23/09/2025
I am extremely fortunate to be able to play golf courses all around the globe with my job on The World Residences at Sea, and I am often asked what are my favorite courses I have played. I think one of the rarest feats I have as a golf professional is playing the Trifecta of the islands of Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena and Ascension Island.
A group of three isolated, volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, forming a single British Overseas Territory, each have their own distinctive golf opportunities.
Tristan da Cunha, which is labeled the most remotest island, offers 9 make shift holes that are literally in a cow pasture, as the locals will move the cows to a different area if anyone wants to play. The holes (but we can't call them that as you will see) begin with a white painted rock, which plays to a flagsrick placed in the ground (you guessed it, no actual hole to putt into) and you play until your ball is at least 5 feet from the flag.
St. Helena Golf Club featured 9 greens and 18 tees for a unique walk on the grounds of Longwood House where an exiled Napoleon Bonaparte once rode his horses.
Ascension Island's One Boat Club gives you the most unique of the three as there is not a single blade of grass on the entire 18-hole design. The tees are artificial turf, with crushed lava fairways, lava bolder rough (you get a 1stroke penalty drop to the fairway) and play to oil sanded greens that actually putt very well.
I am not sure who else has the claim to play all three, as they are not on your usual bucket list of courses, but I guarantee that you will have a great time while the local members will welcome you with a smile and tell you some of the best golfing stories the clubs have to offer.
Please comment on some of your most unique golfing experiences.
Merrily, merrily, merrily...
