The Best Links Golf Courses in Wales

By: Kieran Clark | Wed 26 Jul 2023

There are over 30,000 golf courses located around the world, but only the tiniest fraction of them meet the definition of being an authentic links. That was the contention of authors George Peper and Malcolm Campbell in their 2010 book 'True Links', who asserted that there were only 246 layouts (at the time) that met a strict criteria of being a true links, which for many people is the ultimate form of the game.

Indeed, beyond that select number, there are numerous courses that have characteristics of a links and some are deliberately styled to reflect those classic designs on the seaside throughout Great Britain & Ireland.

For a quintessential links golf course experience, golfers will regularly flock to Scotland, Ireland, and the golf coasts of England, but Wales is an underrated destination that shouldn't be overlooked.

Looking at the Welsh venues featured in 'True Links', you can see them below featuring Golfshake Ratings and reviews submitted by members of the Golfshake Community.

If you're hoping to play a links course in Wales - here is a place to start!

Aberdovey Golf Club

Location: Aberdovey, Gwynedd

Golfshake Rating: 4.89

Review Comment: "Aberdovey - superb. A very welcoming and friendly golf club. A wonderful golf course out of the top drawer. Accommodation, food and service all simply wonderful."

Abersoch Golf Club

Location: Abersoch, Gwynedd

Golfshake Rating: 4.25

Review Comment: "Ball ran for miles on hard fairways, lovely views over the bay overlooking bay and mountains. Lovely friendly members always asking if we were enjoying course. We will play again next time up North Wales."

Anglesey Golf Club

Location: Rhosneigr, Anglesey

Golfshake Rating: 4.05

Review Comment: "Nice course and greens in excellent condition. Staff very friendly and welcoming. Get ready for a challenge when the wind gets up."

Ashburnham Golf Club

Location: Burry Port, Carmarthenshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.21

Review Comment: "One of my favourite courses and a good test of your game. Greens always in superb condition."

Borth & Ynyslas Golf Club

Location: Borth, Ceredigion

Golfshake Rating: 4.32

Review Comment: "A lovely course in good condition, with a good breeze to challenge any golfer. The pace of play was good and the friendly staff and members made it a joy to play here. The pro shop was very helpful."

Conwy Golf Club

Location: Conwy, Gwynedd

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Review Comment: "Stunning golf course in excellent condition and has a special feel you don't get everywhere. Be back to play again soon."

North Wales Golf Club

Location: Llandudno, Clwyd

Golfshake Rating: 4.26

Review Comment: "I enjoyed the challenge of links conditions at North Wales Golf Club including a steady 40+ mph wind off of the Irish Sea. The back nine is definitely my favorite with holes 10, 11 and 12 situated along the coast requiring you to aim over the water and let the wind bring the ball back into play."

Pennard Golf Club

Location: Swansea, West Glamorgan

Golfshake Rating: 4.83

Review Comment: "Amazing scenery and views and the course is in great condition, but due to the setting, proper links course, it's not manicured fairways, but greens were fast and true. All in all a must visit course."

Porthmadog Golf Club

Location: Porthmadog, Gwynedd

Golfshake Rating: 3.65

Review Comment: "A tale of two nines. Front nine is heathland with water coming into play on some holes. Fairways were scorched and very hard with hardly a blade of grass in sight leading to some interesting bounces. The back nine was proper links with severe undulation, very tight lies blind shots, run offs and lots of bunkers."

Prestatyn Golf Club

Location: Prestatyn, Clwyd

Golfshake Rating: 4.43

Review Comment: "Love it here. Greens in great condition and course played well. Front nine is totally different to back nine where nothing is forgiven."

Pwllheli Golf Club

Location: Pwllheli, Gwynedd

Golfshake Rating: 3.97

Review Comment: "Parkland is in great condition and easy to play but some challenging greens. Head to the links on the 8th and you are playing a very different course. Plenty of obstacles and bunkers. Views over Cardigan Bay. A very enjoyable course to play."

Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club

Location: Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan

Golfshake Rating: 4.36

Review Comment: "Course was immaculate and fantastic greens. The back 9 on most reviews is always hyped and the front 9 almost forgot. I can honestly say, the back 9 is phenomenal, but the front 9 is great. The staff were very attentive and the locals on the course and in the bar took an interest in who we were and our thoughts on the course, very friendly. A definite go to course and the money was right too."

Rhyl Golf Club

Location: Rhyl, Clwyd

Golfshake Rating: 3.68

Review Comment: "Rhyl is a 9 hole James Braid design with 18 tee positions so should you choose to play 18 you'll experience a slightly different challenge second time round. With the wind coming off the sea, holes 5-9 are played back into the breeze. A classic simple links course to enjoy."

Royal Porthcawl Golf Club

Location: Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "It has its reputation for a reason, the views, the setting and the quality of the fairways and immaculate greens (which were a bit to quick for us!). Although we had a bit of on and off rain the course was kind and the wind did not blow too bad."

Royal St David's Golf Club

Location: Harlech, Gwynedd

Golfshake Rating: 4.87

Review Comment: "I can honestly say it was a great experience to play Royal St David's. The bunkers, views, course layout and maintenance were all superb. The course was in excellent condition and provided a great test of golf with its long par 4s. The greens were of a high quality and the setting was very interesting. I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking for a challenge."

Swansea Bay Golf Club

Location: Neath, West Glamorgan

Golfshake Rating: 4.14

Review Comment: "Played the course while visiting family in Swansea and loved it. Course was in fantastic condition and the greens were some of the best I’ve played on, real test of golf - helps if you’re a big hitter. Clubhouse extremely friendly and made very welcome by the members. Will visit family more often."

Tenby Golf Club

Location: Tenby, Carmarthenshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.01

Review Comment: "Played Tenby yesterday (Boxing Day) and it was in fantastic condition - the tees, greens and fairways despite the recent wet weather. The course layout is great and a variety of holes and magnificent views out over the sea and beach."