Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Sean_A on April 02, 2014, 12:51:09 PM
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First up was Pennard. I won't post photos. If you haven't seen enough by now to convince you of Pennard's Pleasures, another 20 photos won't matter. Before this visit I decided to spend more time checking out the greens. In certain corners this has been a reason for critical comments. All I can say is these folks don't know Pennard very well. The greens have great variety and are full of interest, but they rarely cause anxiety. After playing Pennard for the unknown umpteenth time, I have come to agree much more with James Finegan than any other reviewer of Pennard. "I see no reason to back away from an unflinching conclusion: Pennard is a very great course,....And if this is the least heralded great course, it is also the least visited. Even the Welsh rarely bother...The design can strike us a couple of times as too sporty (what, where :D ), even a shade unfair. The demands on our swing may be strict. The hills and the winds may beleaguer us. But this is a golf course, towering above the sea, that embodies, hole after hole and to the highest degree, the pleasurable excitement that is the one indispensable ingredient of truly satisfying golf...."
Unfortunately (heavy sigh :P ), Pennard was in the worst nick I have ever experienced. Last year's drought combined with incessant winter rain and yellowjackets have decimated the fairways. The greens too were awful. There isn't much more I can say about this - it is what it is. But remember, beyond the conditioning problems Pennard is an awsome course that should be seen more than once.
Ciao
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Ah, but the Spring Tour now begins!!
I can't imagine a more lovely setting for golf than the rolling English countryside as Spring dawns softly yet again on the people and places and fields of that historic land, a gentle rain bringing Life renewed!!
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Peter
Ah, England's OK, but Pennard is in Wales....
I'll be there for a tunamint in May and report back.
Rich
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Pennard, on my third play, moved up to perhaps my favorite course anywhere.(up from top 5 designation)
the greens were fine, in fact better condition than on my last visit which was in the height of the season.
The fairways were fine as well(thin and super linksy ;))-imagine my dismay/horror when I found out on the 10th hole that we were playing "winter" rules.
(OK I guess that's an indictment of how few few fairways I had hit to that point ;D ;D)
The real story is perhaps the design of the greens themselves-which are full of interest.
I really noticed them when Sean commented that the green's design there was often criticized.
As we walked off each fascinating, interesting green I would say to Sean "Yep another boring green with no interest"
(It didn't hurt that the pins were placed in multiple difficult, thought provoking places)
an incredible spot and the course that I look forward most to sharing with my son in July.
and a great welcome to boot!
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Hi Rich - I know that Pennard is in Wales (and all the best at that tournament), but Sean's Spring Tour will likely comprise many an English inland course, which as I've noted before are for me -- more than the links courses or the courses of Wales or Ireland -- the ideal setting for golf. Maybe it's some past life thing...
Peter
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First up was Pennard. I won't post photos. If you haven't seen enough by now to convince you of Pennard's Pleasures, another 20 photos won't matter.
You're right, more pics won't do it. How about a hole by hole v RCP? ;D
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I'd have to agree with you guys on this one. Pennard is a great course on a fantastic piece of property. I do imagine that it would receive some bashing here on GCA because it's really quite a tough course and I image the wind is always blowing there. I didn't mind the conditioning myself, although I admit it's a very serious issue for them and really a shame that it's something they struggle with so much.
I too think they have a great set of green complexes and indeed we were treated to some seriously challenging pin positions. I guess they knew we were coming and appreciate our love of very difficult golf courses. 8)
For the record, I'm sure Sean and Jeff, hardly missed any fairways and I know Jeff realized we were playing preferred lies, he simply wanted more of a challenge.
Cudos to Tony for again organizing another brilliant trip. Thanks again for your hard work Tony!
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First up was Pennard. I won't post photos. If you haven't seen enough by now to convince you of Pennard's Pleasures, another 20 photos won't matter.
You're right, more pics won't do it. How about a hole by hole v RCP? ;D
Apples and oranges. IMHO.
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I'm not sure I understand about the conditioning ... Sean says it was bad, Jeff says it was good, and you were playing it TOGETHER?
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I'm not sure I understand about the conditioning ... Sean says it was bad, Jeff says it was good, and you were playing it TOGETHER?
Tom,
It was March, they've had the wettest winter on record, and grass is barely growing.(though we did have great weather ;D-looked better than Chatanooga and I came home sunburned)
I have no issues at all hitting off super tight ,thin turf.
I will say i noticed on the 10th when I elected to play a runup shot to the massively uphill elevated green due to my super tight lie, then saw a player improve their lie, which made a difference in shot choice to that particular pin.
the complaints about Pennard seemed to be thin/bare fairways, but I expect that at natural links courses, and don't think Pennard is a whole lot different in the summer.
Sean knows Pennard a lot better, and for him to make the comment on conditioning, it must be better in season.
The rest of the group seemed to share Sean's opinion so as usual I was in the minority ;) ;D
I am confident most would have a problem with Goat Hill though as all five courses I played in Wales were in way better shape than the Goat ever is (fairways at least) and we would never move the ball in the fairways there.
Southerndown's fairway turf was lovely, the greens not there yet.
Ashburnham showed badly of cart and trolly compaction esp. around greens and tees.
Royal Porthcawl was in good links condition.
Pyle and Kenfig was pretty good as well, though there's a bit less less linksy golf/turf there.
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Thanks for coming guys, we got lucky with the weather and the company.
Sean joined the tour late. Playing Royal Porthcawl day one and Pennard day two was instructive. When I read the term “links Golf” on here, I wonder if people realise its such a catch all term? More so than “Heathland”, “Downland”, “Parkland” or “Dessert Course”? I can’t be sure as I haven’t played all those types but many photo tours on here seem to fall into one type or another. Consider the following.
What they have in common.
Firm sandy soil, very exposed to the wind. Considerable elevation change over the routing (not true of all links courses). Neither is 'out and back', both change direction frequently. Great sea views on 35 holes! (all world views in one case). Both are lovely clubs to visit, very happy in the own skin. Both deserve to be called great.
What separates them.
One is of Championship Pedigree with all that means in terms of history and conditioning. It’s expansive and you feel like you are in a “big country”. The fairways mostly offer level lies and the ball bounces true. Blind shots are at a minimum, what you see is what you get. The greens are on the whole generous and the bunkering is well placed in a ‘conventional’ championship manner.
