WALES
The Principality’s top 50 contains some crackers... including the 20 best-value venues we spotlight here
1 2 3 4 5 Royal Royal Celtic Pyle Aberdovey Ashburnham Conwy Pennard Tenby & Porthcawl St Manor Kenfig David’s 2010 6 7 8 9 10 11 Southerndown Nefyn Porthmadog Borth & Ynyslas 12 13 14 15 Pwllheli North Abersoch Wales 16 17 Machynys Llandudno Peninsula (Maesdu) 18 19 Wrexham 20 Holyhead 21 Marriott St Pierre 22 Llandrindod Wells 23 Bull Bay 24 Vale Resort (Wales National) 25 Rolls of Monmouth 26 Llangland Bay 27 Rhuddlan 28 Celtic Manor (Montgomerie) 29 Cardigan 30 Welshpool 31 Cradoc 32 Clyne 33 Aberystwyth 34 Celtic Manor (Roman Road) 35 Prestatyn 36 Newport 37 Whitchurch 38 Vale of Llangollen 39 Caernarfon 40 Cardiff 41 Radyr 42 Neath 43 Abergele 44 Carmarthen 45 The Monmouthshire 46 Wenvoe Castle 47 Mold 48 Builth Wells 49 Northop 50 Anglesey
ABERDOVEY
Why it’s special: Hosting golfers for well over a century, this true links thoroughbred is set amid the stunning scenery of Snowdonia National Park. It doesn’t have a solitary weak hole, so no surprise it’s one of Ian Woosnam’s favourite courses.
Green fees: From £35. 01654 767493
www.aberdoveygolf.co.uk
PENNARD
Why it’s special: Known as the links in the sky – it’s perched on clifftops 200ft above sea level – the course is routed over classically undulating and tumbling coastal terrain and provides spectacular sea views down towards the south coast. A rugged and natural gem. Green fees: From £25 midweek, £35 Sun. 01792 233131
www.pennardgolfclub.com
ASHBURNHAM
Why it’s special: Not as well-known as Royals Porthcawl and St David’s, but in truth this links merits being right up there among Wales’ best. It’s a wonderfully natural course separated from the sea by a line of towering dunes that feature on the back nine. Six-times Open champion Harry Vardon rated Ashburnham his favourite Welsh course... and it’s not hard to see why. Green fees: From £30 midweek, £40 weekends. 01554 832269
www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk
PYLE & KENFIG
Why it’s special: Next to Royal Porthcawl, this course is home to two contrasting loops of nine – you can make a score on the relatively open outward nine before the real drama commences from the 11th onwards. They weave between towering dunes and the demanding final three are all lengthy par-4s. Green fees: From £30 midweek, £50 Saturdays & Bank Holidays. 01656 783093 www.pandkgolfclub.co.uk
TENBY
Why it’s special: A lovely, quirky Braid links where golf has been played for over 125 years, with the par-4 4th ‘The Bell’ running alongside South Beach. It’s playable year-round, provides exquisite views across to Caldey island and there’s splendid on-site accommodation available, in what is a lovely part of the country.
Green fees: From £25.
01834 842978 www.tenbygolf.co.uk
CONWY
Why it’s special: Quality challenging links at the mouth of the estuary of the River Conwy, with superb greens and sensational sea and Snowdownia views. You can’t afford to get too distracted, though, as Conwy’s hard-as-nails final three holes are fraught with danger. Green fees: From £30 midweek, £35 weekends. 01492 592423
www.conwygolfclub.com
BORTH & YNYSLAS
Why it’s special: Overlooks Cardigan Bay on the River Dovey estuary with the out-and-back links being re-designed by Harry Colt soon after World War Two. It’s always in great shape but beware of the par-4 2nd featuring a narrow fairway and green. Green fees: From £30. 01970 871202 www.borthgolf.co.uk
SOUTHERNDOWN
Why it’s special: A rare mix of links, clifftop and downland action atop a massive limestone outcrop 70m above the sea, so the wind is always a key factor. The front nine features tight, linksy turf.
Green fees: From £50. 01656 880476
www.southerndowngolfclub.com