In this episode of the Top 100 Clubhouse Podcast, Paul Jansen, a golf course architect and founding member of Himalayas Golf, shares his journey and insights into the world of golf course design. He and James discuss the evolution of golf spaces, the role of artificial turf, and the importance of creating unique and engaging environments for golfers.

Paul reflects on his experiences in various countries, the challenges faced in golf course construction, and the significance of a sense of place in design. He also shares his favourite golf courses and the stories behind them, emphasising the need for innovation and adaptation in the sport.

Top 100 Golf Courses Official Merch 🧢:
https://shop.top100golfcourses.com/

Lockhart Travel Club ✈️:
https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/membership/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Paul Jansen and Himalayas Golf
02:57 The Shift to Smaller Golf Spaces
05:41 The Role of Artificial Turf in Golf
08:56 Common Misconceptions About Artificial Turf
11:43 The Evolution of Golf Practice Spaces
14:32 The Intersection of Technology and Golf
17:30 The Future of Golf and Entertainment
20:32 Paul's Journey into Golf Course Architecture
23:22 The Influence of South Africa on Paul’s Career
26:27 Challenges in Golf Course Design
29:21 Unique Experiences in Golf Course Construction
32:30 The Importance of Sense of Place in Golf
35:30 Paul's Favourite Golf Courses
41:12 Final Thoughts and Reflections

In this week's podcast, James welcomes David Davis (CEO Of Top 100 Golf Courses) to the podcast, to talk about The Lockhart Travel Club, and what's coming up for 2026. The Lockhart Travel Club is a sister company of Top 100, and provides members with the opportunity to play world class golf all around the world, and meet like minded golfers.

They discuss the challenges and joys of organising golf trips, the camaraderie among members, and the exciting future of Lockhart, including upcoming trips and events around the world. David shares memorable stories from past trips, highlighting the beauty of hidden gem golf courses such as Waverley, and the importance of enjoying the journey with like-minded enthusiasts.

Lockhart Travel Club: https://www.lockharttravelclub.com/

Follow us on socials:
On Instagram: @officialtop100
On Twitter: @top100golf

In this week's episode, James & Jasper catch-up on various goings on from around the golfing world. In particular, they discuss the upcoming Australian Open, and whether the composite at Royal Melbourne is the best golf course in the world.

Follow us on socials:
On Instagram: @officialtop100
On Twitter: @top100golf

In this week's episode, renowned golf course architect David McLay Kidd, chats with James about his new project at the Streamsong resort in Florida.

Follow us on socials:
On Instagram: @officialtop100
On Twitter: @top100golf

In this week's episode, we revisit one of our early podcasts with Josh Ralston (A lecturer in Christian-Muslim relations at Edinburgh University) to discuss Saudi Arabia's involvement in the game of golf. What is their goal, and what does it mean for the game?

Follow us on socials:
On Instagram: @officialtop100
On Twitter: @top100golf

In this episode, James is joined by Matt Ward (Long-Time Golf Journalist) to reflect on the fallout from the recent Ryder Cup in New York. They chat about what needs to change in the US setup going into 2027.

Follow us on socials:
On Instagram: @officialtop100
On Twitter: @top100golf

This week James sits down with Cody Cunningham (a colleague at Top 100 Golf Course) to discuss the golf scene in his home state of Utah. They chat through the variety on offer, from Mountain Golf in the North, to Desert Golf in the South.

Follow us on socials:
On Instagram: @officialtop100
On Twitter: @top100golf

In this episode, James is joined by Mike Koprowski to discuss his personal journey in building Broomsedge in South Carolina. They talk about his initial idea, and then get into the detail of the routing and course identity.

Follow us on socials:
On Instagram: @officialtop100
On Twitter: @top100golf