DISTANCE FROM HOLIDAY COTTAGES: 24 miles
TYPE OF COURSE: Links
HOLES: 18
LENGTH: 6916 yds
WEBSITE: www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk

“One of the best seaside courses in the country”

Ashburnham, the demanding seaside venue where the great Welshman and winning Ryder Cup Captain, Dai Rees won the PGA title in 1959, has long been regarded as one of the best links courses in Britain. Indeed it won that rating from no less authority than the immortal Harry Vardon. He twice played the course, enjoying himself immensely and was compelled to record soon afterwards that "The course I like best in Wales is Ashburnham". His sentiments have been endorsed by more modern professionals. Bernard Gallagher, Europe's former Ryder Cup captain won his first tournament, the 1969 Schweppes, at Ashburnham, and it was here that Sam Torrance also gained his first title, the 1976 Martini.

Overlooking Carmarthen Bay, the course has it first two and final two holes inland near the clubhouse. Holes three to eight strike out, parallel to the sea, straight into the prevailing wind and holes nine to fifteen run back with the wind directly behind.

With out-of-bounds and assorted trouble on the right in both directions there is no peace for the slicer. Neither are the fairways of a generous width and the fact that the current course record is no lower then 70 bears witness to the credential of the challenge.

The course that you tackle today is basically the layout, which the redoubtable J. H. Taylor designed in 1910 after paying a visit to suggest further alterations to a course then 14 years old. He returned three years later to inspect progress and suggest further alterations. The results pleased the great man, who commented with great pride: "It stands comparison with many of the best seaside courses in the country". Ashburnham celebrated it centenary in 1994 by staging the British Home International Team Championships.

GOLF COURSES LOCAL TO OUR HOLIDAY COTTAGES

Allt Y Graban Golf Club - Parkland
Ashburnham Golf Club - Links
Clyne Golf Club - Moorland
Earlswood Golf Club - Natural Downland
Fairwood Park Golf Club - Flat Championship Parkland
Garnant Park Golf Club - Rolling Parkland
Glynneath Golf Club - Parkland/Woodland
Gower Golf Club - Parkland
INCO Golf Club - Flat Parkland
Lakeside Golf Club - Flat Parkland
Langland Bay Golf Club - Seaside Parkland
Machynys Golf Club - Nicklaus Designed Links
Morriston Golf Club - Parkland
Neath Golf Club - Parkland/Mountainous/Heathland
Palleg Golf Club - Meadowlands
Pennard Golf Club - Links
Pontardawe Golf Club - Mountainous
Swansea Bay Golf Club - Links

Swansea Valley Holiday Cottages are ideally placed to offer superb opportunities for a huge range of activities from birdwatching to mountain biking to surfing to sea fishing.

Brecon Beacons National Park and the Gower Coastline are both wonderful natural adventure activity playgrounds. Few places in Europe can boast a mountain wilderness and a coastline designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within 30 miles of each other. In addition to a wide range of outdoor pursuits, the Swansea area boasts an extensive range of indoor leisure facilities for visitors.

Why not take advantage of some of the best surfing beaches in Europe for your activity package? The opportunity to try such varying activities as surfing and canyoning provides much excitiement and sets it apart from other traditional destinations to make it a memorable experience.