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Pennard, Wales |
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Pennard Golf Club
2 Southgate Road
Southgate
Swansea
SA3 2BT
Wales |  | James Braid, Ken Cotton |  | Mike Bennett |
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 | +44 (0) 1792 233131 |  | Eight miles west of Swansea |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Welcome, contact in advance |  | E.M. Howell |
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Although Pennard Golf Club is located only a few miles southwest of Swansea, it’s set on the rugged Gower Peninsula, amongst one of the most dramatic landscapes in Britain. Its cliff-top site provides an ideal vantage point – from the heights, the views across to the beautiful sandy beaches of Three Cliff and Oxwich Bays are simply arresting.
Pennard is one of the oldest golf courses in Wales. Reputedly, golf has been played here since 1896, although the Pennard Golf Club was not founded until 1908. It’s often called “the links in the sky”, because the holes play across links-like ground, full of dunes, humps and hollows but the land is 200 feet above sea level.
The great James Braid originally designed Pennard, and, some years later, he returned with Ken Cotton to implement certain revisions. For many years, the unusual Pennard course was relatively anonymous until the great American architect, Tom Doak, declared that Pennard “ is one of my all time favourites – the site is one of the most spectacular I’ve ever seen.” Since Doak’s comments, the course is continuing to enjoy a renaissance. The ruins of a 12th century Norman Castle stand guard over the course, which measures a modest 6,329 yards from the back tees. It’s by no means a championship test, but there are 18 wonderful holes and Pennard has hosted a number of important amateur events. This is where the inspirational Curtis Cup player, Vicky Thomas, honed her game.
When the strong winds funnel up the Bristol Channel, Pennard will pose a stern challenge to the very best golfers. Don’t let your concentration be affected by the wild ponies and cattle, which graze on the links. Additionally, expect a few blind shots and don’t expect too many flat lies – Pennard is seriously hilly, with more ups and downs than most links courses.
One of the most engaging aspects of Pennard is that there are no average holes. Each and every one has character and there are at least nine great holes. The four par 4s from the 6th to the turn are simply tremendous. The short par four 7th, aptly called "Castle", will remain etched in the mind for a long time – from the elevated tee, the drive must bravely cross a deep chasm to find a distant undulating fairway. The ruins of Pennard Castle watch in silence. A semi-blind approach shot is to a sunken green, which is protected by dunes – fantastic stuff! High up in the dunes once again, the tee shot from the 493-yard 16th, called "Great Tor", is also nerve-jangling. A solid drive to the rippled fairway below will leave a short, but blind, second shot across a ridge. The approach shot must find the green, perched on the cliff-top, which slopes wickedly from back to front. Don’t leave a downhill putt, or you may find yourself pitching back on to the green.
Pennard is a delightful old-fashioned affair and without doubt, this is one of the very best links courses in Britain & Ireland. No trip to South Wales would be complete without tasting the sheer delight of Pennard.
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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In the section below, headed “Your Reviews”, are golf course reviews posted by visitors to the Top 100 website. There are no specific rules for reviewing a golf course except you MUST have played the golf course first. Merits of each course are left entirely to your discretion. Important factors, such as course location, condition (or presentation), course difficulty and historical importance are all left for you to judge and we have developed a simple rating system where you can allocate one score to each course. | |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | Good course setup and steeped in history but very scruffy. I would recommend it if it wasn't for the rude green keepers and their lack of attention to detail. We played on a Links Golf break and played Pennard, Ashburnham and Machynys. I would recommend them all as they each offer something different.  | | 14 May 2010
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| | I played this wonderful course 10 days ago. The pro and assistant were very friendly and helpful. It was a challenging day with a 2 club wind. The course required many forced carries, course was in good condition with the greens slick. The back nine had some wonderful views of the castle and water. I wanted to play this course because the designer of Bandon Dunes in the States got many of his ideas. Would recommend this course.  | | 21 October 2009
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| | Played this course a few times now and have to say what an absolute delight. It is without doubt one of the finest links designs in the top 100. Superb land which will test every shot in the game, elevated greens which keep you guessing on choice of club, par 3's which demand accuracy and views to die for. As a previous reviewer has already stated this is pure golf porn! - beware target golf fans! | | 26 September 2009
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| | | I had mixed feelings after playing Pennard.