The other is a ‘soul course’ with no fairway irrigation and until 2006(?) animals roamed the course with all that means in terms of conditioning. The routing feels tight and even after 8 plays I never know where I am. It feels like you are playing on the green side of the moon. It’s right up there in terms of courses that offer uneven lies and blindness real, and sometimes imagined, is everywhere. Finding where the ball finishes is just part of the fun. The greens are not large and there are only 36 well chosen bunkers.
What a contrast and yet both are ‘true links’. The two courses could easily be played in the same day (45 mins apart) but better to play a day at each. If I wanted to show someone what links golf was all about then these two courses would be an ideal introduction.
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More on Porthcawl.
I had played there before on the first day of Buda 2010. Despite great company and playing well, I walked off thinking nice course but not really that excited. Perhaps it was tiredness – I had hardly slept the night before and had driven down from London- but I didn’t really ‘get it’. It may have had something to do with the level lies (see post above) but that’s equally true of e.g. Hoylake and Turnberry and I loved them.
So with lower expectations this time, I came away wondering what had I been thinking? This time we played with a stiff wind from the east (behind us on the first few holes) and I loved it to a surprising degree. It may lack the all world type holes that stand out in your memory when you’ve walked 6 rounds in 4 days, but is that because all the holes are strong?
- 18 really solid holes where every shot interests you. One of the most enjoyable moment was on the 12th hole. Par 5, in the afternoon. As we stood over his ball on the fairway I suggested to Jeff that the second shot on this hole was the only uninteresting shot on the course, being a case of “Just move it forward”. Jeff smiled at me and pulled out his driver….
- Some holes ARE surprising. Doglegs seem more frequent on this links than many others. Fairways are cut in half (yes I know some people hate this but they’re…wrong). And for a Championship course there’s a couple of downhill shots into green running away from you that are the equal of those at Elie. There’s a lot more variety than I remembered.
I only went back to Portcawl as I had an extra day to add to the trip. In future I will look forward to a Porthcawl/Pennard trip as one of the great doubles in golf. Recommended.
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Tom
Jeff obviously has a higher threshold of tolerance than myself. I defintely draw the line at balls going underground in cracks in the earth. Twice I had to play from this sort of lie just off a fairway. Golf is hard enough without having to purchase a spade iron. Its not merely a growth issue, there is something going on because there was a lot of moss and brown patches (the start of ferns?) mixed in with bare earth. The greens too were easily the worst I have seen so I obviously disagree with Jeff's memory of several years ago. But I think the greens will be fine...eventually. I am, though, very concerned about the fairways.
Moving forward, Tenby was in better nick than in 2014! I can't say the course was in good nick, acceptable is more accurate. Most folks cite 15-17 as a weak link. I noticed the club has cleared the trees in this area of the course over the tracks. Still, the long walk to and from these holes is not well rewarded. At best I think we can say there is one terrible hole (16), one okay hole (15) and one pretty good hole (17). On this recent trip (June 2023) I did notice some long walks between greens and tees that previously didn't annoy so much. With all that negativity, there can be little doubt there are serious highlights with the design which rewards the traveller who makes the time to stop in for a game.
Tenby is a town of great charm sitting on high ground, with two beaches, city walls, a lovely working harbour, Giltar Point off the beach, St Catherines Island and a bit further afield, holy Caldy Island. It is a town which is wholly turned over to tourism in the summer, but in the winter Tenby retains a locals atmsophere.
The course is one of the oldest in Wales, being founded in 1888. Not surprisingly Braid had a hand in the design, as did Ken Cotton (I suspect the newer three holes over the tracks are to his design). The terrain is absolutely wonderful, tumbling dunes mixed with level areas and all manner of interesting greens; a feature of Tenby I appreciate far more than previously. I spose most would call Tenby a classic holiday course, but the club has taken steps to be taken more seriously. Those measures begin on the 1st. Not only is there a conspicuously placed driving range hard left of the fairway, but some 35 yards have been added and the hole is now designated as a par 5. This is the first of four par changes which have altered the course par from 68 to 72 while adding some 400 yards to the daily tees. In any case, the opener is a good welcome to Tenby.
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A good par over the flat, the 2nd is distinguished by its long, undulating green. Behind the green.
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The difficulty level ramps up a few notches for 3 & 4, both demanding two shotters played over tumbling terrain. The 3rd is named after Dai Rees; captain of the GB Ryder Cup team for five matches. He did well to lead the team to a victory at Lindrick in 1957.
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The fairway funnels balls behind this hummock.
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The green is the opposite of the more gentle punchbowl 4th.
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#4
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The blind green is sparcely protected.
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Looking back to the tee.
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The 5th is a short par 4 which is reachable in the right conditions.
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A lovely hole, the short 6th is much trickier than the 118 yards listed on the card suggests.
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#s 7 & 8 run along the railway line; both are good holes without being outstanding. The eighth is a fierce hole whose approach inclines steadily upward to a large green wrapped around a dune. A long walk takes us to the 9th tee, the furthest point from the house. This hole used to be a par three; now there is an intense if modest length par 4 with its championship tee hard on the beach. The fairway is quite narrow with large hollows and bunkers left and right. In truth, the hole is too narrow and its hard to understand why.
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The view from the tee is most pleasant.
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The uphill green nestled between dunes runs diagonal to the line of play. Its a very difficult approach even with wedge in hand.
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More to follow.
Ciao
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More on Porthcawl.
I had played there before on the first day of Buda 2010. Despite great company and playing well, I walked off thinking nice course but not really that excited. Perhaps it was tiredness – I had hardly slept the night before and had driven down from London- but I didn’t really ‘get it’. It may have had something to do with the level lies (see post above) but that’s equally true of e.g. Hoylake and Turnberry and I loved them.
So with lower expectations this time, I came away wondering what had I been thinking? This time we played with a stiff wind from the east (behind us on the first few holes) and I loved it to a surprising degree. It may lack the all world type holes that stand out in your memory when you’ve walked 6 rounds in 4 days, but is that because all the holes are strong?
- 18 really solid holes where every shot interests you. One of the most enjoyable moment was on the 12th hole. Par 5, in the afternoon. As we stood over his ball on the fairway I suggested to Jeff that the second shot on this hole was the only uninteresting shot on the course, being a case of “Just move it forward”. Jeff smiled at me and pulled out his driver….
- Some holes ARE surprising. Doglegs seem more frequent on this links than many others. Fairways are cut in half (yes I know some people hate this but they’re…wrong). And for a Championship course there’s a couple of downhill shots into green running away from you that are the equal of those at Elie. There’s a lot more variety than I remembered.
I only went back to Portcawl as I had an extra day to add to the trip. In future I will look forward to a Porthcawl/Pennard trip as one of the great doubles in golf. Recommended.
