The Intentional Golfer

---

Day 1 – Planes, Trains, and 250 Pounds of Luggage

When people ask how this trip started, I usually say, “My brother invited us to his wedding in the UK — and we decided to bring our golf clubs.” But that’s not really the full story.

We didn’t just bring our clubs. We brought everything.

In hindsight, it was a bit much. I packed five divot tools, which was wildly optimistic considering I didn’t use any of them — a tee worked just fine for ball marks the entire trip.

🚍 The Commute Before the Commute

But in that moment, we didn’t care. We were nervous, yeah — this was the longest golf trip and first big international trip either of us had ever attempted — but mostly, we were excited!

The day began with a bus down from the Rockies, then a train into DIA, and finally, an overnight flight across the Atlantic.
From our front door to our hotel lobby in London, we’d be on the move for about 18 hours.

And honestly? It felt like the start of something big.
We weren’t just going to a wedding. We were stepping into an adventure — one we’d built out of equal parts family, curiosity, and obsession with this game.

Somewhere between lugging the bags into a train station and watching them disappear on the airport belt, we just looked at each other and laughed.

“We’re actually doing this.”

Day 2: Welcome to London (Barely Awake)

We landed at Heathrow, cleared customs, and loaded all 250 pounds of our gear onto one heroic luggage cart — only to realize it didn’t fit in the elevator. So we unloaded it, carried everything by hand, and started sweating before we even left the terminal.

Then we followed signs to the train instead of the Underground (classic mistake), which meant we walked twice as far as we needed to, dragging bags the whole way.

By the time we finally boarded the Piccadilly Line, we were questioning our life choices — and also kind of loving it.
We had officially arrived.

After a short-ish walk from Earl’s Court Station — arms sore, sweating, dragging our gear through busy London streets — we finally made it to Lord Kensington Hotel.

We arrived sweaty, jet-lagged, and fully loaded. Our room wasn’t ready yet (honestly, fair), but the staff kindly let us stash our mountain of gear in the hotel’s narrow front lobby, which we immediately filled to capacity.

🏌️‍♂️ Gear Shuffle: The real Start to our Trip

No time to waste before our first round, so we got to work:
opened up the hard cases right there in the lobby and got to work.

The hotel staff looked on with curiosity — clearly they’d seen people unpack luggage before, but never quite like this. Much like the strangers on the train who chatted us up, none of them had any idea what was inside those cases. Most thought we were carrying instruments.

Clubs were put back together, and bags were lightened down to just the necessities. Shoes—previously stuffed with socks and other odds and ends—were unpacked. Our red shirts were hunted down somewhere between all of our clothes, golf gear and snacks.

It was a mess — but it was our mess.
Intentional? Sort of.
Chaotic? Definitely.

We changed into golf gear in shifts, tried to make ourselves look halfway presentable, and closed up the travel cases like we hadn’t just staged a full-on equipment explosion next to the front desk.

This wasn’t the smooth kickoff we’d hoped for.
More like chaos with a side of jet lag — and we loved it.

Round 1: London Scottish Golf CLub

Why we chose London Scottish

• A members course that is incredibly public for a great price
• Featured on The Adventures of Golf YouTube channel
• Loved the history and iconic red shirts
• Just a short train ride from Earl’s Court in the Wimbledon Common (not really a short walk from the station though)

To get to our first round, we took the Tube from Earl’s Court Station. This was only our second time navigating London’s subway system, and — no surprise — we got on the wrong train. A quick backtrack and we were on the District Line heading toward Wimbledon, laughing at ourselves and snacking along the way.

From Wimbledon Station, it was about a 1.5-mile walk to the course — plenty of time to stretch our legs, get our bearings, and wonder what kind of golf scene we were walking into.

The Club

London Scottish Golf Club sits right on Wimbledon Common — a large, protected public park in southwest London filled with walking trails, woodland, and open heathland. It’s not a golf course in the traditional sense — it’s a shared space where golfers, dog walkers, joggers, and locals all coexist (somehow) without incident.

The club itself has been around since 1865, making it one of the oldest in England. Even more interesting: it actually shares the course with Wimbledon Common Golf Club. Two separate clubs, same fairways. They each have their own clubhouse and history, but you’re out there playing on the same stretch of land, with a different flow of the course.

