Ashburnham Golf Club

Ashburnham sits beside the Carmarthenshire coast at Pembrey, its linksland shaped by the sea and the prevailing winds that sweep across the course. Founded in 1894, the course was developed into its present form principally by five-time Open Champion J.H. Taylor, who redesigned the layout in 1910 and returned three years later to refine his work. Harry Vardon, who played the course in the early twentieth century, regarded it as his favourite course in Wales.

The course has the appearance of a classic out-and-back links, but its holes subtly change direction, ensuring that the wind is rarely encountered in quite the same way twice. The front nine generally heads into the prevailing wind, making the opening stretch particularly demanding, while the return is often more receptive before the difficult closing holes. Elevated greens, deep bunkering and natural banks place a premium on accurate approaches, with the 6th standing out as a particularly testing par three. Ashburnham's charm lies in its combination of traditional links architecture and the uncompromising conditions of its coastal setting.