It's easy to see why machynys peninsula was considered as the best new course designed in the united kingdom in 2005 by many. Machynys has the kind of budget that could produce one of the finest new golf projects, with a whopping amount of 3.5 million spent on the project and an much larger sum spent on the clubhouse.

Money alone can never guarantee the popularity of a new golfing initiative, as location plays a significant role in deciding whether a new course can receive rave reviews, but the beautiful site on which machynys (monk's island) is constructed – next to the wild fowl and wetlands trust at penclacwydd and the millenium coastal park – all but ensures its status as a âĢľmust playâĢĿ venue in wales.

The course is split into two loops, with a parkland front nine and a links-style back nine that runs alongside the shore. On behalf of his famous father, gary nicklaus worked as chief builder, and his favorite hole is the 451-yard 16th, which, as he puts it, "is played across the lake from right behind the clubhouse [and] is definitely one of the most beautiful holes on the course." If the tide is in or out, the view of the whole bay from the green is spectacular.âĢĿ

The average scratch score from the tournament tees is three over par, indicating that machynys peninsula is well-suited to professional golf, and it has hosted the wales ladies championship of europe every year since it opened for play.