The good - the course has some very memorable holes, particularly the 7th and the 16th. The greens are in quite good condition and the pro and members were very friendly. It is definitely an experience.
The not so good - I think most mid to high handicappers are likely to get eaten up and spat out very hard by this course, particularly in the typical windy conditions. The fairways are often extremely narrow (particularly the 6th which must be only 15 yards wide in places). The rough is very punishing, which is fair enough I guess, but it seems strange to grow high rough within a few feet of so close to many of the greens, which seemed unfairly penal to me. It is also a difficult course to play the first time due to the large number of blind tee and approach shots. I hit what I thought was a perfect 3 iron around a dogleg towards a marker post which turned out to be a post on a different hole.
| | 01 September 2009
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| | | I played Pennard on a glorious day this September as part of the PGA festival. Let me start by saying the setting and views that the course offers are stunning, I imagine the members would call the wind that blew on the day a mere breeze not worth a mention but it still warranted a couple of extra clubs when turning into the teeth.
After a fairly non descript start the course becomes really interesting from the 4th tee onwards as the track dives & climbs between the mounds, humps & hollows that seem to block the easy route around this course.
Pennard is not a course for one who curses any bad bounces, as invariably they will be plentiful. However, you have to be very crooked to find real trouble, but every shot will test your shot making skills as a level stance is only found on the tee.
One small gripe – I know it’s land where the cattle can roam free but the fences around the greens are very annoying.
| | 07 November 2008
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| | | I played this course in June 2007 with several very accomodating members who took obvious pride in the course and were happy to provide assistance to me (keep your drive to the left, hit more club than you think etc.). Pennard is a rather uniquie layout, and includes some delightfully idiosyncratic holes. Highly recommended, along with better known Welsh tracks such as St. David's and Royal Porthcawl. | | 06 November 2008
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| | | This is truly a spectacular golf course. As some of the previous reviewers have said, the views are breathtaking! the course is a little on the short side which is perhaps holding the course back a little. If they could somehow add a couple of hundred yards it would quickly establish itself as a championship course and a real test. The greens were in great condition and were on a par with those at Royal Porthcawl and Pyle and Kenfig. The mjortity of us on our South wales 'tour' concurred that it was the best course in Swansea!! | | 29 September 2008
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| Response: | | | Mauro T | 29 October 2008 | | spot on review. The views, the course, the castle - there is so much going on here. We played on a mild day with the sun shining and thoroughly enjoyed- They could easily add 400/500 yards onto the course with the amount of land that they have spare. If they did it would certainly establish itself as a championship test! |
| | | Pennard is a natural, old fashioned and in places quirky links but a total delight to play, and although there are one or two climbs the walking is not too hard – despite being on top of the cliffs this is genuine links land . The marker posts for the blind shots are generally well placed and the rough is quite short, so finding balls is not too problematical. The greens and the course in general are in good condition. As stated before by previous reviewers, the views are absolutely breathtaking, particularly on the 7th and 16th holes, and the livestock on the course actually add to Pennard's unspoilt, timeless charm. All in all tremendous fun, every hole is an interesting and different challenge - would imagine when the wind is up this course is a very stern test. We also received a warm and relaxed welcome from the Professional and Clubhouse staff, and having the practice green and range close to the 1st tee and clubhouse is very convenient. In short Pennard has got the lot for the visitor in search of an enjoyable test of true links golf. | | 15 September 2008
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| | | Having spent the weekend at The Open, Bob Bobbins and I were desperate for some links action and made the 150 mile detour on our way home to Pennard. The club has a very laid-back and friendly approach and a warm welcome from the club pro and members was appreciated. Played it on a fantastic day and have the sun and wind burns to prove it. The course has a rugged natural appearance and in parts due to its undulations you can be totally unaware of the remainder of the golf course (and not a tree in sight!) Apart from the course hazards there are a number of walkers crossing the course and cattle ruminating in small groups. I chose to let a horned threesome move on before I played my shot from the rough on the 18th. Enjoyed each and every hole but the 13th is a mind bending par 3 into the wind and a carry over dunes which gobbled up a few balls until we steadied ourselves. The fairways are hard and lumpy and even if you hit them are likely to roll to the edge. The greens are equally hard and a bump ‘n’ run approach works best. Once you have negotiated the electrical fencing that surrounds each green, there are lots of hidden borrows on the dancefloor so be prepared to 3-putt. Finally, the views from and around the course are breathtaking particularly down the 16th and up the 17th – this is truly golf porn. | | 22 July 2008
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| | | Pennard is golf at it absolute best. A truly old fashoned, quirky course that looks like it was created by accident rather than design. Anyone who is used to playing on a manicured parkland course with man made hazards should give Pennard a go. Although you have to get used to seeing some drives fly straight over the top of the marker, only to find them 20 yards off target in the rough, I think the course is very fair with immaculately rolling greens.
