Established in 1885 with a strong claim as Wales' oldest golf course, Borth & Ynyslas offers traditional links golf along Cardigan Bay within the Dyfi National Nature Reserve. Harry Colt's 1947 redesign created a challenging par-70 layout that remains a Welsh Golfing Union championship venue for holiday golfers.
Borth & Ynyslas Golf Club
Established in 1885 with a strong claim as Wales' oldest golf course, Borth & Ynyslas offers traditional links golf along Cardigan Bay within the Dyfi National Nature Reserve. Harry Colt's 1947 redesign created a challenging par-70 layout that remains a Welsh Golfing Union championship venue for holiday golfers.
Borth & Ynyslas Golf Club stretches along Cardigan Bay in Ceredigion, established in 1885 with a strong claim as Wales' oldest golf course. This traditional links layout sits within the Dyfi National Nature Reserve, where Harry Colt's 1947 redesign created the 6,085-yard par-70 course that continues to host Welsh Golfing Union championship events.
Experience Harry Colt's 1947 links design along Wales' mid-coast, where natural terrain meets championship golf within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This founder member of the Welsh Golfing Union offers traditional out-and-back links golf inaccessible to most Welsh coastal courses.
The club opened in 1885, though no officially recognised founding document exists to confirm its claim as Wales' oldest course over Tenby Golf Club's 1888 establishment. Despite this historical debate, the club became a founding member of the Welsh Golfing Union in 1895, cementing its position in Welsh golf history.
The course received significant modification in 1947 when Harry Colt's design firm undertook a comprehensive redesign following compensation for military damage during the Second World War. The architect lengthened the 8th and 10th into par-fives, extended the 7th from a par-three to a short par-four, and reduced the 9th to a par-three. These changes created the current routing that has remained largely unchanged for nearly eight decades.
In 1988, golf course architect Donald Steel visited on behalf of the Welsh Golfing Union and observed the layout possessed "great charm, very much in the character of the best seaside links." The course continues to host multiple Welsh Golfing Union championship events annually, maintaining its reputation as a competitive venue despite measuring just over 6,100 yards from the medal tees.
The classic out-and-back routing runs parallel to Cardigan Bay, with the railway line forming the eastern boundary. From the white tees at 6,085 yards, only two par-fours exceed 400 yards, whilst five par-threes all measure at least 170 yards. The 2nd hole typifies the links character—a 454-yard par-four stretching directly between the beach and the railway line.
The opening and closing holes cross an old river bed, now designated ground under repair, creating an immediate challenge from the 1st tee. The turn nestles within the dunes at Ynyslas, where the routing provides shelter before returning towards the clubhouse. Rolling humps, hollows and strategically placed bunkers demand accurate striking throughout, whilst the prevailing coastal breeze—locally known as the "Borth Breeze"—rarely diminishes.
Level terrain throughout ensures easy walking, encouraging golfers to play multiple rounds during a single visit. The five par-threes present the layout's most demanding holes, with the wind direction often determining whether they play significantly over or under their measured yardages.
A significant portion of the course lies within the Dyfi National Nature Reserve, requiring careful management in consultation with environment agencies. Summer transforms the sand dunes into wildflower displays, with rare orchid species particularly renowned. Several seaside holes reveal views of a submerged forest at low tide—oak, pine, birch, willow and hazel stumps from when the shingle ridge extended further into Cardigan Bay.
Aberystwyth provides the natural base for exploring mid-Wales links golf. Aberystwyth Golf Club sits 11km (7 miles) south, approximately 12 minutes driving, offering parkland golf overlooking the bay. Across the Dovey estuary, Aberdovey Golf Club lies 15km (9 miles) north—one of Wales' most celebrated links courses modified by Herbert Fowler, Harry Colt and James Braid. The journey requires driving around the estuary, taking approximately 25 minutes via the A493.
For extended itineraries, Royal St David's Golf Club at Harlech sits 55km (34 miles) north, approximately 50 minutes driving through Snowdonia National Park. Porthmadog Golf Club offers an additional links option 48km (30 miles) north. Aberystwyth accommodates visitors for multi-day stays combining coastal links with mountain scenery.
The club welcomes visitors throughout the year, with advance booking essential during peak periods. Weekend mornings experience restricted access for member competitions. The clubhouse offers full catering and bar facilities, whilst the professional shop ranks among Wales' largest. Buggy and trolley hire available, though the level terrain rarely necessitates motorised transport.
Green fees reflect the course's accessibility and traditional character rather than championship venue status. Societies receive tailored packages for group visits. The club's position within the nature reserve creates seasonal variations in course presentation, with summer wildflowers adding distinctive character to the dunes.
Birmingham International Airport: 160km (99 miles), approximately 2 hours 15 minutes driving via the M54 and A458. Major car rental facilities with direct motorway access. Direct train service from Birmingham International station to Aberystwyth operates hourly, taking 3 hours 15 minutes.
Cardiff Airport: 125km (78 miles) for alternative connections, approximately 2 hours driving via the A487.
Public Transport: Borth railway station sits adjacent to the course, with hourly services to Aberystwyth (14 minutes) and connecting services throughout Wales. The clubhouse location on Borth's High Street provides direct access from the station platform.
Ground Transport: Primary access via the A487 coastal road through Aberystwyth, with the final approach through Borth village centre. Parking facilities accommodate visitor volumes throughout the season.
Spring: March through May offers improving conditions as the links emerges from winter dormancy. Wildflowers begin appearing in the dunes by late April. Advance booking recommended for Easter periods.
