Royal Porthcawl fully deserves its reputation as one of the very best links courses in the world. It’s possibly unique in that the sea is in full view from every hole, and when the wind gets up it is a real challenge
My congratulations to everyone at Royal Porthcawl for presenting us with a fantastic golf course for the Wales Seniors. I don't need to tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed the week; Royal Porthcawl is one of my favourite courses. A great test of golf.
Ian Woosnam - Former Masters Champion, Ryder Cup Player & Ryder Cup Captain
I remember Royal Porthcawl being a very good golf course and Porthcawl a very pretty little town.
Peter Mitchell - European Senior Tour Player
What is indubitably true about Porthcawl is that it has one of the most atmospheric clubhouses in golf, one of the largest and most expansive practice grounds and a noble links that has stood the test of time.
The first three holes run parallel with the shore before the course turns inland and twists and winds over terrain that could be described as uplands, containing waving banks of broom and gorse and some heather, not what you always expect on a links.
If it is a feature of Porthcawl that you can see the sea from every hole, then it is also a feature of the course that it is rarely played without a wind.
John Hopkins - Golf Correspondent for The Times
In Glamorgan, there is the very excellent links of Porthcawl. Links it may worthily be called, for the golf at Porthcawl is the genuine thing – the sea in sight all of the time, and the most noble bunkers . . . Porthcawl is emphatically a good and serious course. The second shots as a whole are excellent, and are also very honest ones in that, as a rule, the player can see where he is going and what he has to expect . . . The last five make a fine testing finish and that is worth much. It is difficult to pick with certainty the best holes, but, at any rate, the third, fifth, ninth and eighteenth are all worthy of admiration.
Bernard Darwin - Walker Cup Player, Journalist for The Times & Member of The World Golf Hall Of Fame
Seaside beauty at every turn, deep, penal pot bunkers, solid hole and shot variety, a routing that always changes direction, and a fantastic pint of Pimms in one of the most charming clubhouses around.
For the mid-handicapping links enthusiast, Royal Porthcawl hits the mark in every category you could ask for in a 19th century championship links: beauty, memorability, variety, playability, difficulty.
Brandon Tucker - Journalist for WorldGolf.com
VISITOR TESTIMONIALS
We enjoyed the weekend very very much. You have a fantastic club and course. And dormys. And staff! Everyone took care of us like we were members of the royal family. We will soon be back!
Mr Lindeblad – October 2010
A belated note of thanks for your hospitality on Thursday. We were dazzled by its beauty and quality. We both think its one of the finest links we have played anywhere in the world
Mr Shipnuck – September 2010
We would like to thank Royal Porthcawl for their hospitality; we loved the course and the food and would look forward to a return visit in the future. Everybody involved made our day one to remember.
Mr Ridd – September 2010
I am writing to thank you all at Royal Porthcawl for their hospitality last Sunday. Although windy, the weather stayed fine, and gave me the opportunity to fully appreciate all you have to offer. The course is a magnificent test of golf, with a charm all its own, yet can also push you to the limits, hence it is such a favourite to host the country's major championships, the victor being a very worthy winner. Upon arrival, our welcome in the shop and clubhouse was again excellent. Your members that we encountered were a very amiable crowd, meaning the experience was very special indeed.
Mr Leech – September 2010
Thank you for our very enjoyable stay at RPGC. We very much enjoyed ourselves and were very impressed by the club, course and staff.
Mr Cargill – September 2010
What a fantastic course! All four of us thought that it was as good as we could have imagined, and we received a very warm welcome from the catering, bar, and golf staff. I will definitely be bringing more friends down in the future.
Mr Roberts – September 2010
On behalf of myself and other members of Playschool GS may I ask you to pass on our thanks to your members and staff for making us so welcome on Sunday afternoon. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were to say the least extremely lucky with the weather. The golf course is exceptional and a true (but fair) challenge and the scenery is simply quite stunning. Thank you once again for your hospitality.
Mr McGraw – September 2010
The warm welcome on arrival from the pro was much appreciated. This welcome and friendly nature was continued by the bar and catering staff. The standard of the food was also excellent. I found your course in excellent condition and really enjoyed the challenge it presented. Once again thanks for a great day, I look forward to visiting you again.
