Marriott St Pierre is no hidden gem. In truth, it is probably one of the most popular courses in Wales and has been a fantastic host to many top tournaments through the years. Since being founded in 1962 Marriott St Pierre has hosted the Dunlop Masters, the Curtis Cup and most recently the Solheim Cup in 1996 where the Europeans were thumped by their American counterparts by 17 to 11.

The course is set in 400 beautiful acres of parkland, with a 14th century manor house as an imposing backdrop. The hotel features stylish bedrooms and other top-class leisure facility, ensuring the needs of every holiday golfer are met head on.

Pennard is one of the oldest, established links courses in Wales having been founded in 1896 and designed by the great James Braid, the Scot responsible for some of the most famous golf courses in the world. It is a classic seaside links course and enjoys a dramatic clifftop setting that affords mesmerising views across Swansea. Pennard joins a the list of the more prominent Welsh courses, the others being Royal Porthcawl, Tenby, Royal St David’s and Celtic manor. The club has played host to a number of top amateur tournaments and has produced its fair share of fine players, including six times Curtis Cup player Vicky Thomas.

It is nothing but a great shame that Royal Porthcawl does not have the infrastructure required to host an Open Championship. Indeed, the closest it has ever come to staging a world-renowned event was when it hosted the Walker Cup in 1995. Then, the American team, which had Tiger Woods as its main weapon, were blown away, quite literally, by the course. Wind is a constant factor here due to the fact that there are no high dunes or trees that might form some sort of defence - it’s just you against the elements. With the closing hole playing towards the sea and into the wind, there is perhaps not a single course in British golf that can produce as finer, more dramatic finish.

Tenby was formed in 1888 and is the oldest established course in Wales.

It also remains the spiritual home of the Welsh Amateur Championship and, outwith Celtic Manor and Royal Porthcawl, is one of Wales’ most famous courses. Playing Tenby is like taking step back in time as its design and subtle intricacies have remained pretty much the same, and its defences, too, have withstood the test of time. When the wind blows the only hiding place will be the huge dunes which are covered by wispy links turf, other than that it is open to the element like any great links course should be.