Royal St Davids Golf Club
Harlech, Gwynedd LL46 2UB
Tel : +44 (0)1766 780361 Fax : +44 (0)1766 781110

'If Royal Portcawl is regarded as the finest course in South Wales, so Royal St David's, Harlech, is without peer in the North. Perhaps it is as well to leave it at that for to decide which is then the better of the two would cause longer and bitter argument. The splendid scenery is as compelling as anywhere in Britain with the vast range of mountains to the north, including the distant peak of Snowdon while , much closer at hand, Harlech Castle casts its shadow over the splendid links. There is also the sea to the west beyond the dunes and though the golfer will not see it until he climbs to the 16th tee, the proximity is such that the weather and wind are key defences. Such is true of all links. Though the Royal prefix had been bestowed earlier, the ultimate distinction came in 1935 when the Prince of Wales, later to become the Duke of Windsor, accepted the club's captaincy. He was a keen golfer and frequently attended the Open Championship.
It was at Royal St David's that Cecil Leitch won the last of her British Championships in 1926. She then retired but the championship has returned there on three subsequent occasions - 1949, 1960, and 1967. It has also hosted both the men's and women's Home Internationals.'

Directions
West of Harlech on A496 coast road.

Further Information
Information herein provided by the club 8 Sept 1998.

Course Details

Course Name: Course Holes: 18 Yardage: 6427 SSS: 72
Though the inward half is rather shorter than the first nine holes with a par of 33 against 36 going out, this is misleading. There is a strong body of opinion that the last five holes are the best of all while an overall par of 69 is thrown into different perspective when you note a standard scratch score of 72.

There are only two par fives and they follow one another down the seventh and eighth holes (admittedly in opposite directions). Usually both halves of the course also end with par threes, there being five altogether. But they are as appealing as the greens, which have the reputation of being among the best in Britain.
- Extract from Golf Correspondent Michael Williams, Daily Telegraph.

For an appreciation and independent view of this course please see golfer reviews.

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Reader Comments / Reviews Leave a comment
  • Royal St Davids

    Jens Vagland wrote on: Apr 15, 2005

    Outstanding! It's among my top 3 linkscourses! As good as it gets. Fantastic greens, great fairways and what I really like is that the club still tries to improve the course! Back nine is better than anything (exept the dull 18;th) I have ever played.
    Elevate a couple of greens and tees on front nine and you get eleven out of ten points from me.

    Reply

  • Europe Golf courses reviews Jamie Warman, Hdcp 2 (WarmaJam@exchange.uk.ml.com

    Jamie Warman, Hdcp 2 wrote on: Dec 1, 2000

    One of the 'must' links in the U.K.....scenically stunning and now deservedly in the top 30 in Golf Worlds top 100 courses. The S.S.S. of 73 off the back tees on a par of 69 tells you all you need to know about the test; the greens are large and quick, there are over 90 bunkers, a succession of gruelling par 4's when straight driving is essential to miss penalising rough, and 5 par 3's which if covered in 15 shots is the basis for a good score. A very good base from which to also play Aberdovey (by train), and Nefyn on the LLeyn peninsula.

    Reply

  • Europe Golf courses reviews Andrew Earnshaw, Hdcp 9 08/00

    Andrew Earnshaw, Hdcp 9 wrote on: Aug 1, 2000

    Truly a magnificent course, the views spectacular, the greens terrific a sterner test you will not find easily. A thoroughly great day out if you like links golf this is a must.

    Reply

  • Europe Golf courses reviews Kit Shaw 04/99

    Kit Shaw wrote on: Apr 1, 1999

    An excellent course in my opinion! We will definitely make it a holiday location for many years to come!

    Reply