Summer: June through August provides optimal playing conditions with extended daylight. Peak season brings increased visitor numbers and premium green fees. The nature reserve reaches maximum wildflower display during July and August.
Autumn: September through November delivers consistent conditions with reduced visitor numbers. Early autumn particularly favoured by regular visitors seeking quieter rounds. Weather variability increases from October onwards.
Winter: December through February sees reduced play though the course remains open year-round. Winter storms occasionally necessitate temporary closures. Green fees reach annual minimums during this period.
This 1885 links occupies unique ground within Welsh golf—a founder member of the Welsh Golfing Union maintaining championship credentials whilst offering accessible links golf along the Cardigan Bay coast. Colt's 1947 modifications created enduring strategic interest across relatively modest yardage, where accurate iron play matters more than driving distance. The setting within the Dyfi National Nature Reserve adds environmental significance beyond golf architecture, creating a links experience unavailable elsewhere in Wales. For travelling golfers exploring mid-Wales, the combination of historical importance, natural beauty and strategic design justifies inclusion in any comprehensive Welsh links itinerary.
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The latest ranking of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World serves as the ultimate global golf bucket list. Most members of our World Top 100 Panel are seasoned golfers, each playing 20-30 of these courses annually while travelling extensively over decades to form their opinions on others. We recognise that opinions vary—even among our panel members. Rankings are subjective, and there are undoubtedly 50 or more courses in the UK and USA alone that could easily fit onto this list. Links Golf Pilgrimages The rankings
California, United States
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Chasing the elusive 100 in a single year… I like to keep track of where I play my golf and managed to break through the 1,000 golf course barrier two years ago during a week-long trip to the south of Sweden at Halmstad Norra. Actually, one of my playing companions reckoned it would have been far more appropriate to have reached that particular milestone the next day when we played Båstad (Gamla) – which translates into English as “Old Bastad” – but that’s another story for another time… The main thing is, having reached that number of courses, what do you do next? Well, the logical thing is to just carry on to see how far you can go, good health permitting, of course, so that’s what I decided to do, setting myself a target in 2018 of playing a hundred new courses within a calendar year. I normally play 75-80 new courses every year so it would take a concerted effort to reach 100. I knew it wouldn’t be a case of tackling two a week for every week of the year because there are weather and other seasonal considerations to think of, as well as a whole host of other factors that would prevent an even spread across fifty-two weeks. Instead, I imagined such a figure could be reached by grouping several courses together when visiting different geographical locations. It was important to get off to a good start so I decided to get a few under my belt during the winter months by playing places located not too far from my home in Cheshire. The quest begins… Anglesey in North Wales was my first outing of the year to take on three 9-hole tracks within fifteen miles of each other near the coast then I combined two Somerset courses to complete January, the Channel layout at Burnham and Berrow with Minehead & West Somerset. In February I headed east to Lincolnshire to visit three courses but, unfortunately, I’ve just found out that one of them closed less than a fortnight ago. Sandilands, which was due to celebrate its 125th anniversary this year, had seen membership numbers fall to less than 180 and the loss of green fees from the closure of a nearby hotel was enough to place the club into liquidation, which is very sad. I doubled my year to date total in March, beginning with another three courses in Wales. Borth & Ynyslas was redesigned by Harry Colt after World War II, Aberystwyth is a Harry Vardon design from 1911 and it’s thought that the little 9-hole layout at Machynlleth may have been laid out by James Braid but that remains only hearsay until documentary evidence proves otherwise. The next five courses were played in Devon and Cornwall, starting at the lovely clifftop track at Ilfracombe, where you “see the sea from every tee”. Keith Baxter, the Top 100 Golf Courses editor-in-chief, was with me as we eased our way into Cornwall, and four cracking coastal courses at Newquay, Bude & North Cornwall,Mullion and West Cornwall soonbrought my total so far up to 16. Quarter of the way there and lots still to do… Into April, and I set eyes for the time on three courses in three different counties: S.V. Hotchkin’s layout at Links Golf Club, Newmarket in Suffolk; Saffron Walden in Essex, where Harry Vardon’s original 9-holer was doubled in size during the mid-1970s; and Redhill & Reigate in Surrey, which James Braid modified on three occasions between 1905 and 1922. Towards the end of the month, I was invited on a short press trip to Belek in Turkey with the Azalea Group, a top golf marketing company, to sample the wonderful golf that’s on offer at Antalya Golf Club’s two 18-hole layouts from European Golf Design. I’d played the PGA Sultan course a few years ago so couldn’t include this on my hit list but its stablemate, the Antalya (Pasha), was definitely one that counted. It’s a long way to go to play just a couple of courses so I made arrangements in advance to play Turkey’s #1 track, Carya, on the day I arrived and the two 9-hole loops that form the Queen course at Cornelia on the day I was leaving. It’s always a bit of a tight squeeze to fit in additional golfing action on these trips; still, when you’re a man on a mission, you have to do what you have to do! In May, I started by playing three wee 9-holers within a 10-minute drive of one another in West Yorkshire then I finished the month playing twenty-seven holes at another couple of courses a bit further north in the same part of the county. In between these two trips, I was in the heartlands of Wales at three lovely