Cardigan

Measuring almost 6,700 yards – with a Standard Scratch Score of one over the par of 72 – the course at Cardigan can be loosely categorized as an amalgam of meadowland, cliff top and free-draining links golf, with a fair amount of gorse thrown in for good measure.

The signature hole at Cardigan is well worth the wait, a challenging, but fair, par three measuring 195 yards from the medal boxes where an elevated tee awaits, with spectacular views across the Teifi Estuary to Poppit Beach. An accurate shot is required as the green is bunkered on both sides, but the putting surface is receptive and the best results are achieved by attacking the hole – though the bale out is to the left, as a shot to the right will probably be lost. When the pin in on the top level a par feels like a birdie.

Furman Bisher, the American sports columnist who was regarded as “The Dean” of Masters journalists every year he appeared at Augusta, is a firm fan of Cardigan, having played here once before. No doubt the club have since benefitted from the increased number of visiting U.S. golfers who have read Furman’s glowing report on his trip in 1993.