Welshpool: A course that offers everything a golfer could possibly need
Although short by modern-day standards, Welshpool Golf Club more than makes up for its humble length with its challenging nature.
Many golf courses have a hole that deems them challenging; but not Welshpool which has several difficult holes including some particularly tricky par 3s.
But if you like old-fashioned golf with pulpit greens, ditches, greenside swales, the occasion blind shot and gorse lining every fairway then you’re in for a treat.
The 18 holes that make up this magnificent course, once played won’t be forgotten in a hurry. The views are simply spectacular, a panoramic vista of miles of Welsh hillside and farmland with the mountains of Snowdonia as a backdrop.
History
First established in 1894 in Deer Park, Powis Castle, Welshpool Golf Club relocated to Red Bank on the outskirts of the town before finally moving to its current location on the Golfa Hill in 1930.
The construction company of John R Stutt built the course and Stutt compared Welshpool to Gleneagles, despite the latter not providing anything like the spectacular shots with which the Golfa abounds.
Gold writer Bernard Darwin was equally complimentary with his opinion of Welshpool, saying: “The fact is that it is almost as impossible to describe the course as to describe the view; it is so unexpected, so unlike anything else, perched on the roof of the world. It is a beautiful place and I realised how incomplete had been my golfing education until I had seen it“.
What makes it special
Undoubtedly the most special part about Welshpool is the spectacular views across the Shropshire Plain and up into Snowdonia.
Now known as “Darwin’s Dream”, the 12th hole – formerly the 18th – have made past visitors make a return visit to Welshpool – just to play that very hole!
Where does it rank?
266th in GB&I, 19th in Wales, and 54th in Fun.
Where is it?
This James Braid designed course is situated just across the border from England into mid-Wales on the A458, three miles outside of Welshpool.
Get in touch with Welshpool
For more information about the club and course, visit its website or call them on 01938 850249.
- Related: NCG Top 100s Tour: Register to play Welshpool now!
- Related: NCG Top 100s: Welshpool Golf Club review
- Related: Watch former professional Rugby player Sean Holley play Welshpool!
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Ben Outhwaite
Ben is National Club Golfer's Marketing Editor and the latest addition to our golf equipment review team.
He specialises in testing golf bags, beginner golf club sets, apparel and golf accessories. He also collates our buying guides so you know which are the latest and greatest bits of golf equipment on the market.
Ben picked up his first golf club when he was five years old – which was in fact a left-handed set of clubs!
He is a member at Rudding Park Golf Club and has a handicap of fifteen.