little 9-hole tracks before heading down into Kent to North Foreland (Main) and the Northcliffe course at that club, plus Canterbury. Incidentally, the reason for visiting Kent was in connection with one of several 2-day events that are organized every year by the Golf Society of Great Britain, where I’m the secretary. It’s always nice to be able to plan ahead and try to visit one or two courses in close proximity to where these competitions are taking place. I also participated in another press trip to the south of France in May however, this was a bit of a disaster due to air traffic control problems, so I only played two rounds of golf at Royal Mougins during that fact-finding assignment. This course would be the first of several Robert von Hagge layouts that I would play in France this year. On into June and this month got off to a flier with a fabulous trip to France alongside a couple of guys I’d been on similar overseas trips with last year and in 2016. I’d already played one of the courses at Chantilly and 27 holes at Morfontaine back in the summer of 2016 but it was an absolute delight to be able to tee it up at both venues once again. Morfontaine is one of the best experiences in golf that I’ve ever had and the course at Les Bordes was every bit as good as I’d expected. The biggest surprise of the trip – and of the golfing year, in fact – was the 18-hole layout at Les Aisses, about half an hour’s drive west of Les Bordes, where Martin Hawtree has done a fabulous job over a number of years renovating the original course. We were very impressed by what we saw here, despite playing on a rather miserable, wet afternoon. All told, there were eight new courses played during a very high-quality week-long trip to France that will last very long in the memory. After returning from Paris, I was off on another press trip to Gdansk in northern Poland to visit Sierra, Sand Valley and Postolowo. It’s not a golf destination that springs readily to mind, I know. Still, the quality of the golf facilities was rather good and it was well worth having a look at what’s on offer to golfers visiting Central Europe. On my arrival back in Blighty, it was straight to another GSGB event taking place in Wales, allowing me the opportunity to play at one of the society’s venues, Rolls of Monmouth, set in the grounds of the former estate of Charles Stewart Rolls of Rolls-Royce fame, then take in another family-run 9-hole course near Gloucester on the way home. The month ended with a short trip north into Cumbria to play at Kendal, bringing my year to date total up to 48. Halfway through the year and almost right on schedule… The second half of 2018 kicked off with thirty six holes at two different clubs in Lincolnshire whilst visiting the Hotchkin course at Woodhall Spa to see how Tom Doak’s bunker work was progressing prior to the final phase this winter. I fitted in twenty-seven holes at a couple of courses in Leicestershire before attending the AGM of the GSGB at the Belfry in North Warwickshire and the month ended with three rounds in Yorkshire, one of which was played on the Alister MacKenzie-designed course at Sitwell Park. It was into August now and a big push towards my target was required. I played four games in four different counties – Bedfordshire, Warwickshire, Yorkshire and Lancashire – before taking the M6 north and over the border into Scotland. I’d needed to play Moray (Old) to preserve my record of having played all of the current GB&I Top 100 courses (this course was a new entry last year) so I built a small excursion around this goal, along with three mates who’ve been with me on trips like this for about fifteen years now. On the drive up, we stopped off at Grantown-on-Spey then played Moray (New) the next morning, with Moray (Old) in the afternoon. Thirty-six holes followed the day after at Nairn Dunbar and Elginplus a game at Pitlochry on the way home on day 4 of a whirlwind tour of the Scottish Highlands – just the sort of short break that was guaranteed to blow the cobwebs away for us! There was still enough time until the end of the month to get four more courses in and I played at Worcester Golf & Country Club, Newark in Nottinghamshire and Farnham in Surrey on my way to and from another GSGB event at Camberley Heath in Surrey and Army in Hampshire. The “big push” continued into September, with twenty-seven holes in Yorkshire then another 27-hole day at Royal Mid-Surrey in Richmond. Another GSGB outing to Wales gave me the chance to play another handful of courses in the Principality, starting at Cardiff and finishing at Southerndown, and the final society trip of the year to Yorkshire saw me adding another two white rose county courses to my list. More than three quarters of the way to realizing the objective now… October started with some unfinished business in The Netherlands that had to be taken care of. Having visited the country in the summer of 2017 – courtesy of Top 100 Golf Courses International Consultant David Davies – and wanting to return to tie up some loose ends, it was great to fly back to Amsterdam and play six different courses during a hectic 3-day trip. A short family break to the Mediterranean enabled me to add Royal Malta to my total then I rounded off the month with games at Reading in Berkshire and the brand new JCB Golf & Country Club course in Staffordshire, which is a stunning new development by architect Robin Hiseman from European Golf Design. In November, I was a good few hours on the road picking off courses in Gwynedd, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire to take my total up to 94, six short of the magical 100. I’d planned to scale the final section to the summit in some style, though, as I’d been invited to Phoenix, Arizona to spend a week golfing over there. Staying outside Scottsdale at the Desert Mountain Club, I played four of their six courses, starting with the Chiricahua and finishing with the Geronimo, both of which are ranked inside the Top 15 for the state. The TPC Scottdale (Stadium) – where the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open is held at the end of this month and they were already erecting grandstands – was the penultimate course before finishing off at Whisper Rock (Upper), the #4 track in the Grand Canyon State. Without doubt, the courses at Desert Mountain and Whisper Rock were by far the best conditioned layouts I played all year but, with greens stimping at 12, they took clutch putting