Courses

England and Wales

Aberdovey

Golf at Aberdovey dates to 1886, its crude first course consisting of nine flower pots sunk into the seaside turf along Cardigan Bay. Who laid out the original 18 holes is unknown, but over the years they were revised by James Braid, Herbert Fowler and H.S. Colt, among others. Aberdovey is a true links layout, with nine holes out and nine holes back. It's flatter than most, however, which makes it very easy to walk. It's not what you'd call "long", either, at 6,645 yards from the championship tees. Lying so close to the water, though, the wind can make the links play much longer. Aberdovey is a favorite of Welsh touring pro and 2006 Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam. In 2005, Golf Digest ranked it the 3rd best course in Wales. (P.S.: Sheep and cattle are allowed to graze here.)

Celtic Manor

There are three American-style courses at the luxurious Celtic Manor Resort: Roman Road, The Montgomerie and the Ryder Cup Course. Roman Road is named for a centuries old highway that the Roman military used to travel from England to Wales. It opened in 1995, was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., and it measures 6,743 yards from the championship tees. In 2006, Roman Road was the site of the Wales Open. In 2010, The Ryder Cup Course (formerly called Wentwood Hills) will be the site of the Ryder Cup matches. It opened in 1999 and was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. From the championship tees, it is a very long layout. It measures over 7,400 yards and features two par fives of over 600 yards. The Montgomerie course recently opened and will add yet another terrific course to the resort. All the courses at Celtic Manor offer sensational views of the countryside, Severn Estuary, and the mountains of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Conwy

In 2005 — 110 years after it was expanded to 18 holes — Conwy Golf Club (known locally as Caernarvonshire) was named the 5th best course in Wales by Golf Digest. A year later, Conwy had the honor of being the first Welsh course to ever be used as a final qualifying site for the British Open. Located near the mouth of the Conwy Estuary, this classic links layout was the site of the British Amateur Championship in 1999. Unlike most links, the fairways here are fairly flat. The greens, however, are quite testing. Because several holes on the front nine play along the estuary, wind is a factor. On the back, thick gorse is frequently in play. Hovering above the course and always in view is majestic Conwy Mountain. From the championship tees, Conwy measures a very manageable 6,647 yards.

Formby

Founded in 1884, Formby Golf Club is a parkland-style layout located northwest of Liverpool (famous hometown of The Beatles — John, Paul, George and Ringo). The original 18-hole layout was redesigned in 1912 by two-time British Open champion Willie Park Jr. and revised again in 1937 by H.S. Colt. Formby was the site of the British Amateur Championship in 1984 (won by Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal) and the Curtis Cup in 2004. It is also often used as a qualifying site for the British Open. Even though many of the holes here are tree-lined, Formby plays much like a links — with firm and fast greens and undulating fairways. And when the wind is up, this 7,024-yard tract (championship tees) can play pretty tough. In 2005, Golf Digest ranked Formby the 16th best course in England.

Llandudno (Maesdu)

Founded in 1915, Maesdu became one of Britain's top professional venues in North Wales. It is a very pleasant combination of parkland and links golf encompassing a broad expanse of scenery. There are some excellent holes throughout that require concentration and care and together with North Wales Golf Club (which is adjacent to Maesdu) provide the established golfer with a superb golfing break in the Llandudno area.

Marriot St. Pierre

There are two courses at this lovely facility in south Wales: the Old and the Mathern. The Old is a parkland-style layout that was designed by Ken Cotton and J.F.F. Penink in 1962. The Curtis Cup matches were played on the Old in 1980, and in 1996 it was the site of the Solheim Cup matches. The Old measures 6,925 yards from the championship tees, and in 2005 it was ranked #7 in Wales by Golf Digest. St. Pierre's Mathern course is also a very pretty parkland layout but much shorter. The Mathern's back-tee length of only 5,748 yards, however, makes it a great place to warm up before taking on the Old course. Mathern opened in 1975 and was designed by Bill Cox.

Nefyn and District

Because of its spectacular views of the sea, Nefyn and District Golf Club is often compared to Pebble Beach in California and Old Head in Ireland. The sea is in sight from every tee. Founded in 1907, Nefyn today offers two courses: the Old and the New. Both courses, however, utilize the same "front" 10 holes but two distinctly different "back" 8 holes. The first 10 feature five holes played along the edge of a cliff. The Old's final 8 are set on a peninsula that juts out into the sea. The New's closing 8 are not as precarious but still challenging. From the back tees, the New Course measures 6,548 yards. The Old is much shorter — only 6,138 yards from the championship tees — but Golf Digest still ranked it the 9th best course in Wales in 2005.

