great weekend of golf, Guinness and all that both Dublin and Malahide have to offer. Another excellent golf tour is St Andrews where I played Kingsbarns, The Torrance at Fairmont St Andrews, The Castle Course and The Duke’s Course. This topped off with dinner and drinks at The Jigger Inn and a trip to the Dunvegan makes for a pretty sensational golf trip.

For a bit of winter sun, the golf on offer in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are hard to beat. I played in the HSBC Abu Dhabi Pro-AM a few years ago and playing on the same course that the pros were about to take on certainly made me appreciate how talented they are. When in Dubai, I’d certainly recommend a round on The Earth Course at Jumeriah Golf Estates. I was nowhere near playing to my handicap and yet had a great day of fast greens and 25 degrees, something I'd never get at my home course in January.

Kauri Cliffs - New Zealand

Cape Kidnappers - New Zealand

The K Club Golf & Spa Resort, Co. Kildare, Ireland

Kingsbarns Golf Links, Scotland

Fairmont St Andrews - Fife, Scotland

Abu Dhabi Golf Club 11

Best Golf Courses Oliver has played

Sunningdale (Old Course)

Surrey - England

I played here in The Sunningdale Foursomes and thought it was one of the best layouts I've played. Spending some time enjoying the Bobby Jones memorabilia in the clubhouse only adds to the experience.

Muirfield

East Lothian - Scotland

A day at Muirfield is something that every golfer should do. The challenge posed by every hole with the clockwise / anti-clockwise loops of the 9 is a great test and home to an amazing clubhouse, full of history and an unforgettable lunch.

Kingsbarns Golf Links

Fife - Scotland

I've played this in the sunshine and in rain and had the same smile on my face after the round. The 12th and 15th holes would easily be amongst the best golf holes anywhere in the world.

Portmarnock Golf Club

Co. Dublin - Ireland

27 great holes of golf and a clubhouse that has as much history as any in the world. A very, very fair golf course and somewhere I'd happily play every day.

TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course

Florida - USA

Arriving here is an odd feeling, all you are thinking about is what you'll hit off the 17th. As a golf resort, Sawgrass is amazing. From the clubhouse, to the practice facilities to the actual Stadium Course, it is an unforgettable experience - even if you fat a wedge into the water on 17...

Golf Courses on Oliver's Bucket List

Old Course St Andrews

Fife - Scotland

When I was younger I didn't enter The Links Trophy or Boyd Quaich...to this day I have no idea why I didn't play in these and why I still haven't played The Old.

Valderrama

Costa del sol - Spain

Each time I see Valderrama on TV I think I've got to play it. I doubt my driving will be anywhere near good enough to play well here but it looks like a pretty sensational place to play.

Les Bordes

Saint-Laurent-Nouan - France

I was invited to play here and for some reason, I turned it down. Since then, and after much more research, this is a course I'd love to play. The on-site accommodation looks amazing as well.

The "New" Aisla, Turnberry

Ayrshire - Scotland

I've been fortunate enough to play The "Old" Ailsa quite a few times but from everything I've heard, the new version is simply amazing.

Pebble Beach Golf Links

California - USA

I've been to Pebble Beach twice and not played golf. This just doesn't seem right to me. There is no finer place in the world to lose some golf balls.