Welcome to Wales, where you will enjoy beautiful courses, first-class hospitality, and great value golf. Wales has more than one hundred and forty courses to choose from including a selection of world-class links course and parkland courses including Ryder Cup venues such as the Celtic Manor Resort. Despite the undeniable quality of the golf in Wales, it is often forgotten about in the broader UK context when it comes to golf trips, simply because it is surrounded by so many other ‘heavyweights’ in Scotland, England, and Ireland. However, as often in life, the underdog can come out on top, and in the case of Wales, you will be treated to some excellent courses with many hidden wonders along its charming coastline and beyond. There is a real sense of ‘golf how it should be’ in Wales, pure, natural, and great fun.
Let us start at Royal Porthcawl located in the South of Wales; the jewel of Welsh Golf. Situated along the coast of South Wales it enjoys stunning views across Bristol Channel and the Irish Sea towards the Atlantic. Next door is Pyle and Kenfig, Marriott St Pierre, Chepstow, The Vale Hotel & Golf Resort and of course the magnificent Celtic Manor Resort, home to the 2010 Ryder Cup. This beautiful 330-bedroom hotel has eight restaurants, five bars, two exceptional spas, two health clubs, and three golf courses – The Twenty Ten Golf Course, The Roman Road Course, and The Montgomerie Course. The Twenty Ten Golf Course was the first course built specifically to host a Ryder Cup event.
Also, on the south coast is Pennard Golf Club one of the most dramatic links courses in the world, situated in the grounds of a ruined 12th-century castle. It is one of the oldest established golf courses in Wales and is an iconic James Braid design.
In and around the capital city Cardiff there are many unknown gems set in tranquil parkland such as The Glamorganshire, Radyr and Creigiau Golf Club as well as Ashburnham in Llanelli. Cardiff is packed with unique and quirky bars and restaurants, check out The Dead Canary, Chapel 1877, The Waiting Room, Pitch Bar & Eatery, The Blind Tiger and Dirty Martini for a flavor of what Cardiff is all about. It is an amiable and welcoming city, and despite rugby football dominating the conversations in this part of the world, golfers can find themselves very much at home in this great metropolis.
Located in the show-stopping Snowdonia National Park in Northwest Wales is the mountain-backed Royal St David’s Golf Club, best known for the medieval Harlech Castle that overlooks the golf course, it is said to be keeping an eye on everything that goes on! In the North of Wales, you can enjoy courses that are steeped in history such as Conwy and Nefyn & District Golf Club. James Braid did some of his best work in North Wales with many people following the James Braid trail which takes in ten of his courses including; Aberdovey, Maesdu, Porthmadog, Wrexham, Bangor St. Deinio, Holyhead, Pwllheli, Rhyl, and Old Colwyn.
Outside the golf experience, you can enjoy many other enjoyable activities. Wales is home to more than six hundred castles, which is more by area than anywhere else in the world. The country is filled with an outstanding natural landscape, and you will be able to enjoy many unique accommodations, great local food and drink, and contemporary culture. Speaking of food, you must try a local delicacy; a cup of tea and a slice of Bara Brith. Cheese is also a Welsh specialty with varieties such as Caerphilly and of course the snack of Welsh Rarebit (cheese sauce on toast) as popular with the locals as it is with visitors the world over.
With stunning scenery, the outdoors is a must on your golf trip. The numerous lakes, rivers, and mountains as well as world-class beaches and areas of outstanding natural beauty, make it as much a part of your itinerary as the golf courses. Hand in hand with the many scenic walks, both golf courses and otherwise, goes a tour of the charming pubs. Many venues incorporate regular live music bringing the Welsh hospitality and warmth to life to the fore.