No 45 - Royal St David's

Royal St David’s is one of those links courses with far more than just sea air to stir your senses. The varied layout and fantastic atmosphere makes for a great day's golf

Royal St David's
Neil Tappin
By
published

45 ROYAL ST DAVID’S

Architect: Finch-Hatton 2006 position: 41 Stats: 6,629 yds; par 69; SSS 73 GF: £36-£68 T: 01766 780361 W: royalstdavids.co.uk

With Tremadog Bay on one side and imposing, mountainous terrain on the other, Royal St David’s is one of those links courses with far more than just sea air to stir your senses.

Harlech Castle is the distinctive and rather spooky landmark that looms over the course, fittingly preparing you for the ancient nature of the test that lies ahead.

Originally mapped out in 1894, the course builds in difficulty and interest from start to finish.

The back nine, with its many changes in elevation and natural dunes, is as pure a stretch of links holes as you’ll find anywhere in the British Isles. NT

+ Fantastic atmosphere; interesting and varied layout - Remote location; early holes suffer in comparison to the back nine Enter your review of Royal St David's below

Neil Tappin
Neil Tappin
Editor

In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf. 

Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points. 

Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons: PING Blueprint S (4&5), PING Blueprint T (6-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X

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