Best Golf Courses in Wales

Being surrounded on every side by 3 powerhouses of golf in Scotland, Ireland and England, Wales is often overlooked as a golfing destination, a travesty, considering the truly world-class golf that is on offer there. Wales has played host to a number of international tournaments, including the Ryder Cup in 2010 at Celtic Manor and the Senior Open Championship, which has been at Royal Porthcawl twice in the last 4 years.

Wales, with miles of charming coastline and acres of untouched countryside, is full of hidden gems that make for some epic golf, a real rising star in the golfing world.

Read on to discover the courses our experts have played and consider the best in Wales or check out some of the best golf holiday deals in Wales >>

The crown jewel of Welsh golf, Royal Porthcawl is not only the best course in Wales but one of the best in the world. Whilst not a true links course, Royal Porthcawl is right on the coast of South Wales and boasts breathtaking views across the Bristol Channel and the Atlantic beyond.

Do not let the absence of sand dunes fool you, this epic track is tough, one has to navigate the plentiful gorse and excellent bunkering, all in the face of the winds coming off the Atlantic.

More info on Royal Porthcawl >>

"The course leads you into a sense of false security from the first few holes only to take that away with the brutal par 5 5th."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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Royal St David's is no stranger to hosting prestigious tournaments and has previously hosted Open Qualifying. The course itself is set in a remote part of North West Wales and keeps all golfers on their toes with all holes facing in different directions.

More info on Royal St David's Golf Club >>

"The home stretch from the 14th is almost unrivalled in any course. You start with a partially blind long par 3 then the signature 15th hole and its unparallelled views, to finish unusually on the 18th with a par 3."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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Aberdovey is a links course in the truest sense of the word, nestled among towering dunes overlooking Cardigan Bay. Expect undulating turf, firm fairways and lightning quick greens, for Aberdovey, has all of these twinned with a magnificent backdrop.

The course demands creativity and smart club selection, in keeping with its Irish equivalents across the sea, the changeable winds will be a factor that makes no two holes the same.

More info on Aberdovey Golf Club >>

"This is one of Wales finest links golf courses, and home to the toughest finishing stretches as you head back in to the wind."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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The moniker 'The Links in the Sky' comes from the unique setting of Pennard, as it sits atop the cliffs some 200 ft above the sea. This magnificent setting makes for some of the most dramatic views of any golf course in Britain.

As with many of the truly great golf courses, none of the holes would be considered boring, the use of elevated tees on several holes make for thrilling tee shots.

More info on Pennard Golf Club >>

"Known as the links in the sky, it has got a relatively new clubhouse with all the amenities you would need. similar to Southerndown built on common land means the greens are protected from cattle, this just adds to the charm."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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As historic golf courses in Wales go, few are older or more well-liked than Ashburnham, since its inception in 1894 is has remained at the forefront of Welsh golf.

The classic links course has the quirk of beginning with a par 3, from then on working out and back in typical links style. For those who tend to slice from left to right, Ashburnham can prove difficult to navigate, but it well worth a visit.

More info on Ashburnham Golf Club >>

"A traditional Welsh links course. With the typical links style of 9 holes out and 9 holes back in, undulating fairways, pot bunkers and blind tee shots."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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The Twenty Ten Course at Celtic Manor is the first course to be purpose-built to host a Ryder Cup event. It is widely regarded as a huge success, resulting in one of the most thrilling ends to a Ryder Cup in recent memory, despite heavy rain.

The success of this modern great has helped to propel Wales into the spotlight of elite level golf. The course itself is a joy to play, with multiple water hazards to test your accuracy off the tee.

More info on Twenty Ten Course >>

"The Twenty Ten Course is a different beast altogether. Water is the obvious hazard and will catch you out on more than half of the holes."
Tommy (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 14)

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Shooting out from Wales into the Irish Sea, Nefyn is positioned in such a way that it is impossible not to be thrilled by the dramatic landscape. Surrounded by water on three sides, the views from atop the cliffs at Nefyn nothing short of awesome.

Comparable to Old Head at Kinsale across the water in Ireland, the course is as spectacular as the views. Three loops of 9 holes make up the course, the Front and then the Old or the New. If you only have time to play 18, go for the Old to experience the exhilaration of cliff-side golf.

More info on Nefyn Golf Club >>

"What is there to say about this course that pictures don't tell you already. Boasting an unusual 27 holes, The Point (Old Course) has had to be majorly redeveloped over recent times to cope with the weather."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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Occupying the same stretch of glorious coastline as the best course in Wales, Royal Porthcawl, means expectations are sky high for Pyle & Kenfig, the course rises to that challenge.

'P & K', as the locals call refer to it, has a wonderful variety of views, including that of the Gower Peninsula and the Welsh Mountains. The track is a true links, rare in Wales, and rolls across the natural hillocks and valleys beautifully.

More info on Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club >>

"The winds here can be very strong, the back 9 is incredible with massive sand dunes and amazing views."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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Located on Wales northern coast, Conwy is an excellent seaside track. Previous host of the Curtis Cup, the course is not without challenge, largely due to the coastal winds.

Should you be lucky enough to catch a day with low winds, Conwy could be enjoyed by golfers of all levels. In keeping with links character, many holes are nestled in the rolling sand dunes and make for exciting play.

More info on Conwy Golf Club >>

"The course is pure, old-school links too, with all the things that make that type of golf so much fun. Wispy but fair rough, pot bunkers, firm fast fairways & upturned saucer greens."
Rory (Marketing: Handicap 7)

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The Wales National is superbly conditioned, thanks in part to its USGA specification greens, with its collection of water hazards and acres of sand trouble is never too far away.

Measuring 7,400+ yards from the back tees it is challenging, yes, but the Wales National is a wonderful treat that every golfer will enjoy.

More info on The Vale Wales National Course >>

"Some fairways are really wide, some are like bowling alleys, so there’s a great variety of tee shots to consider & with a tonne of water in play, particularly around the signature stretch of holes from the 13th onwards, the course really keeps you on your toes from start to finish!"
Rory (Marketing: Handicap 7)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Rory about playing this course.

The Wales National is superbly conditioned, thanks in part to its USGA specification greens, with its collection of water hazards and acres of sand trouble is never too far away.

Measuring 7,400+ yards from the back tees it is challenging, yes, but the Wales National is a wonderful treat that every golfer will enjoy.

More info on Southerndown Golf Club >>

"Make sure you tee off well on the 1st a tight fairway with gorse either side of the fairway but be warned you will end up with an awkward lie as it is uphill all the way."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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Handicap: 18
Favourite Course: Royal Portrush
My 'Expert' areas: Wales, Scotland, Open Championship Courses
Best trip I've done: Trump Turnberry
Where my next trip is to: Valderrama,the first European Ryder Cup venue.

Give Rob a call on 0800 043 6644 to arrange your next golf break.