It cost us just £30 to play, which felt like a steal for the history and location. When we checked in, they gave us walker tags to clip to our bags — a system to show we’d paid and belonged out on the course.

The Round

We teed off on a quiet weekday afternoon and didn’t see another golfer the entire round. No group in front of us. No group behind us. Just dog walkers and locals meandering through the open common, completely unfazed by two jet-lagged Americans swinging away in red shirts. It was oddly peaceful for a public course in the middle of a major city.

The course played more like parkland, with tree-lined fairways and a bit of early spring coditions. We were just happy to be out there swinging.

• I posted an 88 and grabbed the first win of the trip — a fact I may or may not have brought up several times in the following days.
• B shot an 89, thanks in part to a rough finish: three OB balls on the last two holes. On 18, he smoked a tree so square it actually went backwards. He toughed it out for a 9.

The Clubhouse

After the round, we headed into the historic clubhouse for a pint. You have to take your golf shoes off at the door — the 160-year-old floors are protected like museum pieces. The walls were lined with old rifle lockers, the wood worn and faded from decades of use.

Behind the bar was a guy who clearly loved golf. He asked about our trip, swapped stories, and rattled off course recommendations like a local golf historian. You could tell he wasn’t just pouring pints — he was part of the game.

It wasn’t until the end of our trip that we realized just how perfect of a start that bartender was to the amazing golf trip we had just started.

Day 3: Golf & London Sightseeing

Round 2: Sudbury Golf Club

We were up early on Day 3, not feeling very human after a short nights sleep. Today’s mission: Sudbury Golf Club, a private course in northwest London that allows visitors — for a bargain.

We chose it for a few reasons:

• It was an easy Tube ride from Earl’s Court.
• We’d heard about the views of the London skyline from the course.
• And with an 8:30 a.m. tee time, we could squeeze in 18 holes and still have plenty of time to meet up with family for sightseeing in the afternoon. Win-win.

Getting There

We took the Tube again — no wrong turns this time. Sudbury Hill Station dropped us off just a short walk from the club, and compared to some of the hauls we’d already experienced, this one was smooth sailing. Light bags, light commute. A rare combo.

The Course

Sudbury is a private members’ club, but it opens its doors to visitors during the week — which is how we snagged our 8:30 a.m. Thursday tee time for just £35. For a Harry Colt-designed course in northwest London, that felt like a deal.

The layout winds through tree-lined fairways with just enough elevation to keep things interesting. It was lush and quiet, with only a few other groups out there, and we could catch glimpses of the Grand Union Canal running alongside parts of the course.

And then there were the views of London — subtle at first, but from the right spots you could see the skyline in the distance, a surreal backdrop for a morning round. The course was already green and well-kept, even in early spring. We could only imagine how it would look in full bloom a few weeks later.

How We Played

It didn’t exactly start strong for me.

I topped my opening tee shot about two feet. Took my only breakfast ball of the entire trip, mostly out of self-respect, then immediately piped the second one into the trees on the right. Two more tree hits later, I was limping off the green with a snowman (8) and the unsettling realization that it might be a long round.

Then I lost a ball in a bush, tried to retrieve it, and somehow cut my upper lip wide open — a vertical slice straight from my lip up toward my nostrils. A great look, just days before my brother’s wedding. Love that for me.

B, on the other hand, was off to a decent start. Then things got weird. A group of members had jumped ahead of us at the turn, and B was convinced they’d taken his ball. Tension rose. We caught up. There was a vibe. It was… a thing. Nothing came of it.

The weirdest moment came later on the 14th. We both had a picture perfect par on the last hole B hit a low drive that immediately had me saying out loud, “He’s not gonna like that.” The ball skidded across the fairway — and then shot straight underneath a mower that was rolling away from us, toward the green.

We both froze. The ball vanished under the machine, and for a fews seconds it was just… gone. Then, somehow, it popped back out about 40 yards ahead — perfectly centered in the fairway. No damage. No explanation. Just UK golf magic.

This was only the start of Brenden’s luck.

Post-Round

After tapping in on 18, we did the only proper thing: used the air compressor shoe cleaner like a couple of kids discovering power tools for the first time.
B even showed me the move — stick the nozzle right into your sock to really get the air flowing. It worked… almost too well.

