Machynys Peninsula, also known as Monk’s Island, is one of the most beautiful golf courses you will find on any of the NCG Top 100s list, whether it is in GB&I or Europe, or even the world. 

 

Jack and Gary Nicklaus were the men behind the design on the peninsula, which only opened in 2005. However, since then, it has gone on to host the Ladies European Tour on four occasions, along with a number of R&A competitions.  

 

  

Visit the Machynys Peninsula website here.  

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Machynys Peninsula is one of the youngest courses on the NCG Top 100s: Wales list. The venue only opened in 2005, and was the brainchild of Jack Nicklaus, with son Gary helping with the design and construction of the course. 

 

There was a hefty budget for the golf course, one of more than $3.5 million. Even more was spent on the beautiful clubhouse that guests can enjoy before and after a round on the Peninsula. In its relatively brief history, Machynys has played host to many amateur and professional competitions. The S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe, a Ladies European Tour event, was held in the same year the venue opened, and played there for four successive years.  

The golf course at Machynys Peninsula has a championship yardage. The back tees see the course play at more than 7,100 yards, but there is a choice of five tees for golfers of all abilities to enjoy their round. The course is routed in two distinct loops with a parkland front nine and an inward half that has more of a links feel beside the sea. 

 

Only two of the 18 holes at Machynys do not feature any water, but both of those are next to the beach, so you could argue that fact. The two that do not feature water immediately by the fairway or green are the 14th and 17th. The latter is the easiest of the four par 3s on the course, while 14 is a short-ish par 4, but there are six bunkers dotted over the hole, including one right in the middle of the fairway.  

 

Machynys Peninsula starts with a gentle opener before the first of the par 3s. The 2nd is played over water and sand to a shallow green, and it is a hole where big numbers can come into play. 3 is the longest hole on the course, pushing 570 yards from the tips. Water is in view on the right, but it should not come into play on your drive on this three-shotter.  

 

The 5th features a stream running in front of the green, while 6 and 7 both have water on their left sides. The 8th is a narrow driving hole that requires a perfectly accurate drive. Trees and out of bounds are just off the fairway to the left, while a water hazard runs down the right side of the fairway. 9 and 10 are both 400+ yard par 4s that work their way around hazards, the 9th to the right and the 10th to the left.  

 

The next major water hazard comes at 15, with a large lake to the right of the hole. 16 then plays to the southern tip of the course. Gary Nicklaus, who acted as chief designer on behalf of his father, said his favourite hole is the 451-yard 16th which, as he says, “is played across the lake from right behind the clubhouse [and] is probably one of the most beautiful holes on the course”. The closing hole at Machynys is a great par 5 that provide a birdie opportunity, but only if you find the fairway! Water separates the tee from the fairway, and then comes into play again on the left side around where the lay-up area might be. Four greenside bunkers guard the putting surface, so most will be happy with a par.  

Where is Machynys Peninsula located?  
Machynys Peninsula lies on the banks of the River Loughor in south Wales, with the Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) situated across the water. Llanelli is just a mile or so to the north of Machynys, while the A484 and A4138 provide suitable options for those travelling by car. 

 

Llanelli Station is a mile to the north and operates trains in an east-west direction. Trains run from Llanelli to the west of Wales and Pembrokeshire, as well as going east to Swansea and Cardiff, with some going all the way to London. Swansea Airport is the closest to Machynys Peninsula, but Cardiff Airport is the largest and busiest in Wales. Cardiff Airport is around 50 miles to the east.  

 

What golf facilities does Machynys Peninsula offer?  

Along with the stunning Nicklaus-designed golf course, Machynys Peninsula is also home to the Machynys Golf Centre. The centre features a TrackMan driving range with 20 bays, along with a beautiful short game area for golfers to hone their skills. 

What are the green fees at Machynys Peninsula?  
The price of a green fee at Machynys Peninsula changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. 

 

For more information on current green fees at Machynys Peninsula, visit their website here. 

 

  

Visit the Machynys Peninsula website here. 

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.