Golf Courses – South Wales

Wales’ first Senior Open Championship, held at Royal Porthcawl, was a great success played on one of the best golf courses in South Wales.

Golf is seriously popular in south Wales so here are 12 of the best of golf courses South Wales can offer just a short drive away.

All of these Golf Courses feature Wales’ stunning surroundings.

Some of these golf courses have international recognition whilst other golf courses are just charming to play. We have included links, (see what we did there), to enhance your information.

Royal Porthcawl: Host of this year’s Senior Open Championship and widely regarded as one of the top golf courses in Britain. The first four and last six holes are classic links, while the middle holes rise up onto higher ground. www.royalporthcawl.com

Southerndown: This is a gem of championship heathland links golf courses and is unique in its natural simplicity. The four par-threes are particularly noteworthy, especially the fifth hole, known as ‘Carter’s Folly’. www.southerndowngolfclub.com

Celtic Manor (Montgomerie): An open-country parkland affair complete with elevated, valley-crossing tee shots. Needless to say, it was designed by the Ryder Cup legend. www.celtic-manor.com/the-montgomerie-course

Pyle & Kenfig: Commonly known as ‘P&K’, this popular golf courses is laid out in two loops of nine, with the back nine proving a stiff test indeed, especially when the wind is up. www.pandkgolfclub.co.uk

Wenvoe: A good mix of slopes and flat, the course reflects the Vale of Glamorgan countryside around it, with a daunting drive on the Par 5 first. www.wenvoecastlegolfclub.co.uk

Tenby: James Braid extended the original 9-holer back in 1907 – expect rugged dunes, pot bunkers and four very challenging opening holes. www.tenbygolf.co.uk

Rolls of Monmouth: Set in the grounds of the former estate of Charles Stewart Rolls, it comes as little surprise that this course offers the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of hidden gems, if you pardon the pun. www.therollsgolfclub.co.uk

Celtic Manor (Twenty Ten): Created specifically, as the name suggests, for the 2010 Ryder Cup, of the golf courses on show this course offers fantastic variety and numerous ‘signature’ holes. Ryder Cup Golf Courses in Wales

Glamorganshire – This was the first of the golf courses to be built in the south of the country, and the signature 16th offers spectacular views out over the Bristol Channel. www.glamorganshiregolfclub.co.uk

Maesteg – You may associate Bridgend county with pure links courses such as P&K and Royal Porthcawl, but this rugged valleys beauty is a world away from the coast. www.maesteg-golf.co.uk

Cradoc: Famed for its stunning scenery (the Beacons are on the doorstep), the mighty par four “Rourke’s Drift” is probably this course’s most enjoyable hole. www.cradoc.co.uk

Monmouth – Not the longest of golf  courses in Wales but certainly one of the prettiest. Watch out for the difficult holes “Cresta Run”, “Devil’s Bunker” and the appropriately named “Struggle”. www.monmouthgolfclub.co.uk

You can find more information on golf courses in Cardiff in this article on Cardiff Golf courses