North Wales Golf Club, Llandudno

Welcome to North Wales Golf Club. Open since 1894, this charming course has played host to many regional championships through the years. The course is now best known for its views of both Little and Great Orme, with the town of Llandudno between the two in the distance. It's a true links course located on the West Shore of Conway Bay. With Llandudno (Maesdu) Golf Club located adjacent to the club, this area offers a terrific golfing break.

Pennard

The 8th best course in Wales — according to Golf Digest — is the one at Pennard Golf Club. Because it is located on the rugged Gower Peninsula some 200 feet above sea level, Pennard is often called the "links in the sky." The course overlooks beautiful Three Cliffs Bay and the views of the coastline are some of the most spectacular in Wales. Golf is reported to have been played at Pennard since 1896. The original 18 holes were designed by five-time British Open champion James Braid and later revised by Ken Cotton. Somewhat oddly, there's only one par five on the front nine but three par fives on the back. The closing nine also includes three par threes. Due to its elevation, Pennard is exposed to the wind and can play much longer than its back-tee length of 6,289 yards.

Princes

Also known as "Sandwich" due to its location in the town of the same name, Princes Golf Club is a links layout that dates to 1906. Originally designed by Charles Hutchings (the 1902 British Amateur champion), Princes was the site of the British Open for its first and only time in 1932. That year, Gene Sarazen won his first and only Claret Jug. Due to the damage that Princes received during World War II, Sir Guy Campbell and John Morrison remodeled the facility and expanded it to 27 holes in 1950. The three nines (Himalayas, Shore and Dunes) offer golfers distinctly different layouts. From the championship tees, Himalayas/Shore measures 6,942 yards; Himalayas/Dunes measures 6,845 yards; Shore/Dunes measures 7,145 yards. The Shore/Dunes combo is often used as a qualifying site for the British Open.

Pyle and Kenfig

Known locally as "P & K", the layout at Pyle and Kenfig was designed by H.S. Colt in 1922. The original back nine was lost during World War II, however, so a new nine was later built within nearby dunes land. Located only a mile or so from the famous links at Royal Porthcawl, P & K is thought by many to be nearly as testing. While the opening holes are very good, it's the back nine here that makes this course so special. They wind their way through towering dunes, offer sensational views of the Bristol Channel, Gower Peninsula and Welsh Mountains, and finish with three very strong par fours. In its most recent ranking of Wales' courses, Digest placed Pyle and Kenfig in the No. 6 spot.

Royal Birkdale

In 2005, Golf Digest ranked Royal Birkdale the 4th best course in England. Originally founded in 1889, the course was redesigned by Fred Hawtree and five-time British Open champion J.H. Taylor in 1932. Since then, Royal Birkdale has become one of England's most famous championship courses. Eight British Opens, two British Amateurs, two Women's British Opens, two Ryder Cup matches, one Walker Cup match and one Curtis Cup match have been held here. Like most links layouts, Royal Birkdale features fairways running through towering dunes. Unlike most links, though, the fairways here are flat. Plus, there are no blind shots to contend with — also quite uncommon for a links. The rough, however, is usually very deep, placing a premium on accuracy. Royal Birkdale measures 7,018 yards from the championship tees.

Royal Liverpool

Historically known as "Hoylake", Royal Liverpool is England's second oldest golf club. Founded in 1869, the original nine holes here were expanded to 18 in 1871. Royal Liverpool was the site of the first British Amateur Championship in 1885 and the first Walker Cup match in 1921. In 2006, the British Open was held here for the eleventh time (its first was in 1897) and saw Tiger Woods claim his second consecutive Open Championship. Bobby Jones claimed the Claret Jug at Hoylake in 1930, the year he won the "Grand Slam". Partly due to its length (7,210 yards from the championship tees) and partly because of the strong wind that can blow here, Royal Liverpool is considered one of the most challenging links layouts in the world. In 2005, Golf Digest ranked it the 8th best course in England.

Royal Lytham & St. Annes

For a course that's so highly respected around the world, Royal Lytham & St. Annes is rather unique for a number of reasons. It's a links-style layout that is nowhere near the sea, it's surrounded by beautiful brick homes, it's within sight of an amusement park called "Pleasureland", and its first hole is a 206-yard par three. The club's original course was designed by George Lowe in 1897. In 1930, it was remodeled by English architects H.S. Colt and Charles Allison. Over the years, the British Open has been conducted at Royal Lytham & St. Annes ten times. The first was in 1926 (won by Bobby Jones); the last was in 2001 (won by David Duval). At 6,905 yards from the championship tees, Royal Lytham is one of the shortest courses used for the Open.

