Cradoc - How I shot 81

I visited Cradoc. The next course on my list. £25 green fee and it was lovely. All the planting between greens and tees and the presentation of the course was wonderful. It was a joy to play. Go visit.
Cradoc GC cradoc.co.uk/

[@mike8544]

Great watch, thanks for uploading, nice to see it through the lens sat on my sofa for a change! Glad you enjoyed our course

[@thehairygolfer]

It was delightful even in the wind. The joy of looking around, enjoying the walk to the next tee. Range, short game area, warm up nets. The kitchen even opened up early for me. Had a good chat with the Pro. Layout is excellent. You're very lucky people to have it as your home course.

[@Ian-z3l]

This is close to my home further down the Swansea valley, so the "hiraeth" is definitely felt.

[@thehairygolfer]

It was a bit blowy that day. You start out with good intentions and then it just gets the better of you. Lovely course, so well planted.

[@davidwalters313]

Good video Simon. Very enjoyable. I play on a seaside course - it’s always windy!

[@thehairygolfer]

David, I'm no wind player. I do like seaside but I couldn't face that wind every day.

[@stuartcaldwell2262]

Very nice looking course and views. I think I would rather have rain than wind sometimes.

[@thehairygolfer]

Lovely course. Really enjoyed walking round it. I'm not keen on rain as it gets on my glasses. But I'm a very poor wind player. Not a lot of choice there. Cheers

[@neilfarmer6609]

Agree that a strong wind takes it out of you physically. £25 is brilliant value!

[@thehairygolfer]

It drains the mind too Neil. But for 25 quid what a view. Loved every second.

[@nevillehubbard7347]

That looked like both fun and hard work! For the first time around a new course that's a decent score in the wind! The course looked particularly pretty, and was kept in decent nick, so a green fee of £25 was a steal!!! That's really good! That's value! All in all a good day out, by the look of it, and you'll "tear it apart" or at least play to your handicap, in stiller, and warmer conditions!

[@thehairygolfer]

It was fun despite the wind. Although it did wear me out in the end. Lovely course, lovely walk, only one real climb up the 10th. I think you would love it and beat me with your shots. As long as you can tear your eyes away from the view. Jolly Boys tour next year? Exceptional vlaue, a driving range and short game area. Greens of a good speed where you aren't terrified of them. Bunkers with sand in. It's a 10 out of 10. Cheers

[@nevillehubbard7347]

@@thehairygolfer Yes I reckon that the Jolly Boys would enjoy that!!!

[@thehairygolfer]

@@nevillehubbard7347 Certainly affordable and your mate might lose less balls.

[@nevillehubbard7347]

@@thehairygolfer you've got remember that he plays at a proper links, so he can be 2 fairways wide and still find his ball!!!! Mind you, he might have to argue with the horses, cows and sheep that roam around there (interestingly, they have a local rule that you can get a club length relief from an animal turd!!!!).

[@MegaKev63]

Thanks Simon, enjoyed that, gorgeous course and great value 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@thehairygolfer]

Very good value. All these courses are so cheap in the hills. Only £32 on the weekend too. Didn't always have a view from every hole but it was worth it when you did. Shame it was all sort of greyed out. Looks better next week. Cheers

[@dirtyoffroader2093]

I played there for the first time last week, boiling hot weather and not a breath of wind.. and I really enjoyed, it's a great course, even though some holes punish a draw off the tee 😂.. Well that's my excuse anyway for blocking myself out on numerous holes 😂. Cradoc is well worth a visit 👍

[@thehairygolfer]

It's lovely isn't it? The walk between holes is as nice as the holes. Well worth a day out and any excuse to have a bacon roll. I think the holes punish all wayward shots no matter what direction. I think there is just enough width to hit driver in a few places. I enjoyed it. Cheers

[@dirtyoffroader2093]

@thehairygolfer Yes it's very picturesque and the views across to Pen Y Fan are beautiful too. Your right about the holes punishing stray shots' you've definitely got to think your way around there, the sloping fairways can easily bounce you under the trees even after a great drive. The 8th, 9th and 11th were my favourites.... and the bacon roll 😋 😆

[@thehairygolfer]

@@dirtyoffroader2093 8 is a cracker, 9 needs you to be not quite so bold with your line off the tee and 11 is very interesting. 12 has got the view to die for though. I like a course that gives you a chance. Being under the trees you have a chance rather than the long walk back because you lost a ball in knee deep rough. Might have to try a full breakfast next time.

[@dirtyoffroader2093]

@@thehairygolfer I pulled the tee shot on the 12th and hit the road, it landed somewhere in the practice range 😂.. ruined a good score card. If you like good food and good golf try Garnant GC next time your down that part of Wales, we had a great day there too last week. I hate the term hidden gem, but it is one. Really enjoyable 👍

[@thehairygolfer]

@@dirtyoffroader2093 Ouch! Yes, that would have bounced a long way. 13 got me. Twice. Garnant? I shall look it up. They aren't really hidden, just driven past to somewhere more expensive. I haven't found a bad course course yet, not been to Celtic Manor but as it's on clay I know it will be a mud bath in the winter and a car park in the summer. Certainly the videos I have seen when someone has played it in March it's a mud bath. Why pay all that money?

[@nicholasbeane4779]

You played a lot better than you scored. Concentration seemed to slip on back 9. I played Cradoc so long ago only vague recollections. Your vlog makes me want to go back. Welsh golf looks good value if you take the time to be selective. Hope to watch many more. Cheers.

