Aberdovey Golf Club Key Information
Golf Monthly Verdict
Aberdovey is a quite delightful links that nestles between the beach and the railway and is full of charm. It is also the kind of course that grows on you with every visit. Despite the relatively narrow footprint, there is a great feeling of space and peace. Combined with the Dormy accommodation, it makes for a wonderful golfing and holiday location.
Reasons To Play Aberdovey
– A championship-level links that is still very playable
– The wonderful par-3 twelfth with its elevated green
– One of the best-value green fees in the Top 100
Rankings
UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2025/26 - 82
Aberdovey Golf Club was founded in 1892 and is undoubtedly one of the best golf courses in Wales. It is also one of my favourites. The game has been played on this beautifully-positioned links that fits perfectly between beach and railway for more than 130 years. The course itself has benefited at various times from the input of some of the game's greatest architects including Herbert Fowler, James Braid and Harry Colt. All three have had a say in a great many of the Top 100 Golf Courses UK & Ireland and indeed Next 100 courses in the UK&I. I have been coming here for many years and enjoy it more every time.
The clubhouse was rebuilt just before the millennium, and is now home to a dormy house that makes it a wonderful place to stay and play. Sitting on the balcony overlooking the course following an enjoyable round is one of my favourite things. It is situated just on the northern side of the River Dovey as it emerges into the sea, and the course itself has a very traditional out and back routing that runs in a figure-of-eight.
Over the last few years, the club has greatly enhanced the look and feel of all the bunkering, and improvements to the drainage means that it’s very playable all year round. The par 3s are a strong feature, with the first one - the 3rd - actually something of a blind hole which has a hidden dip before the intended target, a punchbowl green. The 5th is then played diagonally across the valley towards a quite lovely backdrop of hillside, an impressive house and to the left a beautifully-sited burial ground.
The 9th is at the very far end of the course, but it is the final short hole, the 12th, that is the star of the show and is very recognisable. It is actually one of my favourite par 3s. You play from down low up into the dunes and over a sandscraped slope to the plateau green. This is situated high above the beach, a setting that makes for excellent views, and would be a strong entry in any book of classic par 3s.
You then hug the dunes as you head for home before crossing back to the railway side for the final stretch. The short, risk-reward par-4 16th is another real star hugging the tracks which is great fun. Two very strong par 4s finally take you back to the modern clubhouse with its hearty food and excellent local ales.
What's new for 2025/26? What our panellists said...
One of the best collections of par 3s I’ve played, especially the 12th which is wickedly difficult with a side wind. Well worth a visit to West Wales to play this lovely course.
Excellent improvements to an established course add to the appeal and difficulty, especially aimed at elite level. They bring dunes and undulations back into play on some of the shorter holes.
Overall Aberdovey is a lovely traditional golf club and a very enjoyable place for a game. It is very remote and takes some effort to get there but that just adds to the charm of the place. The welcome in the office and shop was first class, I got a feeling that visitors are important and welcome.
Aberdovey Golf Club Location
Aberdovey Scorecard
Best Courses Near To Aberdovey
Places To Stay Near Aberdovey
Aberdovey Golf Club - Book now via the golf club
Where better to stay than right on site in the club's own dormy house?!
The Glengower - Book now via Booking.com
Situated right by the beach on Aberystwyth’s Victorian promenade, The Glengower offers wholesome pub food, a tasty cooked breakfast and sea views.
Plas Nanteos Mansion - Book now via Booking.com
This Grade 1 Georgian Mansion operates on a B&B basis and is set within 35 acres of grounds, offering 22 luxury ensuite bedrooms and a 4 bedroomed self catering Mews House.
Aberdovey Golf Course Gallery
Historical Top 100 Rankings UK&I
- 2023/24 82
- 2023/24 87
- 2021/22 78
- 2019/20 72
- 2017/18 68
- 2015/16 65
- 2013/14 58
- 2011/12 67
- 2009/10 61
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aberdovey the best course in Wales?
Not quite, though there are some golfers who enjoy it more than any other. Down on the south coast, Royal Porthcawl is our highest-rated in the country, which few dispute, while just an hour or so up the coast, Royal St David’s is a strong championship links that is currently rated above Aberdovey.
If I stay at Aberdovey, which less well-known courses should I play in the area?
If you can tear yourself away from Aberdovey itself, then the elevated course at Aberystwyth Golf Club is always great fun and has some lovely views, while the very natural 9-holer at Machynlleth is actually a Harry Colt design.
Which is the best hole at Aberdovey?
The par-3 12th, at the far end of the course, is a fabulous short hole that is full of character. A few years ago, coastal erosion led to a rebuild, and it is now better than ever. The view from the raised green is superb, and it's one of those holes that just on its own seems to justify the green fee!