Royal Porthcawl

The No.1 course in Wales, according to Golf Digest, is Royal Porthcawl. Since it was founded in 1891, the club has hosted a number of major events. It has held the Curtis Cup and Walker Cup matches, and been the site of the British Amateur six times and the Welsh Amateur 13 times. Unlike many classic links set hard by the sea, Royal Porthcawl is completely devoid of dunes. Swansea Bay is in sight from every hole, and the wind off the water can be fierce. The beach, by the way, is in play to the left on the first three holes. Also unusual is the fact that the drive on the first is played across the 18th fairway. Royal Porthcawl only measures 6,697 yards from the championship tees, but it's a stern test for even better players.

Royal St. David's

If Royal St. David's is not the No.1 course in Wales (even though many golfers believe it is), then for sure it is the toughest par-69 in the country. Founded in 1894, Royal St. David's is a challenging links layout with the Irish Sea on one side and Mt. Snowdon (Wales's highest peak) on the other. (Looming over the golf course as well are the massive ruins of Harlech Castle, which dates to the 13th Century.) Unusual for a seaside course, the tall, grass-covered dunes here block most views of the water. Typical, though, are the humps, bumps, hollows and ever present wind that you'd expect at a classic links. Together, they make Royal St. David's one surprisingly tough 6,495-yard tract.

Royal St. Georges

Welcome to the #1 course in England, according to Golf Digest in 2005. Frequently referred to as "Sandwich" because of its location, Royal St. George's was designed by Scotsman W. Laidlaw Purves in 1887. In 1894, this challenging links layout became the first course outside of Scotland to hold the British Open (J.H. Taylor won his first of five). Since then the Open has returned to St. George's on 12 occasions, the most recent in 2003 (won by Ben Curtis). If you enjoy the challenge (and quirkiness) of links golf, this is a great choice. There are several blind shots, humpty-bumpty fairways, and plenty of deep bunkers. A bunker on the 4th hole, in fact, is the deepest and tallest in England. From the championship tees, St. George's measures just over 7,100 yards.

Southerndown

This layout is often described as a downland links, "downland" in this case oddly meaning an elevated area. The club was founded in 1905 and the course was originally designed by 1883 British Open champion Willie Fernie. Over the years it's been revised by such notable architects as Willie Park Jr., Herbert Fowler, H.S. Colt and Donald Steel. Due to its location high above the Ogmore River Valley, Southerndown provides stirring views of the countryside and Bristol Channel. This lovely links is a bit on the short side at just 6,449 yards from the championship tees, but it's not without defenses. The bunkers are deep, there's bedeviling bracken fern and clumps of thick gorse everywhere and, of course, it's almost always windy. Oh, and don't be surprised if you have to work your way around a few sheep.

Southport & Ainsdale

Better known throughout England as "S & A", Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club was organized in 1906. The club's course, however, was not completed until 1923. It was designed by James Braid (five-time winner of the British Open) and laid out in an area of both dunes and heathland. In 1933 and 1937, S & A was the site of the Ryder Cup matches. Other prestigious events that have been conducted here include the British Amateur and the British Ladies Amateur, and it has been used as a qualifying site for the British Open on seven occasions. Like Lytham & St. Annes, S & A is not long by today's standards (6,703 yards from the championship tees) and its first hole is a par three. Also like Lytham, S & A is a fine test of golf.

Sunningdale – New Course

The general consensus is that the New Course is the stouter of the two at Sunningdale Golf Club. "New", however, it's not. Designed by the highly regarded English architect H.S. Colt, Sunningdale's second course opened in 1923. At 6,729 yards from the championship tees, the New is slightly longer than the Old. And while there are fewer trees and bunkers to contend with, there's more heather in play and longer carries over hazards. One golfer with fond memories of the New is South Africa's Gary Player. In 1956, the "Black Knight" won his first event as a professional on the New, and in 2000 he and Jack Nicklaus played a match here for "Shell's Wonderful World of Golf." In 2005, Golf Digest ranked Sunningdale's New Course the 12th best in England.

