I was eagerly awaiting this game at Harlech to see if the course was as good a my memory suggested. After reading what many people on this site wrote I was beginning to doubt myself. All is well with my memory! The course impressed me as much as on previous visits. What I walked away with today was an immense appreciation for the bunkering. Simply stated, Harlech, with its tremendous variety in style and strategic placement, is one of the best bunkered courses I have ever experienced. The weather was far kinder than the previous few days, but still blowing 20-25 mph quite steadily.
1 goes out and 2 comes back.
The 3rd goes back out and really opens the course so far as I am concerned. The terrain is no different than the first two holes. In fact, the terrain is largely flat until the 11th. However, there is plenty of good golf before then. #3 is quite a tight driving hole for this 450ish yard par 4 - one of many back breaking two shotters on this par 69 layout.
The different styles of bunkering become very apparent when compared to the opening two holes. The 3rd sports this centreline bunker with a green cruelly small for the length of the hole. To top it off, the green runs from front to back. This is one great hole.
The 4th is the first of five par 3s and its a good one. The green rests on a slight table and runs hard from left to right. As if often the case on links, things seem fine until you get behind your ball and realize that getting close with a chip is near on impossible. It looks gentle enough, but don't miss it left this tee shot left.
#6 is a clever hole in that the player has a ground option off the left off the green, thus avoiding the front bunker. However, a bunker awaits on the left for the overly cautiously approach.
#s 7 & 8 are reachable par 5s, but likely only one can be reached on the same day. The kicker is these are the only three shotters on the course so one or the other must be taken advantage of. Harlech is famed for playing very stingy to its par of 69.
The 9th and 10th run parallel to the beach. #10 can especially play long into a prevailing wind.
#11 offers a bit of a respite as its quite short, but it still plays tricky.
#12 requires the player to navigate between the bunkering for the drive - no easy task in a harsh crosswind.
#13 is another tough two shotter likely requiring two woods to get near the green. The approach is tricky with wind off the right as bunkers protect this side and the green slopes from the right.
Even some of the par 3s take some hitting to reach. In these conditions I hit driver on the 14th, a blind shot over a rough laden flat area.
The 15th isn't much easier. Two woods were required. The drive is a classic bite off as much as dare type. The approach is often blind down to a semi punch bowl. If there is a signature hole at Harlech, #15 is it.
A look at the green from the 16th tee.
#16 is a wonderful driving hole with a humpback fairway.
It seems to me that the 17th has been radically altered. The centreline bunkers used to be on the left of the fairway. I am not sure, but I think the practice ground signified by the oob has been extended closer to the fairway so more fairway out to the left was created. The approach to 17.
Just to mess with ya, another style of bunker, a long strip cross bunker which must be carried for the approach. With the changes, I believe the 17th has become the best hole on the course and makes for a grand penultimate hole.
The course finishes with a bland par 3, but no matter, Harlech is still grand with much to offer to the visiting golfer. I have a lot of time for Harlech and would suggest that it be the first club one looks up for a game if you find yourself in the general vicinity. Its good value at under £50 with an outstanding twilight rate of £30. Don't listen to the no men. Get out there and play Harlech when you make your Darwin pilgrimage to Aberdovey. There is a lot to like and I promise the bunker will impress.
Ciao
GolfClubAtlas.com