Good to hear, Tony...
...An opinion well changed.
As you know, on that very same day with you at BUDA, I was mightily impressed...
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The third is named in honour of Dai Rees. The hole takes us about face for a very long 381 yards. The drive is tight and the approach is tighter - excellent hole!
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Terrific photos of the 3rd hole at Tenby. A great hole IMO, and one that is indicative that difficulty doesn't have come via extreme length.
Looking forward to hearing more about this trip.
atb
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Sorry I had to miss this. Tony does put together a fine collection of courses, doesn't he?
Sean, I wouldn't be reluctant to post more pics of Pennard. It's surprising sometimes to run across an older tour of a course and realize I had never seen it before. We have plenty of new viewers as well, and Pennard is one worth reminding everyone of. Sorry to hear about the conditions, but I still wish I had gone.
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Tony,
That's a really good point about using Pennard and Porthcawl to demonstrate variety in links courses. I tend to favor wild over mild, but both are excellent places to spend a day or two.
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Tucky, yes, Spangles has his act together :D .
TENBY CONT.
Tenby's routing is interesting in that it is essentially of the out n' back variety, but there are never more than 3 consecutive holes in any direction. Holes 10-14 run back and forth between the beach and the tracks at a slight angle. For the 10th, named James Braid, the old railway cottage is a good line. The green lies between dunes in open country.
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It seems like the hand of man was involved in making this hole....it doesn't quite look natural.
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The 11th runs over more turbulent ground to a green in a quasi bowl....excellent hole. Perhaps Tenby's best short hole, the 12th is very much of the full frontal attack type. The tee shot from the back tee is very formidable.
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A closer look.
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The 13th must be very drivable in the summer months, but a blind tee shot and rubbish not far off line down the right are strong deterrants to the flat belly.
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More to follow.
Ciao
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Amazing how the camera can foreshorten things. Looks like a flick with a wedge, but as you say Sean, the tee shot is pretty formidable, just under 200 yds from the back I recall and all carry. A hole that's indicative that you don't need bunkers to have a tough par-3.
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Looking forward to seeing more of Tenby.
atb
PS - Pennard photos very welcome!
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TENBY CONT.
The final par change occured at 14. The hole from the daily tee used to be a brutal par 4, now its a soft par 5 with an addition of perhaps 10 yards. From the back tee the hole remains a sub 500 yard three-shotter. I suspect the club was desperate to get over the 6000 yard mark and increase the pervceived difficulty. I am not convinced all the changes are for the better as I usually prefer more par 3s than 5s. The 14th is a great hole no matter the par. Like many of Tenby's greensites, the 14th is excellent.
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The disquieting fall-off on the edges isn't revealed until the walk up to the green.
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Behind the green. That is our Niall studying the putt.
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We now cross the tracks for mixed bag of holes which as mentioned previously are often slammed. Such a broad stroke doesn't do the holes justice, but there is definitely a feeling of being removed from the prime land. Be that as it may, with the trees cleared around the 17th, it makes for a good par 3. This is one example of open sandy areas created in recent years. Just as on the 6th, its an attractive addition.
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Yet another long walk takes us to the home hole. The 18th is not nearly as good as its name suggests, Charlie's Whiskers. The drive with OoB hard down the left is thrilling, but the flat green sits in an open area. There is a new bunker blocking the fairway which makes the hole harder to reach off the tee. I wonder if the necked fairway was very difficult to keep in decent nick, making the bunker solution a sensible option.
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The clubhouse is being rebuilt to accomodate 20 plus rooms as a dormy house.
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Tenby finishes rather meekly, but there are far too many fine holes to let that disappoint us too much. Dare I say 3 & 14 are possible All-Wales holes? I don't like Tenby as much as previously mainly because I am not sure the changes have made the course any better, yet there are more long transition walks. It is far from perfect, but I still have time for Tenby. The clincher for anybody unsure about playing Tenby is the lovely town. With the improved conditions Tenby jumps into my Nifty 50. 2023
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Next up - P&K.
Ciao
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I must say I missed not playing Tenby this trip.
I opted to play Southerndown that day, and the weather was far brighter and warmer(though quite windy) than what it appears you got to the west in Tenby.
Southerndown, which had wonderful crisp turf on the fairways, starts off quite good with some terrific rollicking terrain on the front nine, but the back nine becomes a little bit of a repetitive slog playing back and forth on top of the hill between areas of gorse.
From what I understandTenby was in pretty rough condition, but it is a fine town, and the course is well worth a play-sorry I missed it.
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The image of Tenby that comes up by default on Google Earth is from 2006, which clearly shows 8 and 9 under development with the old 8 green in the middle of the new 8 fairway. Anyone know why they did not use the old 8 tees for the new 8 and make it a par 5? The other picture in Google Earth is from 2009, and is poorly lit. So it seems Google Earth has an algorithm for choosing which picture to show, not necessarily the latest.
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/bokuhan_hagaromo/Tenby/TenbyRouting_zpsac2a5213.jpg)
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Just a few miles down the road from Royal Porthcawl is Pyle & Kenfig GC. Its remarkable that a links (downland?) front nine designed by HS Colt could go so unnoticed in this world of chasing the work of famous architects. Yet, this is certainly the case. The course is split by a busy road and most golfers look forward to the handful of links holes on the back nine; #s 12-15. Much of this part of the course was designed by Philip Mackenzie Ross. Ross was not a terribly well known architect despite apprenticing with one of the greats, Tom Simpson. Ross is mostly known for breathing life back into Turnberry soon after WWII and designing the well respected Southerness.
It is clear the front nine is more than competent golf, everything seems to be in the right place and the greens have some interest, particularly with the wee fall offs working in tandem with canted greens; perhaps the second is the best example. It does, however, seem as though these holes are lacking a sense of adventure. If this is the case, it could well be down to the lack of adventurous land. That said, the short 7th is a hole of particular merit. The small green flows smoothly into a slight incline and offers interesting contours. Despite the pleasant surroundings and much better than average golf, the front nine is not what golfers travel serious distances to play, but I can easily see why members would enjoy themselves on a weekly basis.
More to follow.
Ciao
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The image of Tenby that comes up by default on Google Earth is from 2006, which clearly shows 8 and 9 under development with the old 8 green in the middle of the new 8 fairway. Anyone know why they did not use the old 8 tees for the new 8 and make it a par 5?
