Cardigan Golf Club

The first and last things are the views.  This is a very open, windswept cliff top course which takes full advantage of it’s dominate position over the estuary and the sea.  On a glorious late September day masquerading as high June there was nowhere better to be.  A decent breeze prevailed to ensure that it was proper seaside golf but it is not a purists links course. 

Although the turf is links like on the lower holes and the ball nips nicely off the turf there are a few too many molehills elsewhere to suggest that it is wholly a links course.  The turf is salt and wind swept and plays very well despite it being a difficult seeding season and the greens were very true.

There is plenty of gorse although not as all encroaching as Southerndown.  I had a blessed afternoon, driving straight and putting straighter and beat my handicap by two despite losing balls on 17 and 18.

Some of the green complexes, notably 3,11,12, and 14-17, were excellent.  Those holes with their backs to the prevailing wind were sheltered by bunkering and banking and those holes running with the wind including 11 and 14 have open sides so the over zealous ball slides, inexorably, and inelegantly over the back.  The green shapes are classic and varied and meld with the contours to offer many different approach shots.

I doubt it is a kind course in the winter with wind and possibly deteriorating ground conditions. However it is the ultimate measure of a links course that it should play, near its best, in midwinter. 

I will look back kindly on the course and the magnificent views and am most grateful to the club for allowing me to give my green fee to Alzheimer’s Society.

Seagull’s view 24

Greens & bunkers 11

Links experience 10

Total 45/72