Cardigan Golf Club Course Review

Cardigan Golf Club Course Review
GF Round: £38-£47
Par 72, 6,445 yards
Slope 123
GM Verdict With panoramic views over the beautiful Cardigan Bay, this unclassifiable course is also a fine test of golf
Favourite Hole The final and beautifully positioned par 3 on the course with its tricky, undulating green, the 16th

The remote location of this beautiful course on the west coast of Wales throws up some of the loveliest sea and coastline views in British golf. And while the vistas are striking, it is also a testing but very rewarding hilltop course. Originally a 9-holer, it was extended to a full 18 in the 1970s by Fred Hawtree.

Despite its elevated position, the layout here is predominantly links with perhaps just a hint of parkland and maybe a touch of moorland. The course opens with a handful of par 4s, the first two of which head directly southward towards the town. The views are already wonderful, and they stay just as good all the way.

The first short hole is slightly uphill and comes at the 6th.

Having started with five par 4s, the next doesn’t come until the 11th as you play an exciting sequence of 3-5-3-5-3. Wherever you are on the course, there are far-reaching views that can make concentrating on your game a real issue!

Depending on the wind direction and strength, there are two super-tough par 4s at 11 and 14, each close to maximum distance and working its way gently from right to left.

The final short hole comes at the 16th, arguably the course’s signature hole as it is played from an elevated tee down to a rollercoaster green with the beautiful bay beyond. 

The 17th is the final par 4, this one slightly uphill and perhaps reachable by the really big hitters. The course finishes with a par 5 that some may find in two if the wind is from the south. There is a bunker either side, just short of the green, waiting to catch those who don’t quite make it.

Cardigan Golf Club (opens in new tab) is a delightful place to play, even though it can be particularly demanding when the wind is up. However, when this is the case, or if your game is off, you simply cannot help but enjoy the ride. It ranks alongside the best clifftop courses in the UK&I. It is also a very friendly club, and the green fee, as at a good number of Hidden Gems, is excellent value for money.