Mr Long – August 2010
Can you please convey my thanks to the Captain and all the staff that had an input into what was a wonderful day, the course, the weather, the wind, or should I say lack of it was all perfect, ensuring everyone had a good day. The course as always is a credit to your green staff. I was extremely impressed with the way in which you all work together supporting each other to provide a first class service. I know we have been coming to "The Royal" for a number of years now but it always feels that we are treated with that something extra special.
Mr Bennetta – May 2010
We would like to thank you and your staff for the kind and friendly hospitality, we especially enjoyed your Course which is in fantastic condition, with spectacular views. We also enjoyed your lovely accommodation of which we found the rooms very comfortable and enjoyed the room’s great views.
Mr Ward - May 2010
Just a quick note of thanks to your club for a wonderful couple of days of golf, not only was the weather fantastic and the golf course in great condition, but the friendly welcome extended to us by your staff and members all combined to make it a truly memorable experience, and one we have all talked about hoping to repeat in the future.
Mr Budgen – March 2010
I am writing to thank everyone connected with Royal Porthcawl Golf Club for the welcome and hospitality we received when our society recently visited. It was an excellent day and the weather was relatively kind to us. The course was in very good condition and certainly lived up to its well earned reputation as the best in Wales. It was a privilege to be able to play at your world famous club. The hospitality of the Golf Club is second to none and we enjoyed the catering before we went out and on our return in the dining room. May I again record our thanks to everyone especially the professional and to all catering and bar staff for looking after us so well.
The Shankers Golf Society - December 2009
Belated thanks to all at RPGC for making our visit so enjoyable. Despite the weather we all loved the course and were most impressed with the helpfulness and pleasantness of everyone we met. We would love to come back on another occasion. Thank you again.
Mr Crowther - November 2009
I brought a party of five to Royal Porthcawl last week, when the weather was rather dramatic. Your clubhouse staff and the pro's shop staff were very welcoming and we have all resolved to return to Royal Porthcawl just as soon as possible.
Mr Rowland - November 2009
Just wanted to say what a fantastic day we had earlier this week. I have been lucky enough to have played most of the Open Courses now and indeed several of the Ryder Cup ones but Porthcawl is definitely one of my favorites. The course was excellent and the hospitality superb. Thanks again and I will certainly be back in the future.
Mr Malton - October 2009
I and two of my friends from Royal Mid-Surrey had the opportunity to play golf at your club yesterday and what a wonderful experience it was. Not only was the golf course immaculately presented but the organisation and friendliness of your staff, both in the clubhouse and in the pro shop, was superb. The organisation of the overnight stay in the dormy house could not have been easier with accommodation perfectly fit for purpose. My only disappointment was the standard of my play which I will set right on my next visit. I would like to thank you and your staff for a wonderful golfing experience.
Mr MacLean - October 2009
I just wanted to thank you for a quite fantastic day yesterday. All of the guys were bowled over by the course - a real privilege to play - and by the welcome we received by all, including members.
Mr Hunt - September 2009
Thank you for a splendid day last week on your excellent golf course. It has for sure become one of my top 5 favorites, having played pro events in 30 countries. My group of friends were very taken by the whole place and we will be back, hopefully sooner rather than later.
Mr Taylor - August 2009
Many thanks for a wonderful day. It really was a privilege to play your fabulous course and breathe in the atmosphere of the links and the clubhouse. I look forward to returning to your great course.
Mr Brook - August 2009
Thank you for your hospitality on my recent visit to Royal Porthcawl. I found the course to be a great challenge (especially with the wind) with some very interesting holes. It is certainly one of the best I have ever played. The view was also spectacular. I was lucky to get decent weather all wee and enjoyed all of my time in Wales.
Mr Newhouse - August 2009
We had a wonderful morning at Royal Porthcawl; you're blessed to have such an incredible golf course. The friendliness of the welcome we were extended by all your staff, from the pro, to all the green staff, the two members we met on the first tee and all the club house staff, was outstanding. Thank you and we look forward to another visit to south Wales.
Mr Sach - July 2009
Everybody, to a man, enjoyed the whole "Porthcawl" experience - the course was perfect, the welcome and hospitality was memorable. Many thanks to everyone for making us so welcome. We hope to return some day
The Scamps Golf Society - July 2009
On behalf of my friends and myself I would like to thank Royal Porthcawl for making our recent stay so pleasurable. The course was in excellent condition and the staff, the Professional and members made us feel most welcome.
Mr Taylor - June 2009
Thank you to everyone at Royal Porthcawl for entertaining us. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and felt most welcome.
