Have you had a chance to dust off your golf clubs yet? With national restrictions set to relax in time for warmer weather and a staycation boom, golf courses are back open and ready to be ‘putt’ to the test.
Wales is blessed with over 200 courses – many of which are located in areas of spectacular natural beauty. So whether you’re looking to squeeze in a round at a nearby gem or enjoy a multi-game road trip, look no further than our list of the top five must-visit golf courses in Wales.
Celtic Manor
The Twenty Ten Course at Celtic Manor is famous for hosting the 2010 Ryder Cup, a classic in which Colin Montgomerie’s European squad won out over Corey Pavin’s USA team.
With a par 71 to aim for over a huge total of 7,493 yards, you’ll need to put your full collection of golf irons to use if you want to get the most out of its risk-and-reward holes. It’s one of three courses here which are just 20 minutes outside of Cardiff.
Aberdovey Golf Club
Snowdonia National Park offers much more than walks and ziplines. The gorgeous Aberdovey Golf Club sits at the mouth of the Dover Estuary, with links wedged between the Cambrian mountain range and the shore.
The course features changeable winds, tight lines, rolling fairways and fast green, all of which continue to test even the very best amateur golfers. There’s also a railway line alongside it with passing trains which were once packed full of travelling players.
Royal St David’s
Surrounded by towering sand dunes and overlooked by the ancient Harlech Castle, Royal St David’s makes for another stunning setting to play golf in. It’s a surprisingly challenging par 69 – the toughest in the world according to locals – but it’s also lots of fun.
Expect to battle exposed elements from every direction over a total course length of 6,629 yards. Are your skills up to it?
Pennard Golf Club
The links course at Pennard sits high and mighty at some 200ft above sea level. You’ll find a fun and varied par 71 to test your nerve on, if you’re not too distracted by the majestic views from Three Cliffs Bay to Oxwich Bay!
Hole 16 in particular offers a scene to remember. Several holes feature elevated tees for extra thrilling drives, meanwhile.
Royal Porthcawl
The arrival of the Senior Open Championship in 2014 helped to boost the popularity of this slightly remote course to the west of Cardiff. With spectacular views across the Bristol Channel and beyond, it’s now ranked as the best in Wales and one of the best in the world.
You won’t find any sand dunes to get lost in here – but the bountiful gorse and bunkering more than make up for it.
Are any of these courses on your itinerary over the coming weeks?
