Aberdovey Golf Club

If you're a fan of links style courses, this is a gem you cannot miss. Whilst on a golftrip to Wales, Aberdovey stood out next to Nefyn as the main highlights of the trip. It's a traditional 9out/9in course that wraps around the land. Its scenic, with a train running through every so often, the sea always on your side but never in view, and pure serenity with birds chirping away. The course was in immaculate conditions with tight fairways and fast greens. Absolutely loved our time here.

Despite this year's hot summer, when it didn't rain in Wales for many weeks, this links course in the middle of Wales is in excellent condition. In addition, several rooms are available for accommodation right next to the clubhouse, literally next to the chipping green and a few meters from the first tee. The flat and easy-to-navigate course is shaded by a dune, along which holes 7 (1-4 and 12-14) are played. The top hole is 12, a par 3 with an elevated green. Aberdovey is known for the railway that runs alongside the course. On the way from the parking lot to the clubhouse, you have to cross a railroad crossing.

Hele mooi, goed te spelen linka course. Gastvrijheid was geweldig. Wij hadden oorspronkelijk een starttijd in de ochtend op een andere dag en dat werd zonder moeite omgezet naar een ander tijd en dag. Het prijsverschil werd direct teruggeboekt. De baan is een echte links baan. 9 holes heen en 9 holes terug. De greens waren goed en snel. Fairways waren door de droge periode bruin, maar prima te bespelen. Nette teebox en voor de dames met minder lengte om vanaf de groene tee te spelen, wat het spel veel leuker maakt. Wij hadden gehoopt op veel uitzichten over zee, maar dat was helaas niet. Oefenfaciliteiten waren goed. Mooie ruime green om te oefenen en verschillend greena om te pitchen en chippen. Driving range zzoals vaak in de UK en Ierland niet vergelijken met NL.

Aberdovey Golf Club is a traditional links course founded in 1892, with the layout evolving over time through contributions from Herbert Fowler, Harry Colt, and James Braid. The course runs between coastal dunes and a railway line, with the southern edge of Eryri National Park looming above. The terrain is relatively flat and plays along the dunes rather than through them. Course conditioning was excellent, with lush fairways and extremely fast, true greens. The standout hole is the par 4 16th, a classic risk-and-reward hole played alongside the railway line. The finishing hole back towards the clubhouse provides a strong and memorable close to the round. Practice facilities include nets and a high-quality putting and chipping green. There is no driving range (although there are nets to warm up in). The pro shop is very well stocked and staffed by a friendly and welcoming team. Although the sea is only visible from one hole, Aberdovey delivers a genuine and testing links experience. It is a standout course in Wales and well worth the journey, particularly when combined with other courses in the region.

We played Aberdovey on a glorious spring day, and the welcome was among the most heartwarming I have encountered. In the pro's shop, we were told of the course's various quirks (a couple of the fairways are shared, and there are specific rights of way), and then I chatted to a club stalwart about its fascinating history. We indulged in breakfast in the impressive clubhouse and were treated to Denny The Barman's talents. According to him, he has "a unique gift"—he can remember the precise details of every Newcastle United Premier League match. Then, after a few chips and putts on the practice area, it was out to the links, which turned out to be one of the most fun I have encountered in GB and Ireland. Aberdovey's opening holes are set in dramatic dunes. The course then moves slightly inland to flatter holes before turning back to the grassy mounds again. Its par 69 should fool nobody. While good scoring is possible, there is plenty of trouble to dismantle a round of those who go offline. The wind is a key factor. Its strength and direction will have a significant impact on any round. In common with many links, there is barely a flat lie at Aberdovey. Players need to allow for undulations on the fairways and be able to read the borrows on the greens. Meanwhile, keeping the right lines is essential because the rough is raw and tricky. Among its highlights was the driveable 16th which follows the curve of the railway track. Indeed, those who wander left off the tee could see their ball go over the boundary onto the line. I took a line down the right, avoided pesky sand traps, and the ball arrived off the front of the green. But there remained a bank to negotiate and I overstruck into tangly stuff to the rear, leaving a treacherous chip onto a heavily sloping putting surface. The pro's tip on the Aberdovey course guide is "finish strong on one of Welsh golf’s finest closing holes". I almost followed it to the letter because I hit a precise drive down the right side, avoiding the penalty areas to the left. My second shot, with the breeze found the green's front edge and I needed to nail a 40ft birdie to claim 36 Stableford points. Alas, my best putt of the day ran around the hole when it had seemed it would drop. Nevertheless, this had been a day of many highlights and if I get the chance, I will definitely return to Aberdovey.