Southerndown
Often called the best downland course in Britain, Southerndown sits about two hundred feet above the sea near Ogmore by Sea, a par 70 of about 6,658 yards. The turf runs firm and bouncy under grazing sheep, gorse lines the fairways and sod faced bunkers guard the greens, links golf in everything but name.
Photo: Southerndown Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Southerndown is the great in between, neither true links nor ordinary parkland but downland, the springy, exposed turf of the limestone hills above the south Wales coast. Established in 1905 and shaped over the years by Willie Fernie, Herbert Fowler, Willie Park and Harry Colt, it plays to a par 70 of about 6,658 yards and is widely regarded as the finest course of its type in Britain.
What sets it apart is the ground, fast and firm and full of natural movement, with gorse crowding the lines, sheep keeping the turf tight, and sod faced bunkers punishing the careless. The wind off the Bristol Channel is a constant, and the views down to Ogmore and across the estuary are worth the green fee alone. It is a thinking golfers course that rewards the run up shot and the bold line, and it deserves to be on any south Wales itinerary alongside the famous links.
Southerndown at a glance
- Established
- 1905
- Designers
- Fernie, Fowler, Park, Colt
- Type
- Downland
- Par
- 70
- Yardage
- About 6,658 yds
- Green fee
- Visitors, indicative
Establishment year, design history, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Southerndown Golf Club and leading course databases. The course opened in 1905 with Willie Fernie, and was reshaped over the years by Herbert Fowler, Willie Park and Harry Colt, a par 70 of about 6,658 yards. Southerndown welcomes visitors. Green fees are indicative for 2026 and vary by day and season, so always confirm current rates and tee availability directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Southerndown opens with a climb and never really lets the ground go flat after that, the fairways rolling over limestone downland that runs as fast as any links in a dry spell. The grazing sheep that keep the turf cropped are part of the character, and the firm surfaces ask for a low, running game and clever use of the contours into the greens.
Gorse is the defining hazard, crowding the driving lines and turning a wayward tee shot into a dropped ball, while the sod faced bunkers carry a real penalty when you find them. The wind off the Bristol Channel swirls over the high ground and rarely sits still, so club selection is a moving target and the bold, flighted shot is often the safe one.
The views are a constant reward, down over Ogmore by Sea and out across the estuary, and the closing holes bring the round home over the same bouncy, exposed turf that defines the day. It is a course that gives back exactly what a links lover wants, on firm ground a short drive from Cardiff.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club that welcomes visitors and societies; weekday tee times are easiest, weekends subject to member play |
| Green fee | Indicative visitor green fees roughly fifty to ninety pounds depending on day and season (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Book through the professional shop or the office in advance; ask about twilight and society rates |
| On the day | Walking on firm downland with elevation changes; a caddie or trolley helps on the climbs |
| Getting there | Ewenny near Ogmore by Sea, about five miles from Bridgend and thirty minutes west of Cardiff |
| Best months | May to September for the firmest turf, though downland drains well and plays most of the year |
Access and fees verified June 2026; rates and tee availability change by day and season, so always confirm directly before booking through the club or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
Most golfers base themselves in Bridgend or along the Glamorgan coast near Porthcawl and Ogmore, all within a short drive of Southerndown, with Cardiff and its full range of hotels and dining about thirty minutes east. The coastal towns put you closer to the courses and the sea, while the city offers more to do off the fairways.
Southerndown pairs perfectly with neighbouring Royal Porthcawl and the other south Wales courses for a links and downland week. It is an ideal region to build a multi course trip around, mixing the championship links on the coast with the firm, exposed downland just inland.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Southerndown.
Build a south Wales golf trip
We book the Southerndown tee times, pair them with Royal Porthcawl and the best of south Wales and arrange the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Southerndown questions
Who designed Southerndown and when did it open?
Southerndown opened in 1905 with a layout by Willie Fernie, and was reshaped over the following decades by Herbert Fowler, Willie Park and Harry Colt among others.
Is Southerndown a links course?
Southerndown is a downland course rather than a true links, set about two hundred feet above the sea on firm limestone turf. It plays much like a links, with fast ground, gorse and sod faced bunkers, which is why it is so admired.
What is the par and length of Southerndown?
Southerndown is a par 70 of about 6,658 yards, played over firm, bouncy downland turf near Ogmore by Sea in south Wales.
Can visitors play Southerndown?
Yes. Southerndown is a members club that welcomes visitors and societies, with weekday tee times easiest to secure. Book through the professional shop or office in advance.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Establishment year, design history, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.