Golf in Wales / County Cards

[Brad Treadwell]

Looking for some advice from you Welsh golfers out there.  Going back at the end of May with the wife to visit her family.  Not sure we'll have the time to venture to far away from her home town about 45 minutes north of Cardiff.  I've played Porthcawl and loved it and will likely do it this trip again as I'd like her to play it.  It seems like Pennard would be the next logical choice for a second round.  If I was able to squeeze another round in that area, what would you guys recommend?  Ashburnham, Southerndown, P and K, etc?  Might go down and spend the night in Swansea and pick a couple of these off. 

Also, I've read about these "County Cards".  Are they difficult to get ahold of, especially for a Yank or people technically not involved in a UK based club?  They obviously provide a great discount which would be great. 

Appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

Brad

[jeffwarne]

Don't know anything about County cards,
but an "Open Fairways" card has saved me literally thousands on trips escorting groups of golfers.
and they work in many more locations besides Wales.

They are typically 25-50% of the "standard" rate, and are transferable, and be applied usually to at least 4 golfers.
Occasionally, the going rate is substantially lower than the "standard rate" so they don't provide much discount, but I have found very good value in this card, which can be purchased for as low as 39 pounds depending on the deal/sale going. (and as I said can provide discounts for 4 golfers)
They also are linked to hotels. but generally I've found better value in B&B's.

[Thomas Dai]

Brad,

To get a County Card you have to be an actual member of a club in that country. For example, an English County Card don't apply in Wales and Welsh ones don't apply in England, so much for the 'United Kingdom' (but let's not go there!!!).

Jeff's Open Fairways sugggestion, where you buy into a scheme, is a good idea, indeed I've looked into buying into the scheme myself, and there are good savings to be had, but don't get you hopes up to much as the scheme is limited to certain clubs/courses and lots of the ones you'd like to play arn't on the list. For example in South Wales, Royal Porthcawl, P&K and Southerndown are not within the scheme. Of the courses you mention, Pennard and Ashburnham are, as is Tenby. Some clubs also have a accommodation at the club Tenby, Ashburnham, RP, Clyne, Newport-Pembs, maybe P&K(?) and give cheaper golf if you stay on-site so these may be worth looking at if you're thinking of heading westwards.

There is a full listing of all the courses on the scheme on the Open Fairways website - http://www.openfairways.com/opencontent/?itemId=1

Also, worth considering if you can show a valid handicap certificate (if requested) are Open Competitions at various clubs, including the top level clubs. These are usually reasonably cheap to enter and there is a website called Golf Empire - http://www.golfempire.co.uk/ - which lists them by region/club etc. You can also research them by looking at individual club websites. Some open comps can be entered on-line, some via post. If you're interested in one and wanting to enter from overseas I suggest you contact the clubs secretary by email and take it from there.

atb

[Paul Dolton]

Hi Brad

Of the three extra courses you mentioned i pick Southerdown first followed by P and K then Ashburnham.
Another option is Clyne. The first time i played it was to fill in an afternoon of a trip . It was well worth the green fee with some very interesting holes. Also very close to Swansea.