Aberdovey - North Wales - Wales

For me Aberdovey was the highlight of a recent golfing trip to north Wales that included Royal St David’s and Nefyn. There’s something magical about Aberdovey, from the drive to the little seaside town on the road from Machynlleth, to the walk across the old Cambrian railway line to the clubhouse. I must admit that the sign on the gate over the rail crossing struck fear in my heart but it served its purpose… I dutifully closed the gate!

I’ve been meaning to make the pilgrimage to Aberdovey for many years to see for myself whether Bernard Darwin’s affections were simply romantic or founded on real substance. Well I can say, in a similar vein to Rye, there is still a little bit of Darwin’s soul here and Aberdovey is the real golfing deal.

Aberdovey is understated in every way but the quality and challenge hits you hard in the face from the opening tee shot. The back (black) tees are called “Darwin Yards” and the course measures some 200 yards longer from these tiger tees. I watched numerous people tee off on the 1st from the clubhouse balcony and nobody got anywhere near the green in two on this monster 400+ yard hole, which was playing into a two club wind on the day I played here. The second hole is one of those joyful short par fours requiring a much more subtle approach than the one I adopted. The elevated 2nd tee in the dunes got my adrenalin going and I duly pulled my drive into dunes down the left and then carded a triple with a second ball. Then you come to the infamous, bunkerless, blind par three, the “Cader” hole. In my opinion this is the best blind par three I’ve ever played and pushes the Dell at Lahinch into second place. Don’t come up short on the Cader otherwise you’ll have a blind chip too.

Things get a little easier when you reach the pulpit tee on the 4th but par is never easy at Aberdovey. The home holes, from the excellent risk-and-reward short par four 16th, to par fours at 17 and 18 (both measure more than 400 yards) are supremely testing. I was expecting Aberdovey to be a gentle test of links golf on an old-fashioned course. What I found was a thoughtful, entertaining and challenging course that simply does everything rather well. Finally, I must mention the par three 12th which is one of the best short par threes I’ve ever encountered on a links… it gives the Postage Stamp a run for its money.

I’m sure Darwin would have been chuffed to bits had he seen the new clubhouse, which is a fitting recent addition. I really enjoyed the trip and recommend the golf, the value and the welcome. I will venture back to the Principality of Wales but I’ll probably spend a little longer at Aberdovey than anywhere else… I’d like to get to know this course a lot better.

I played here on Friday 1st July just before the Welsh Amateur. It is a breathtaking Links Course set over true Links Ground. I thought there were some very good holes and some outstanding holes. Stay in the Dormie House in the clubhouse, very modern and excellent for all the family! I brought my ten week old baby and partner and we had a very warm welcome. They walked beside me for 18 holes too! A superb course of which the members a re passionate and proud. With very good reason. JCB LAY

What an enchanting place to site a golf course! From the moment you cross the rail line to the clubhouse, you feel you are in a special place to play golf. I’m surprised no previous reviewer has mentioned the relatively tough start here amongst the sand hills on the opening three holes before the round unwinds in a figure of eight over flatter terrain, apart from the short par three 12th hole, where the green nestles on top of the dunes.

Aberdovey offers more than holiday golf as it measures over 6,100 yards from the gents regular tees so expect to have to work a little to play to your handicap.

I loved the way some of the holes, like the par fives at 7 and 13, incorporated sets of fairway cross bunkers to protect par. The famed short par four 16th is another great hole, following the left curve of the railway track from raised tee to elevated green and it’s a real nerve jangler to encounter so near to the end of a round.

he architectural stamps of Messrs Colt, Braid and Fowler are to be found on this delightful links and I for one am glad I played my first game in the Principality on a course fashioned in part by these three golfing greats.

Jim McCann.

Played on a beautiful links kind of day, plenty of sunshine and thankfully only a gentle breeze! This is holiday golf in its rawest and purest form. Received a friendly welcome from the steward and professional alike. Sits in a delightful location and I will defiantly be back but for a few days and not just the day.

Played last week in a strong breeze and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. True links course with many good holes. The service off the course is v good aswell. Nice clubhouse with good facilities. All three of us preferred Aberdovey to Royal St Davids and Porthmadog, Play it if you can. enjoy !!!

Played the course on a very nice sunny day with very little wind and thought the course was excellent. The greens were very true even if they were a little on the slow side.The course is incredibly flat for a links course especially the greens which means that however far away you are, you are never challenged with a very difficult putt. In this sense, the course is not that difficult to make a score on providing you hit it relatively straight.I can't really think of one bad hole. I thought the drivable 16th was great, especially when a train is coming straight towards you- make sure you don't hook it!All in all I thoroughly enjoyed my day there and will definately be returning.

Had the pleasure of playing dovey during the 09 open day. With only a light breeze to contend with on a glorious, sunny day, we were given the opportunity to score well. This is a classic links laid out between the dunes and the railway track. A new clubhouse and great professional staff give the place a classy feel and the course does not disappoint. After the tough starting hole you will find a fine set of par 3’s including the infamous “cadle” (where I cherished a 2) and several standout par 4’s including the 11th and the fabulous 16th , a true risk and reward hole – are you brave enough?! Very impressed with the recent work completed on the bunkers and although the greens were a little slow on the day, they rolled fair and true. This is golf as it should be – testing but fun. I certainly look forward to a swift return.

Arrived on the train wondering how to get there when I saw at the end of the platform 'Welcome to Aberdovey Golf Club" how convenient! The staff were ever so welcoming and always had a smile (which may have been that they found my quintessential English accent funny compared to that of the broad valley Welsh they were accustomed to). They set us on our way and we had two great rounds which for juniors is £15 a day! The course was in good nick despite appalling weather the previous day and greens were running well. Really enjoyed my first links experience and recommend the trip to anyone!

When I visited in June 2007, I really enjoyed the traditional, old world links feel to this course, including the unfussy groundskeeping, the grazing cattle, electric cattle fences, etc. While the conditioning wasn't prissy and perfect, the condition of the fairways and greens was quite good. The quirkiness (intended in the best sense of that word) of one of the closing holes (16? 17?) a short par four reminded me of North Berwick. A classic old links not to be missed, and ingeniously wedged into a small parcel of land. Very friendly and helpful staff in the pro shop and restaurant.

I was told by a fellow golfing friend to try out Aberdovey, we had a 3 day trip to Royal St David's, Nefyn and Porthmadog organised. After reading several raving reviews I made the trip 4 days to include Aberdovey and boy was I glad I did. Although arriving in dreadful conditions, driving rain and 45mph winds, we were sat in the delightful new lottery funded club house having lunch just itching to get out there. Getting the all clear to tee off earlier than arranged the club pro wished us luck and hoped we survived the conditions. Although we had the elements to contend with it didn’t dampen our enjoyment, condition of the course was amazing, greens very true, and even the massive sea gulls are friendly and helpful (Picking a stray ball up and dropping at my feet, Pro V 1x as well, even has good taste!). All I can say is Aberdovey is firmly on the itinerary for next year, I just can’t wait to play this course in better weather conditions. Thanks for the experience Aberdovey, see you next year. The only surprise regarding this course is it only being voted 5th best in Wales??