to entirely new levels. So, with a month to spare, and after visiting nine different countries, the 100 was finally up – though there was still time last week to play one last game north of the border overlooking the Solway Firth at Powfooton a lovely sunny afternoon. During the year, I also managed to replay another twenty six courses where I’d been to before, including some really top tracks like West Lancashire, Silloth-on-Solway, Royal Cinque Ports, Moortown and Royal Birkdale, so it was quite a year to remember – if only I could say the same on another sporting front with my football team, Crewe Alexandra! Still, that’s a grand total of 1227 courses played now. It’s unlikely that I’ll repeat this year’s pace in years to come so who knows how long it’ll take me to reach the 2,000 mark? Happy Golfing in 2019! Brian Ward Full list in detail: January 1. Baron Hill 2. Storws Wen 3. Llangefni 4. Burnham & Berrow (Channel) 5. Minehead & West Somerset February 6. Skegness Golf Centre 7. North Shore 8. Sandilands March 9. Borth & Ynyslas 10. Aberystwyth 11. Machynlleth 12. Ilfracombe 13. Newquay 14. Bude & North Cornwall 15. Mullion 16. West Cornwall April 17. Links Newmarket 18. Saffron Walden 19. Redhill & Reigate 20. PGA Antalya (Pasha) 21. Carya 22. Cornelia (Queen) May 23. Headley 24. Clayton 25. Queensbury 26. Lakeside 27. St Idloes 28. St Giles 29. North Foreland (Main) 30. North Foreland (Northcliffe) 31. Canterbury 32. Royal Mougins 33. East Morton 34. Silsden June 35. Chantilly (Longères) 36. Les Bordes 37. Les Aisses (Les Aisses) 38. Fontainebleau 39. Courson (Black-Orange) 40. Saint Germain (Grand Parcours) 41. Racing Club La Boulie (Vallée) 42. Le Golf National (L’Albatros) 43. Sierra 44. Sand Valley 45. Postolowo 46. Rolls of Monmouth 47. Newent 48. Kendall July 49. Belton Park (19-27) 50. Belton Park (1-18) 51. Sudbrook Moor 52. The Leicestershire 53. Blaby 54. Sitwell Park 55. Barlborough Links 56. Bracken Ghyll August 57. Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands 58. Bramcote Waters 59. West Bradford 60. Yarrow Valley 61. Grantown-on-Spey 62. Moray (New) 63. Moray (Old) 64. Nairn Dunbar 65. Elgin 66. Pitlochry 67. Worcester 68. Newark 69. Farnham 70. Army September 71. Ferrybridge 72. Drax 73. Royal Mid-Surrey (J H Taylor) 74. Royal Mid-Surrey (Pam Barton) 75. Cardiff 76. Swansea Bay 77. Whitchurch 78. St Athan 78. Southerndown 80. Longley Park 81. Bradford Moor October 82. Heelsum (Sandr-Airborne) 83. Rosendaelsche 84. Bernardus 85. The Dutch 86. Links Valley 87. Hoge Kleij 88. Royal Malta 89. Reading 90. JCB G&CC November 91. Pytchley 92. Bangor St Deiniol 93. Radcliffe on Trent 94. Bakewell 95. Desert Mountain (Chiricahua) 96. Desert Mountain (Apache) 97. Desert Mountain (Outlaw) 98. Desert Mountain (Geronimo) 99. TPC Scottsdale (Stadium) 100. Whisper Rock (Upper) December 101. Powfoot Courses played previously: Astbury Woodside Antalya (PGA Sultan) West Lancashire Delamere Forest Whittington Heath Silloth-on-Solway Princes (Shore/Dunes) Princes (Himalayas) Royal Cinque Ports Stonebridge (Blythe/Somers) Sandhill Northamptonshire County Chantilly (Vineuil) Morfontaine (Grand Parcours) Morfontaine (Valière) Carden Park (Cheshire) Carden Park (Nicklaus) North Wales The Belfry (PGA) Heaton Park Northampton Moortown Beau Desert Royal Birkdale Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin) Brian Ward is the Midlands and North of England correspondent for Top 100 Golf Courses, playing off a single figure handicap. He’s been secretary of The Golf Society of Great Britain for ten years now and is a member of the International Golf Travel Writers Association.
Wales remains Britain's ultimate undiscovered golf destination. While Scotland commands premium prices and Ireland attracts international crowds, the Principality quietly delivers exceptional value across 50 ranked courses that showcase everything from championship links to characterful common land layouts. The 2025/26 rankings reveal subtle movements that reflect golf's shifting values, with authentic experiences gaining recognition over heavily manicured resort tracks. Royal Porthcawl continues its unbroken reign at the summit since rankings began in 2006. The world-ranked links anchors a stellar collection that includes Pennard, Royal St David's, and Aberdovey, all featured in the Great Britain & Ireland Top 100. But Welsh golf's true strength lies deeper, in remarkable second-tier courses that provide outstanding experiences at refreshingly accessible prices. Top 100 Golf Courses now maintains dedicated regional rankings for North, South, Mid, and West Wales alongside the national Top 50. This structure helps visiting golfers navigate more than 60 profiled courses across varied terrain. Whether seeking windswept coastal tests or quirky inland challenges, Wales delivers without the premium tags attached to more famous destinations. Wales 'Always Fresh' Rankings: Stability at the Summit The latest rankings demonstrate remarkable consistency at the top. All seven courses occupying positions one through seven remain unchanged from the previous edition, a testament to their enduring quality. Royal Porthcawl, Pennard, Royal St David's, Aberdovey, Conwy, Southerndown, and Tenby form an elite group that represents Welsh golf at its finest. Behind this stable leadership, however, meaningful shifts occur throughout the rankings. Pyle & Kenfig rises one place to ninth, swapping positions with Celtic Manor's Twenty Ten course, which drops to tenth. The most dramatic movement comes from Welshpool, the James Braid common land gem that surges seven places to 18th position from 25th only as recently as 2023. This leap reflects golf's evolving appreciation for authentic, characterful layouts over perfectly conditioned resort golf. Welshpool's rugged charm and natural undulations now receive the recognition they deserve. Bull Bay climbs one spot to 11th, whilst Cardigan jumps three positions to 16th. Conversely, Rolls of Monmouth drops three places to 19th, and St Pierre (Old) falls three spots to 23rd, suggesting that traditional parkland layouts face stiffer competition from Wales's distinctive coastal and common land venues. Wales Top 50 At A Glance The Unchanged Elite Royal Porthcawl (1st) Pennard (2nd) Royal St David's (3rd) Aberdovey (4th) Conwy (5th) Southerndown (6th) Tenby (7th) The Rising Stars Cardigan (up 3 to 16th) - clifftop classic climbing steadily Newport (up 2 to 21st) - parkland quality