Founded in 1894, Ashburnham is one of Wales' oldest golf clubs and it's got the tournament CV to prove it. The course has hosted the PGA Championship, with past winners including Bernard Gallacher and Sam Torrance, which tells you straight away this isn't just a pleasant knock around. It's a proper test when the wind gets up.
What you'll notice on the course is how much it asks you to think. There's strategic bunkering in the right places, plenty of natural movement in the ground and a routing that rewards hitting to the correct side of the fairway rather than simply trying to overpower it. Play it sensibly and you'll find it enjoyable and fair. Get loose with your lines and you can rack up a few "how did that happen?" moments pretty quickly.
The course plays through classic Welsh terrain, combining those natural contours with well-placed hazards that make you consider your club selection on every approach. It's the sort of layout that has challenged professionals over the years while remaining accessible for members and visitors who respect the course and play within themselves.
It's also the sort of traditional members' club that suits a golf break: good golf first, welcoming atmosphere second and no need for any fuss. If you're building a South Wales itinerary and want somewhere with genuine heritage rather than just a nice logo, Ashburnham more than holds its own alongside the region's better-known names.
Play Ashburnham on your next Wales Golf Break and pair it with a couple of nearby favourites for a cracking long weekend.
Who is this for?
Golfers who like historic clubs, a course that makes you plot your way round and a traditional Welsh golf atmosphere.
Who is it best for?
Mid-to-low handicappers looking for a meaningful test, societies wanting a venue with pedigree and visitors mapping out a South Wales run of classic courses.