[@thehairygolfer]

The wind wore me down. Yeah, concentration went out the window, shot selection, club selection. I am no wind player, I'm hopeless. I am certainly enjoying all the Welsh golf and also the Welsh people. I would rather drive 2 hours than drive 20 minutes to a local course for certain. Watch tomorrow for a round without wind.

[@BenjaminTieuGolf]

Nice shot tracers!

[@thehairygolfer]

Very windy Ben. I'm no good in the wind! Always swing too hard. Cheers

[@leemeadows5764]

Thanks Simon beautiful course in tough conditions. That pesky wind, amazing how it does and does not impact your shot for no apparent reason. What do they say when it’s breezy swing easy and your brain 🧠 overrides it and says hulk smash. Lol

[@thehairygolfer]

It certainly drains your mental capacity and then as you say hulk smash takes over. I did okay with the driver except the first 2 holes. Not bad at all. Chipping and putting I don't know if I have to hit it harder or not. Best stay at home when it's windy, I do not have the talent to play in it. However, the course was wonderful and the views.

[@michaelmccreery8192]

Ball striking on the whole looked fairly decent.

[@thehairygolfer]

I couldn't get the face where I wanted it. Leaving them out to the right. Gap wedge on 3 was 20 or 25 feet right. Wasn't really happy but then I am my own worst critic. Lovely course though.

[@kevinmcanulty2593]

played Swansea Bay yesterday oh boy that was a tough inland linked course. The Beacons are stunning

[@thehairygolfer]

Swansea Bay? Sounds interesting. I was at one point trying to plan a week on The Gower and play all 5 courses there. What do you think? With accommodation I think it will cost about a grand. Which isn't bad really. Not sure if it will ever happen but it's nice to dream.

[@kevinmcanulty2593]

@@thehairygolfer some good courses in the area especially Langland Bay Neath Swansea Bay etc. I have played all 3 none of them are easy especially for me at hc 22. Different for you! Enjoy your holiday

[@thehairygolfer]

@@kevinmcanulty2593 One day perhaps I will get there. Time is always an issue and the damn weather!

[@profitlauncher22]

Loved this content, can't wait for more fifty three : ? >

[@thehairygolfer]

Thankyou. Not sure what fifty three means tbh.

[@darrenshallis2386]

Hi Simon. This is at the very top of my favourite courses we play every year. After numerous rounds, i'm still not sure how to play the 11th. The view from the 12th tee i have as my screensaver on my computer. Dont think i've played it in as windy conditions as you faced.

[@thehairygolfer]

Hello Darren, I can see why you would go and play it every year. It's lovely everywhere you look. 11 is fun. I tried a 3 wood for my second round and that turned out different. 12 is something else. I had a day off and had to use it. I wouldn't normally try and film in the wind, always worried about the gear being blown over. I may play it a 3rd time this year. If I get time.

[@streamleazefishhouse]

You played well, it is one on my radar but haven't found myself in the area since my partner's dad moved. Are you/did you try the lovey charming little 9 hole course at Brecon? That is a plot your way around course with a £10 honesty box. I played PontyPool this week. Absolute Gem of a course, the only think I could fault it on was a lack if ball washers.... Like Cradoc on a hill with really interesting greens, with a steep drop on one side.

[@thehairygolfer]

Pontypool is on my list, I will get there this summer with luck. Perhaps end of August. It's a bit of a drive to Cradoc but very pretty. I didn't go to Brecon. I will hopefully go to Builth at some point too. I played okay in the wind but it does wear you out mentally. I should choose a day without wind, it's much better. Got a range and short game area and the kitchen opens for bacon rolls at 11. Enjoy.

[@Berry-fr5wj]

I used to dream of an 81 Bootifull course best advice on bunker play , don't go in them

[@thehairygolfer]

Lovely course and views and yes, that is the best advice for bunkers. Stay the hell away but these were nicely filled so no problem. It's the empty ones I can't play out of. Plenty of those about, costs £700 to fill a bunker every year which is why clubs don't do it.

[@Berry-fr5wj]

@@thehairygolfer Didn’t think of the cost aspect 👍

[@thehairygolfer]

@@Berry-fr5wj Bunkers are the first things to get neglected when money is tight. Swiftly followed by not putting the green sprinklers on. It's hard work for golf courses to break even now. Some will close no doubt.

[@Berry-fr5wj]

@@thehairygolfer Yes it must be a juggling act to keep fees low and run and maintain the course , especially if they have as you said a small catchment area

[@thehairygolfer]

@@Berry-fr5wj I was so surpised at the planting and the extra work they have put in to make it look great. It's more than just the holes. Good design as well, made very good use of the space. Got a driving range and short game area as well. It's got everything.

[@ZaxDrumsandGolf]

That would be awesome about 30€ for 18 holes!! Here most the greenfees are double or more for 18 holes!! The course looks nice!! I agree with playing a course a first time and being by yourself this makes it's a bit more difficult. You played the first nine rather well. I think if you play there again you could definitely shaves some strokes on few holes. 🏌‍♂⛳

[@thehairygolfer]

The catchment area for the clubs in rural Wales is quite small. They have to keep the price down. But cheap prices usually means poor course condition. This was immaculate. I'm no wind player and i'm surprised I scored okay on the front 9. It wore me down. As to saving strokes without the wind. I did the next time. Even though I hit the ball worse. It was that round of poor ball striking that told me to take a break and fix it. Cheers