Pennard Golf Club

Pennard Golf Club sits on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, not Florida, occupying dramatic clifftop terrain above Three Cliffs Bay. The course was laid out by James Braid in 1896, with later modifications by C.K. Cotton. The routing makes striking use of the natural duneland, incorporating the ruins of a 12th-century castle that stands as a distinctive landmark visible from several holes. The land rises and falls sharply, with fairways threading through gorse, heather, and native grasses characteristic of traditional Welsh links. The opening holes play across relatively level ground before the course climbs toward higher elevations that offer expansive views of the Bristol Channel. The middle stretch features several holes routed through and around the dunes, where wind becomes a significant factor and the ground game proves essential. Blind shots and uneven lies are common, reflecting the era of design when architects worked with existing landforms rather than reshaping them. The par-three 7th plays toward the castle ruins, one of the most photographed settings in Welsh golf. Pennard remains a members' club with a modest clubhouse and an unpretentious atmosphere typical of traditional British links clubs. The course has hosted regional amateur competitions and qualifiers but has not been a major championship venue. Its reputation rests primarily on the quality of the natural site and the preservation of classic links character in a relatively remote coastal setting.