Wales Golf Courses — The Complete Visitor's Guide

Wales is a small country with a lot of great golf. Its coast holds fine links in the south, the north and Pembrokeshire. Inland, there are parkland courses in river valleys and moorland tests in the hills. As a result, Wales suits almost any kind of golf trip.

This guide covers the main regions, the courses not to miss, costs and travel tips. You can also browse every course we list in Wales.

The Welsh golf landscape

The R&A counted 181 golf courses in Wales at the end of 2020. They range from championship venues to small nine-hole courses. Our guide to how many golf courses there are in the UK puts that figure alongside the other nations.

Wales suits visitors for much of the year. In particular, the links courses drain well and often play nicely through autumn and winter.

South Wales coast

Royal Porthcawl

If you play only one course in Wales, make it Royal Porthcawl. The club was founded in 1891 and moved to its present links in 1895. It hosted the Walker Cup in 1995 and the Senior Open in 2014, 2017 and 2023. As a result, it is one of the most respected links in Britain.

Our page on golf courses near Cardiff covers Porthcawl and its neighbours.

Southerndown

Southerndown sits on high downland above the coast, near Ogmore-by-Sea. It opened in 1905. It is not a true links. Still, its firm turf and wide views make it a superb round.

Pennard, Gower

Pennard sits high above Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower Peninsula, beside the ruins of a Norman castle. Gower was the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK. The directory lists golf courses near Swansea for the area.

North Wales

North Wales sees fewer golf tourists than the south. Yet it has some of the most atmospheric links in Britain. Near the English border, the directory lists golf courses near Wrexham.

Nefyn & District

Nefyn & District sits on a headland on the Llŷn Peninsula. Several holes run out along a narrow point into the sea. The views are huge, so it is one of the most memorable rounds in Wales.

Royal St David’s, Harlech

Royal St David’s sits below Harlech Castle, between the sea and the mountains. The links runs through dunes on the coastal plain. Since the castle looms over the course, the setting feels unique.

More of the Llŷn

The Llŷn Peninsula also has smaller seaside clubs, such as Abersoch. They are friendly and relaxed, so they suit a holiday round.

Mid Wales: Aberdovey

Aberdovey sits on the Dyfi estuary in Gwynedd. The golf writer Bernard Darwin, a grandson of Charles Darwin, was closely linked with the club. Aberdovey is not easy to reach, since the roads are narrow. However, the journey is part of the charm.

Pembrokeshire

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park covers most of the county’s shore. Tenby, founded in 1888, is often called the oldest golf club in Wales. Our Pembrokeshire golf guide covers it with its neighbours. For more seaside golf, read our guide to coastal golf in the UK.

Parkland and resort golf

Wales also has fine parkland and resort golf. Celtic Manor, near Newport, built its Twenty Ten Course for the 2010 Ryder Cup. Our guide to championship golf courses covers it alongside other big-event venues.

Green fees and visitor access

Green fees in Wales are often lower than for similar courses in England. Still, prices change each year, so check each club’s own website. Most Welsh clubs welcome visitors, and many offer group rates for societies.

When to visit

Late spring is a fine time, since the courses recover from winter and the crowds are small. Early autumn is good too. By contrast, July and August are busy on the coast, especially on the Llŷn. In winter, the links often stay playable when inland courses are wet.

Getting around

Wales is compact, yet north to south journeys take longer than the map suggests. In the south, the M4 links Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea. In the north, the A55 runs along the coast from Chester. A car is the easiest way to reach most courses.

If you are coming from the West Country, our page on golf courses near Bristol suggests a round on the way.

Plan your Welsh golf trip

A week in Wales could mix Porthcawl and Pennard in the south with Harlech and Nefyn in the north. For more links golf, read our guide to the best links golf courses in the UK. Our UK golf breaks guide also helps you plan rooms and travel.

If you are putting together winter golf kit, our guide may help.