acknowledged Radyr (up 2 to 28th) - Harry Colt design advancing Notable Movements Pyle & Kenfig (up 1 to 9th) - championship venue continues ascent Bull Bay (up 1 to 11th) - Herbert Fowler's links improving position. It is up 4 spots from 15 to 11 in the past few years - a significant threat for the Top 10 moving forward Borth & Ynyslas (up 1 to 17th) - Harry Colt links moving forward West Monmouthshire (up 4 to 45th) - significant climb Cardigan is also one to watch, rising to 16, trending in the right direction over the past few years The Decliners Celtic Manor Twenty Ten (down 1 to 10th) - Ryder Cup venue slips slightly Rolls of Monmouth (down 3 to 19th) - faces increased competition St Pierre Old (down 3 to 23rd) - falling in a tight field Vale Wales National (down 3 to 39th) - resort course declining Best Golf Courses by Region Wales's Top 50-ranked courses are distributed across four distinct regions, each offering unique golfing characteristics and experiences. South Wales dominates with 22 courses (44% of rankings), reflecting both the region's population density and golfing heritage. Royal Porthcawl and Pennard provide world-class links golf, whilst Celtic Manor's three courses showcase modern resort development. Hidden gems like Radyr and Newport demonstrate the region's depth. North Wales contributes 17 courses (34%), including three GB&I Top 100 venues: Royal St David's, Aberdovey, and Conwy. The region excels in coastal golf, with Bull Bay, Nefyn, and Porthmadog offering stunning seaside experiences. The common land layouts at North Wales Golf Club provide additional variety. West Wales features 6 courses (12%), led by championship venues Tenby and Ashburnham. The region's coastal courses benefit from dramatic clifftop settings, particularly at Cardigan and Borth & Ynyslas. Despite a sparse population, West Wales punches above its weight in golfing quality. Mid Wales contributes 5 courses (10%), the smallest representation reflecting the region's mountainous terrain and limited golfing infrastructure. Llandrindod Wells and Welshpool exemplify James Braid's democratic approach to course design, creating memorable golf on challenging landscapes. What the Rankings Tell Us Consistency at the Summit Royal Porthcawl's unbroken 19-year reign demonstrates exceptional quality. Martin Ebert's recent bunker renovations ensure this championship links remains fit for modern tournament golf whilst preserving its classic character. The course's position in both the World Top 100 and GB&I Top 100 validates its status as Wales's premier golfing venue. Royal St David's reclaims third place after brief spells lower in previous rankings. The tough par-69 layout concludes unusually with a par three, creating strategic tension right to the finish. James Braid's Democratic Legacy Scottish architect James Braid left an indelible mark across Wales. Unlike contemporaries focused on prestigious commissions, Braid seemed committed to democratising golf, bringing Scottish ideals to Welsh communities with limited resources. Welshpool exemplifies this philosophy. Created in 1929 on dramatically undulating common land, the course features rudimentary shaping that maximises natural terrain. Extending merely 5,700 yards with numerous short par fours, Welshpool rewards strategic thinking over power. Its seven-place climb reflects growing appreciation for authentic golf experiences. Llandrindod Wells, originally designed by Harry Vardon and then remodelled by Braid in 1935, occupies elevated ground offering stunning countryside views. Wrexham, Holyhead, Porthmadog, and Langland Bay all benefited from Braid's architectural input, creating enduring layouts that remain largely unchanged a century later. The Common Land Experience Wales's distinctive "common land" courses represent perhaps its most unique golfing offering. Welshpool, North Wales Golf Club, and Llandrindod Wells feature dramatically undulating terrain, fine fast-running turf, and macro-scale contours that create strategic challenges unlike traditional links or parkland golf. These courses require ground game approaches similar to links golf, but on exaggerated landscapes. Golfers must read terrain contours carefully to navigate elevated greens and significant slopes. The rudimentary features, constructed with basic tools and minimal earth movement, create authentic playing experiences that transcend modern construction techniques. This architectural school extends across the Wales-England border, linking Welsh common land courses with English counterparts like Cleeve Hill, Painswick, and Minchinhampton. Together they represent democratic golf at its finest, offering memorable experiences at remarkably accessible prices. Resort Courses Under Pressure Celtic Manor's three courses demonstrate shifting attitudes toward heavily resourced resort golf that can be played almost anywhere. The Twenty Ten Ryder Cup course drops one place to tenth, whilst the Montgomerie and Roman Road layouts occupy 24th and 26th positions respectively. These movements don't reflect diminished course quality. Rather, they indicate golf's evolving values. More rugged, characterful layouts now receive greater recognition than perfectly conditioned resort golf. Authentic golfing experiences gain appreciation over manufactured challenges. A Decade of Growth: 2011-2024 Wales's ranking history reveals consistent expansion and refinement. From humble beginnings with a Top 15 in 2006, the listings have grown to encompass 50 courses, providing comprehensive coverage of the country's golfing landscape. 2006: Top 15 The inaugural ranking listed just 15 courses. 35 golf courses have been added in the 20 years since its initial release. 2011: Expanding Recognition Top 100 Golf Courses published its first extended rankings for Wales, growing from Top 20 to Top 30. Royal Porthcawl and Royal St David's maintained their traditional dominance atop the table. Pyle & Kenfig emerged as the highest climber, with Conwy also advancing significantly. The rankings introduced Llandrindod Wells at number 12, the highest new entry, signalling Mid Wales's growing recognition. 2012: North Wales Dominates Quality The 2012 update maintained the Top 30 format whilst highlighting North Wales's exceptional depth. Royal Porthcawl and Royal St David's continued leading the national rankings. Four North Wales courses occupied Top 10 positions: Royal St David's, Aberdovey, Conwy, and Nefyn Old. Celtic Manor's Montgomerie course climbed six places to 14th, the biggest upward move. Pwllheli and Vale of Llangollen entered as new courses. 