Posted under Stan's Blog
Driving up from the Victorian town of Llandrindod Wells passing by the lake with its water feature of a serpent and fishes, the club house stands proud on the hillside overlooking the town, with fantastic views of the surrounding hillsides. This being the highest golf club in Wales, on the top of the course one has a 360 degree panoramic view with outstanding geographical features all around.
Standing on the first tee, with the wind coming at you slightly from the left to right, the driving range being out of bounds to your left, and the 18th green on your right with an up uphill tee shot certainly makes you think what is to come? The green is about 100 feet above you, so a good tee shot is needed.
The wind meant the course would be playing long, as 10 of the holes would be into wind.
The high point of the round was the 17th. A 188 yard par 3 into a headwind of 20 mph + aiming over the marker meant a good 3 wood could make the green. It did, and a 12 foot put would give me the first birdie of the day. Just lipping out gave an easy par.
The signature hole must be the 18th, looking from the tee there is this big valley rising up to a road that crosses in front of the green, a carry of 271 yards into the strong wind meant that reaching the green was not an option. Playing short of the road meant the green was above you and out of sight, so judging the shot was more luck than judgment. Being just off at the back of the green meant a chip and two putts finished the round with a bogey.
This is a course not to be missed if you are in mid Wales. You can get a 3 course passport for £66, which allows you to play Llandrindod Wells, Cradoc, and Builth Wells. I have yet to play the latter two, but if they are anything like Llandrindod Wells, then I can’t wait to play them.
Not forgetting the caterers, Helen and Gary, they serve a good platter at very affordable prices.
Results:
Out: 42
In: 43
Gross: 85
Handicap: 13
Nett: 72
Par: 69
Putts: 21/18 Total: 39
Stableford Points: 16/17 Total: 33
6 pars, 8 Bogeys and 4 D/Bogeys
Conditions: Very windy, 20 mph + sunny periods, overcast at times
Lost to the course