Golf courses in South Wales have two main power bases – one based around Cardiff and one centred around the even more well-endowed Swansea.
It was this part of the country that further raised the its golfing profile in 2010, when one of our featured courses staged the Ryder Cup.
Celtic Manor is the only new course among the top-end of the ranking, with the rest having a long history…
20. Whitchurch
Designed by Hubert Walker, there are great views of the capital as well as Penarth Head, the Somerset Coast and Bristol Channel from this 1914 parkland.
It sits on elevated ground and is overlooked by historic 13th Century Castell Coch.
‘Cardiff’ golf club sits north of the city and is sheltered from the north by the Wenallt Hills.
19. Cradoc
Designed by CK Cotton, this parkland course from 1967 on the side of the Usk valley is defined by mature trees.
Cradoc enjoys tranquil natural surroundings inhabited by lots of wildlife while the views on front nine particularly are breathtaking.
18. Newport
This club dates back to 1903, so the birch, beech and oaks in Llwyni Wood through which it winds are patently mature.
The nines are separated by the wood and while mature timber is present throughout, the playing areas are suitably wide to allow you to enjoy your game.
17. Celtic Manor (Roman Road)
The ‘third’ course at the world-famous resort is a championship venue designed by the world-famous architect Robert Trent Jones Snr.
It was the first of the famed resort’s courses to open in 1995, with the feted designer routing it between trees and across streams.
16. Radyr
Radyr is a 1902 parkland renowned for its excellent putting surfaces and which offers views of the capital and Bristol Channel.
It has has been described as ‘One of Harry Colt’s Little Jewels’ and enjoys an idyllic setting in rural parkland.
15. Clyne
This is another Harry Colt design, routed among gorse and bracken in two loops of nine which return to the clubhouse.
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It sits at the entrance to the spectacular Gower Peninsula in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
14. Cardigan
Located around the Tei Estuary, Fred Hawtree included blind shots to add entertainment to the visual spender that comes with it having panoramic views of Cardigan Bay from every hole.
A mix of links and parkland, Cardigan is noted for its excellent year-round condition.
13. Celtic Manor (Montgomerie)
Designed by the man who captained Europe at this five-star resort in 2010, you get spectacular views with dramatic tee shots over valleys and downhill shots.
Expect trademark Colin Montgomerie deep bunkering as well as big bold greens and a scenic backdrop.
12. The Vale (National)
This muscular modern course is a serious test no matter whether it is in its woodland phase or holes that are parkland in character.
A notably long course among mature trees, what it may lack in charm it makes up for in challenge.
11. Machynys Peninsula
This is a relatively new Jack Nicklaus design that is located on the outskirts of Llanelli near the River Loughor.
Machynys is an impressive effort by Jack and his team given they were given unremarkable, open land near to the coast to work with.
So which golf courses in South Wales make it into our top 10? Find out on the next page…
10. Langland Bay
“Keep your head down? You must be joking. The views are never the same twice, yet always breathtaking,” says Langland Bay’s website – and it is fair comment.
Its setting – with ocean views from 15 holes – was the reason it enjoyed a nice slot within the top half of our ranking.
9. Rolls of Monmouth
There is a great backstory to this club, which sits within the Rolls of Monmouth Estate – also known as The Hendre – and has been the country seat of the Rolls family since 1767.
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The 6,733-yard parkland is split into two by a forested hillside, expect mature oak trees, water hazards and large greens.
8. Marriott St Pierre (Old)
Located near Chepstow in Monmouthshire, this was a Solheim Cup host back in 1996 and has been a regular host of the European men’s circuit.
Part of a fine all-round resort, it is a pleasant parkland course with an exacting hole to finish.
7. Celtic Manor (Twenty Ten)
The top-ranked modern course in our list was the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup – in fact it was purpose for exactly that role.
European Golf Design’s Ross McMurray skilfully took the best bits of the existing Wentwood Hills layout and blended in striking new holes to provide a magnificent risk-and-reward experience that proved perfect for matchplay.
With water hazards on half of the holes – including in front of the grandstand 18th – it has drama at every turn.
6. Pyle & Kenfig
The front half is perfectly good but, frankly, you go to Pyle & Kenfig for the awesome holes cut through the dunes.
Philip Mackenzie Ross – the man who laid out the original Turnberry Ailsa course – wrote to the club in 1946 to say he had seen no finer golfing land than their back nine, and he duly made a fine job of working that splendid duneland.
Right, it’s time for our top five golf courses in South Wales. Turn the page to find out who is top of the pile…
5. Ashburnham
This often vastly under-rated links is hidden away at Burry Port, west of Llanelli.
It has a modest start and finish – the 1st and 18th play up and down a hill and the 2nd, 16th and 17th are undeniably modest – but the 13 holes from the 3rd to the 15th inclusive are some of the finest in the Principality.
Harry Vardon once said: “The course I like best in Wales is Ashburnham.”
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4. Tenby
It’s so easy to have a soft spot for this classically simple links in Pembrokeshire.
It is a links that gives you a lot visually – more so than arguably any course in Wales – and it has some wonderful holes, such as the 3rd which is played to a plateau green and the next which is played to a punchbowl green.
3. Southerndown
Falls into the category of downland rather than links golf, with a plentiful supply of gorse and springy turf on a course perched high up in the hills near Bridgend.
Southerndown has an infamous opening shot of the day, one that is surely one of the toughest starts in British golf.
2. Pennard
The ‘links in the sky’ is laid out on high ground that undulates dramatically, providing a wonderful and distinctive terrain for golf.
It is perched on clifftops south of Swansea, but has the feel and qualities of a links by virtue of its firm turf.
There are a few weaker holes but more that are right out of the top drawer – not least the 7th and 16th.
1. Royal Porthcawl
A lack of dunes means there are sea views from every hole and the opening burst along the shore is tough to beat.
Porthcawl is as much an unremitting examination as it is a scenic experience, as befits a Walker Cup, Senior Open and soon-to-be Women’s British Open venue.
The layout darts about the property, so holes point in every direction and with frequent changes in your compass a la Muirfield, you are always having to calculate and adapt.
Have I missed anything in my best golf courses in South Wales list? Let me know in the comments below, or tweet me.
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