Anglesey - North Wales - Wales

Hidden Gem Alert!! Oh my word, what a discovery Anglesey Golf Club was on a recent trip to North Wales. Tagged onto a visit to Bull Bay and Holyhead this venue at Rhosneigr was very much expected to be the poor relation, a course to make up the numbers. All I can say is; what a find!

Dating back to 1914 the club was formed as a collaborative project between a number of local notables who employed the famous Harold Hilton to create their course. The Second World War brought great changes as the course was fundamentally re-shaped. The requirements of the Royal Air Force meant that the course lost 14 of its original holes in 1943. Undaunted, the course was re-fashioned and 14 new holes were constructed. Total yardage is 6,330 with a par of 70 and SSS of 71.

As a bit of a links connoisseur I thought I had played all of the links courses in England and Wales so to turn up at this completely off-the-radar course, and stumble upon as true a links track as you’ll find, you can only imagine my surprise and delight.

It’s a low profile links – with maybe just a hint of heathland at times - and although extremely flat there is a lot of ground level movement in the land with a fantastic amount of subtle ripples, shallow swales and hollows. These really add to the interest and challenge, especially on short shots around the greens.

It is also a very consistent course in so much that its character remains stable throughout the round with the only exception being the last which is played on wetter, softer land.

Ed is the founder of Golf Empire – click the link to read his full review.

Anglesey is undoubtedly in a category of more modest layouts featured on the Top 100 website but still offers a pleasant round on one of the driest and best all year round courses for miles around. Unfortunately the MOD placed a compulsory purchase order on what were said to be the best six holes on the course whilst extending the adjoining airbase back in the 1940's and during play it's likely that you will see numerous jets overhead on exercise as well as the occasional train. Whilst the majority of the course is situated on fairly flat common ground, complete with a flock of sheep, the routing is not without interest as it contains numerous doglegs and plenty of gorse lined fairways. Two holes in particular, the excellent short 6th with its threatening pot bunker, excellent mounding and long narrow green and the dangerous 18th with a river to be avoided not only from the tee but again as it cuts across the front of the green are nothing short of excellent. If the club could ever find a way to construct a few more well positioned links style bunkers it would make such a positive difference to the look and feel of the course. Times have obviously changed since the earlier review as there is now a small pro shop and the winter green fee is modest. If you are looking to escape a soggy parkland course but don't wish to break the bank then Anglesey is worth a look. Brian W

I arrived at the club looking forward to playing a links course for the first time.iv played golf for 16 years at a good level but never played a links. After the long par 3 first and my tee shot on the 2nd It had already surpassed my expectations. Walking down the second was like Christmas morning for a child. The course was fantastic. Blind tee shots,dog legs,sheep everywhere,an raf base next door with jets constantly taking off and landing. The course has character and with the train line and bramble you have to think about your tee shots.i hit driver twice.greens have nice slopes.i couldn't complain.i had the best day of golf in my life.shot a 75 gross with 2 doubles and got some great photos.thanks to anglesey golf club I have great memories of my 1st links experience.

The 3rd and final leg of our trip to Wales, this was the least favourite by a long way. On arrival we got a hint of what was to follow when we asked ‘’where is the Pro shop’’ the reply was ‘’sorry times are hard’’, this proved most evident by the state of the changing rooms and the condition of the course. The course was very poor having burnt out fairways, greens that were in differing states (uncut, slow, patchy, seed/sand filled etc) and along with a layout that is as flat as a pancake the general comments we kept on saying was ‘’featureless and boring’’. The nearby RAF base reminded me of Moray GC as the regular free air show does take your mind of the golf as the jets and helicopters zoom past. I fully understand times are hard but when they are asking for £40 a green fee you expect better. The staff / members were friendly but would we return ……no! Is it a Top 100 …..no! Is a Gem ……no! I feel I am putting the golf club down but if you (like me) want an honest opinion (before parting with your cash) you would like to know other peoples thoughts / reviews, just a shame mine is the first.