Then we headed inside to grab a pint and cool off.

That’s when we learned a valuable (and very British) lesson about clubhouse etiquette:

“If you wear a hat inside and a member catches you, you have to buy everyone in the bar a drink.”

Lesson learned. Hats off, literally.

Ironically, the same group of members who had jumped ahead of us — the ones B thought swiped his ball — finished shortly after and ended up being… incredibly nice. They came over to chat, asked all about our trip.

They weren’t just friendly — they were curious. Especially about us. Where we were playing, where we were from… and before long, the questions about American politics started creeping in.

Apparently, carrying golf clubs around London makes you the unofficial ambassador for American politics. This wasn’t the last time we would be asked about it, or a comment would be made about it to us.

Post Round Sight Seeing- Kensington Palace- Warrs’ Harley Davidson

Day 4 in London: A Full-Day Sightseeing Tour

On Day 4 of our UK golf trip, we swapped golf for pure London adventure — from Harrods and Buckingham Palace to Spitalfields Market, the Sky Garden, and Hamleys.

Morning: Natural History Museum and the Harrods Maze

We started the day by walking through the stunning grounds of the Natural History Museum — a masterpiece of architecture with towering arches and intricate stonework. Though we didn’t go inside, the exterior alone was worth the visit.

Just around the corner, we entered the iconic Harrods department store. The ground floor was a bustling collection of mini markets — with everything from luxury chocolates to perfume halls — and the rest of the building was just as impressive. We explored seven floors that spanned multiple blocks in every direction, each one filled with its own kind of treasure.

Midday: Double-Decker Views, Buckingham Palace, and Spitalfields Lunch

Next, we hopped on a classic London double-decker bus, scoring front-row seats on the top deck. Traffic was crawling — slower than the pedestrians — but we didn’t mind. We were overdue for a sit.

We got off near Buckingham Palace, just in time to accidentally witness the Changing of the Guard. Total surprise, totally perfect timing.

From there, we headed east to Spitalfields Market, weaving through crowds and artisan stalls in search of a purple scarf. That mission ended with lunch at Hawksmoor Spitalfields, a steakhouse that was a bit fancier than we planned for — but 100% worth it.

Afternoon: City Views and Street Art

After lunch, we made our way to the Sky Garden, a lush, glass-wrapped lookout offering panoramic views of London. It’s one of the best free things to do in the city — and the views are unbeatable.

Next, we walked across London Bridge to find the Leake Street graffiti tunnel — a hidden, ever-changing art gallery tucked beneath the city. It felt like stumbling into another world.

Evening: Toys, A Proper Pub, and Heading Home

From there, we hopped another bus to Hamleys Toy Store — six floors of toys, noise, and live demos happening on every level. Whether you’re a kid or not, it’s a full-on experience.

To cap off the day, we grabbed a drink at The Devonshire, a cozy London pub nearby. Then it was back on the Underground to our base at the Lord Kensington Hotel — exhausted but happy.

24 thousand steps that day getting around the London streets and tourists.

Day 5, Round 3: Mill Hill Golf Club – A Hidden Gem Beyond the City

Day 5 took us out of central London and into a totally different setting: Mill Hill Golf Club. After a chaotic commute involving a trespasser on the tracks, we found peace and greenery just beyond the city — and got totally humbled by the course.

The Journey: Breakfast, Delays, and a Platform Packed Like Sardines

We kicked off the day with breakfast to go from Leon’s — warm breakfast sandwiches and coffee in hand, loaded up with our golf bags, and off to catch the Tube at Earl’s Court Station.

We boarded the first train… and then sat there. Doors open. No movement. The platform got more crowded. Finally, the operator came over the intercom:

“There is a trespasser on the tracks, and this train will not move again until that person is removed.”

The same announcement repeated a few times until it escalated:

“We do not know how long this will take. Trains are stacking up behind us. If you can, please take a different line.”

We could — so we did.

Golf bags on our shoulders, we headed down a level to transfer trains, only to find the platform packed wall to wall, sardine-style. The first train that came was so full we couldn’t squeeze in. We waited for the next and finally got on — managed to find seats and, thankfully, a little quiet space to eat our breakfast in peace.