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/bokuhan_hagaromo/Tenby/TenbyRouting_zpsac2a5213.jpg)
The alterations were presumably made to avoid hitting accross the path that runs just behind the new 8th tee. That one was busy, much more so than the one further down the fairway.
What to make of Tenby? With my prior knowledge of the weakness of 15,16 &17 I came with lowered expectations. And really enjoyed myself. Holes 3-14 are geat and maybe one should feel sad they can't find a to move 3 holes back to linksland but oplay the course as it lies (matchplay) and you too can have great day out at Tenby (for an exceedingly modest Winter price).
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Just a few miles down the road from Royal Porthcawl is Pyle & Kenfig GC. Its remarkable that a links (downland?) front nine designed by HS Colt could go so unnoticed in this world of chasing the work of famous architects. Yet, this is certainly the case. The course is split by a busy road and most golfers look forward to the handful of links holes on the back nine; #s 12-15. Much of this part of the course was designed by Philip Mackenzie Ross. Ross was not a terribly well known architect despite apprenticing with one of the greats, Tom Simpson, breathing life back into Turnberry soon after WWII and designing the well respected Southerness.
It is clear the front nine is more than competent golf, everything seems to be in the right place and the greens have some interest, particularly
with the wee fall offs working in tandem with canted greens; perhaps the second is the best example. It does, however, seem as though these holes are lacking a sense of adventure. If this is the case, it could well be down to the lack of adventurous land. That said, the short 7th is a hole of particular merit. The small green flows smoothly into a slight incline and offers interesting contours. Despite the pleasant surroundings and much better than average golf, the front nine is not what golfers travel serious distances to play, but I can easily see why members would enjoy themselves on a weekly basis.
More to follow.
Ciao
I like the front-9 at Pyle and Kenfig. Sure it doesn't have the visual 'wow' factor of some of the holes on the back-9, but then again the back-9 at P&K is top tier when it comes to dunes/sea and visual 'wow', and it's a very strong test too, but the front-9 has a bunch of green complexes where lag putting and up-n-downs are not easy. A few other courses also have split personality 9's, Hillside and Portstewart being two come to mind.
atb
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I had been told Pyle and Kenfig had the best second best backside in Wales (to Kathryn Zeta Jones ;))
Holes 11-15 were really good holes leading up to through, and out of the dunes.
Holes 10,16,17,18 were all reasonably decent (long) holes themselves, 16 and 17 in particular, but I'd be hard pressed to call it the best 9 holes in Wales.
I'd say the back nine at Pennard is far better, and that the front nine would be pretty close if they ever opened the second hole.
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Jeff
P&K's backside is not even close to 2nd best behind CZJ.
P&K Cont - the infamous backside
After crossing the road (which is not as hazardous as many) we play two holes leading to the dunes. I believe we had a contrary wind so the 10th played quite easy for a #1 handicap hole. The 11th is a fine par 5.
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/Pyle%20and%20Kenfig%20GC/005_zps68d1472c.jpg) (http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/Pyle%20and%20Kenfig%20GC/005_zps68d1472c.jpg)
#12 strikes me as very Colt-like; very attractive and it looks harder than it is, but remember, we played it downwind. The front bunkers are well short of the target.
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/Pyle%20and%20Kenfig%20GC/006_zps03d87bac.jpg) (http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/Pyle%20and%20Kenfig%20GC/006_zps03d87bac.jpg)
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/Pyle%20and%20Kenfig%20GC/007_zps660f793d.jpg) (http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/Pyle%20and%20Kenfig%20GC/007_zps660f793d.jpg)
I was fooled on the next, thinking the blind tee shot led to a dogleg left. The hole actually turns aggressively right to a flat as a pancake green dead-ended into a holler of dunes. The 14th may be the best hole on the course. The tee is high above the fairway which must be sought out for it doesn't nestle up to the tee. The hole moves a lot right, into the wind and uphill into the dunes - most attractive and difficult indeed.
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/Pyle%20and%20Kenfig%20GC/009_zpse39c56f8.jpg) (http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/Pyle%20and%20Kenfig%20GC/009_zpse39c56f8.jpg)
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/Pyle%20and%20Kenfig%20GC/010_zps894c100a.jpg) (http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/Pyle%20and%20Kenfig%20GC/010_zps894c100a.jpg)
Continuing what is a wonderful set of par 3s and the undoubted strength of P&K, #15 is a long downhill banger with an extremely harsh fallaway green - absolutely superb.
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/Pyle%20and%20Kenfig%20GC/120_zps97cf7146.jpg) (http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/Pyle%20and%20Kenfig%20GC/120_zps97cf7146.jpg)
The 16th continues the descent from the dunes, tough par 4. Perhaps the second best par 4 is saved for next to last. You guessed it, another long hole, but this one turns left then heads uphill to a mildly plateaued green.
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/Pyle%20and%20Kenfig%20GC/122_zpsf3ed09ac.jpg) (http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/Pyle%20and%20Kenfig%20GC/122_zpsf3ed09ac.jpg)
The home hole is a bit of a dull finisher running along the 10th. Sorry to say, it is a bit too reminscent of some front nine holes; either lacking in visual pizzaz or lasting interest. Its difficult to hide my disappointment, but thats how it is. The course is fine, good even, but not good enough to miss a game at nearby Porthcawl or Southerndown. Perhaps if the club charged a more appropriate green fee I would feel different about P&K, but as is, I feel no compunction to return.
Previous Stops on the Tour:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,38973.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,38973.0.html) Little Aston
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,57982.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,57982.0.html) Frilford Heath Green
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,33988.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,33988.0.html) Notts
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,32228.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,32228.0.html) Huntercombe
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49796.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49796.0.html) Cleeve Cloud
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49998.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49998.0.html) Worcester G&CC
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35648.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35648.0.html) Whittington Heath
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,57487.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,57487.0.html) West Hill
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,61415.msg1460548.html#msg1460548 Walton Heath Old
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,57349.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,57349.0.html) Sandy Lodge
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,26579.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,26579.0.html) Tadmarton Heath
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,51321.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,51321.0.html) Sutton Coldfield Recommended Winter Card Only
Ciao
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Well i managed to play Tenby last week. I think its a great course with a wonderful routing. As Sean said the conditioning is very poor at the moment, but they have reduced the green fee to £35 to reflect that. When i played there was standing water down the first 100 yards of the 18th fairway. All the fairways were very patchy and some of the greens were a lottery. But i still thinks it's £35 well spent. I asked the Pro in the shop, he said it was mainly due to the very hot summer they had and once they get some growth it wil lcome good in no time at all.
