Search

View all...

Generic filters

Royal Porthcawl Golf Club

  • © Larry Lambrecht

    Sunset at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club.

  • © Kevin Murray

    One of the top Welsh links shown here is Royal Porthcawl Golf Club.

  • © Kevin Murray

    The coastal links of Royal Porthcawl Golf Club.
123
Scroll courses A-Z
  • Architects:
  • Holes of Merit:
    7, 13, 14, 15, 18
  • NCG Rank:
    44/100 in GB&I

Overview

Royal Porthcawl's addition of 9 holes in 1895 gave Wales its first 18 hole course.

The R&A had aspirations to add Royal Porthcawl to the Open Rota. In preparation, Tom Simpson made changes but sadly, it was all for nought.

The links is one of variety. The routing changes direction frequently, the elevation follows suit. There are links holes and moorland holes.

Royal Porthcawl Golf Club Videos

See the Hidden Links video of RPGC here

Golf Course Review

Royal Porthcawl Golf Club is a stunning links counted amongst the best courses in the world. Just down the road from Pyle & Kenfig GC (P&K) but to the north of the town of Porthcawl, halfway between Swansea and Cardiff. On the Bristol Channel lies a course with true ocean views from every hole and where the beach is in play.

Royal Porthcawl Golf Club History

The club was founded on November 13, 1891. Soon work was underway to establish the links. Charles Gibson, the professional at Westward Ho!, laid out the first 9 hole course. Another 9 holes were laid out in 1895. The 10th Tee was 300 yards from the 9th green through the grounds of a private residence. The new nine was extended to 18 by Ramsay Hunter in 1897 and the original 9 became the ladies course. It remained in play until WW1.

RPGC Architectural Provenance

Dating from 1913, Harry Colt is credited with holes 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 14, 15 & 18.

In 1925, JH Taylor and FW Hawtree altered the 11th, 12th, 15th, 17th and 18th greens. New tees appeared on the 11th. Bunkers were also added greenside on the 13th and 17th. (Western Mail 17 March 1925)

In 1933, Tom Simpson made new tees for 1, 2, 3 & 9. His greens remain intact on 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 13, 16 & 17. Hole 7 can be attributed to him.

C.K. Cotton alterations from 1950 are found on holes 8 and 12.

More recently, Martin Ebert's toned down greens are found on holes 4, 5, and 9. He also reworked the surrounds on 10 and 12.

Royal Porthcawl GC's Royal Heritage

Further information on on the club and its history can be found in Scott Macpherson's book, Golf's Royal Clubs.

Golf Course Photography

Purchase photography of this course from Kevin Murray here.

Collections

This course features in these collections. Click an icon to view the entire set.

Visitor Information

Everything you need to know before you go!

Evalu18 Recommends

Everything you need to know before you go!