Hallo alltogether,
I became a fan of this board over the last years and now I would like to give back some experiences I had from a "tourist" point of view.
Reports about East Lothian, Northern Scotland, Ireland are allrady available:
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,42627.0/http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,42629.0/http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,43378.0/If you have any questions, just contact me.
2009: Wales, Mid March
---Golf:
This time we flew over the north sea earlier as usual. And we were fine, one good thing about it had been the reduced greenfees you get before April in most places, on the other hand we had to play from provisional tees some times. Overall, April is perfect, March is ok.
One week in the north, one in the south, what a difference 200km make...The north, particularly Porthmadog, where we stayed, is calm and rural, in contrast the south is much more "developed" - a good contrast, it felt a bit like shrinked Engalnd concerning north/south. In the north we received the warmes welcome ever on our trips, people were so nice and friendly it felt a bit like we are comming from Mars. Let's talk about Golf...
To sum it up: Wales deliverd what we expected, no real surprises either good or bad. Overall just as wotrhy as Ireland, Enganl or even Scotland.
Highlights ( better than expected):
- Conwy,
This seems to be the upcomming course in the region. Next to the historic village and a few other rather good courses Conwy stands out because of it`s design, mantainance standard and overall appearance. It is a rather flat links where the sea is nearly not visible at all. The first 9 arerather open and wide the second nine are mostly guarded by gorse, so be aware. There is a steep hill close to the course which calms down the wind a bit. I remember fantastic bunkering and No. 13 as an extraordinary long and scenic Par 3.
- Porthcawl,
The top dog in Wales, so expectations where high and even topped. This royal layoutcan be found at the sourth edge of Swansea Bay, the sourroundings on the way reminded me a bit of Cornoustie, not the best memories, but once you checked in everthing is in the nice site. The sea is a constant eye candy on your round and the walk around the well manicured holes feel natural and peacefull. We were able to play from the white tees and superb greens. It felt like playing in high season but for a very reasonable greenfee of less than 100€ incl. Lunch. We played on a calm day, I remember a great 2 hole, long Par 4, some very challenging teeshots over the gorse and a tricky 18th. Overall a links like a mercedes, everything at its place and comfortable. Do not miss the clubhouse afterwards, with a bit od a Swedish feel the best we saw on the hole trip.
- Pennard,
Looking for a golfing heaven? Go to Pennard! Imagine Crail in a cliff top location and a bit of extra challenge. A few ordinary holes are overshadowd by some extraodinary once with detailed architechture work and the always present "Three Cliffs" a natural heritage at its best. Playing down the 16th is a bit like walking to the heavens gate, I can not wait to play this whole again, and two put it this time...
- Tenby
You are looking for a real challenge? Play Tenby in the wind. No Par 5s out there, but so much thrill you will not miss the long ones. The hardes start a can remember on a links, the first 3 par 4 are all exiting and scary. To my mind, the hadest course we played on Wales. Extremly intersting greens, your approach shots have to be well considered all the time. Only small letdown are 2 holes in the end which are a bit seperated from the rest of the course.
- Ashburnham
This must have been a great one in former times, and to my mind it still is. Superb layout behind the Dunes, flatish, thrilling, challenging. Can be compared with Spey Bay in Scotland or Goswick in North England. Thrilling finish with three outstandig holes comming in. A very peacefull place which seems to suffer some financial problems.
Letdown:
- Nefyn
The Pepple Beach of Wales it is called. And yes the cliff top surrounding is absolutly outstanding, shure one of the most memorable in Europe, but the course...? The last few holes are quirky and funny, even if a but dangerous because you play very close to pedestrian paths. The rest is jut ordinary and this is a bit of a shame. Guys go there and tell them that eith a little investments this could become one of the places to be.
Also played:
Harlech: Interesting Links whith a great veriety of holes and the best in the end. Love more on teh second view than on the first.
Asburnham: You get what you expect and see from the car park, a classic links layout with great holes in the dunes but also a lot of flatish less memorable ones.
Machynys: A modern Nicklaus Jr. layout, money rules this course, it is overplayed but still good value and challenge. 1st class greens.
Landudno: Close to Conwy and North Wales, nice Inland course, not that special.
North Wales: Feels a bit like a good municipal course. Worth the trip, old school links golf, extraordinary finishing holes.
Porthmadog: The first nine rather average, the first 6 of the second nine premiere links league.
Langeland: Small, quircky, scenic, best holes after the turn.
Next time (courses we missed):
- Bull Bay
- Clyne
- Southerndown
- Pyle&Kenfig
---Accomondation:
Porthmadog: Good place for your base camp. Comfortable house, a bit noisy, "Coach House":
http://search.visitbritain.com/cs-CZ/details.aspx?contentid=918939Mumbles (Swansea): Perfect base for the south, 15 min into Swansea town (nightlife...),very cosy, "The Cottage":
http://www.gocoastal.co.uk/det.asp?ch=3361&pgCode=acc-region-all.asp?moveyyyzzzchyyy81zzzscyyy1zzzfbyyyzzzftryyy---Conclusion:
Overall, I recommend the route we took, if you have more time spent it in the south. I never herad about the "Swansea area" as a golfing hot spot. To my mind it definitly is. You can spend two weeks here playing premium links golf. Enjoy.
Upcomming:
- Fife/Angus (several times)
- Conwall/Dorset/Devon (2010)
pat