TOP 50 COURSES IN WALES
30 Welshpool(4)
Welshpool, Powys. James Braid.
GW VERDICT Club dates back to
the 1890s but moved from its
original location in Deer Park in
1930 and was rewarded with an
astute Braid hillside layout that
features lots of elevation changes.29 Cardigan ( 4)
Cardigan, Ceredigion.
Fred Hawtree.
GW VERDICT A coastal experience
atop the Tei Estuary with a pleasing
mixture of sea views, salty breezes,
blind shots and exacting holes... not
least the tough opener.28 Celtic Manor
(Montgomerie) ( 4)
Caerleon, Newport. Montgomerie.
GW VERDICT Very solid back-up to
the resort’s star attraction, the
Twenty Ten course, it features Colin
Montgomerie’s trademark penal
bunkering and challenging greens –
as well as short par 4s and a scenic
backdrop. Always enjoyed in good
condition too.27 Rhuddlan NEW ENTRY
Rhuddlan, Denbigh’re. Hawtree.
GW VERDICT High new entry for
this course, which is sheltered by
the Clwydian Range. Expect a
gently undulating parkland of
under 6,300 yards that will
undoubtedly appeal to those who
prefer their brain to be tested
rather than their brawn.floor by the banks of the River Dee,
which dominates the high-class
9th, 15th and 16th holes.37 Whitchurch
Whitchurch, South Glamorgan.
Fred Johns, HJ Marjoram.
GW VERDICT Lies north of Cardiff
on elevated ground sheltered from
the north by the Wenallt Hills but
offers views of the capital, Penarth
Head, the Somerset Coast and the
Bristol Channel. Established in 1914,
the parkland is overlooked by 13th
Century Castell Coch castle.36 Newport
Newport, Gwent. Unknown.
GW VERDICT Set among the birch,
beech and oak trees of Llwyni
Wood, 300ft above sea level. It is
surrounded by rolling parkland and
is in routinely pristine condition.
Founded in 1903, Newport gently
undulates along lush fairways with
views of the Bristol Channel.35 Prestatyn
Prestatyn, Denbighshire.
Fred Collins.
GW VERDICT The most northerly
course in Wales is a chunky 6,808
yards off the championship blue
tees. Combined with the prevailing
south-west wind, it makes
Prestatyn one of the toughest
courses outside the elite porfolio in
Wales. Laid out along the foreshore
at Barkby Beach, it is set in 150
acres of unspoilt links land.34 Celtic Manor
(Roman Road)
Caerleon, Newport.
Robert Trent Jones Snr.
GW VERDICT The first of the
resort’s courses, it opened in 1995
and is named after the old Via Julia
Roman highway that ran through it.
Overlooks the Severn Estuary with
views across to Somerset and
Devon. Designed by Robert Trent
Jones Snr, it hosted the 2015 Wales
Senior Open and winds between
trees and across streams. Having
such a strong third course
illustrates the resort’s depth.33 Aberystwyth ( 3)
Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.
Harry Vardon.
GW VERDICT Sits above the
coastal town and enjoys views over
Cardigan Bay, which so entranced
Harry Vardon when he skilfully laid
the course out.32 Clyne ( 4)
Swansea, W Glamorgan. H Colt.
GW VERDICT This course of great
pedigree is an adventure among
swathes of gorse and bracken at
the entrance to Gower Peninsula.31 Cradoc ( 4)
Brecon, Powys. CK Cotton.
GW VERDICT Easy-walking
parkland on rolling land on the
northern side of the Usk valley. Laid
out in 1967 and that is sensed by
the mature fairways and trees.WHY I LOVE...
By Bradley Dredge
Bradley Dredge, from
Tredegar, has won twice
on the European Tour.My favourite is
‘Harlech’. It is a
links, firstly,
and it offers the
best challenge, with a
good combination of
holes, challenging par 3s
andit’swellbunkered.It’s
alwaysbeenmyNo.1.Isit
tough enough for tour
players today? Possibly
not.Butitisapar69!
I haven’t played
Porthcawlsinceallthe
changes, but I’m sticking
with Harlech anyway. It is
a great course though,
withagreatstart.Itis
built for the wind coming
off the sea so if it turns
theotherwayitdoesn’t
work as well.
Iamabigfanof
Ashburnham too. The 1st
isapar3anditisusually
saidthelastfouraren’t
greatbutIdon’tthink17is
bad, just a straightaway
sort of hole. Fifteen, 16, 18
areabitquirkybut,in
between,agreatcourse.
If they had 18 holes like
thebacknineatPylethey
would have a heck of a
course. Anyone going
theretojustplaytheback
ninewouldloveitthough.
Southerndown isn’t quite
uptherewithsomeofthe
others at the elite level
but still very enjoyable.
Formetherearea
couple inland that are
really good. Newport is
one, and I play at Radyr,
whichisquiteshortand
oldfashionedbutdespite
thedistancewehitthe
ball these days I always
finditarealchallengeto
scorewellthere.Thereisa
different skill involved to
what is required on most
of the courses on tour.
I’ve always enjoyed
RollsofMonmouth–one
of my favourite places just
foradayout.It’sareally
special place and you feel
as though it’s millionaire’s
golf. And all the golf at
Celtic Manor and St Pierre
is solid.August 2017 Golf World 145