Pennard Golf Club, WALES   

10^th hole, 490 yards: The tee shot is to a right to left sloping fairway that falls down a hill. A drawn three iron tee shot can be prudent because a stream lurks further up in the area where a well hit driver might finish. The highlight is the beautifully conceived shelf green, which is hard enough to hit with just a wedge in your hand.

The 10th doglegs left up the hill to a wonderful shelf green.

16^th hole, 495 yards: If it weren't for that little one shotter at Cypress Point, this might be the authors' favourite 16th. The setting is almost a match for the famous Californian course, and it too is a half par hole. However, in this case, golfers are hoping for a birdie. The fairway slopes right to left and disappears over the horizon as it runs away from the golfer. A fade is the perfect tee ball and from the resulting sloping fairway lie, the golfer will ideally draw his approach into the green for his second shot. Once again, the ledge green site was beautifully chosen and a shot just short may roll well back in the fairway.

The view from the all-world 16th tee, with its twisting fairway disappearing over the horizon.

Given the right to left slope of the 16th fairway, a draw is often the ideal shot
to reach the green in two.

17^th hole 490 yards: Perhaps the most severe sloping fairway in golf, the golfer must hit a hook just to hold the fairway. Maybe not fair but it is certainly unique and full of challenge. The fairway then bends sharply to the left and runs along in its own little valley.

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18^th hole, 400 yards: A stiff final examination awaits the golfer. A fade will best hold the right to left sloping fairway with a gorse covered dune on the right.

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Given the thrill of a round of golf at Pennard, why isn't more heard of it? Critics say the sloping land is simply over the top. In the summer, they complain that you might be unable to stop the ball on the hard running fairways. Also, panelists who vote on magazine rankings often look for architectural merits such as distinctive, well constructed bunkers and cleverly contoured greens. Pennard frankly enjoys few of these attributes. Given the dramatic topography, no one over the years has felt the need to construct such additional hazards to provide challenge. And rest assured - the golfer is made keenly aware of the challenge when the wind blows up the Bristol Channel.

Trying to flight the ball properly in all kinds of wind conditions from sloping lies and then controlling how far it rolls is at the essence of the challenge at Pennard. It is hardly conventional but it offers wild, untamed golf in an unforgettable setting. Growing up, isn't this every golfer's dream? Darkness permitted only 54 holes one blustery April day - the authors would have enjoyed a fourth and final round that day, such is the compelling nature of Pennard.

No matter where you turn - this view is of the two shot 12th from the
8th green - the topography is truly wild.

The author wishes to thank Paul Turner for the use of his photographs.

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