Mr Evans - May 2009
We had a wonderful time at Royal Porthcawl. From when we arrived everything was great, the welcome from the pro shop to the bar, restaurant and the members we met was second to none. The course (particularly the greens) was in magnificent condition - it's a real gem. We loved it!
Mr Davies - March 2009
Thank you. The service we had from your Pro, and caterers was second to none, we had a fantastic day at Porthcawl and will definitely be back next year.
Mr Ferguson – February 2009
We had the most wonderful time with everything going to plan. The weather, accommodation and course were a joy. Until the next!
Mr Plummer – February 2009
Our trip was incredible and Royal Porthcawl was certainly the highlight of the tour.
Mr Jolliffe – December 2008
Just a short note to thank you again. All of us thoroughly enjoyed the course, accommodation, breakfast and hospitality from you all. We look forward to seeing you next year!
Mr Richards – November 2008
We enjoyed our round over Royal Porthcawl greatly and were very fortunate with the weather. Your staff looked after us very well...an enjoyable afternoon. Thanks!
Mr Thompson – October 2008
Just a quick note to thank you very much for allowing us to complete our tour at your beautiful course last Friday. The course played very well, a great treat to play indeed.
The hospitality we received throughout the day in the pro shop, at lunch and after the round from the staff and members was excellent and added to our day and the positive impression that the club gave. Many, many thanks again. We will definitely be returning to your shores, and I have recommended the area to my many friends.
Mr Murphy – September 2008
Thank you very much. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It is a fantastic course. We will be back!
Mr Murray – September 2008
On behalf of the Society who recently played at Royal Porthcawl, I’d like to tell you what an excellent day we had. We were very lucky with the weather and it only added to the enjoyment of the day. The comments I received back from the society members mainly included that although a tough course it was one of the best courses we have played on. Everyone enjoyed the set up and layout of the course, and the quality of the greens. Please pass on our thanks to your pro that made us feel very welcome and is truly an asset to your club. Also a special thanks to your chef for an excellent meal afterwards.
Mr Lightfoot – September 2008
Just to let you know that we really enjoyed our visit to Royal Porthcawl. The course was lovely, the weather was brilliant and your staff and members were very welcoming. It was a privilege and a pleasure to be there. We would like to come back next year. Please pass on our thanks to the staff of Royal Porthcawl and we look forward to our next visit.
Mr New – September 2008
If I ever visit Wales again, Royal Porthcawl would be the first place in my mind. What a lovely course, thanks for a great welcome and a wonderful experience.
Mr Osterlind – July 2008
Just to say thank you for last week – we had a tough (in the strong winds) introduction to the golf course which everyone enjoyed, and found all your staff very friendly and very helpful.
Mr Campin – July 2008
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Porthcawl, thank you, we were all most impressed by the golf course and clubhouse and the meal your chef laid on for us on the Friday night was excellent. Thanks again.
Mr Warren – July 2008
I felt that I should write to thank you for the hospitality extended to us over the weekend. We knew that we would have a great weekend at RPGC since it is such a great course and wonderful setup. However, we did not anticipate quite how good the place would be, how friendly the members would be and how accommodating the people at the club would be.
Mr Porteous – June 2008
Thank you very much for your clubs welcome yesterday. My playing partners and I thoroughly enjoyed the course and the refreshments afterwards. The course was in excellent condition and I would like to offer my thanks and congratulations to everyone involved at the club for a very memorable day. I look forward to returning in the not so distant future.
Mr Willis – April 2008
Just a quick note to thank you for your hospitality, we thoroughly enjoyed the course. Could you also thank the pro and catering staff for their friendly service. Finally, to all the members we met who were all friendly and courteous toward us as visitors to their club.
Mr Ewing - April 2008
Thank you for the hospitality and welcome we received at Royal Porthcawl. The course was sensational I had a wonderful experience. Royal Porthcawl has moved way up my personal favourite list, and is easily the best course, with the exception of the open rota courses, that I have played. Maybe better than Turnberry or Lytham?
Mr Clitheroe – March 2008
A big thank you from my group of 8 who stayed in the dormy house and played two rounds. The course was in great condition, the dormy house very comfortable and all the staff - pro shop, steward, bar, breakfast and lunch service were friendly and efficient. Please pass on my thanks to all concerned and we will be returning!
Mr Thompson – February 2008