My club used to have a reciprocal arrangement with Pennard meaning we had free use of the course and I am still convinced they rescinded this after I abused the privelege so regularly one summer!
I can't think of a bad hole on the course, but the stand out hole for me is the Par 5 16th, elevated tee, hitting out towards the Gower. It makes my top 18 holes of all time. | | 14 April 2008
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| | | Simply the most welcoming "name" course that I've ever visited, and easily ranks alongside the cream of other great Welsh venues like Royal St Davids and Nefyn. It truly lives up to its billing of "the links in the sky" and the cliff top views, with the ruins of the castle and walls all adding up to a stunning package. No two holes are the same, and with the effect of the wind you could play here for years and not play the same round twice. Great value and really friendly pro and staff. My twelve year old son, Cameron, played his first ever round of links golf here - and I can rest easy knowing I have done well by him. | | 21 August 2007
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| | | Played Pennard on a recent trip to South Wales. By far the best links in the area, aside from Royal Porthcawl - which is pure class. Although the card suggests the course will play short, don't be fooled! There are plenty of elevated greens where you need to take at least one more club and if you miss in the wrong place a tricky up and down will follow. If the wind blows don't expect to play to your handicap - none of us did! Good greens, fantastic views and a great Pro. An absolute gem. | | 01 October 2006
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| | | Having travelled from London to play the South Wales courses, this along with Royal Porthcawl were by far the best. Although the course is a modest 6,300 yards, it provided our group with a very stern challenge. The best score was only 30 points.
The views from nearly every point on this course are superb, in particular the 7th green and the 16th tee. I have played on some of the top courses in the UK and this is undoubtedly one of them. Each and every hole from the seventh is memorable. The seventh, with the ruins of an old church and even a castle will remain etched in my mind for a very long time indeed - what a classic. We played the course just after it had held the Welsh Boys championships and they were the fastest and truest I have ever played on - 11.5 on the stimp, and with the severe undulations three putting was inevitable but that did not vex me in any way as I thoroughly enjoyed the course.
The people were friendly, the food and beer was great. All in all a superb day out and a fabulous place to test your game and in particular - your nerves. | | 08 September 2006
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| | | What can I say that's not already been said? It's taken our golf party nearly 20 years to discover the S.Wales courses and I can't believe what we've been missing. If you haven't played them, then play them !
And Pennard? Well it was certainly my favourite. It will probably be your favourite too. Then again you might hate it but one thing's for sure-you'll never forget it ! | | 18 July 2006
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| | | Played the course after a 2 week dry sunny spell, the course therefore was hard, bouncy and fast running so at times it was impossible to keep the ball on the fairways that we all agreed were the most sloping on any course we have ever played at (also a few of the greens had some huge undulations – 7th, 11th and 15th). Yes at times you just don’t know where you are going but who cares when the views are just magic – sea, beach, cliffs and a castle ! The welcome from the Pro was good and he also allowed us to play off the white tees, which was great. Nice clubhouse with good food and beer. | | 17 June 2006
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| | | This is without doubt the Gem in the crown of Welsh golf courses. The views from the 16th green would not look out of place on a post card. Simply put, a fanatastic place to test your skills. True, some of the lies are a little unfair but what makes up for that is the carpet like feel of the perfectly manicured greens.
