Clyne

This hilltop, moorland golf course is beautifully raw, rugged and natural with some very fine lay-of-the-land holes. The greens themselves are encircled with electric fences to keep the many horses and sheep that roam the common away from the putting surfaces.

The fast-running course, designed by Harry Colt in 1921, is so very much in harmony with its landscape and surrounds everything seems so effortless and flowing. You feel to be on top of the world at times.

Those who are familiar with courses such as Kington, Welshpool, Appleby, Halifax Ogden and Baildon will know what Clyne is all about.

The front nine is excellent with the descending 3rd perhaps the best on this outward loop which returns to the clubhouse.

The shaping around the greens is superb and gives plenty of options on your approach or when chipping/putting around them. Each ones just merges into its surrounds seamlessly.

The back nine isn’t quite as strong overall but still has some very good holes. I wasn’t overly enamoured with holes 10 to 12 and the 18th isn’t a great finisher but the 13th has an amazing green complex and the 14th is impressive too. And I was quite fond of the short 17th.

The inward half also has some fine sea views encapsulated no better than when walking down the panoramic 16th fairway.

A lot of the holes dog-leg slightly and in the firm conditions that you are likely to experience being able to shape the ball off the tee will be a real advantage.

The course isn’t overly tight but if you are wayward it is likely to result in a lost ball because most of the holes are framed with bracken and fern.

Par is 72 with quite a big difference in yardage between the yellows (5,943) and the whites (6,432).

A round at Clyne would tie in well with nearby Pennard on the Gower Peninsula.