2014: Extending to Top 50 The rankings expanded from 30 to 50 courses. Royal Porthcawl and Royal St David's remained unchallenged at the summit, supported by Aberdovey and Pennard. Ashburnham and Southerndown entered the Top 10, recognising their architectural heritage. North Wales, Holyhead, and Bull Bay all climbed significantly. Nefyn Old fell four positions to 11th as competition intensified. Vale Wales National debuted at 29, the highest new entry. 2015: Regional Refinements Top 100 Golf Courses published updated regional rankings for North, South, Mid, and West Wales, providing detailed local perspectives. Royal St David's led North Wales's Top 20, with Bull Bay, Porthmadog, and Vale of Llangollen advancing. Royal Porthcawl, Pennard, and Celtic Manor Twenty Ten maintained South Wales's top three positions. Pyle & Kenfig, St Pierre Old, and Newport climbed in South Wales. Radyr soared seven places. Whitchurch and Glamorganshire entered the South Wales Top 20. Ashburnham headed West Wales, followed by Tenby and Machynys Peninsula. Llandrindod Wells led Mid Wales's Top 5. 2016: Stability Returns Little changed at the top, with all seven leading courses maintaining positions. Royal Porthcawl and Royal St David's continued their duopoly. Llandrindod Wells and St Pierre Old both climbed five places. Cardigan and Borth & Ynyslas advanced significantly in West Wales. Newport, Radyr, Prestatyn, and Llandudno Maesdu made double-digit upward moves. Whitchurch entered at 23, the highest newcomer. 2018: Ranking Philosophy Evolves Royal Porthcawl remained firmly established as Wales's premier course, with Martin Ebert's architectural input ensuring continued excellence. Aberdovey rose one place to second, with Pennard climbing to third. Royal St David's fell to fourth as competition intensified. Holyhead jumped four places to 24th. Rhuddlan also climbed four spots. Three new entries appeared: Padeswood & Buckley, Monmouth, and Aberystwyth joined the ranking. 2020: Championship Golf Celebrated The 2020 rankings appeared as Wales prepared for major championships. The Boys Home International played at Ashburnham, the Women's Senior Amateur at Royal St David's. The following year promised the Curtis Cup at Conwy, St Andrews Trophy at Royal Porthcawl, and both Girls and Ladies Home Internationals at Royal St David's. Royal Porthcawl maintained its position despite ongoing bunker renovation work by Martin Ebert. Pennard climbed two places to second following bunker renovation completion. Conwy rose two spots to fifth, preparing for the Curtis Cup in prime condition. Southerndown advanced three places to sixth. Welshpool climbed five positions to 26th, beginning its ascent. Aberystwyth jumped nine places to 41st. Four new entries appeared: Builth Wells (returning), St Mellons, Henllys, and Milford Haven. 2022: Recognising Heritage The ninth biennial rankings edition continued Wales's established pattern. Royal Porthcawl's dominance remained unchallenged, occupying its position since rankings began. Royal St David's regained second place after previous ranking adjustments. Ashburnham rose two places to sixth, receiving overdue recognition for its J.H. Taylor design. Bull Bay also climbed two spots to 13th, highlighting Herbert Fowler's 1913 creation. Langland Bay advanced eight positions to 26th. Wrexham climbed seven places to 30th. Mountain Ash entered at 41st, the highest new entry. Four courses departed: Builth Wells, Carmarthen, Henllys, and Wenvoe Castle. 2024: Contemporary Values Emerge Royal Porthcawl maintained its unbroken leadership. Pennard moved above Royal St David's from third to second place. Southerndown advanced two spots. Ashburnham declined two positions. The rankings noted "big resort courses slipping a little bit down" whilst "more rugged courses move up," presaging Welshpool's dramatic rise. Historical Performance Analysis Examining long-term trends reveals fascinating patterns in course development and recognition. The Most Consistent Performers Several courses demonstrate remarkable stability across seven years: Royal Porthcawl has never left first position since 2006, occupying the summit in every ranking edition. This consistency reflects world-class quality maintained through careful stewardship and judicious architectural input from Martin Ebert. Pennard fluctuated between second and fourth positions before settling at second in 2025/26. Tom Doak's bunker work restored strategic elements that helped the course regain its traditional standing. Aberdovey held second in 2018, moved to third in 2020, fourth in 2022 and 2024, maintaining its position in 2025/26. Conwy occupied fifth position in every ranking from 2020 onwards, demonstrating steady quality. Curtis Cup preparation elevated the course to peak condition. The Biggest Climbers Several courses achieved remarkable upward momentum: Welshpool showed the most dramatic ascent, rising from 31st in 2018 to 18th in the latest release, climbing 13 positions overall. The James Braid common land design benefits from golf's renewed appreciation for authentic experiences. Langland Bay advanced from 34th in 2018 to 27th in the latest release, rising seven places. Radyr climbed from 37th in 2018 to 28th in the latest release, advancing nine positions. Harry Colt's design finally receives appropriate acknowledgement. West Monmouthshire surged from unranked to 45th in the latest release, representing the highest new entry in recent years. The Notable Decliners Some courses experienced sustained declines: Celtic Manor Twenty Ten dropped from fifth in 2018 to tenth in the latest release, falling five positions. The Ryder Cup venue remains excellent but faces increased competition from more characterful alternatives. Vale Wales National declined from 28th in 2018 to 39th in the latest release, losing 11 places. Nefyn Old fell from fifth in 2018 to 13th in the latest release, dropping eight positions. St Pierre Old declined from 14th in 2018 to 23rd in the latest release, losing nine places in a competitive field. Planning Your Wales Golf Trip Wales offers exceptional value for destination golf, particularly during high season when Scotland and Ireland command premium prices. The compact geography allows combining multiple regions in extended trips, whilst focused itineraries can explore single areas in depth. The