Porthmadog - North Wales - Wales

I have read the mixed reviews on Porthmadog and was hugely surprised by the quality on offer. Most writers are critical of the parkland- style front nine, and sure enough there are some bland holes, but the three par 3s, and an excellent par 5 at 8, raise the bar. And interestingly there were clear signs that the Club are spending money on strengthening the weaker holes.

But the course really comes to light from holes 10 to 16, a stellar stretch of links golf at its finest. This stretch, including three par 3s and four par4s, is played over classic links land with rumpled fairways, blind tee shots, lots of sand dunes, elevation changes and fast-running greens. The view from the temporary 12th tee, which adjoins the huge beach at Porthmadog, takes the breath away, it is one of the most spectacular I have ever witnessed on a golf course. The golfing challenges are fair but demanding, we were lucky to play on a clear wind-free October day and I was hitting the ball straight, so decent scoring is possible! And just when it can’t get better, it doesn’t, 17 and 18 marked a return to somewhat tame parkland golf, and a mundane finish.

The golf course is busy, and money is being spent wisely to improve the facility. I can see this place, with its enthusiastic mainly local membership, continuing to thrive and prosper. And if the current investment continues, I can see Porthmadog starting to move smartly up the ratings. Already it offers a hugely enjoyable and varied challenge on some beautiful natural terrain.

I played for the first time in early August and was disappointed. The course condition was poor – scruffy tees, often bare and ill-defined fairways and slow greens. Additionally, the standout 12th hole hugging the bay was closed (no advance warning from the pro and woeful communication on the course). That being said the links holes (10 to 17) that I got to play were fun and I liked 11, 14 and 17. I would give the course 3.5 balls but am deducting 0.5 for conditioning and 0.5 for closure of the 12th with no prior warning. Would I go back again? Maybe, but I would wait quite a few years in the hope conditioning improves.

I loved Porthmadog. We played a mini Ryder Cup here which added to the sense of occasion. As previous reviewers have commented it's a mixture of parkland and then links golf (think North Shore at Skegness, Abersoch). The course starts with a tee shot across the drive way close to the clubhouse, with oob down the right. Not the most spectacular start, Followed by a hole crossing the green inland. You then cross the road for holes 3 -9 which are pleasant parkland. But the real treat at this course are holes 10-17, especially 14th with the huge Himalayas sand hills.

I love these part parkland, park links courses and porthmadog is an excellent example of one. Combine with a trip down to St Davids and for similar fun try Abersoch just along the Lleyn Peninsula.

The drive into Porthmadog from the North, down the A487 from Caernarfon, is an amazing and beautiful journey. As you descend down to the harbour town, situated on the Glaslyn Estuary, you get a distant glimpse of the course located close to a sandy beach with rugged duneland. The pulse quickens with anticipation of what lies in store.

As it transpires you have to wait a little while longer than you might think for the best of what Porthmadog has to offer. The two nines can best be described as ‘chalk and cheese’; the difference between both halves is remarkable. Eight of the holes are played over fascinating linksland that created some wonderful golf holes. The other ten holes are flatter in nature and more of the parkland variety, albeit fast-running…

I enjoyed my round at Porthmadog and holes 10 to 17 alone make the green-fee worth every penny.

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

The front nine is unremarkable - nothing wrong with it but nothing to rave about either - other than it gets you to the 10th tee, where the whole feel and landscape changes into 9 holes of stunning links golf. Such a pity the Club cannot get the land between the sea and the back nine ( back from the cow farmer) and make another six or so holes in the wild dunes - the money for land for housing on part of the front nine would easily pay for the work but no doubt there is an sssi or something in place to stop such ideas ?!?! It could be a truly wonderful links track

I arrived early yesterday to play quickly on my own but unfortunately two others were just going out in front of me. This would be my first visit to Porthmadog Fortunately the 10th tee is adjacent to the 1st so I played the back nine so as to avoid any delay. I was aware from reviews of the back nine being the standout half of the course but wasn't prepared for just how fantastic it was. It is simply stunning (think Gleneagles or Rosemount but with dunes and by the sea!) and I can't remember having more fun on 9 holes of golf than this - 10, 11, the much photographed 12th and 13 were just superb - 15 and the 17th are great holes too. I finished the 18th and went out and played the back nine again so I still have no idea what the front nine is like!

Played here early March 2014 after high rainfall fr the previous months although a nice day for the round.As has been said in other reviews, this really is a course of two halves! The front nine is a fairly bland parkland type affair with a couple of nice holes. The back nine however is in a different league with some wonderful links holes with the stretch of 12, 13 and 14 some of the loveliest I've played. 3 balls for the front nine, 5 for the back = 4.

A good start to our week in North Wales; after a 4 hour car trip the rain stopped and late on a Sunday the bar staff were most helpful in getting us on the course. First couple of holes are fairly bland with the only trouble being some ditches around the greens. You then cross the road for holes 3-9, with the 9th a nice downhill par 3. Some good links holes followed on the back nine with some neatly concealed bunkers and some lovely sea/bay views around 10-14. Hole 14, the 'Himalayas' was the best hole with a straight drive into the wind over dunes and the second shot requiring threading through bunkers short of the green. Although the greens were not great the round was most enjoyable. DB

Despite the parkland-links contrast between the front and back nine, the parkland nine was not without interest and challenge. In other words, the parkland holes were far from perfunctory (i.e. "muni course" quality) in nature. And yes, the back nine is a great set of links holes. Due to the relative paucity of links land, this bifurcation is unavoidable on many courses (Panmure and Portstewart come to mind). In no way should this discourage golfers from giving Porthmadog a fair shake. I think it should be rated a bit higher in the Welsh 100. Friendly staff as well.

It is hard to add anything significant to previous reviews : this is very much a game of two halves. Very little about the front nine sticks in the memory but the coastal stretch contains some terrific holes and spectacular settings. Certainly worth the visit!