Tenby - West Wales - Wales

Golf courses such as Tenby are very few and far between. For me they capture the absolute essence of links golf.

They provide not only a true test of the game but give you much more than that; they provide a memorable and scintillating golfing experience.

How and why? You may rightly ask. And the answer is all to do with the movement of the land.

At Tenby you play over naturally billowing terrain that tumbles, falls and rises in all manner of ways. Sometimes it’s subtle whilst at others, and for the most part, it’s more pronounced with many changes in elevation as you travel over and through the natural duneland. Golf courses are often called rollercoaster rides and this term is no more fitting than here.

The mobility of the land allows for green settings that provide holes of exceptional quality and a uniqueness that cannot be replicated. The rumpled nature of the fairways provide holes of strategy, a variety of lies and a feeling, when walking them, that cannot be bettered. You feel in touch with nature, and you are, because that is what created the amazing topography.

You are faced with some blind shots, others that are partially visible whilst for the most part you know where you are going. The ground game is very much in force on this exciting links, and shot-making comes to the fore, whilst there is also the occasional forced carry; the terrifying par-three 12th is perhaps the best example. Tenby mixes it all up perfectly.

What you also have at Tenby is a real connection with the sea and the town itself. The ninth tee has the most amazing view over a sandy beach towards the picturesque harbour town edging the cliffs that look out to the small tidal island of St Catherine’s and the more distant Caldey Island beyond.

With excellent Dormy house accommodation on site at Tenby and the proximity of the club to town after just one visit this has become one of my favourite places to ‘play and stay’ when golfing not just in Wales but the entire United Kingdom.

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

A real hidden gem. A true links, in good condition, and very good value indeed. Complete with one of the more varied and interesting set of greens one could see. 3rd an upturned saucer with trouble on every side, 4th an old-fashioned blind pulpit green, 8th on two tiers at the most awkward angle, 11th wickedly sloping from back to front and shallow. Were it not for the three holes across the railway, the last of which, 17th is a pretty, and a good, par three, which are of totally different character, this would rate right up there with Portcawl for difficulty, and fun, for me. As it is, still a wonderful course.

We played Tenby today on a sultry May afternoon after waiting out some hammering rain by enjoying the very nice food in the club house. The very friendly pro offered us the choice of tees recommending the whites for the extra length and getting more elevated views of the many blind shots. A nice touch, but the 6500 length played much longer. Some great links par 4 holes, the Bell hole in particular with a classic blind short in to a sunken green that wouldn't be out of place at Silloth, Machrihanish or indeed the Machrie. No higher praise ! Quibbles would be the uneven distribution of the par 3s and the Lelant like loop of holes 15 - 17 that can't help but disrupt the rhythm of the round. Also the greens at the club house end of the course aren't up to the excellent standard further out. However, a really enjoyable game of golf on a quality course that felt like one of the longest of its type, I feel the course is under rated and should be played by the many traditional links addicts on this site.

The winter has really been hard on Tenby's fairways and greens. On top they have ambitiously cut back encroaching vegetation. This meant that at the end of April 2014, this course looked and played very far from its best. The strokesaver you get in the shop is therefore also not 100% up to date. No doubt will this come together beautifully at some point, maybe later this season or next year. Until then, play at the other superb links courses in South Wales. That is, unless you are prepared to overlook all this and enjoy the fantastic value offered by the reduced green-fee and an empty course - the latter is helpful because of the tight layout.

So we are sitting at home on a Saturday morning planning to play Machynys that afternoon and Tenby on the Sunday morning with the weather saying at least 2cm of rain and 20 to 30 mile an hour winds. A quick change of plan and Machynys was moved to the Wednesday and Tenby to the Sunday afternoon. So Sunday afternoon arrives the rain has eased to an occasional downpour and the wind is still blowing, but this took nothing away from a great course. The 4th is just a hole to remember a fantastic par four and is then matched with the 12th par 3. The course is a bit of a trip but make the effort. To the course itself we also appreciated the 50% off due to the course needing some work, due to the winter. Many times you go to play somewhere and there are temps everywhere yet you are charged the full price.

I was fortunate enough to spend a week in Tenby recently on a family holiday and took advantage of a 7 day ticket at Tenby GC giving me unlimited golf for only £120.The course is a traditional old-fashioned links with multiple blind shots, narrow roller-coaster fairways, and impossibly punishing rough. I loved it, and all the more so for getting to know it over many plays. My only reservation is the finish - three of the final four holes are on a totally seperate area of land leased from the adjacent caravan park and are definitely of inferior quality to the rest of the course. The mystery is why this has been done - the practice ground by the clubhouse would provide a couple of excellent links holes and there is ample space for a par 3 out in the dunes by the 8th.

Really enjoyable and at £25 for an evening round I can't think there is a better value for money course in Britain. Some great holes and the bunkers are as they should be, a hazard! I've not played a lot of links being a Staffordshire lad but to me this is proper golf, unlike so many courses now and their obsession with length! As we holiday in the area every year I will be back!

Had the pleasure to play here in 2009. True links course. Awesome setting. A hidden surprise. Had no temporary tees nor par 4's converted to par 3's as you'll see from other posts. I get to travel a lot and Tenby is a hidden gem for us US golfers, definitely in my top ten and if you find your way into this corner of Wales, play it.

When I played Tenby last week, she could have stolen my heart but at the end of the round I was hearbroken. What a course of contradictions, for 14 holes it is magnificent and then holes 15,16 and 17 are completely out of character with the previous natural links land then 18 is a very ordinary par 4 to finish. The views across the bay from the far end of the course back to the town are magnificent.If Tenby had continued in the same vain as the first 14 holes it would have been an easy 5 baller but due to the finish it is a 4 baller. Overall, it is very much a course worth playing if in the area.

Fantastic course. I play the course a couple of times a year, and I am always presented with a different challenge. I hit the ball long and am a cat 1 golfer, however rarely pull out the big stuff because the course is tight and you have to plot your way round. I enjoy/prefer courses where you have to think about each shot - Tenby is a great example of this. My only critism is the final 4 holes, the course changes from links golf to parkland. But overall and cracking track. The views from the 9th tee over the course, Tenby and Caldey Island are superb. Make the trip - it is worth the drive.