Championship Links Circuit Visiting golfers seeking world-class links experiences should prioritise the elite coastal venues. Royal Porthcawl provides the centrepiece, combining championship quality with stunning sea views. Book well in advance, as this world-ranked course attracts significant demand. Pennard lies 30 miles west on the Gower Peninsula, offering clifftop drama and quirky charm at accessible rates. Royal St David's and Aberdovey anchor North Wales coastal golf. The dramatic setting below Harlech Castle makes Royal St David's unforgettable, whilst Aberdovey's romantic location between mountains and estuary creates enchanting golf. Both welcome visitors and offer excellent value compared to famous Scottish links. Conwy merits inclusion in any serious Welsh itinerary. Curtis Cup standard conditioning combined with strategic interest makes this understated links worth travelling for. The course lies conveniently near Chester and Liverpool, facilitating travel connections. The North Wales Coastal Tour North Wales offers concentrated quality along relatively short distances. Royal St David's and Aberdovey provide anchor points, separated by spectacular coastal drive. Conwy lies further north, accessible via dramatic scenery. Bull Bay occupies Anglesey's northern tip, convenient for ferry travellers to Ireland. Nefyn Old features spectacular clifftop holes rivalling famous Irish courses. Porthmadog and North Wales Golf Club provide additional variety. Holyhead's convenient location near ferry ports makes it perfect for travellers with spare time. Pwllheli rounds out coastal options. This circuit can be completed comfortably in 4-5 days, with excellent accommodation options in Harlech, Porthmadog, and Conwy. Green fees remain remarkably affordable compared to Scotland's championship venues. The South Wales Value Experience South Wales combines championship golf with exceptional depth. Royal Porthcawl and Pennard lead the way, but Southerndown provides comparable quality at lower prices. Pyle & Kenfig offers championship pedigree without premium tags. Celtic Manor's three courses suit golfers seeking resort amenities. The Twenty Ten Ryder Cup course provides memorable experiences, whilst the Montgomerie and Roman Road layouts offer variety. Convenient location near the Severn Bridge makes Celtic Manor accessible from England. Newport, Rolls of Monmouth, Radyr, and St Pierre Old demonstrate South Wales's exceptional depth. These parkland tracks provide variety after coastal golf, with green fees rarely exceeding £60. Cardiff and Swansea offer numerous accommodation options at varying price points. The West Wales Hidden Gems West Wales rewards adventurous travellers with stunning coastal scenery and exceptional value. Tenby and Ashburnham anchor the region, both dating to the 1890s with impressive architectural pedigrees. Machynys Peninsula provides modern resort golf with Nicklaus Design credentials. Cardigan occupies dramatic clifftop terrain above the Teifi Estuary, described as one of Wales's best-kept secrets. Borth & Ynyslas showcases Harry Colt's links design in remote splendour. These courses rarely see international visitors, ensuring uncrowded fairways. Aberystwyth and Milford Haven provide additional options for extended trips. The region suits golfers seeking authentic experiences without tourist crowds, offering exceptional value throughout the season. The Mid Wales Common Land Adventure Mid Wales appeals to golfers appreciating quirky, characterful layouts. Llandrindod Wells occupies dramatically elevated terrain, offering stunning views alongside challenging golf. Welshpool delivers authentic common land experiences, with rugged terrain requiring strategic ground game approaches. Cradoc provides gentler parkland golf, whilst Builth Wells and Machynlleth offer compact layouts bursting with character. This region suits golfers breaking journeys between North and South Wales, or those specifically seeking unusual golfing experiences. Green fees in Mid Wales remain extremely affordable, rarely exceeding £40. Accommodation options include charming market town hotels and country inns, creating memorable non-golfing experiences. Practical Considerations Wales benefits from excellent road infrastructure, with the M4 motorway providing rapid access from England. Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Bristol airports all lie within reasonable driving distance. Ferry services from Holyhead connect to Ireland, allowing combined UK-Ireland golf tours. Green fee rates range from £30-60 at most courses, with only Royal Porthcawl commanding premium prices approaching £200. Advance booking secures the best rates and tee times. Many courses offer visitor packages combining multiple rounds. Accommodation varies from luxury resort hotels at Celtic Manor to characterful country inns in market towns. Coastal villages provide bed and breakfast options with local charm. Cardiff and Swansea offer urban amenities for those preferring city bases. Weather patterns favour spring and autumn visits, avoiding summer crowds whilst ensuring reasonable conditions. Wales's rainfall reputation is somewhat exaggerated; coastal areas receive less precipitation than popular perception suggests. Waterproofs remain advisable regardless of the season. Looking Ahead Wales's golf scene continues evolving, with several developments promising future improvements. Tourism development remains modest compared to Scotland and Ireland, preserving Wales's uncrowded character. Golfers seeking authentic experiences without tourist infrastructure appreciate this understated approach. Limited international marketing keeps Wales affordable whilst neighbouring countries face pricing pressures. The rankings will continue evolving as golf's values shift toward authentic experiences. Courses offering distinctive character at accessible prices should gain recognition. Resort developments may face continued pressure unless they provide exceptional strategic interest alongside conditioning standards. Wales's position as Britain's last undiscovered golf destination won't last forever. Savvy travellers increasingly recognise the exceptional value proposition. Visit sooner rather than later to experience uncrowded fairways at remarkable prices. For complete details of all Top 50 Golf Courses in Wales, including regional breakdowns for North Wales, South Wales, West Wales, and Mid Wales, visit Top100GolfCourses.com.
