Royal Porthcawl

Wales is not short of fine golf, but Royal Porthcawl occupies a category of its own. Founded in 1891, the club has grown into one of the most important venues in the amateur game, hosting major events across more than a century and earning a reputation that extends far beyond its home nation. The course itself is elemental: there are no trees, no shelter, and no respite from the elements. The Bristol Channel is a constant presence, and on the days when a westerly or south-westerly blows in off the water, the scoring becomes an exercise in damage limitation as much as ambition.

The back nine is where Royal Porthcawl reveals its true character. From the 12th onwards, the routing runs directly along the shoreline, with several greens perched at the edge of the links. The 18th, a par four played back towards the clubhouse with the sea to the right, is a fitting closer: visually dramatic, strategically demanding, and utterly exposed. In championship conditions, it has broken plenty of hearts. Often cited alongside Pennard and Royal St David's as one of Wales's finest courses, Porthcawl has a case for being the best of the three when the wind is blowing hard.

The club's championship pedigree is woven into the fabric of the place. The Amateur, the Walker Cup, the Curtis Cup and the Senior Open have all been played here, and the course has been tested by the best players in the amateur and senior professional game. Standing on the first tee with the Glamorgan Heritage Coast laid out before you and Exmoor visible on a clear day across the channel, it is easy to understand why golfers travel from across the world to play it.