It's the Mid section where Woosie passed his driving test

When planning a golfing itinerary in Mid Wales it would be foolish to not heed the lessons of probably Wales’ greatest golfing protagonist and our only Major champion… the legend that is “Woosie”, who was born in Oswestry in March 1958.

Yes Ian Woosnam was short – standing at only 1.64 metres, in spikes – but he was as sweet as a nut off the tees and amassed an incredible 52 tournament victories worldwide. His Masters victory in 1991 being the pinnacle of his achievements, seeing him hit the top of the world rankings, a position he held for 50 consecutive weeks.

Diminutive he may have been but his powerful driving skills were honed at Llanymynech Golf Club, which straddles the Wales-England border… 15 holes in Wales and three in England.

Llanymynech features in our “six of the best” courses in Mid Wales, as does Aberdovey which was another Woosie favourite that has played host to a number of top tournaments such as the Welsh Seniors’ Championship.

But the area’s best-known course is undoubtedly Royal St David’s, a magnificent links layout that sits in the shadow of Harlech Castle, which has staged numerous tournaments, both amateur and professional, over the years and is not to be missed if you're visiting Mid Wales.

Established in 1894 Royal St David’s is one of Wales’ top courses and offers incredible views across Cardigan Bay, providing a great test of seaside golf with the Snowdonia mountain range making a wonderful backdrop.

From the back tees Royal St David’s measures more than 6,600 yards and plays as a par-69, opening with a gentle 440-yard par-four and then turning for the second, another par-four at 340 yards, with Harlech Castle in the background.

The front half of the course closes with a 170-yard par-three, with two bunkers lying in wait for any shots short and right, while the back nine begins with the layout’s toughest hole, a 458-yard par-four. Don’t focus on the incredible dunes in the background here, the 10th requires an accurate drive to offer any chance of going for the green in two. The final hole is a 201-yard par-three that requires a long iron or hybrid to find the putting surface.

One of the finest seaside courses in Wales, Aberdovey was founded in 1892 and had top amateur golfer Bernard Darwin as a member, who also featured in the first Walker Cup contest. Among Darwin’s recollections of the course were the nine flowerpots cut into the ground that acted as the first holes.

A classic links course now set inside the Snowdonia National Park at the mouth of the Dovey Estuary, it was a popular practice venue for Woosie during time out from his busy playing schedule. Sitting just outside the resort of Aberdovey it features huge sand dunes and a steady wind. And when it really blows the layout becomes an ominous challenge with numerous hidden hazards.

Wedged between the Cambrian Mountains and the shore, it measures more than 6,500 yards from the back tees and features some of the fastest and firmest greens in all of Wales, one of the reasons why Woosie made frequent visits before his trips to play in the US Masters each April.

Woosnam also represented Europe on eight occasions in a hugely successful Ryder Cup career, which saw him on the winning team five times. In 2006 as European Ryder Cup captain, he led Europe to a record equalling 18.5-9.5 victory at the K-Club in Ireland. It was the first time in Ryder Cup history that the European team had won all five sessions.

Just one of Woosie’s best moments during the height of his professional career for you to savour there, but ample proof that Llanymynech must have taught him a thing or two. But, despite most of its holes being located in Wales, it is actually registered with the English Golf Union. Offa’s Dyke runs through the course and cuts off the Shropshire holes at four, five and six.

Formed in 1933, the club has expanded the course over time from an original nine-hole layout to its present 18-hole configuration. Measuring just over 6,000 yards the par-70 sits on hilly terrain half an hour’s drive west of Shrewsbury.

The tight fairways are framed by thorn, ash, birch and oak trees making it extremely important to keep the ball in play… a lesson not wasted on Woosie. Accuracy, not power, is what it takes to score well at Llanymynech... he mastered both.

Rounding out the “six of the best” in Mid Wales are Cradoc, Borth & Ynyslas and Llandrindod Wells, which is located about 1,000 feet above sea level and enjoys stunning views. But despite being so elevated it’s not overly hilly... just two holes requiring extra work from the legs.

The closing hole is a short par four at under 300-yards but the valley below, featuring a ravine, gives it a formidable reputation for causing huge pain to golfers hoping to wrap up a tidy scorecard before they fired off the tee.

Originally established as a nine-hole course in 1890 it was forced to close 15 years later because it was deemed too dangerous for visitors using the "common" ground. But, after 140 acres at Little Hill had been acquired overlooking the lake and town, six-time Open champion Harry Vardon was signed up to design a new 18-hole course that opened in May 1907.

