Golf World UK - August 2017

142 Golf World August 2017

TOP 50 COURSES IN WALES

1934 comprises trees, heather,

gorse, dry stone walls and

undulating greens. The 15th, a 391-

yard par 4 played from one side of

a huge rock down to a fairway

some 80 feet below, is majestic.

41 Radyr

Cardiff, South Glamorgan. H Colt.

GW VERDICT One of four Harry

Colt courses in South Wales, Radyr

was established in 1902 and enjoys

fine views overlooking the city of

Cardiff and the Bristol Channel.

40 Cardiff

Cyncoed, S Glamorgan. R Walker.

GW VERDICT Water is in play on

several holes by virtue of a stream

that meanders through both nines

of this well-maintained parkland. It

has hosted the Welsh Professional

Championship several times.

39 Caernarfon

Caernarfon, Gwynedd. Unknown.

GW VERDICT Although close to the

sea, ‘Royal Town of Caernarfon’ is a

lush parkland. Established in 1909,

it sits between the Mountains of

Eryri and the Menai Straits, and

enjoys panoramic views of the

Snowdonia and Anglesey.

38 Vale of Llangollen

Llangollen. Denbighshire. S Ball.

GW VERDICT Formed in 1908, its

neat fairways and greens have

hosted amateur and pro events.

Offers a tranquil round on the valley

50 Anglesey

Rhosneigr, Anglesey. Harold

Hilton, George Duncan.

GW VERDICT The most linksy

of the courses on the island of

Anglesey, it sits on springy

heathland and among sand dunes.

An out-and-back layout with a

railway line for added links

authenticity. Raw but enjoyable.

49 Northop

Northop, Flintshire. John Jacobs.

GW VERDICT A well-conditioned

modern parkland – it opened in

1994 – on a 250-acre site with

views across the Dee Estuary.

48 Builth Wells

Builth Wells, Powys. Unknown.

GW VERDICT No par 5s for the

men and small, well-protected

greens ensure this woodland has

enough test in its 5,420 yards. The

River Chewfri runs through the

course as a key hazard.

47 Mold

Pantymwyn, Flintshire. F Hawtree.

GW VERDICT A club with a long

history, it moved to its current

location in 1928 and was extended

to 18 holes in 1977. Upland in style, it

boasts views of the Clwydian Hills,

Cheshire and the Peak District.

46 Wenvoe Castle

Cardiff, Glamorgan. James Braid.

GW VERDICT Established in 1936

and designed by James Braid, this

is a tree-lined but spacious parkland

across two loops of nine that both

begin near the 18th Century

Mansion House which has served as

the clubhouse for over 70 years.

45 The Monmouthshire

Abergavenny, Gwent. J Braid.

GW VERDICT Just 5,978 yards but

with six par 3s and four par 5s –

three successively on the front nine

• The Monmouthshire is far from
  ordinary. This Braid parkland is set
  against the beauty of the Blorenge,
  Sugar Loaf and Skirrid Mountains.

44 Carmarthen

Carmarthenshire. JH Taylor.

GW VERDICT Dates back to 1907,

this parkland is carved through the

Gwili Valley but is far from a

claustrophobic experience, as

illustrated by its delightful views.

43 Abergele

Abergele, Conwy. D Williams.

GW VERDICT One of the most

scenic courses in Wales, with Gwrych

Castle as its backdrop. An historic

course with two loops, the holes are

protected by ‘proper’ bunkers and

by undulating greens such as the

cool 15th. Packed with good par 4s.

42 Neath

Neath, West Glamorgan. J Braid.

GW VERDICT Set on a plateau

above the Neath Valley this James

Braid-designed heathland from

WHY I LOVE...

By Phil Price

Long-time European

Tour player Phil Price,

from Pontypridd, beat

PhilMickelsoninthe

2002 Ryder Cup singles.

Royal

Porthcawl is

my favourite.

They’ve

successfully extended the

course to cope with how

golf has moved on

without sacrificing its

original character.

Aberdovey and

Harlech probably haven’t

quitekeptupwiththe

march of time as

Porthcawl has. It is a shame

in terms of hosting events

buttheyarestillgreatgolf

courses. ‘Harlech’,

especially, 20 years ago

was a wonderful par 69.

I have always thought

Ashburnham could be a

wonderful course. They

are limited financially to

whattheycanchangebut

itisasuperblinksasitis.

Iplayedtherethisyear

acoupleoftimesforthe

firsttimeinalongwhile

and I thought ‘wow, they

coulddosomuchwith

this if they had backing’.

Machynys is an

excellent modern course.

The routing and the

design itself is really

excellent and is more

impressive than lots of

bigger names. It has a lot

of potential. The greens

when they opened were

the best I have ever

putted on in Wales.

Southerndown is a

sneaky nice course with a

toughfirstshotandalot

of good holes.

I love Borth & Ynyslas

too, it’s not the most

refined of places but I’ve

been up there for a few

yearseveryAprilasmy

son plays in a tournament

there and it really

impressed me. Great fun!

It is intricate, subtle,

with tiny greens and the

windcanblowsoit’snot

easy. A really interesting

andquirkygolfcourse.

In the north, Conwy is

always a strong test.

Radyr, by the

great Harry Colt.