Bala Golf Club

A delightful course played on a delightfully sunny day - early May 2011. Ten holes that are not too long, but are extremely intriguing - what with dodging the sheep and their droppings and the various rocky outcrops that litter this short course. The first is the most difficult start you will ever encounter - over two hundred yards straight up a steep incline - because you are just not ready for it! Three par 3s are almost out of range with a driver - even wind behind! Greens had been spiked so I missed out on a few putts that ought to have gone in or nearer (but we all say that!). But struck a beauty on the 18th (160 yds but over 160 feet down!) and finished with a stylish par! Great value for £10 and the views really fantastic. Clubhouse unmanned so cannot comment but welcomed by lady member who was passing by!

What must be an almost unique combination of extremely difficult par 3s (except for the final hole) and reasonably easy par 4s. The first hole (par 3, 230+ yards, small blind green) is the most difficult hole to par that I've encountered in my 20 years of playing golf! The course gets easier after that. The views from the course (Lake Tegid and the surrounding mountains) are absolutely stunning. Well worth a visit.