Neath

Founded in 1934 by Mr M H Daniel, a disenchanted member of Swansea Bay Golf Club, Neath members enlisted the services of James Braid to lay out their 18-hole course on what was once Gellia Farm, to the north of the town.

Braid’s opinion of Neath from over seventy years ago is as true now as it was then – “it is a first class course, ideally situated… the condition is excellent and the course is nicely undulating without being too severe… the views from every part of the course are magnificent and extensive, whilst the air is most exhilarating”.

Authors John F. Moreton and Iain Cumming note in the book James Braid and his Four Hundred Golf Courses: “It is now believed his visit lasted an afternoon, during which he walked the site unencumbered by pencil and paper, drawing the plan afterwards.

The course exists on two levels 700 feet above sea level overlooking the town. The holes on the lower level are meadowland, the upper ones moorland. The course is well-drained, recovering quickly from the heaviest rain (and) this demanding test has naturally produced many fine golfers.”

The vista westward from the 10th tee at the furthest point from the clubhouse is probably the best on the course. From here – more than 500 feet above sea level – one can see the Neath and Dulais valleys from Llantwit and Resolven, Cefn Coed and Crynant, as far as the Brecon Beacons.

Don’t be put off by the climb up the first two holes as the course opens out at the top and the fairways run back and forth over this plateau before returning down hill again at the 18th hole. The signature hole is “Pulpit,” the 378-yard par four 15th, where an elevated tee sits high above the fairway below and the green looks as though it just might be reached in one mighty blow.