Sunningdale – Old Course

The Old Course is definitely the better known of the two layouts at Sunngindale Golf Club outside London. Opened in 1901 and designed by two-time Claret Jug winner Willie Park Jr., the Old Course was the site of a famous round of golf in 1926. During qualifying for that year's British Open, Bobby Jones turned in a 66. The total included 33 shots and 33 putts, no score on any hole was higher than 4, and it was accomplished with hickory-shafted clubs. It's still considered one of the greatest rounds ever. Today, the Old Course measures 6,637 yards from the championship tees. This parkland-style layout, however, is well protected. Many of the holes are lined by pine, birch, oak and heather, and there are 103 bunkers scattered about the facility.

Tenby

Founded in 1888, Tenby is the oldest golf club in Wales. Historical documents, however, clearly show that golf was being played here at least ten years earlier. Originally just a 9-hole course that was built along South Beach (its designer is unknown), Tenby was expanded to 18 holes in 1907. Typical of a traditional links layout, Tenby's fairways play firm and fast and most of them are bordered either by tall native grasses or thick clumps of gorse. Due to its location near the shore (which provides golfers with great views of nearby Caldey Island and the Irish Sea), the wind can make this little layout play much longer than its back-tee length of 6,337 yards. Tenby may be short but it's tough, and in 2005 Golf Digest ranked it the 4th best course in Wales.

Walton Heath – New Course

Somewhat similar in design to the Old (a parkland-style layout that plays like a links), the New Course at Walton Heath debuted in 1907. Like the Old, the New is protected by menacing bunkers and impossible-to-play-out-of bracken fern and heather. When in bloom, the heather is quite beautiful — even where it's used to border many of the bunkers (double-trouble, so to speak). The New is only a tad shorter than its more famous older brother (7,026 yards from the championship tees), but it's considered to be much more manageable. Both courses here are usually in peak condition — even in winter. Walton Heath's practice putting green, by the way, might be the largest in all of England. And while you're visiting, be sure to visit the Braid and Fowler rooms in the clubhouse.

Walton Heath – Old Course

The 11th best course in England — according to Golf Digest — is the Old at Walton Heath Golf Club south of London. There are two fine layouts at Walton Heath and both were designed by Herbert Fowler (the Old was his first). Highlighting the grand opening of the Old Course in 1904 was an exhibition match that featured England's three greatest players of the day: Harry Vardon, James Braid and J.H. Taylor. Since then, Walton Heath has been the site of over 60 amateur and professional events, including the 1981 Ryder Cup matches. While technically incorrect, a frequent description of the Old Course is that it's an "inland links." The greens are large, the bunkers are deep, and wind is always a factor. From the championship tees, the Old measures just over 7,000 yards.

Wentworth – East Course

Just like Sunningdale, Wentworth Golf Club has two courses that were ranked among the 20 best in England by Golf Digest in 2005. However, many golfers who have played Wentworth's third layout — Edinburgh — feel that it should be included in the top 20 as well. The East Course here was ranked #14 by GD. Designed by H.S. Colt and Charles Allison, the East opened in 1924. Rather short by today's standards at just over 6,200 yards, the East is by no means easy — the tree-lined fairways are tight and the greens are heavily bunkered. Historical fact: Prior to the British Open in 1926, an exhibition match was held on the East between players from America and Britain. The match was so enjoyable the players squared-off again in 1927. The competition is now known as The Ryder Cup.

Wentworth – Edinburgh Course

Open since 1990, the third layout at Wentworth was co-designed by world famous golf instructor John Jacobs, Gary Player and former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher. Tall and majestic pine trees line many of the holes here, and they are frequently found standing sentry at the corners of the numerous doglegs. Unlike its older siblings, though, the Edinburgh Course features wide fairways and large greens. This makes it — along with the East — a popular choice for golfers who prefer the middle tees. As the annual site of the British Masters Championship, however, Edinburgh can be stretched to over 7,300 yards from championship markers. From the tips, Wentworth's West and Edinburgh courses will provide even the best players with 36 holes of very challenging golf.

Wentworth – West Course

The West Course at Wentworth is by far the best known. Also designed by Colt & Allison, this very sturdy parkland-style layout opened two years after the East. In 1932, the West was the site of the first Curtis Cup matches. The 1953 Ryder Cup matches were conducted here, and it's been the annual site of the World Match Play Championship since 1964. Past champions include Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros and Ernie Els. Ballesteros, a three-time Masters champion, said this about the course: "I rate [the West] at the top of my list of favorite places, alongside Augusta." Measuring over 7,000 yards from the championship tees, the West is a big, beautiful, tree-lined layout that winds its way over rolling terrain. In 2005, Golf Digest ranked it the 10th best in England.

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