TOP 30

TOP 30 WALES 2015
TOP 30
COURSES IN
WALES
A refreshed, expanded list of the finest courses in the Principality.
Royal St David’s is
one of Wales’ jewels.
When we compiled our first ranking of
courses in Wales we included 20 names.
The order was interesting of course, but
the names were not especially surprising.
Now we have increased the numbers by 50
per cent, the identity of those included is
more interesting, with several names
unfamiliar to wider audiences receiving
well-justified exposure. Oh, and there are
some surprises in the order further up the
list too. Enjoy our latest Wales ranking and,
as ever, please let us know your views.
30 Aberystwyth New entry
Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. Par 70, 6,119
yards. Designer: Harry Vardon.
GW VERDICT Located above the famous
university coastal town, the course benefits
from panoramic views over Cardigan Bay and
the sure touch of Harry Vardon, who said of his
course “the views obtainable are second to
none. Although not a seaside links, it is the
next best thing to it”.
29 Langland Bay New entry
Swansea, South Wales. Par 70, 6,026 yards.
Designer: James Braid.
GW VERDICT Its location above the golden
sands of Gower ofers views over the Bristol
Channel and the distant Brecon Beacons. This
is a fine cliftop course and a pleasure rather
than a chore at just over 6,000 yards. ‘Braid’s
Choice’ is the name of the 8th and indicates
the designer’s afection for it.
28 Clyne New entry
Swansea, South Wales. Par 72, 6,432 yards.
Designer: Harry Colt.
GW VERDICT Sited at the entrance to Gower
Peninsula in the UK’s first designated area of
outstanding natural beauty, Clyne began in the
1920s. Indeed Percy Alliss, Peter’s father, was
the first pro here. Gorse and bracken defend.
27 Cradoc New entry
Brecon, Powys. Par 71, 6,188 yards.
Designer: CK Cotton.
GW VERDICT This parkland from 1967 was laid
out on the northern side of the Usk valley by
CK Cotton. Expect fairways lined by mature
trees, a few water hazards and a rolling
topography that has been tweaked towards
the end of the front nine to ensure it is a
delightful, easy-walking challenge.
26 Welshpool (▼ 1)
Welshpool, Powys. Par 70, 5,700 yards.
Designer: James Braid.
GW VERDICT First established in 1894 in Deer
Park, the club relocated to the outskirts of
town before its current location on the aptlynamed
Golfa Hill in 1930. This hillside
experience ofers lots of interesting changes
in elevation and a bracing challenge.
25 Cardigan New entry
Cardigan, Ceredigion. Par 72, 6,687 yards.
Designer: FW Hawtree.
GW VERDICT Cardigan sits along the shore of
the eponymous Bay on top of the Teifi Estuary.
The resulting sea views and sound of waves
lapping the shore give it a seaside experience
and there are blind shots and wispy links-like
rough. A test right from the 418-yard 1st.
24 Celtic Manor (Montgomerie) (▼ 1)
Newport, South Wales. Par 69, 6,371 yards.
Designer: Colin Montgomerie.
GW VERDICT An exacting challenge
comprising penal bunkers and greens that are
easy to three putt are mixed with lovely views
and a few sporty par 4s that make this an ideal
accompaniment to the famous Twenty Ten.
23 Rolls of Monmouth (▲ 2)
The Hendre, Monmouth. Par 72, 6,733
26 Golf World TOP 30 WALES 2015

