Royal Porthcawl Golf Club
Hole 2 / Par-4 / 451 Yards
Hole 3 / Par-4 / 445 Yards
South Wales, Wales, UK
This week’s AIG Women’s Open once again returned the spotlight to the most acclaimed course in Wales — Royal Porthcawl.
The club was founded in 1891 and Charles Gibson, Royal North Devon’s professional laid out a 9-hole course on Lock’s Common. In 1895, an adjacent piece of land became available and Ramsey Hunter created an 18-hole layout. Porthcawl was granted its royal title in 1909 by King Edward VII.
Over the years, the layout has been extensively modified, primarily in 1913 by Harry S. Colt, F.G. Hawtree and J.H. Taylor in 1925 — when the duo four new holes — and by Tom Simpson in 1933. Architects Tom Mackenzie and Martin Ebert have also been involved in updating the course in recent times.
The opening stretch of holes starts the round in an exhilarating manner. Hole 1 provides a gentle beginning and for the strongest of players a straight long tee shot can set-up a very short pitch to the green.
Matters intensify immediately when arriving at hole 2. The hole is aided magnificently by the setting with the Bristol Channel hugging the entire left side. The hole turns left in the drive zone and players must secure the short grass in order to be ready for the demanding approach that follows.
The green hugs the boundary line and any approach that foolishly wanders too near that obstacle can quickly feel scorecard pain.
Hole 3 follows a similar path — the hole also moves in a right-to-left manner and the tee shot faces an even more daunting challenge as the same Channel pinches in from the left and a solitary fairway bunker lurks to the right.
The approach is also rigorous in having the putting surfaces near to the out-of-bounds area to the left.
Both holes feature greens that feature roll-off areas on the various sides so any approach played without utmost precision can roll into a range of precarious positions.
Wind velocities can be intense and, at times, fluctuating in terms of direction.
Royal Porthcawl has been a regular host site for some of the biggest championships contested in the UK. Getting off to a good start is central in establishing needed momentum for the rest of the holes that follow.
Holes 2 and 3 are stout tests that only reward the finest of plays. Those seeking short cuts for success will find get little to no leeway for such impetuous attempts.
Images courtesy of Royal Porthcawl GC.
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