Very welcoming club also, well worth a visit! Easily up there with Royal Porthcawl and Royal St Davids as a fabulous links course! | | 26 May 2006
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| | | Challenging, rugged, natural and the Real McCoy! Pennard was the highlight of our trip. Expect some bad bounces and don’t come here expecting to play to handicap (especially on your first outing) it’s brutal at times. Wonderfully quirky and a really friendly club too. Save it until the end of your trip and enjoy it. | | 14 March 2006
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| | | I made a special trip to play Pennard last year, based on reviews posted on this website and I have to say that I thoroughly agree with the previous reviewer. It's a tremendously fun golf course but it's a bit quirky and it can be unfair. However in my experience good luck and bad luck tend to balance themselves out in golf, so I'm more than happy to give the course an eagle rating. It could be an albatross with a bit of re-working. Don't miss it, it's much more fun than Porthcawl and it makes Tenby look like a holiday course (which it is). | | 06 March 2006
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| | | Considering how this has climbed up the rankings in recent years I was, overall, disappointed. ·Very quirky design – it will split opinion. Some of the holes are just plain unfair – you can do great drives and lose your ball. It is hard to see where the fairways are supposed to go on many holes – it is just a bit too “natural” in this regard and I believe that it would benefit from a bit more work on this rather than the “mother nature” design that created it. I love natural, links-type courses, but this was just a bit too much. However, great, great scenery and a beautiful place to have a game in the sun – although, for the risk of being called a heretic, a bit of 21st century improvement, whilst keeping the charm and appeal, could turn a quirky course into a great one. Greens were very good. | | 10 September 2005
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| | | Very enjoyable, great views and a warm welcome from the pro. | | 06 May 2005
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| | | This without doubt is one of the best Links golf courses in the UK. Some of the views are simply breathtaking. With the wind blowing this course can provide a very stern test for even the most accomplished golfer.
The sixth, seventh and the sixteenth are some of the most spectacular holes i have ever played. Although some of the lies can be a little uncompromising, this is simply a spectacular course and well worth a visit if you are in the area!! | | 25 April 2005
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| | | They don't make 'em like this anymore. If you're a visitor from abroad used to playing immaculate 'designed' courses then do yourself a favour and play Pennard and see what you've been missing in golf! The course is difficult to maintain as it's common land so watch out for the electric fences around each green to stop the cows from venturing on them. Spectacular design from nature with stunning cliff top views and medieval castles to boot. You simply can't criticise any element of this course (except perhaps the modern clubhouse). If you're only slightly interested in golf you should do yourself a favour and play here - the one course in Wales I'd travel from London to play again. A breath of fresh air. | | 28 October 2004
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| | | What a lovely place ! Very modern clubhouse in contrast to the course, which is carved into some
of the best land I have seen whilst playing. The first six holes appear to be where you need to start to put a score together as from the 7th to 15th all you get is tough scoring holes.
Driving at the 8th ... make sure you get some height on your drive and do not pull it left as the old church wall will delight on pinging your ball
back 50 yards (Been there, done that !) At the 16th a little rest as par is comfortable target. But then at 17th a real toughy par 5 - not on length but on the way the fairway turns left through the gorse to the green.
As mentioned in the Top100's review there is a lot going on here .... old castles, old churches, beautiful views,
cows, cowpats etc ....... all in all it's really really good. Not an easy walk (a lot of ups and downs) but miss playing at Pennard at your peril - Highly recommended. | | 20 September 2004
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| | | I agree, Pennard has to be the best golf course never to have been voted onto Golf World's Top 100. This unusual course is absolutley enchanting and exceptionally tough. The sloping lies make things very tricky. The condition is excellent, despite the cow dung. The electrified fences are an added hazard in their own right...can prove a useful distraction if your opponent gets a quick zap! The 10th, called Three Cliffs, has to be one of the best short par fives in Wales and the 13th, called Colonel, has to be one of the Principality's tougest par threes. A stunning course, totally different, but just as good in its own way as Royal Porthcawl. | | 19 September 2004
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