yards. Designer: Unknown.
GW VERDICT The estate was in the ownership
of the Rolls family (of Royce fame) from 1767
until 1987 and the course occupying two
distinct halves separated by a large forested
hillside. Oaks, water features and large
rolling greens.
22 Vale of Glamorgan
(Wales National) ( )
Hensol, Glamorgan. Par 73, 7,433 yards.
Designer: Peter Johnson.
GW VERDICT Opened to acclaim in 2003 by
Sir Steve Redgrave, this big beast winds
through mature woodland, among large
bunkers and around a myriad water features.
Don’t even think about playing it of the backs!
Of the daily tees, super stuf. Host of the
European Challenge, Senior and Europro tours.
21 Holyhead ( )
Holyhead, Gwynedd. Par 71, 6,090 yards.
Designer: James Braid.
GW VERDICT Its location on the beautiful Isle
of Anglesey gives it predictably splendid views
towards Snowdonia and over the port town
while the course is a super heathland designed
by James Braid with undulating fairways
routed among gorse, heather and bracken.
20 Llandrindod Wells ( )
Llandrindod Wells, Powys. Par 69, 5,759
yards. Designer: Harry Vardon.
GW VERDICT Established in 1905, Harry
Vardon’s brief was to “maximise the views
from every tee and from every green”. As well
as the views, there is excellent turf to enjoy,
enough of a challenge on the grassy banks and
dips, and well-guarded, smooth greens.
Bull Bay is one of the
best in North Wales.
19 Marriott St Pierre ( )
Chepstow, Monmouthshire. Par 72, 6,672
yards. Designer: Ross McMurray.
GW VERDICT This multiple Tour venue and
host of the Solheim Cup was given an astute
facelift by Ross McMurray. A peaceful round
among mature trees and a huge lake, it ends
on an exacting short hole of 235 yards.
18 Bull Bay ( )
Amlwch, Anglesey. Par 70, 6,267 yards.
Designer: Herbert Fowler.
GW VERDICT Every tee of this cliftop track
ofers views to the mountains of Snowdonia,
or over the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man while the
undulating topography results in holes routed
through valleys and between rocky outcrops
and gorse.
17 Abersoch ( )
Abersoch, Gwynedd. Par 69, 5,847 yards.
Designer: Harry Vardon.
GW VERDICT Unassuming course in a
delightful town, this is holiday golf of a kind
you never tire of playing. A hybrid of links and
inland golf, as is common in the area, make
sure you don’t miss this lower-profile one.
15 Nefyn (▼ 2)
Pwllheli, Gwynedd. Par 70, 6,198 yards.
Designer: Taylor & Braid.
GW VERDICT There are 27 holes here with the
Old layout including the much-photographed
holes on the ‘Point’ peninsula. Undoubtedly
thrilling and also a little bewildering at times
but is one we all must experience.
14 North Wales (▲ 1)
Llandudno, Gwynedd. Par 71, 5,883 yards.
Designer: Harold Hilton.
GW VERDICT A proper links course on the
West Shore in Llandudno, there are some
splendid quirky holes but it is also a test in a
breeze despite its modest yardage – as befits
the host of the Welsh Team Championships.
13 Pwllheli (▼ 1)
Pwllheli, Gwynedd. Par 69, 6,100 yards.
Designer: Tom Morris.
GW VERDICT Perfectly nice inland holes here
but gets its place just outside the top 10 with
the cool linksy holes around the turn which are
of the highest order with old-fashioned class.
12 Borth & Ynyslas (▲ 3)
Aer-Y-Mor, Ceredigion. Par 70, 6,086 yards.
Designer: Harry Colt.
GW VERDICT Don’t come to Mid Wales and
not play here – it might be the most fun you
have on a course all year. Tremendous links
with everything we love about seaside golf on
a smallish scale. Absolutely deserves this rise.
WANT MORE
DETAILS?
For more information
on all of Wales’ golf
courses see the Visit
Wales golf website –
golfasitshouldbe.com
16
Machynys Peninsula ( )
Llanelli, Carmarthenshire. Par 72, 7,121
yards. Designer: Nicklaus Design.
GW VERDICT Laid out near Llanelli on the
edge of River Loughor it is a modern
seaside course that has a linksy terrain but
is not a traditional links test in the manner
of others on this list. A very fine, welldesigned
and conditioned course though.
TOP 30 WALES 2015 Golf World 27

