Southerndown Golf Club

The term "linksland" technically means "linking land and sea" and is the type of sandy turf that was simply meant for golf. Nearly every links course in the British Isles is on property that borders the sea, but sometimes this linksland entrenched far inland. Hence some links courses, developed over a century ago, found themselves isolated from the sea by other developments that were put up in between (such as Royal Lytham in England). But what do you call a course with turf virtually indistinguishable from links and with miles between it and the ocean? In Britain they call this type of turf "downland," and the best downland course in the British Isles is Southerndown in south Wales. Southerndown offers unmatched views in a country where great views are abundant. It is located high atop a hill and offers sensational views of the sea and distant Porthcawl on one side, and the endless Welsh countryside on the other. With gorse everywhere, sod-bunkers, elevation changes, and bouncy terrain, this is classic links golf though not technically "links." The highlight is the 18th, one of the great par 4's in Wales with a split-level fairway complicating the thought process off the tee. Nearby are the ruins of Ogmore Castle, and to get to the course you make a left turn at bright-yellow local pub directly facing these ruins. Obviously, a stop at the pub is mandatory, as should a round at Southerndown for all visiting golfers in Wales!