Abersoch Golf Club – 1907 (Harry Vardon)
MG’s Top Ten of Wales reaches the north-western tip of the Llyn Peninsula. Abersoch is well known for being a popular holiday location yet also offers a highly regarded all-weather golf course with a split personality overlooking the seaside town.
Design
Originally designed by Harry Vardon in 1907, he was gifted by the natural links terrain at his disposal. Huge towering dunes, sandy hillocks and blind corners ensure an exhilarating and very tricky ride especially if it gets a little breezy.
Yet Abersoch now has another side, designed in the 1970s the closing stretch is pure parkland, set back from the sea with supreme panoramic views from the other side of the Cambrian coastline to Harlech Castle and Snowdonia further beyond.
It would be churlish to dwell too long on the comparative lack of length; it’s completely unnoticeable once you’re out there as nothing is too short to take advantage of fully without considering the risk element.
The second hole is a perfect example, a mere 470-yard par-five yet one that offers the full range of hazards, gorse, water, out of bounds and a tiny sloping green tucked away in the corner, a par is well earned.
The theme continues as the early hole’s edge ever closer to the seashore, time to enjoy a tremendous spell of links holes that demand great accuracy and spot-on club selection at the very least.
Holes seven through nine are true classics to conquer and such is the nature of the mini-mountain ranges that mark the fairways, even your best hitting might still land you in a difficult spot among very inconsiderate terrain.
This is where a bit of good fortune comes in handy, but nothing but skill is required on the small-sized putting surfaces, gently undulating with some tricky to reach pin positions.
Things change a little heading into the Snowdonia facing parkland stretch, although its exposed nature leaves you needing to be just as mindful of the elements as earlier.
The highlights include the hillside par three 14th, playing long in a breeze and potentially penal for a tee shot that doesn’t find the putting surface.
Then there’s a sweeping penultimate hole, plenty of threat from the winding ditch that seems to appear everywhere.
MG Pick – 3rd 246 yards Par 3
From the raised tee with a sea view gazing all the way down to a distant green this hardly feels like a ‘short’ hole, but what a superb challenge it is to find this distant green in regulation. Unusually for the Abersoch front nine, it is fairly open and you shouldn’t land in too much trouble providing you can cross the ditch.
Check out how our Mandy and Jean-Louis fared on Abersoch’s signature challenge here
19th Hole
The modernised clubhouse has a friendly Welsh welcome in-store, a well-stocked bar with guest and specialty beers on tap, the restaurant has new caterers offering breakfasts, bar snacks and attractive society menus.
Pro Shop
Head Pro Alan Jones operates the shop and now also has a simulator room at his disposal for all club visitors to enjoy.
MG view
We’ve enjoyed so many fun trips to Abersoch over the years which is what it’s all about here. So friendly and welcoming at all times plus a golf course that plays as a quirky delight and as it should do, it can threaten and offer you golfing gifts in equal measures. Find it on a sunny day and just climb up a little by the long grasses bordering the links holes at 7 and 8 and you’ll never come across a finer beachside view anywhere.
