YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO GOLF COURSES IN WALES

Click the banners to view
great golfing deals

Welsh Golf Courses - Holiday Pages

Golf in Wales

Advertisers

Wales is often overlooked as a golfing destination. Too often we golfers stick to the territory we know best, albeit with good intentions. But, if there was ever a case of a sleeping giant in terms of worldwide golfing destinations, then Wales indisputably takes the title.

Lately, it has experienced something of a shot in the arm in terms of exposure and, on close examination of its courses, hotels and general "things to do", it is extremely hard to argue with its rise up the golf destination rankings. The announcement that Celtic Manor Resort - one of Europe's top golfing complexes - would play host to the Ryder Cup in 2010 was the icing on the cake, as it had already enjoyed success with the European Tour's Wales Open and the WPGA Championship of Europe.

Wales hardly deserves the title of "new kid on the block"; its courses, of which there are around 200, seem to have existed since the dawn of time. Incidentally, it boasts the third oldest golfing union in the world. But, to the average golfer Wales is someplace new and exciting. And rightly so.

For first-time visitors this is a delightful voyage of discovery and you wonder whether this land was built for golf. The combination of dazzling scenery and mix of links and green-as-can-be parkland courses are Wales' most prominent features - features you won't forget in a hurry.

Courses in the north are suitably located near popular places of interest, allowing you to mix a few holes of golf with a touch of sightseeing. World-renowned course designers, in the shape of James Braid, Old Tom Morris and Harry Vardon, saw fit to go to work on Wales' glorious landscape which says a lot.

The Isle of Anglesey is host to a number of courses, with Anglesey, Holyhead and the prestigious Bull Bay. The north coast sees the Victorian resort and well-liked holiday hotspot, Llandudno, boasting a trio of courses: Llandudno (Maesdu) Golf Club; Llandudno (North Wales) Golf Club; and Rhos-on-Sea Golf Club. The Maesdu Course achieved great acclaim in the 1950s and 1960s as host to the prestigious Penfold Tournament in which Harry Bradshaw, Henry Cotton and Peter Alliss were victorious.

Heading south down the coast you pass by Tywyn, Aberystwyth and New Quay where that friendly local welcoming awaits. Pontypridd is virtually surrounded by golf courses, including Royal Porthcawl and Vale. Popular tracts include Cottrell Park, Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club and a little further on (take the Cardiff city by-pass) past Newport and Cwmbran, Marriott St Pierre.
Host to the old Dunlop Masters, the Curtis Cup and the Solheim Cup, this is a course of genuine quality.

The capital city, Cardiff, is easily accessible from all directions and, in addition to motorway and train links, is served by its own airport.

Despite its close proximity to the Penarth Cliffs and its views of Bristol Channel, Glamorganshire was the first inland course built in Wales and is the fourth oldest. Modern improvements have helped to make it a delightful challenge to all.

The venue for the Ryder Cup in 2010 is just up the coast at Newport. Celtic Manor, developed by Welshman Terry Matthews, overlooks the Severn Estuary and the Usk Valley. At £100million it is the largest ever private investment in the British hotel industry. Its three courses - Wentwood Hills, Roman Road and Coldra Woods - offer three very different challenges. Better still, all this luxury is just a short drive from Bristol Airport.

Farm cottages, bed and breakfasts and guest houses can be found in every nook and cranny and welcome parties with one thing in mind - golf.