Pennard Golf Club
A historic gem – “Links in the Sky”
Pennard Golf Club, founded in 1895, sits high on the cliffs of the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, just west of Swansea. Known as “Links in the Sky,” the nickname perfectly reflects its elevated setting and sweeping views over the coastline and sea.
Where to stay
For accommodation close to the course, the Gower offers excellent options. King Arthur Hotel is a charming, characterful choice nearby, perfectly matching the rustic feel of Pennard. For a coastal stay, Oxwich Bay Hotel sits directly beside one of Wales’s most beautiful beaches.
Alternatively, Swansea provides a wider range of hotels and restaurants, making it a convenient base to combine golf with culture and dining.
Golf, nature and tranquility
The elevation, ever-present wind, and rugged terrain ensure that every round feels different, while the surrounding landscape invites relaxation beyond the course. Pennard is more than just a round of golf—it’s a destination: high above the sea, immersed in nature, and perfectly suited to a memorable stay on the Gower Peninsula.
Ashburnham Golf Club
Historical background
Ashburnham Golf Club, founded in 1887, is one of the oldest golf clubs in Wales. The club has a rich history and has hosted numerous national and international championships. Ashburnham is known as a stronghold of traditional golfing values, where the game and its etiquette remain central.
The course and setting
The course lies along the southwest coast of Wales, near the village of Pembrey, close to Llanelli and about 30 minutes from Swansea. The layout winds through natural dunes and open linksland, with the wind as a constant and defining factor. Its proximity to both sea and estuary creates ever-changing conditions that are characteristic of true links golf.
A pure golf experience
At Ashburnham, authenticity and tranquility take centre stage. The course is carefully integrated into the landscape and remains free from large-scale commercial influence. Golf here is played in an intimate, unspoiled setting that reflects traditional Welsh links golf at its finest—honest, natural, and entirely focused on the essence of the game.
Aberdovey Golf Club
An iconic natural links course
Aberdovey Golf Club is one of the most iconic and natural links courses in Great Britain. Situated on the edge of Snowdonia—also known as Eryri—and overlooking the Dovey Estuary, the course offers a pure and untouched links experience where landscape and golf blend seamlessly together. For more than a century, Aberdovey has been celebrated for its simplicity, honesty, and natural beauty.
Historical significance
Founded in 1887, Aberdovey is one of Wales’ oldest golf clubs. The course is closely associated with Bernard Darwin, the legendary golf author and critic, who regarded Aberdovey as one of the purest and most natural golf courses in the world. His admiration helped shape the club’s mythical reputation and secured its place among the great classic links.
Playing style and character
Aberdovey rewards creativity, adaptability, and a deep understanding of links golf. Rolling dunes, firm turf, and constantly shifting winds define the challenge. No hole feels artificial; everything appears to emerge naturally from the landscape, making each round distinctive and memorable.
Natural beauty
The views across the Dovey Estuary, the Irish Sea, and the mountains of Snowdonia are extraordinary. The course feels remote and serene, far removed from modern distractions. This is golf in its most original form, set within one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Wales.
Royal St Davids Golf Club
Authentic links experience
Royal St David’s Golf Club is Wales’ other Royal course alongside Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, set spectacularly in Harlech on the edge of Snowdonia. The course offers a classic links experience with natural dunes, rugged grasses, and the ever-present influence of wind and sea—golf shaped entirely by its surroundings.
Historical significance
Founded in 1894, Royal St David’s has a rich and proud history. The club has hosted numerous prestigious championships and is widely regarded as one of the most characterful courses in Great Britain. Its blend of tradition, setting, and pure golf makes it a favourite among purists.
Strategic design & iconic views
The course demands strategy, creativity, and adaptability. Wind conditions constantly change, and natural contours dictate the lines of play. What truly sets Royal St David’s apart are the breathtaking views of Harlech Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site towering above the course.
Here, history and golf come together in a setting that is as dramatic as it is unforgettable.
Nefyn & District Golf Club
Historic charm, playing style & experience
Nefyn & District Golf Club, founded in 1907, offers a pure and authentic links experience along the wild coastline of the Llŷn Peninsula. With 27 holes, the club provides rare variety across its loops, where tradition and natural beauty blend seamlessly. A round here feels less like a game and more like a journey through a landscape shaped for over a century by wind, sea, and time.
The world-famous Point holes are the undeniable highlight. These spectacular holes run across a narrow headland high above the sea, framed by dramatic cliffs and sweeping views. Wind, elevation, and natural routing demand creativity and strategic thinking. Due to their exposed setting, the Point holes are occasionally closed because of storm damage, erosion, and safety considerations—partly influenced by public footpaths. In such cases, play shifts to an alternative loop within the 27 holes, a fitting reminder that here, nature truly dictates the game.
A jewel of the British Isles
Nefyn is more than just golf. After your round, the iconic Ty Coch Inn awaits on the beach at Porthdinllaen—often named among the most beautiful pubs in the world. With a pint in hand and the sea stretching out before you, everything comes together: exceptional golf, unspoiled nature, and genuine Welsh charm. A destination you don’t just play—you experience and remember.
Conwy Golf Club
Historical significance & unique setting
Conwy Golf Club, founded in 1894, is one of the oldest golf clubs in Wales and enjoys a remarkable setting at the mouth of the River Conwy. Throughout the round, players are treated to views of the imposing Conwy Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, giving the course a distinctly historic backdrop. Uniquely, a railway line runs directly through the course—a rare and charming reminder of the early days of coastal golf in the United Kingdom.
Playing style and surroundings
The course is a classic links laid out on flat estuary land, with natural dunes and constantly shifting wind conditions. Tidal influences from the river subtly alter light and playing conditions, ensuring that no two rounds feel the same. The routing is open and honest, with long views toward both sea and mountains.
Region & character
Located on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, Conwy offers a rare blend of coastal and mountainous scenery. Despite its spectacular surroundings, the club remains relaxed and authentic, free from mass tourism. Conwy Golf Club delivers not only outstanding links golf, but also a strong sense of place—where history, railway, tides, and the rugged landscape of North Wales come together in a truly distinctive experience.
