ABERDOVEY GOLF CLUB – 1892 (James Braid)
Take some time in 2021 to sample the raw charms of this glorious Mid Wales location. Not only one of the UK’s finest links, now a fully-fledged play and stay venue too.
Top 100 courses in Britain
Voted among the Top 100 courses in Britain, a wild and windswept expanse of land awaits with a network of winding ditches as almost invisible hazards around thick wispy rough and indigenous plants.
The fairways offer fluctuating width and in true links tradition the humps and bumps are there too. Yet if the bounces don’t quite go your way, the large and generally flat and friendly greens will give you a chance to claw something back.
Aberdovey is a classic out and back design with famous names attached, messrs Braid, Fowler and Colt all played a hand here.
The huge dunes that form the defenses prevent a sea view from all but one spot, but you can’t miss the sound of crashing waves on a windy day.
Quirks
A splendid quirk here is that all four short holes point towards a different direction on the compass. The first example is ‘Cader’, a fearsome reputation has been gathered by this third hole over the years.
The punchbowl green is more or less blind from the tee and flanked by spots that you really don’t want to find yourselves in, a potential card wrecker for sure.
The way back takes you alongside the railway line for an exhilarating spell of holes to end the round in fine style. The 16th is true risk and reward, just 281 yards of length along the side of the railway line where the fairway humps and bumps govern your fortunes should you dare to have a dash at it.
MG Pick: 12th 132 yards Par 3
Re-designed beautifully following storm damage during the winter of 2014. It still retains a beach side location, just a little more set back but the breezes get through and you may be amazed at the club you’ll need to reach for from the tee with just a flapping flag stick in sight as your target.
19th hole
A spacious clubhouse with two lounges and a sit down restaurant can accommodate groups of all sizes. Both bar snack and A La Carte menus are superb with freshly sourced local ingredients.
A tip………. stay traditional by checking out the Welsh Rarebit on the menu, simply delicious.
Aberdovey’s well stocked pro shop now also has it’s own website, address below detailing all of the latest arrivals and deals for equipment and golfing apparel.
Play and Stay
The golf club offers accommodation in the form of six twin-bedded rooms overlooking the 18th green. All rooms are en-suite with TV’s and tea/coffee making facilities. Packages can be arranged with the club.
Take the train
Not quite as daft an idea as it might sound, it’s a scenic and relaxing train ride to Aberdovey on the Cambrian line, and the station is situated no more than a gap wedge from the pro shop.
Consider an alternative form of transport, like Kris did.
MG view – Kris Bates (MG’s Coventry Ambassador)
Aberdovey…….an absolute jewel. It’s said to be a home to the Brummies, and the first chap I met on arrival just happened to be from Coleshill, 10 minutes from my home!
I traveled by train from New Street Birmingham. It’s a three hour journey with a quick change but when you arrive what a pleasure it is to walk about 100 yards from the train to the golf club. You can see how close by it is above!
The course, it is so pristine, glorious green fairways next to the seaside! Stunning views all around. 16, 17 and 18 are such a lovely finish. The only down side to playing Aberdovey is that no sooner have you teed it up on the first, you’re playing the 18th……it’s so lovely you just switch off and time flies by.
