Tenby Golf Club is widely seen as the oldest golf club in Wales. Founded in 1888, the club was one of the founding members of the Welsh Golfing Union.  

 

Originally a 9-hole layout when the course first opened, five-time Open Champion James Braid extended the course into the 18-hole layout that has largely remained unchanged since. 

 

The Par 72 course plays along the coastline of southwest Wales, with Tenby South Beach neighbouring a number of holes on the property. Wind, as with all links courses, will be a factor during a round at Tenby.  

 

  

Visit the Tenby Golf Club website here.  

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Tenby Golf Club lays claim to being the oldest golf course in Wales, dating back to 1888 when it is originally a 9-hole layout. James Braid, a five-time winner of the Open Championship, was commissioned to extend the course, and the new 18-hole layout opened in 1907.  

 

By most accounts there were enthusiasts knocking balls around the links and sand dunes long before then. In any event, experts agree that Tenby stands out as the birthplace of Welsh golf and was one of the founding members of the Welsh Golfing Union. During this time, the club acquired a certain prestige, attracting a cluster of celebrities – including Prime Minister, David Lloyd George who became a regular on the links. George is one of five people to have been given the Freedom of the Town in Tenby.  

 

In its more recent history, the course has been re-shaped and extended from being a Par 69 into the Par 72 championship track it is today. Much of the re-shaping of the course was down to coastal erosion, along with the extensions to the layout’s yardage. 

It has a bit of everything that makes links golf the quintessential form of the game. Many shots are blind. Cruel pot bunkers gather any ball coming within 20 yards of them. And the par 3s call for anything between a sand wedge and a 3-wood. This is golf free from modern convention. It isn’t always fair, and luck undoubtedly plays a part, so be prepared to drive one par 4 but be unable to reach the next in two. Or to find a way of caressing a chip between two bunkers, over a hog’s back and then stopping it before it rolls off the far side of the green. 

 

Following the course extensions, Tenby now plays as a Par 72 and measures just over 6,500 yards from the back tees. The course could play longer or shorter than that depending on the wind conditions on the day but be prepared for it to feel more like 7,000. There are only three par 3s and three par 5s on the course, with the opening hole at Tenby being one of the latter. 

 

The 1st is only 466 yards, and many will be looking at birdie or better, but an undulating fairway can lead to blind approach shots towards the green. Four tricky par 4s follow, including the 3rd hole which is named after former Ryder Cup captain Dai Rees. It is the hardest hole on the course, despite only being 380 yards from the tips. 4 plays along the beach, and has another blind shot into a small green, with the 5th tee basically sitting on the beach.  

 

The 6th is the shortest hole on the course at just 120 yards but can play at any number depending on the wind, just don’t leave it short! The front nine ends with three par 4s, with the 7th and 8th having out of bounds down the right, while 9 has Tenby Beach on its right. 10 is named after designer James Braid, while the 12th is the signature par 3 on the property. With anything wayward right hitting the beach, and anything short dropping into a deep dell, accuracy is key on this 193-yard par 3.  

 

13 is drivable if conditions are favourable, with 14 and 16 being short par 5s, so there are scoring opportunities in the late stages of a round at Tenby. The penultimate hole is aptly named ‘View O’Caldey’. The 17th tee is the most elevated point on the golf course and offers golfers views over the beach and water to Caldey Island. The final hole has a wall to signify out of bounds down the left, while anything behind the green is gone... A tough hole to finish. 

Where is Tenby Golf Club located?  
Tenby Golf Club is in the southwestern corner of Wales. Thanks to its coastal location, with Tenby South Beach neighbouring the golf course, there are views over the water to Caldey Island. It is just south of the town of Tenby, and just over 50 miles east of Swansea by road.  

 

The golf course is less than half a mile down the road from Tenby Station. The station lies on the line that runs between Swansea and Pembroke Dock, with services running every couple of hours. In terms of air travel, Swansea Airport is the closest. However, Cardiff Airport – which is only 30 miles further to the east – is the biggest airport in Wales.  

What golf facilities does Tenby Golf Club offer?  
Along with the golf course, Tenby is also home to some great practice facilities. There is a pitch-and-putt which is perfect for beginners and for those looking to hone their wedge skills before taking to the course. Tenby also has a driving range, along with a putting and chipping green, and practice bunker, all by the opening hole of the course.  

What are the green fees at Tenby Golf Club?  
The price of a green fee at Tenby Golf Club 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 Tenby Golf Club, visit their website here. 

 

  

Visit the Tenby Golf Club website here. 

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.