As for holes 15-17. I think 15 and 17 are both good holes. 16 is a bit odd, but 1 bad hole out of 18 is pretty good in my book. I can imagine it being very tough when they grow the rough for major competitions. I don't think I've ever seen tighter fairways..
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Just back from two days of competitive golf at Pennard (and seemingly 2 weeks of driving up and down to get there.....). First time at the course, and it is something to behold. The weather was spectacular on the first day, but even with a good field (for seniors)--median index 5, 3 scratch players, a selection event for Welsh senior internationals)--only 11 of the field of 75 played to or better than their handicaps. Over the two days, only 3 players broke 150, and several of us struggled to break 180. This was playing from the medal tees (~6300), but with holes cut by the greenkeeper mostly on the periphery of the greens on both days. The greens were very good (if a bit slow) but the fairways were effectively non-existent. As those who have played the course will know, many of the fairways make the width of the tee shot at the 4th at Rye look like the 1st at St. Andrews, mostly due to right to left routing combined with left to right reverse cambering--just imagine the 4th and 5th at Olympic Lake on steroids. As for the fairways, don't expect them to reappear soon. They remind me of the 2nd hole at Painswick during BUDA II in 2004 (where we were required to move our ball from the wet dirt to any tuft of any vegetation we could find), and the problem is the same. Not weather (as some above have guessed) but rather due to an infestation of leatherjackets (a grub) that was not properly diagnosed and/or treated--or so I was told by people who should have been in the know. We played the fairways as they lied, and only those with finely honed, solid and confident swings (i.e. excluding me) were able to cope. Bummer
As for the routing, given the natural landscape, which resembles Iwo Jima rather than a links, a good job has been done, particularly for the day. The course sits on at least 400 acres of land, but more than 50% of that land is not suitable for golf--unless you can include funicular railways from green to tee (and vice versa) for many of the possibly great holes that still lie out there unused, or bring in lots of heavy machinery.
Some comments on the holes themselves:
1--a very storng opener. Long which means if you don't hit the fairway, fuggedaboot going for the green. iIn all cases, blind shot in, which is complicated by the fact that there is dip in front of the green that can play havoc with what one thinks is a good shot (cf. 18 Dornoch). OK green with subtlety.
2--per posts above it seems that 2 was not in play in April. They opened it for us on our practice day and the competition, but was whatever work done there worth it? Short iron to a small flat green surrounded by dunes. There is good land behind the green and the next tee that would be a better idea (viz. Ben Stephens' fine re-routing of the elsewhere on this site).
3--blind dogleg left that rewards nothing for trying the carry. Bunt your drive to the right (lots of room there), hit a short iron to the green, try to sink the putt. OK flattish green (except for the far right and long pin position, where I 3-putted from 2 feet....) :'(
4--Goofy hole #1. Drive towards some guy's holiday home, straight at the OB stakes which are perpendicular to the fairway. If you hit a really good drive, you can attempt the 200+ yard blind carry over the OB stakes to the left, and since the green and its approaches slope vertiginously dowwards, you might even hit the green in two. More reasonably, hit a mid iron to 100 yards or so and then pitch, chip or putt and hope that you ball gets close to the pin). It's a par 5. I took 9 in the 1st round and 4 in the 2nd, without any significant difference in my shot quality. Goofy!
5--OK classic downhill short/medium iron to a multi-tiered green sitting in the dunes. It's a 2-4 unless you do something really stupid with your tee shot.
6--a really good and hard hole. You must flirt with the left rough to get far enough to reasonably reach the green, but if you can't carry your driver 210+ uphill, don't even try. Lay up short and then enjoy some really cool chipping/pitching options to an interesting green.
7--Good hole. Try to hold your drive into the sharp L-R slope, and then guess where is the pin for your short 2nd shot. The green is tiered perpendicularly to the line of play. End up on the wrong shelf and you will struggle for par.
8--Strong hole. Dog leg left (yet again!), with 2nd shot across a big dip to an elevated green with a serious false front. Green is a good one, sloping L-R and back to front. A 4 here is good.
9--Reachable par 4 only if you hit a good drive and have a club in our bag which carries 210+ dead straight. Take your 5 and be happy.
10-Goofy hole #2. Drive your ball to what seems to be the fairway (rightish) and then just hit a rescue club (or whatever) off a downhill lie to wedge distance to a sharply uphill green. Try to guess where the pin is on the flattish green. Or....hit a weak cut drive over the wee gorse bush down the left side of the fairway and then act surprised when you find yourself at the bottom of the saddle of the landform with a 200-yard shot to the green. I saw it done twice (not by me) and in each case the perpetrator hit a provisional off the tee, assuming that the drive was lost....
11--goodish long 3 over gunge, but other than "hit it straightish, stupid!" can't think of any more advice. You do get some interesting shots if you don't follow the instructions above, so those of you who are of the anti-card-and-pencil brigade, flail away and have fun!
12--another short dogleg par-4 uphill with strong L-R bias. Not driveable, so hit it straight, guess the 2nd shot properly (blind front left bowl), and if you cut/slice/***** your second, say hello to the 13th tee and a solid wedge for your 3rd shot.
13--If you can carry a straight and high fade 207 yards uphill, this is the hole for you! Fun on the tee, hard work thereafter.
14--R-L dogleg for once. A very good hole, with yet another deceiving carry over a dip to a severely false-fronted green. Take 1-2 more clubs than you think you need.
15--another par-3 into the dunes. Long narrow green with several tiers. You get what you see on this hole, but if you don't hit the green you won't like what you see. Oops!--forgot that this board is populated by masochists....
16--OK hiole with spectacular views. Need to drive left if you even want to think of reaching he green in two. Otherwise, lay up and then pitch to the green. Sharp R-L and bck to front green contours. In the summer, putting from back right to a front left pin could resiult in a lost ball.
17--Goofy#3. Position A of the tee is long left, which will leave you with a 200+ blind shot over gunge to an elevatred green. Neither me nor my playing partners ever got close to Position A. Well one had the line right, but the length beyond his capability and he took an 8. Me and my other partner bailed out right both times and then hit 6 iron/6 iron the to green, with results ranging from 5 to 9. There is a good hole there somewhere near, but not there.
18--very difficult to reach par 4, even with a good drive. 5 is easy, but 4 requires a pitch and a putt, unless you are seriouswly long and accurate.
Overall, I give Pennard 1*, which is a good score for me. Maybe if they can recover the fairways and tweak the routing a bit they will approach the only other Welsh course I have played (Southerndown 2**). I hope so, for the land and the club deserve it.
