Bridgend Golf

The fairways roll out across proper Welsh countryside just inland from Porthcawl, and Bridgend Golf Club is the sort of place where you actually feel like you've stepped away from things. It's an 18-hole course with enough character to keep regular players coming back without being so challenging that holiday golfers feel like they're being punished.

The layout makes good use of the terrain - there's proper elevation change, tree-lined sections, and a few holes that demand respect without tipping into the brutally difficult. Walking it takes the best part of four and a half hours, which means you're looking at a decent morning or afternoon outing. Greens are well maintained, and the clubhouse is the type of place where you can grab a drink and actually sit down afterwards without feeling rushed.

It's worth booking ahead, particularly during peak season and weekends. If you're staying at Trecco Bay Holiday Park up the road, this sits nicely as a half-day activity without eating into your holiday properly. Golfers will get the most from it - non-players might find the walking tedious unless they're keen on the scenery side of things.

The real strength here is that it's unpretentious. No dress codes that'll give you a headache, no ridiculous green fees that make you regret turning up. Come when the light's decent - autumn mornings are particularly good - and you'll have a solid round without any faffing about.