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. 
press here for Royal St Davids Golf Club course reviews |
Martin Hollands wrote on: Sep 1, 2012
I had been warned about how hard the course was when the wind was blowing so I was pleased that it was a mere zephyr and the sun shone.
Our welcome at the course was very friendly and we teed off on time. There had been torrential rain a couple of nights before and a few bunkers were a little worse for it.
This is a thinking person's golf course where keeping the ball in play is more important than giving the ball a hearty smack, though it helps to do both!
It is difficult but fair, pretty and pretty challenging too. I suspect you need to play the back 9 a few times to work out what club to take on a couple of the par 3s that are well hidden away.
Definitely one of the best courses I have ever played, and I really hope I can get over to play it again.
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Chris Evans wrote on: Sep 5, 2010
I was fortunate to play Royal St David's on the only dry day of the last week of July this year. the first thing that I should mention is the particularly warm and friendly welcome that I received, especially notable due to it's status as a "Royal" club.
The course is extremely well looked after with large, true greens, well placed bunkering and not a blind shot to be had. There was a nice variation of holes in terms of length and shaping and a rough that is enough to make you wary, but not ridiculously penal, as some other championship links can be.
The second nine is slightly more difficult, particularly in relation to par, with the most challenging being the par 3 fourteenth, at around the 200 yard mark, with only the top of the flag visible over a range of sand hills. In fact there is a very generous landing area in front and to the right of the green, but from the tee it looks like death or glory! Contrast that with the 18th, which is virtually the same, minus the sand hills, and is nowhere near as intimidating.
RSD is also notable for the green fees. At home in Ulster the mains links courses are over £60 for a round and the two "Royal" courses are over £150. RSD is, to their credit, only £40 for a peak season, weekday round. You don't just want to play this course - you need to.
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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.
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Jamie Warman, Hdcp 2 wrote on: Nov 30, 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.
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Andrew Earnshaw, Hdcp 9 wrote on: Jul 31, 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.
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Kit Shaw wrote on: Mar 31, 1999
An excellent course in my opinion! We will definitely make it a holiday location for many years to come!
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