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Just back from two days of competitive golf at Pennard (and seemingly 2 weeks of driving up and down to get there.....). First time at the course, and it is something to behold. The weather was spectacular on the first day, but even with a good field (for seniors)--median index 5, 3 scratch players, a selection event for Welsh senior internationals)--only 11 of the field of 75 played to or better than their handicaps. Over the two days, only 3 players broke 150, and several of us struggled to break 180. This was playing from the medal tees (~6300), but with holes cut by the greenkeeper mostly on the periphery of the greens on both days. The greens were very good (if a bit slow) but the fairways were effectively non-existent. As those who have played the course will know, many of the fairways make the width of the tee shot at the 4th at Rye look like the 1st at St. Andrews, mostly due to right to left routing combined with left to right reverse cambering--just imagine the 4th and 5th at Olympic Lake on steroids. As for the fairways, don't expect them to reappear soon. They remind me of the 2nd hole at Painswick during BUDA II in 2004 (where we were required to move our ball from the wet dirt to any tuft of any vegetation we could find), and the problem is the same. Not weather (as some above have guessed) but rather due to an infestation of leatherjackets (a grub) that was not properly diagnosed and/or treated--or so I was told by people who should have been in the know. We played the fairways as they lied, and only those with finely honed, solid and confident swings (i.e. excluding me) were able to cope. Bummer
As for the routing, given the natural landscape, which resembles Iwo Jima rather than a links, a good job has been done, particularly for the day. The course sits on at least 400 acres of land, but more than 50% of that land is not suitable for golf--unless you can include funicular railways from green to tee (and vice versa) for many of the possibly great holes that still lie out there unused, or bring in lots of heavy machinery.
Some comments on the holes themselves:
1--a very storng opener. Long which means if you don't hit the fairway, fuggedaboot going for the green. iIn all cases, blind shot in, which is complicated by the fact that there is dip in front of the green that can play havoc with what one thinks is a good shot (cf. 18 Dornoch). OK green with subtlety.
2--per posts above it seems that 2 was not in play in April. They opened it for us on our practice day and the competition, but was whatever work done there worth it? Short iron to a small flat green surrounded by dunes. There is good land behind the green and the next tee that would be a better idea (viz. Ben Stephens' fine re-routing of the elsewhere on this site).
3--blind dogleg left that rewards nothing for trying the carry - should of had a caddie - big reward when downwind. Bunt your drive to the right (lots of room there), hit a short iron to the green, try to sink the putt. OK flattish green (except for the far right and long pin position, where I 3-putted from 2 feet....) :'(
4--Goofy hole #1 - should of had a caddie play left - great par 5. Drive towards some guy's holiday home - no, stay left - there is so much driving space that it is pathetic to blame the hole for poor play, straight at the OB stakes which are perpendicular to the fairway. If you hit a really good drive, you can attempt the 200+ yard blind carry over the OB stakes to the left, and since the green and its approaches slope vertiginously dowwards, you might even hit the green in two. More reasonably, hit a mid iron to 100 yards or so and then pitch, chip or putt and hope that you ball gets close to the pin). It's a par 5. I took 9 in the 1st round and 4 in the 2nd, without any significant difference - I don't believe its possible to more than double a score and not do something seriously wrong in my shot quality. Goofy!
5--OK classic downhill short/medium iron to a multi-tiered green sitting in the dunes. It's a 2-4 unless you do something really stupid with your tee shot.
6--a really good and hard hole. You must flirt with the left rough to get far enough to reasonably reach the green, but if you can't carry your driver 210+ uphill, don't even try. Lay up short and then enjoy some really cool chipping/pitching options to an interesting green.
7--Good hole. Try to hold your drive into the sharp L-R slope, and then guess where is the pin for your short 2nd shot. The green is tiered perpendicularly to the line of play. End up on the wrong shelf and you will struggle for par.
8--Strong hole. Dog leg left (yet again!), with 2nd shot across a big dip to an elevated green with a serious false front. Green is a good one, sloping L-R and back to front. A 4 here is good.
9--Reachable par 4 only if you hit a good drive and have a club in our bag which carries 210+ dead straight. Take your 5 and be happy.
10-Goofy hole #2. Drive your ball to what seems to be the fairway (rightish) and then just hit a rescue club (or whatever) off a downhill lie to wedge distance to a sharply uphill green - thats the conventional way to play the hole - whats the problem?. Try to guess where the pin is on the flattish green. Or....hit a weak cut drive over the wee gorse bush down the left side of the fairway and then act surprised when you find yourself at the bottom of the saddle of the landform with a 200-yard shot to the green. I saw it done twice (not by me) and in each case the perpetrator hit a provisional off the tee, assuming that the drive was lost....
11--goodish long 3 over gunge, but other than "hit it straightish, stupid!" can't think of any more advice. You do get some interesting shots if you don't follow the instructions above, so those of you who are of the anti-card-and-pencil brigade, flail away and have fun!
12--another short dogleg par-4 uphill with strong L-R bias. Not driveable - Not true, so hit it straight, guess the 2nd shot properly (blind front left bowl), and if you cut/slice/***** your second, say hello to the 13th tee and a solid wedge for your 3rd shot.
13--If you can carry a straight and high fade 207 yards uphill, this is the hole for you! Fun on the tee, hard work thereafter.
14--R-L dogleg for once. A very good hole, with yet another deceiving carry over a dip to a severely false-fronted green. Take 1-2 more clubs than you think you need.
15--another par-3 into the dunes. Long narrow green with several tiers. You get what you see on this hole, but if you don't hit the green you won't like what you see. Oops!--forgot that this board is populated by masochists....
16--OK - far better than ok hiole with spectacular views. Need to drive left if you even want to think of reaching he green in two. Otherwise, lay up and then pitch to the green. Sharp R-L and bck to front green contours. In the summer, putting from back right to a front left pin could resiult in a lost ball.
17--Goofy#3 - no question about it. Position A of the tee is long left, which will leave you with a 200+ blind shot over gunge to an elevatred green. Neither me nor my playing partners ever got close to Position A. Well one had the line right, but the length beyond his capability and he took an 8. Me and my other partner bailed out right both times and then hit 6 iron/6 iron the to green, with results ranging from 5 to 9. There is a good hole there somewhere near, but not there. I don't know how to play the hole unless its downwind. Strangely, this is often cites as a favourite hole at Pennard - not by me though.
18--very difficult to reach par 4, even with a good drive. 5 is easy, but 4 requires a pitch and a putt, unless you are seriouswly long and accurate - all depends on the wind.
