This is one of the unsung gems, I guess, of British golf, being located high up above a tiny town whose Welsh name appears to avoid vowels entirely.
Why it isn't more popular is a matter for thought, especially that, as many have said here recently, the price of golf in the UK has gotten rather exorbitant in the past few years.
Southerndown can be had for a mere forty quid, although on careful reflection it's not hard to see why.
The prodigious precipitation in the principality clearly renders irrigation coasts obsolete, whilst the gambolling sheep thoughtfully leave behind enough deposits to ensure that fertiliser salesman aren't known to the greenkeeper.
It's a course that is a little more difficult to fall in love with at first sight, despite some magnificent views, and several downhill second shots over tumbling terrain to closely guarded greens. The par three fifth is the one stand out, a dramatic shot across a valley to a green on a ledge above some pimpled hummocks, but otherwise it is a course that requires more graft and craft.
As with Porthcawl, there are a number of heaving greens, 1,2 and 3 in particular, with most of the rest being particularly subtle and mischevious.
Several par fours, in particular the 6th, 8th and 11th, are between 411 and 470-odd yards, yet, standing on the tee, you would swear Heathrow airport was closer than the green in the distance.
Although the fairways are reasonably tight, slicers/faders can get away with a bit more than anyone with a draw, as erring slightly left on most holes is instant death in the gorse.
It's a terrific course, but definitely one where a single round won't do it justice.