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.