Pyle & Kenfig (known affectionately as P&K) is played in two nine-hole loops, unusual compared to the majority of links courses, which are normally out-and-back tracks. The course is located in South Wales, halfway between Swansea and Cardiff, and just a mile or so from Royal Porthcawl.  

 

Harry Colt was the man behind the original layout, and following World War II, Philip Mackenzie Ross was drafted in to design and lay out the second nine. The course has played host to several major amateur tournaments, including the Men’s and Ladies’ Amateur Championships.  

 

  

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Pyle & Kenfig was originally designed in the early 1920s by Harry Colt, the more inland front nine that stands today is his work. Nine of those holes commandeered by the military in the Second World War, meaning that the course had to be redesigned.  

 

Philip Mackenzie Ross was called in to replace them with new holes shortly afterwards. Having made the decision to cross the road (it was then a path) and construct them in the duneland, they are now undoubtedly the highlight of a round here.  

 

The venue has hosted several major amateur championship events in its history. The Men’s Amateur Championship, Ladies Amateur Championship and the Senior Ladies British Open Amateur Championship have all been played at Pyle & Kenfig. Men’s and Senior Home International, along with a range of Welsh amateur events have also been held at P&K in the venue’s history. 

Unusually for a links course, Pyle & Kenfig is laid out in two loops of nine. The original front nine is where to make a score because the back nine is a very stiff test, especially when the wind is up. Towering dunes, hillocks and valleys all come into play over the course of a round at P&K, while golfers can enjoy the panoramic views of the region, with the likes of Sker House and the Gower Peninsula among the glorious sights.  

 

You must score on the front nine, with Colt’s design taking you slightly further inland. A gentle opener is followed by the hardest hole on the front nine. The 2nd is a 439-yard par 4 from the tips, but it is followed by another short par 4 and the first par 3 on the course, the 4th. Four greenside bunkers are in play at this 175-yard hole. The 5th is the first par 5 on the layout and is 529 yards from the tips. However, it is less than 500 yards if you are playing from either the whites or yellows and provide a true birdie opportunity.  

 

The 6th is the easiest hole on the property, but finding the right tier on the green is crucial to making par or birdie. The front side at P&K ends with the 566-yard par 5, but the hole does play downhill, taking some of that yardage away. The back nine is where Pyle & Kenfig really comes into its own. Ross’ design for the second loop of the course begins with the 10th, the hardest hole on the course. Water runs down both side of the fairway so a straight drive is crucial. 11 is the start of the run through the dunes, and it is a par 5 that should not be taken lightly. The 12th is a picture-perfect par 3, hitting 200 from the tips. You can see Royal Porthcawl from the tee, but don’t let that distract you from the job at hand.  

 

“The back nine features a run of holes in some outstanding dune country” - Tom Doak in ‘The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses: Volume 1: Great Britain & Ireland. 

 

Both 13 and 14 are dog-leg right par 4s through the dunes, before the final par 3 on the course, the 15th. This hole plays more than 210 yards from the tips, and is one of the prettiest holes on the course. It sets you up for the last three holes (all long par 4s), which are amongst the best closing holes in golf. They will severely test the mettle of the very best golfers. All three are longer than 440 yards. The 16th is the most attractive, the 17th the most difficult and the 18th a rigorous closing hole. Good luck getting through the finish at P&K unscathed.  

Where is Pyle & Kenfig located?  
Pyle & Kenfig is situated on the south coast of Wales, just half a mile inland from Sker Beach, and south of the Kenfig National Nature Reserve. For road users, it is a couple of miles from Junction 37 of the M4, which runs between London and Cardiff and then further into South Wales.  

 

Both Swansea and Cardiff Airports are within a 45-minute drive, with the latter being the largest and busiest airport in Wales. Almost a million passengers travelled through Cardiff Airport in 2022. The nearest train station to P&K is Pyle, which is just over two miles by road. Trains run through Pyle in both directions, servicing Swansea and Cardiff.  

What golf facilities does Pyle & Kenfig offer?  
Pyle & Kenfig has plenty to offer away from the championship golf course. There are five extra holes which are used through the winter to protect holes 11-15 of the championship offering. There is also a golf simulator and the opportunity to grab a lesson during your time at the Welsh course.  

What are the green fees at Pyle & Kenfig?  
The price of a green fee at Pyle & Kenfig changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. 

 

For more information on current green fees at Pyle & Kenfig, visit their website here. 

 

  

Visit Pyle & Kenfig’s website here. 

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.