From there, it was still a long journey: two Underground lines, a double-decker bus, and a final walk under a major highway before we reached Mill Hill Golf Club. Not exactly stress-free, but we made it.

From Highway to Hidden Haven

At the clubhouse, we grabbed a sports drink, got tags for our bags, a locker room code, and directions to the first tee. The driving range was small and crowded, so we warmed up by rolling a few putts on a little green out front.

After checking in, we walked back under the highway, punched in a code at the gate, and stepped through.

And just like that, we were in another world.

Lush fairways, trees, total quiet. We had left the noise and bustle behind. It felt like a private golf retreat hidden in plain sight.

A Great Value Golf Experience in London

Though Mill Hill is a private club, they allow visitors, even on weekends — a rarity in the London golf scene. At just £55, it was the price range we were hunting for.

Even better — my dad walked along with us — not playing, but basically acting as our unpaid caddy, reading greens, calling wind direction, and helping us track down those questionable shots. Without his help, half our balls would still be lost in the rough somewhere.

We teed off right on time, with no group ahead of us and no one pressing from behind. Peaceful, green, and wide open — exactly what we needed after the morning madness.

How We Played

Let’s just say… the course beat us up.

I shot a smooth 100, and B edged me out with a 99. Almost got him 😏

It was one of those rounds where everything caught up with us — five days of walking, late nights, sore feet, and a 6-mile loop of a course. Add in some questionable decision-making and concentration that came and went, and yeah… things got a little rough.

Early on, B landed on the green with an eagle opportunity, then 4-putted it 😬. A couple of holes later, after another blow-up, I thought, “Alright, I’ve got this.”
And then I hit my ball into three different trees on the same hole.

At least we had a good time doing it. There were plenty of laughs, and with my dad out there, we had actual help. He was reading putts, calling wind shifts, and spotting balls — probably the only reason we didn’t lose more.

We grabbed ham and cheese toasties for lunch from the turn hut, which gave us a little boost to limp through the back nine. B also landed in a Captain’s Charity Bunker on hole 12, which came with a catch — if you land in it, you have to donate to the charity barrel in the clubhouse. That meant an extra trip back under the highway at the end of the round to pay his dues. Classic.

---

We wrapped things up and made our way back to the hotel — another walk under the highway, another bus, and two Tube lines back to Earl’s Court. By the time we reached Lord Kensington Hotel, our feet were done.
My knee was officially upset.
Five days in, and our bodies were letting us know we were pushing it.

Still — long commute, wild round, tired legs and all — it was a day we won’t forget.

Day 6: From London Tubes to a Nissan Juke and Bury St Edmunds

We were back on the Tube with all our luggage, packed just right to close everything tight for the flight home. Lugging our bags onto the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow, we were headed to meet my mom.

From there, a shuttle driver whisked us away to Arnold Clark to pick up our rental car — a Nissan Juke stick shift, which was barely big enough for B, me, and all our gear. Then came the squeeze: fitting my mom into the mix.

Next stop: Bury St Edmunds, where we explored a bit despite it being Sunday and most places closed. We were staying at the Dog and Partridge Inn, gearing up for a wedding in a few days.

That evening, we had dinner as a big group — my brother and his new wife, some friends, our aunt and uncle, plus mom and dad — at a Turkish restaurant in Mildenhall. That meant B would get to practice this new way of driving on nice, tight country roads with a speed limit of 60 mph most places.

On the way back, B pulled off a near-miracle and dodged a tiny deer that ran out in front of the car — with my mom and dad onboard too! Good job, B!

Wrapping up Week 1 — but the adventure’s just getting started

So that’s a wrap on the first part of the trip — London, the golf, and all the chaos that came with hauling way too much gear around. It’s been a mix of jet lag, questionable decisions, and some really memorable rounds.

If you like honest golf stories — the kind that aren’t just highlight reels — stick around and hit subscribe to The Intentional Golfer. Up next, I’ll be breaking down those quieter days: two short nine-hole rounds, some family time, and all the behind-the-scenes stuff before the big wedding day later in the week.

Trust me, there’s more good stuff coming — and some lessons learned, too.

So if you want to follow along, subscribe now. You won’t want to miss it.