Wales

For years Wales has been overshadowed by the great golf courses of the rest of Britain and Ireland, but that's quickly changing, as the Welsh courses are finally getting their just due, thanks largely to the successful staging of the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in 2010.  The 2010 Course at Celtic Manor, designed by Colin Montgomerie, was the first course designed specifically to host the Ryder Cup.
 
If you are looking for classic links golf, Wales has one of the best in Royal Porthcawl, a top 20 ranked course in the world.  Not far behind is Royal St. David's, which has one of the best settings for a golf course. adjacent to the Harlech Castle and within Snowdonia National Park.  Also located within the National Park is Aberdovey, a classic out-and-back links, while a number of great courses surround the park in the north part of the country, including Nefyn and District and Conwy.
 
Joining Porthcawl and Celtic Manor in the south is the hill-top Southerndown, offering exceptional views of the Bristol Channel; Pyle & Kenfig, a Harry Colt links adjacent to Royal Porthcawl; Pennard, affectionately dubbed the "links in the sky" given its links-type turf and set 200 feet above sea level; and Machynys Peninsula, a new Jack Nicklaus designed course.