Overall, I give Pennard 1*, which is a good score for me. Maybe if they can recover the fairways and tweak the routing a bit - The routing is fine - they will approach the only other Welsh course I have played (Southerndown 2**) - Pennard knocks Southerndown into a cocked hat 8) - for me, Pennard is only conditioning away from a great course. I hope so, for the land and the club deserve it.
Glad to see you crossed a border or two. Don't make the mistake of "knowing" Pennard after a few goes. It is one of the most enigmatic courses I know of which boasts of five all Wales candidates and not a single hole which one can accuse of being characterless.
Ciao
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Rich, too bad you couldn't hang around for a day and play Royal Porthcawl. Great links.
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Just back from two days of competitive golf at Pennard (and seemingly 2 weeks of driving up and down to get there.....). First time at the course, and it is something to behold. The weather was spectacular on the first day, but even with a good field (for seniors)--median index 5, 3 scratch players, a selection event for Welsh senior internationals)--only 11 of the field of 75 played to or better than their handicaps. Over the two days, only 3 players broke 150, and several of us struggled to break 180. This was playing from the medal tees (~6300), but with holes cut by the greenkeeper mostly on the periphery of the greens on both days. The greens were very good (if a bit slow) but the fairways were effectively non-existent. As those who have played the course will know, many of the fairways make the width of the tee shot at the 4th at Rye look like the 1st at St. Andrews, mostly due to right to left routing combined with left to right reverse cambering--just imagine the 4th and 5th at Olympic Lake on steroids. As for the fairways, don't expect them to reappear soon. They remind me of the 2nd hole at Painswick during BUDA II in 2004 (where we were required to move our ball from the wet dirt to any tuft of any vegetation we could find), and the problem is the same. Not weather (as some above have guessed) but rather due to an infestation of leatherjackets (a grub) that was not properly diagnosed and/or treated--or so I was told by people who should have been in the know. We played the fairways as they lied, and only those with finely honed, solid and confident swings (i.e. excluding me) were able to cope. Bummer
As for the routing, given the natural landscape, which resembles Iwo Jima rather than a links, a good job has been done, particularly for the day. The course sits on at least 400 acres of land, but more than 50% of that land is not suitable for golf--unless you can include funicular railways from green to tee (and vice versa) for many of the possibly great holes that still lie out there unused, or bring in lots of heavy machinery.
Some comments on the holes themselves:
1--a very storng opener. Long which means if you don't hit the fairway, fuggedaboot going for the green. iIn all cases, blind shot in, which is complicated by the fact that there is dip in front of the green that can play havoc with what one thinks is a good shot (cf. 18 Dornoch). OK green with subtlety.
2--per posts above it seems that 2 was not in play in April. They opened it for us on our practice day and the competition, but was whatever work done there worth it? Short iron to a small flat green surrounded by dunes. There is good land behind the green and the next tee that would be a better idea (viz. Ben Stephens' fine re-routing of the elsewhere on this site).
3--blind dogleg left that rewards nothing for trying the carry. Bunt your drive to the right (lots of room there), hit a short iron to the green, try to sink the putt. OK flattish green (except for the far right and long pin position, where I 3-putted from 2 feet....) :'(
4--Goofy hole #1. Drive towards some guy's holiday home, straight at the OB stakes which are perpendicular to the fairway. If you hit a really good drive, you can attempt the 200+ yard blind carry over the OB stakes to the left, and since the green and its approaches slope vertiginously dowwards, you might even hit the green in two. More reasonably, hit a mid iron to 100 yards or so and then pitch, chip or putt and hope that you ball gets close to the pin). It's a par 5. I took 9 in the 1st round and 4 in the 2nd, without any significant difference in my shot quality. Goofy!
5--OK classic downhill short/medium iron to a multi-tiered green sitting in the dunes. It's a 2-4 unless you do something really stupid with your tee shot.
6--a really good and hard hole. You must flirt with the left rough to get far enough to reasonably reach the green, but if you can't carry your driver 210+ uphill, don't even try. Lay up short and then enjoy some really cool chipping/pitching options to an interesting green.
7--Good hole. Try to hold your drive into the sharp L-R slope, and then guess where is the pin for your short 2nd shot. The green is tiered perpendicularly to the line of play. End up on the wrong shelf and you will struggle for par.
8--Strong hole. Dog leg left (yet again!), with 2nd shot across a big dip to an elevated green with a serious false front. Green is a good one, sloping L-R and back to front. A 4 here is good.
9--Reachable par 4 only if you hit a good drive and have a club in our bag which carries 210+ dead straight. Take your 5 and be happy.
10-Goofy hole #2. Drive your ball to what seems to be the fairway (rightish) and then just hit a rescue club (or whatever) off a downhill lie to wedge distance to a sharply uphill green. Try to guess where the pin is on the flattish green. Or....hit a weak cut drive over the wee gorse bush down the left side of the fairway and then act surprised when you find yourself at the bottom of the saddle of the landform with a 200-yard shot to the green. I saw it done twice (not by me) and in each case the perpetrator hit a provisional off the tee, assuming that the drive was lost....
11--goodish long 3 over gunge, but other than "hit it straightish, stupid!" can't think of any more advice. You do get some interesting shots if you don't follow the instructions above, so those of you who are of the anti-card-and-pencil brigade, flail away and have fun!
12--another short dogleg par-4 uphill with strong L-R bias. Not driveable, so hit it straight, guess the 2nd shot properly (blind front left bowl), and if you cut/slice/***** your second, say hello to the 13th tee and a solid wedge for your 3rd shot.
13--If you can carry a straight and high fade 207 yards uphill, this is the hole for you! Fun on the tee, hard work thereafter.
14--R-L dogleg for once. A very good hole, with yet another deceiving carry over a dip to a severely false-fronted green. Take 1-2 more clubs than you think you need.
15--another par-3 into the dunes. Long narrow green with several tiers. You get what you see on this hole, but if you don't hit the green you won't like what you see. Oops!--forgot that this board is populated by masochists....
16--OK hiole with spectacular views. Need to drive left if you even want to think of reaching he green in two. Otherwise, lay up and then pitch to the green. Sharp R-L and bck to front green contours. In the summer, putting from back right to a front left pin could resiult in a lost ball.
17--Goofy#3. Position A of the tee is long left, which will leave you with a 200+ blind shot over gunge to an elevatred green. Neither me nor my playing partners ever got close to Position A. Well one had the line right, but the length beyond his capability and he took an 8. Me and my other partner bailed out right both times and then hit 6 iron/6 iron the to green, with results ranging from 5 to 9. There is a good hole there somewhere near, but not there.
