Scottish Golf Courses

Golf in Wales

The decision to take the Ryder Cup to Wales in 2010 has worked wonders for the game in the Principality. So much so, in fact, that observers have remarked that the game has never been in a healthier state in this particular part of Britain.
Indeed, these are exciting times to be involved in Welsh golf. Not only is there continually increasing excitement about the biennial clash arriving at Celtic Manor, but Welsh golfers are performing magnificently at all levels.

On the European Tour, the likes of Phil Price, Jamie Donaldson, Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge are all enjoying great success, the latter two having won the WGC-World Cup of Golf in 2005. Becky Brewerton and Becky Morgan are flying the flag valiantly on the ladies’ circuit whilst leading amateurs including Nigel Edwards and Rhys Davies continue to be at the top-end of the most significant amateur leaderboards.

A good time then to explore golf in the country. There are in excess of 100 top courses to choose from in the country, with the most talked about one at the moment unquestionably being Wentwood Hills at Celtic Manor. It is here that the Ryder Cup will be played in 2010, although there are two other courses that are also worthy of mention at the plush resort, namely Roman Road and Coldra Woods.

Elsewhere, Royal Porthcawl is widely considered to be one of the finest tests of golf in Wales. The venue for the 1995 Walker Cup is a sensational seaside links that is fit to test the very best.

Royal St David’s is in the same boat, a magnificent links tract that sits in the awesome shadows of Harlech Castle, built by Edward 1 in the 13th century.
Another links for your ‘must play’ list is Pyle & Kenfig. The home course of the 2006 Home Internationals is well-respected by all who have played it and is admired for its high, imposing dunes and sound test of golf.

If the chance to play Ashburnham comes along, meantime, do not be so silly as to let the opportunity pass. It is here that former Ryder Cup-winning captains Bernard Gallacher and Sam Torrance won their first-ever tournaments as professionals, so if it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for most in the game.

These, of course, are just the pick of the golfing tracts in Wales. With many more to discover, you’d have to be mad not to pay Wales a visit.