The course still only measures about 5,759 yards but features many traditional design features including back-to-back par threes at the 10th and 11th holes, a number of blind holes and several short par fours. Many golfers feel the best is kept until last though at the driveable “Death or Glory” 18th, which features a deep ravine between tee and green.

Cradoc Golf Club is situated alongside the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park, two miles outside Brecon itself, and was founded in 1967. An 18-hole par-71 parkland course it’s 6,188 yards off the back tees and epitomises the way golf “should be". Noted for its natural surroundings, including mature tree-lined fairways and an occasional water hazard, it provides a challenging and entertaining test.

And finally to Borth & Ynyslas Golf Club which nestles on the Dovey Estuary and looks out over Cardigan Bay, with stunning scenery north and east towards Snowdonia National Park. Though not long by today's standards at only 6,116 yards, the par-70 layout provides a stern but fair challenge that can be enjoyed by all standards of golfer. Although it was formed in 1895, five years later than Tenby, keepers of the club’s history claim golf has been played there since 1885. But one thing is certain though... it was definitely one of the founder members of the Welsh Golf Union.

So six great layouts with huge tradition in the game but as you’d expect Mid Wales has many more courses worth mentioning, with Brecon Golf Club, Knighton, Machynlleth and Builth Wells worth a few words too.

Knighton Golf Course is a picturesque layout set in stunning countryside and offers golfers a challenging and enjoyable day out. The course is designed with a mix of traditional and modern features, including undulating fairways, strategically-placed bunkers and water hazards. It also boasts wonderful views from almost every hole, a challenge that differs from one hole to the next and enough character to keep you interested even if you aren’t playing your best.

Although located in Wales, Knighton’s nine-hole layout hugs the border with England and was designed in 1913 by six-times Open winner Harry Vardon, who also won the US Open. The course follows the upland contours around Ffrydd Wood and skirts the Offas Dyke Path, overlooking the town of Knighton.

Originally founded in 1906, it relocated in 1913 for Vardon to put his stamp on it, with the signature par-five eighth hole crossing Offas Dyke. The course is not long but it's demanding and doesn't easily give up its par.

Machynlleth Golf Club is a much loved nine-hole heathland layout situated on the outskirts of the historic Powys market town. Surrounded by attractive mountain scenery, there are splendid views from all parts of the course. In a heathland setting it offers a variety of teasing holes but is relatively straightforward to start with... until you're presented with a fairly tough par-five second followed by a tricky 227-yard par three.

Founded in 1904, you’ll find nothing much has changed since so you’ll encounter wide, open fairways and greens that follow the contours of the undulating moorland terrain. But don’t bother to put your sand wedge in the bag as there’s not a single bunker anywhere to be found. And, if you think the absence of sand hazards is rather unusual, consider also the fact that sheep are allowed to roam freely across the fairways… totally in keeping with Machynlleth’s rustic feel though.

The only par five on the card is the 477-yard second hole, followed by two of the three par threes on the card. With a stream on the left, a small hill on the right and a fairway that slopes markedly from right to left, the 348-yard seventh is regarded as the toughest hole on the course and is followed by the signature 193-yard par-three eighth, where the tee shot is played from an elevated position to a green sitting behind a pretty little brook at the foot of a hill.

Builth Wells Golf Club is one of those hidden gems that Wales seems to be blessed with. It’s a well-groomed and stunning course that’s also a stern test for all standards of golfer. Making the most of natural characteristics such as woodland, ponds and the River Chewfri, which runs through the course, and incorporating small well-protected greens you won’t find it easy to play to your handicap. The course is also pretty unique in its lack of a single par five, but it does incorporate 12 par fours and six par threes that add up to 5,444 yards to make it a par-66 layout for the men amongst you.

And finally to Brecon Golf Club which is an attractive parkland course with excellent drainage and a great reputation for being in good condition all year round, particularly the greens. Its flat terrain makes for an easy and enjoyable walk, with breathtaking views of the Brecon Beacons making it an extremely pleasant and popular place to play golf. It’s another nine-hole layout but every hole demands great respect. Eighteen holes at Brecon measures 6,068 yards played from the white tee boxes with a par of 70, so it’s certainly not your average short nine-holer.

But the beautiful Brecon Beacons aren’t a bad place to end this quick four-part tour of "24 of the best" courses in Wales, with a few more added in for good measure. All that remains to be said now is... book your digs, pack your clubs, jump in the car and head North, South, West or Mid for some spectacular rounds of golf. Four!