18--very difficult to reach par 4, even with a good drive. 5 is easy, but 4 requires a pitch and a putt, unless you are seriouswly long and accurate.
Overall, I give Pennard 1*, which is a good score for me. Maybe if they can recover the fairways and tweak the routing a bit they will approach the only other Welsh course I have played (Southerndown 2**). I hope so, for the land and the club deserve it.
Interesting comments.
While I enjoy Southerndown, I think of Pennard as far superior in terms of interest, fun, and variety.
Curious if anyone knows when the "grub" infestation occurred ,and how the fairways compare to what we saw in March versus what Rich saw.
I was in the minority and thought there were fine in March, thin-- but fine. Am headed back there in July and hoping it's merely a difference of opinion between Rich and I, and that they have not taken a substantial turn for the worse since March.
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Sean--thanks for the comments, even though I find some of them to be bizzare. Mine are not just based on my experience but also those of my playing partners and 10 or so other fellow competitors, all of whom were very well-travelled and competent golfers. I liked Pennard and give it as good a score as Elie and Alwoodley and Brora (for example). Maybe my 2** for Southerdown is too high, but I would play it again before giving Pennard another shot. BTW, those are the only two courses I have played in Wales, and if Pennard really has 5 of the best 18 holes in the principality, the rest of the lot must be seriously mediocre....
Bill-I'm saving Porthcawl for the next time we hold BUDA at Painswick. It will be my John Bernhardt memorial road trip....
Jeff-I personally doubt that the fairways will recover by July as there is zero grass now in late May in far too many places, but I very much hope, for your sake and for Pennard's, that I am very wrong. Report back in July, please.
Rich
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Rihc
What is really bizarre is the comments about #s 3 & 4 8).
It is a real shame about the fairways. Its even more a shame that Mike is retiring this year. The club and me will sorely miss him. Mike is without doubt one of the best servants to the club and game I have ever come across.
Ciao
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As far as I remember, the carry off the tee on 3 over the left gunge is 250+ yards. I can't hit it that fa through the air, even if I had a 30 knot wind behind me, and whilst you can probably hit it that far, you'd struggle for height given your bullet-like t4rajectory. ;)
As for 4, there is no left hand fairway, unless your cunning plan is to pull it hard onto the 9th fairway. From there you have a 200+ yard carry over gunge or a huge swing duck hook with line and length judged inch perfectly to catch the narrow and severed down slope to the green. Potentially fun, yes, but great golf hole, no.
Rich
PS--my 9 on the hole included a 5-putt from 25 feet after I had lost the will to live and/or enjoy the hole.... ;D
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Rich,
Damn fine effort to travel all the way down to the Gower and back up again for the UKSGA event.
I understand that leatherjacket infestations have been a more significant problem this year than for several years at many clubs so maybe not just a Pennard issue.
atb
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All
Its taken me 9 years to get back to Tenby. I must say my thoughts about the course are much more positive than my last stop. While the new photos aren't great because of poor light, they are much better than the previous photos. Please see the updated tour on page 1.
Ciao
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Fine new photos Sean. Tenby doesn't half get burnt out and firm at times. Looks like it was about to rain (a lot).
Glad you managed to get to see one of my wee Welsh favourites, St David's City, on your trip. Cracking fun course of which I'm sure there'll be a phototour appearing soon. I did a SsDC phototour a few years ago but the photos now seem to have disappeared.
atb
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Those are some really interesting updated photos. I have to get back to Wales.
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I'm not well-travelled, but after looking at those new photos (and frankly many of Sean's other tours) my compass for greatness is totally messed up. How is this Tenby not a highly ranked course? I've probably only played a few with cooler-looking contours. Other than I need to get out more, what am I missing?
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Thank you for another great reference thread, as I am making my first trip to Wales next month, covering the South coast as far West as Tenby. Our trip will be based at Porthcawl, which will get the most plays of any course on our agenda, but I think I am most excited to see Pennard. I am now wishing we had 2 scheduled rounds at Tenby, but I am not sure we will be able to adjust our already packed itinerary.
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I'm not well-travelled, but after looking at those new photos (and frankly many of Sean's other tours) my compass for greatness is totally messed up. How is this Tenby not a highly ranked course? I've probably only played a few with cooler-looking contours. Other than I need to get out more, what am I missing?
I am not sure where Tenby is ranked, but I strongly suspect it would be far more respected if it weren't in Wales. If Tenby was dropped in the US it would be a cult course of reknown. Perhaps being a very good links is dime a dozen stuff in GB&I? I like Tenby and would happily return.
Ciao
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I'm not well-travelled, but after looking at those new photos (and frankly many of Sean's other tours) my compass for greatness is totally messed up. How is this Tenby not a highly ranked course? I've probably only played a few with cooler-looking contours. Other than I need to get out more, what am I missing?
I am not sure where Tenby is ranked, but I strongly suspect it would be far more respected if it weren't in Wales. If Tenby was dropped in the US it would be a cult course of reknown. Perhaps being a very good links is dime a dozen stuff in GB&I? I like Tenby and would happily return.
Ciao
In the words of the one and only Captain Mainwaring “Don’t tell him, Pike!”. :)
Atb
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I'm not well-travelled, but after looking at those new photos (and frankly many of Sean's other tours) my compass for greatness is totally messed up. How is this Tenby not a highly ranked course? I've probably only played a few with cooler-looking contours. Other than I need to get out more, what am I missing?
I am not sure where Tenby is ranked, but I strongly suspect it would be far more respected if it weren't in Wales. If Tenby was dropped in the US it would be a cult course of reknown. Perhaps being a very good links is dime a dozen stuff in GB&I? I like Tenby and would happily return.
Ciao
In the words of the one and only Captain Mainwaring “Don’t tell him, Pike!”. :)
Atb
You don't want to share the joys of Welsh golf?
Ciao
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You don't want to share the joys of Welsh golf?
Share the joys of Welsh golf? Not top of my list for discussion today coz what's far more important just now is gloating over yesterdays glorious 20-9 victory! Maybe inclined to discuss Welsh golf after next weekends return fixture although hopefully not!
:)
atb
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Well I had my worst days ball striking there this summer, when it was maxed out F&F,
It was a challenge, suprisingly so. Even when I hit it hard if it was off line it was running off the fairways.
The rough was patchy and most balls found, but off the fairway gives you some really odd lies.
Itching to return.