Today’s Golfer UK — December 2017

110 ISSUE 367 TODAYSGOLFER.CO.UK

Tees &

greens

General

condition

Food &

drink

Variety of

holes &

challenge

Clubhouse

Practice

facilities

Va lue fo r

money?

Location

Overall

verdict

Name

In great condition. Extensive teeing options give all

handicappers a chance, while the large, undulating

greens ran true and were not scarily quick. Signs to the

next tee would be welcome though.

The greenkeepers were out in force. Friendly and

unobtrusive, they keep the links pristine. The course was

pounded by weather and spectators at the Senior Open

a few weeks previously, but there was no sign of that.

Everything from light bites in the bar to

fine dining in the restaurant. A pint of

Royal Porthcawl Ale is a must!

Accuracy is key. Thick rough swallows anything wayward

off the tee, with false fronts and deep bunkers gobbling up

poor approaches. Into the wind with the Bristol Channel

down the left, the opening three holes are brutal.

Smaller and less stuffy than I was

expecting despite the place reeking of

history which staff and members were rightly keen to

show off. Stunning views across Rest Bay.

Could spend all day on the putting green between the

clubhouse and the beach. The range is large and the

five-hole Academy Course is a nice touch.

For a one-off treat, yes. The views alone are worth it.

Just off the M4 between Cardiff and Swansea,

Porthcawl is easy to find, and a town that warmly

welcomes travelling golfers. Most holes afford

breathtaking views across the Bristol Channel.

As good as it gets in terms of links golf. A tough but

fair test that you could never tire of thanks to the

undulating terrain and changeable weather. Unique,

stunning, welcoming. A future Open champion.

Joe Downes Richard Downes

In excellent condition. However, having a map or

picture of the hole layout on each tee would be a

welcome addition, particularly given how many tourists

flock here to play.

Excellent throughout. Well maintained as you would

expect at such a venue. Bunkers beautifully manicured

and they need to be given how steep some of those

faces are!

A fantastic selection and we were told we

could sit in the bar or dining room whatever

we ordered. Great service with a smile.

A good variety of short and long holes. The latter are a

severe test of driving with most seemingly into a head

wind and thick rough waiting for anything loose. It’s not

a course you can overpower – pars here are a success!

Good changing facilities and ‘Dormy’

accommodation right next to the first tee.

Good atmosphere in the clubhouse where large

windows afford good views of the closing hole.

Extensive. The putting greens represent those on the

course perfectly, and though the range is quite a

distance from the clubhouse it does have its own car

park.

Three of four times more than I would normally pay for

a round. But it’s at least three or four times better than

the courses I would normally play.

Close to the M4 and well sign-posted. Stunning views

across Rest Bay and the Bristol Channel from most

holes.

Squally wind and rain made it an especially tough test

but no less enjoyable. I’d love to play it again and again

now I know roughly where I’m going on each hole!

Beautiful start

The opening hole

is a testing par 4.

Beautiful beast

Enjoy the views,

celebrate the pars.