18 . Hiring a caddie when playing an Irish or Scottish links for the first time . Their good humour , intimate knowledge of the nuances of the greens and fairways and their uncanny ability for locating stray balls in the thick rough adds up to one of golf ’ s ultimate experiences .
19 . Enjoying the ritual of checking the distance to the flag with the help of golf technology and your newly purchased pinseeker or golf watch .
20 . Treating yourself to a stay at a luxury golf resort , and after a sumptuous buffet breakfast strolling to the first tee .
21 . While on your golfing travels , coming across one of the locals selling bags of discounted balls on the course you are playing , just when you need to top up your supply .
22 . Playing golf in a tropical destination such as the Caribbean or Mauritius where all the key tropical ingredients are in abundance : a dress code of shorts and golf shirt , sugary sand beaches , turquoise waters , cheek-caressing trade winds and golf sunny-side up .
23 . Observing the on-course local wildlife , from monkeys in Barbados , crocodiles in Queensland to black bears in British Columbia .
24 . Enjoying those occasions when you have the whole course to yourself , with no golfers behind and no golfers in front .
25 . Having the available time and light to playing 36 holes in one day ( preferably on two different courses ) with a leisurely lunch in between , or playing a different course each day for a week .
26 . Getting out of trouble by hitting one great shot among a series of average ones , such as making par after hitting your ball out of bounds .
27 . Unexpectedly discovering one of the ‘ World ’ s 100 Greatest Golf Holes ’ on the course you are playing , and then focusing really intently to make par or better .
28 . Coming from a few shots back to win a match with your mates and sealing victory by holing a long putt on the 18th green .
29 . Seeing an attractive cart girl driving towards you when you really fancy a cold drink out on the course .
30 . Having a bit of luck while playing , such as your ball hitting a tree and bouncing back on the fairway or coming up just short of a lake or bunker .
31 . Going on a golf tour or holiday with your mates - no girlfriends , no wives , no kids and no distractions . Talking about golf , playing golf and taking about playing golf . Time spent discussing such vital issues as ‘ who had the most birdies of the round ’ and ‘ the best par-3 of the trip .’
32 . Heading out to your local links on a warm summer evening for 9-holes with only a pencil bag , a handful of clubs and your own thoughts .
There ’ s a sense of anticipation when arriving at the entrance to any new golf club . The Links at Crowbush Cove , Prince Edward Island , Canada .
A golfer celebrates after holing his 3rd shot for eagle on the 495-yard par-5 9th at Dooks Golf Club in Ireland .
Whether you are lucky enough to play the Old Course , or catch an Open Championship , St Andrews – the Home of Golf is one of the things we love about golf .
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