TOP 100 30 WALES 2015
11 Porthmadog ( )
Porthmadog, Gwynedd. Par 71, 6,322 yards.
Designer: James Braid.
GW VERDICT Heathland-parkland character of
the front nine is a warm-up for an excellent
back nine that is true links. The holes just after
the turn are as good as most on this whole list.
10 Southerndown ( )
Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan. Par 70, 6,428 yards.
Designers: Fernie/Fowler/Park/Colt/Steel.
GW VERDICT A downland course among
gorse and bracken that comprises significant
changes in elevation and gorgeous sandy turf
kept in good order by grazing sheep.
9 Conwy ( )
Morfa, Conwy. Par 72, 6,936 yards.
Designers: Jack Harris & Frank Pennink.
GW VERDICT In among these charming shortish
courses is this big-boned links that
comfortably hosts the likes of the European
Seniors Tour. Doesn’t ofer the pizzaz of some
other seaside venues in the top 10 but a
consistently excellent course outside of its
relatively modest start and finish.
8 Tenby ( )
Tenby, Pembrokeshire. Par 72, 6,528 yards.
Designer: James Braid.
GW VERDICT Located on the edge of a
popular seaside resort town, this fast-running
links ofers cute green complexes – including
blind afairs – bouncy fairways and funnels of
gorse. Links connoisseur will relish it.
7 Pyle & Kenfig (▼ 1)
Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan. Par 71, 6,588
yards. Designer: Mackenzie Ross.
GW VERDICT Modest front nine, spectacular
back nine – you’ve heard it of P&K before but it
is entirely accurate. The ‘better’ nine are very
much worth the visit here.
6 Celtic Manor (Twenty Ten) (▼ 2)
Newport, South Wales. Par 71, 7,493 yards.
Designer: Ross McMurray.
GW VERDICT Lots of water, lots of yards, lots
of manicuring and lots of risk-reward holes.
And, finally, lots of sensible pricing and
tempting deals from a Ryder Cup venue that
makes it playable for most budgets.
5 Ashburnham (▲ 2)
Burry Port, Carmarthenshire. Par 72, 6,910
yards. Designer: JH Taylor.
GW VERDICT This rise might surprise some
as ‘The Ash’ has a relatively low profile but
outwith a modest start and finish, this is links
fare of the highest order – and championship
stuf too. If it had higher-calibre holes to begin
and end, it would be a GB&I Top 100 venue.
4 Pennard (▲ 1)
Swansea, West Glamorgan. Par 71, 6,800
yards. Designers: James Braid & CK Cotton.
GW VERDICT It wasn’t that long ago Pennard
was snifly dismissed by some. We have
A significant rise for
the oft-overlooked
Ashburnham.
always been fans and are very happy to
suggest it is the fourth-best course in Wales.
Its mix of linksy turf and cliftop topography is
endlessly entertaining.
3 Aberdovey ( )
Aberdovey, Gwynedd. Par 71, 6,710 yards.
Designers: Colt/Braid/Fowler.
GW VERDICT Immense first five and closing
quartet at the course Bernard Darwin loved
the most. A fixture in our GB&I Top 100.
2 Royal St David’s ( )
Harlech, Gwynedd. Par 69, 6,629 yards.
Designers: Finch-Hatton & Henry More.
GW VERDICT Relatively flat terrain for the
most part and less pretty than some but a
stringent test that one always relishes.
JOIN THE PANEL?
We would love to hear from golfers who have
played widely in Wales. Email nick.jwright@
bauermedia.co.uk to join the panel for 2016.
FIVE MORE
WE LIKE...
Vale of Llangollen
Mountain Ash
Neath
Pontypridd
Prestatyn
1
Royal Porthcawl (>)
Rest Bay, Mid Glamorgan. Par 72, 7,065
yards. Designer: Ramsay Hunter.
GW VERDICT Comfortably the No.1 in
Wales, which is evident as early as the
stellar opening trio along the shore.
28 Golf World TOP 30 WALES 2015

TOP 30 WALES 2015
WHERE TO FIND WALES’ TOP 30
Use this map to plan your trip to one of the key areas.
30 Aberystwyth
29 Langland Bay
28 Clyne
27 Cradoc
26 Welshpool
25 Cardigan
24 Celtic Manor (Montgomerie)
18
14
23 Rolls of Monmouth
22 Vale of Glamorgan (Nat’al)
21 Holyhead
21
9
20 Llandrindod Wells
19 Marriott St Pierre
18 Bull Bay
15
11
17 Abersoch
16 Machynys Peninsula
15 Nefyn
14 North Wales
13 Pwllheli
12 Borth & Ynyslas
17
13
2
3
12
20
11 Porthmadog
10 Southerndown
9 Conwy
8 Tenby
30
26
7 Pyle & Kenfig
6 Celtic Manor (TwentyTen)
5 Ashburnham
4 Pennard
3 Aberdovey
2 Royal St David’s
1 Royal Porthcawl
27
23
25
8
30 Aberystwyth
29 Langland Bay
28 Clyne
27 Cradoc
20 Llandrindod Wells 28
19 Marriott 5St Pierre
18 Bull Bay
17 Abersoch
4
16
10 Southerndown
9 Conwy
8 Tenby
7 Pyle 1 & Kenfig
24
6
19
26 Rolls of Monmouth
25 Celtic Manor (Mont’ie)
16 Machynys Peninsula
15 Nefyn
6 Celtic Manor (TwentyTen)
7
5 Ashburnham
24 Welshpool
23 Cardigan
14 North Wales
13 Borth & Ynyslas
4 Pennard
10
3 Aberdovey
22 Vale of Glamorgan (Nat’al)
21 Holyhead
12 Pwllheli
11 Porthmadog
29
2 Royal St David’s
1 Royal Porthcawl
22
30 Golf World TOP 30 WALES 2015

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Still, with
to
views
request
like this, you’ll
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