On Sunday, October 17, Javier Pintos, Director of Wegolf Europe, achieved a feat that few golfers have had the luxury of accomplishing: playing his 400th golf course in the world. He did so at none other than Royal Porthcawl, one of the best courses in Wales. Below, we share his comments and ranking of the top 10 courses he has played.

As I said, there are more than 36,000 and I have only played 400; furthermore, I haven’t played many that others put in the Top 100. I still need to visit Oceania and Asia primarily, and several Top 100s in the USA. But this would be my Top 10 among those 400:

1) Oakmont Country Club: perhaps not objectively the best, but between its difficulty, ultra-fast greens, design, and Angel Cabrera’s unforgettable 2007 victory, it’s my pick. Experts say it could host the US Open any week of the year—imagine its difficulty. I played two rounds in 2019; during the first, I was embarrassed by how poorly I played.

2) Cypress Point Club: the course that sparked the birth of Augusta, an immaculate Alister MacKenzie design with an unbeatable finish. I was able to play it in 2011 and 2016.

3) Old Course St Andrews: I’ve played it four times and it’s a unique sensation. Some venerate it as a monument; to me, it’s a brilliant golf course.

4) Pine Valley: I remember every one of the 83 shots I hit that day in 2013 after a warm-up where I thought I’d shoot 65!! I need an urgent rematch.

5) Carnoustie Golf Links (Championship): I’ve played five rounds here and I like it more every time. On a bad day, it can give you a memorable beating.

6) Winged Foot West: I’ve played it twice, the second time in 2019 following Gil Hanse’s restoration... the best Golf Club in the USA!

7) Royal Dornoch: I like the Championship course so much that I became a member... an extraordinary test of golf.

8) Merion East: In 2013, we played it a few months after Justin Rose’s victory, but it was coming out of green aeration; I need to go back!

9) National Golf Links of America: Five birdies back in 2007 when I knew little of Seth Raynor and C.B. Macdonald; it’s time to return!

10) Royal Aberdeen Golf Club: I played it in 2012 after playing Castle Stuart at dawn and driving 100 miles each way to see it; I left without birdies despite playing very well!

It’s hard to include them all, but it’s worth adding Shinnecock Hills, Pebble Beach, Royal St George’s, Royal Birkdale, Seminole, Pinehurst #2, Maidstone, Muirfield, Ailsa Turnberry, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush...