Machynlleth GC - rustic rural James Braid - with some pics

[Thomas Dai]

Machynlleth?

"How do you pronounce Ma............?" I can hear someone ask.

"Where's the hell is it?" I can hear someone else think.

Well, I'm not going to tell you! Go look it up, but this is a little flavour of Machynlleth Golf Club.

The course is a rustic 9-holes, par 34, measuring 2863 yards (par 68, 5726 yds if played as 18 holes).

The course was laid out in 1904 by James Braid.

Here's a hint as to it's location - from Machynlleth station you can catch a train westwards and disembark immediately adjacent to the clubhouse at a favourite course of Bernard Darwin.

Here are a few photos - not much to say really, pretty self explanatory.

Clubhouse entrance and signs



The practice course - yellow flags in the distance



The putting green and, in first photo, the path to the raised 1st tee



Putting green with 9th/18th green in the background


9th/18th green - in the distance you can just make out on either side of the telephone post the other holes all at the bottom of the hill


Unfortunately time did not permit me to play the course, a flying visit, although the locals I met said the course plays nice and firm.

If you fancy finding out a bit more plus seeing some more photos this is the clubs website - http://www.machynllethgolfclub.com/

Rustic rural golf, golf pretty much as it's probably been since Mr Braid called by in 1904, lovely stuff.

atb

[Thomas Dai]

The mention of unheralded English courses reminded me to add some additional photos to this wee flavour of Machynlleth GC in Mid-Wales.

A bit rustic, but there's golf in all sorts of forms all over the place if you look.

The first few photos are from the Clubs website, the last few from a golf mate. Wonderful colours as the ferns turn with the seasons.















If you're heading out towards Aberdovey or Royal St David's at Harlech or Borth & Ynyslas stop off at "Mach" as it's often known and experience what much inland golf was like before WWII. You'll probably meet some very nice dogs and sheep and Welsh folk while your there.

atb

[Paul Gray]

Thanks for this Thomas. Always nice to see such an unassuming place. Shame you didn't get to play it.

[Mark Hissey]

Can we get a few of Porthkerry Park?   

I recall about 20 years ago playing a course that was newly built and just east of Cardiff. Right on the Bristol Channel. Did it ever mature properly? I seem to recall it being very flat and bare.

[Thomas Dai]

Mark, Porthkerry - Pembrey and the one on the sea front near Mumbles would be others. Used to be loads akin to them around, seemingly less so these days. Not like 'private members' Mach though, no sheep! I suspect the course you mention east of Cardiff could be Peterstone.

Paul, a mate played it recently. Described it, with a big smile, "as great fun but with greens about 4 on the stimp". Guess they need to sharpen the sheep's teeth

Here's Machynllech's location - http://binged.it/1tgyxtI

atb

[Paul Gray]

You really shouldn't criticise such places.......so I will: the 5th photo suggests a little available width has been overlooked. 

[Thomas Dai]

A recent trip across the mountains of Mid-Wales brought me unexpectedly to driving on the road that crosses Machynllech GC, laid out by James Braid nearly 120 years ago. 9-holes grazed by sheep, providers of the greatest of fairway and rough grass sword.
See also -https://www.instantstreetview.com/@52.587797,-3.835438,194.53h,-10.03p,0.26z,r78wHZe3_re3e5acnZvXPg
Below are a couple of photos more recent to those posted above.
'Mach' isn't too far from Aberdovey, Borth and Welshpool whilst Kington and Llandrindod Wells aren't that far away either. If nearby or passing 'Mach' would make a nice 9-hole addition to a game at one of these. It's even accessible by train. I wonder if Bernard Darwin ever played it on the way to/from the course his soul liked the best?
Bliss.
atb

[Thomas Dai]

A few additional photos of Machynlleth from a recent visit ... note there are few different spellings ... Welsh/English kinda stuff.
Rural, rugged and slightly on the raw side, but not by much.
Terrific sword, delightful to play from, and super conditioning with all volunteer/members looking after it.
Some square greens, cut-n-fill aplenty, uphill shots, downhill shots, severe doglegs in places, crossing fairways, shots across public roads, open ditches and of course, sheep.
The kind of course that if it were on some Scottish island or a remote part of Ireland would have chapters in books written about it.
Well worth a visit if heading towards the course that Bernard Darwins soul loved the best.














atb

[Peter Sayegh]

Thomas, thanks for more screensavers.
Did you ever find the correct pronunciation?
Thanks, Peter.

[Thomas Dai]

Thomas, thanks for more screensavers.
Did you ever find the correct pronunciation?
Thanks, Peter.

Not easy! This gives an idea - https://youtu.be/6BwGdOOPKPA -
atb

[Thomas Dai]

When you take a bloke from Detroit to play Machynlleth GC the locals come out in force to watch .....


And when you get there you might find one of the 110 members, no staff, who volunteer to look after the clubhouse and course, clearing ditches ...


Machynlleth GC, 9-holes laid out by James Braid, and the essence of golf.

Fun in a glorious setting with no flash, no frills. £15 for 9-holes paid into an honesty box.

See also - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktnfDhjEHd8

Go play it ... and play Darwins favourite Aberdovey as well as 18-holes at the likes of Welshpool, Borth & Ynylas or Church Stretton and perhaps some other honesty box 9-hole courses like hilly, open aspect, rustic Knighton or the more polished and well conditioned but tree-lined St Idloes while you there.

atb

[Kalen Braley]

Thomas,

Thanks for posting these up, just terrific!

P.S.  At the risk of being called a beard-puller, more and more these days, this place seems to represent "golf as its meant to be"