Wales is home to some of the UK’s best golf courses. With spectacular scenery meeting stunning layouts, it’s easy to see why so many golfers chose Wales for their next golf break. With famous names such as Celtic Manor, Marriott St Pierre and The Vale Golf Resort all incredibly popular choices, we take a look at some of the courses slightly off the beaten track in search of our Welsh hidden gems.
Nefyn & District Golf Club, pictured above
Founded in 1907 after a meeting at a local pub, this coastal location was once described as one of Wales’ ‘best kept secrets’. The course is situated on the beautiful stretch of coastline known as the Llyn Peninsula, offering a unique challenge to golfers.
After completing the first ten holes you can choose either to continue on the original ‘Old’ course, or decide to attempt the challenge of the ‘New’ course, giving you ten brand new holes to complete. A sunny day and a favourable wind will truly make this course one that you will be visiting again and again!
Pennard Golf Club
This challenging links course runs along the Gower Peninsula, an area that was designated the UK’s first area of outstanding natural beauty, just 8 miles from the centre of Swansea. Not for the faint hearted, this exceptional course runs through classic links scenery, 200 feet above sea level, giving golfers a combination of difficult lies and awkward stances as well as the changing terrain; giving it the name ‘The Links in the Sky’.
One of the very best links courses in the UK, a trip to South Wales just wouldn’t be the same without paying this delightful place a visit.
Southerndown
A unique landscape gives this picturesque course its defining quality. Built on a limestone outcrop, the surrounding soil allows for thick vegetation, combined with sandy areas to offer a part links, part heathland golfing experience.
The clubhouse allows for some truly spectacular views of the surrounding area, including Swansea Bay and the Gower Peninsula, down to the Ogmore estuary and the hills and valleys that populate South Wales.
A combination of hard greens and a course that runs through the natural contours of the landscape make this no target range – combined with the coastal winds this makes for a truly unique golfing experience.
Conwy Golf Club
Home of the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open for the last two years, this excellent coastal course gives a truly enjoyable and challenging experience, as to be expected from this championship course.
The course overlooks the estuary towards the Great Orme in Llandudno, with the Isle of Anglesey visible to the west, this picturesque setting for golf is set on links land known locally as ‘the Morfa’.
Recent developments including new bunkers and reconstructed hazards add to the challenge of this course, giving you a real sense of achievement at the ‘19th tee’ after conquering all 18 of its holes. This combined with a newly developed clubhouse with fantastic facilities, this club is one not to miss when visiting the North Wales coast!
Vale of Llangollen
A fantastic championship golf course, situated on the banks of the River Dee and surrounded by the Welsh hills, the carefully mown fairways and smooth greens attract golfers from far and wide. An HSBC Gold Medal ranked course, it has played host to many county, amateur and professional events.
The spectacular setting and difficult course offer a fantastic test for golfers after a new challenge, much admired by those who have played the 18 holes.
A tough opening hole welcomes you to a combination of tricky par fours, amongst a 9th hole which frequently appears on lists of the top holes to play in the UK. Golfers finishing their round are in for a real treat in the 18th hole, considered by many to be the best closing hole in Welsh golf, only those playing the hole perfectly will walk off with the coveted score of par. This varied test of golf is an absolute belter and combined with the welcoming clubhouse make this a very enjoyable round of golf.
For more information on golf in Wales and Wales Golf Breaks, simply visit www.yourgolftravel.com or call 0800 043 6644
Lisa
Under ‘Gems of Wales’ section of your web site, you haven’t mentioned Royal St.David’s at Harlech. We have had more major championships then any. Last year we had S4C Ladies European Championship and British Womens Amateur Championship. This year we are having ‘Boys Home Internationals’. In the past we have had the Seniors European Tour for 5 years on the run and regularly rate high in the top 100 courses. I think you should give us a mention.
Thanks
Ladies Vice Captain
Guys – how can you ignore Pembrokeshire with Tenby GC the oldest course in Wales host to both the British ladies and Welsh Ladies to name a few of late. True links toughness with tight fairways its a real test with fantastic views and great blue flag beaches + its own small 6 bed Dormy house attached.