The purpose of the Review of The Month feature is twofold. Top100GolfCourses has always aimed to salute and encourage those who are putting admirable effort into reviewing the world’s great golf courses. Moving forward, we are also looking to learn from these experts! We’ll be chatting with the month’s star authors and discussing topics such as golf in their area, what they like to see in a strong course review, and of course dig a little deeper into their own winning review. September 2023’s Review of The Month comes from Mariano Martinez de Azagra, who avoided the tourist trends and found thrills at Kington Golf Club in Herefordshire. There are some courses that are obvious locales for international golfers when visiting England. Kington isn't one of them! How/why did you and your pals end up in Herefordshire during your trip? One of the things I like most about golf trips is their preparation. That is, the design of the itinerary, something like the routing of the trip. Therefore, I have a lot of fun researching in advance and then deciding which courses to include. In this case, we traveled to South Wales, where we enjoyed courses such as Porthcawl, Pennard and Southerndown, among others. But, as our flight arrived in Bristol, I saw the opportunity to make a short detour and head to Kington on our way to our base in Wales. As for Kington, the first reference I had was through Tom Doak's Confidential Guide, whose short review really intrigued me. And, from there, I visited the Top100GolfCourses website, in order to corroborate that impression with user reviews, which led me to Sean Arble's extensive chronicle for GolfClubAtlas. From there, it was clear to me that Kington had to be one of the highlights of our trip to Wales. Kington has undeniable charm (as you mentioned, sheep as greenskeepers). How much of a boost does such charm give a course like Kington, versus the well-established fame of championship-caliber clubs? For me it is fundamental. I find that courses like Kington combine two of the parameters that I value most in golf: charm and sustainability. In this sense, it shares the same characteristics as other of my favorite places in golf, such as Brora, Boat of Garten and Fraserburgh in Scotland, or Ballycastle and Dooks in Ireland. All of them are clubs located in small towns, with very controlled maintenance costs, and where the green fee price has not skyrocketed, unlike the most distinguished clubs. And it's also much easier and more satisfying to be able to stop and chat with members, as I was lucky enough to do at Kington. Like any golfer, I also enjoy the experience of visiting the most renowned clubs, with first-rate facilities and top conditioning, but it is not my priority when it comes to visiting new courses. C.K. Hutchison has not had a hand in many course designs, but those that he did are well known, especially Turnberry's Ailsa, West Sussex, and Gleneagles. Have you had an opportunity to play any of these? If so, notice any trends in his designs? Unfortunately, I have not been able to play any of these courses; I tried to visit West Sussex in 2019 but it wasn't possible. Of course, I have been pleased to see that where he did have some intervention was at the West Links in North Berwick, my all-time favorite, although I imagine that his contribution must not have been particularly significant. Many golf groups traveling to Spain will also be inclined to visit the "big names" on the list. As a well-informed Spanish golfer, are there any off-the-beaten-path gems akin to Kington that you would recommend? In my experience, no. Let me explain myself: in Spain, golf is much more recent, and does not enjoy the tradition of Great Britain and Ireland. Consequently, it is almost unthinkable to find a course of Kington's quality in a secluded location, and bearing the signature of a famous and competent architect. In fact, and in general, we are decades behind Great Britain when it comes to many of the issues that I value most in golf, such as the preparation of the courses (it is not unusual to find overwatered fairways and greens) or the slow pace of play (no one has even imagined tee times for foursomes or two balls). It is a matter of golf culture in which we have a long way to go. Of course, if I had to recommend a course in my country, it would be El Saler, in Valencia. I know it's moderately famous, but it's often off the beaten path of golf, and it's really good. A side note: While they are not of the quality of the British, there are more than acceptable courses everywhere in Spain. And, of course, what I can assure you is that the offer in any area of Spain is superior to Britain in aspects such as gastronomy, and leisure in general. And the weather factor also helps... Now that you're a celebrated "Review of The Month" winner, let us know what factors you appreciate in a strong golf course review! Basically, two things: On the one hand, it must provide useful information about the experience, which may include aspects about the club's services, but mainly about the course, although I do not need it to go into an extensive description of each of the holes. Rather, I am inclined to value an overview of the entire experience of the round of golf; something that convinces me that I want to go there... or not. On the other hand, I also appreciate certain originality, or some type of uniqueness, that can come from anecdotes or the description of the feelings that the round of golf, or the atmosphere of the club aroused in the reviewer. What's one course that you're excited to write a review for in the upcoming year? I am already planning my trip for next year, most likely to the West coast of Scotland and, within it, the courses I would most like to play (and review) are Machrihanish, Prestwick and Shiskine.
