Best Golf Courses in Wales

Wales, often called the land of golf, boasts some of the most stunning and challenging golf courses in the world. 

From coastal links courses that test your skill against unpredictable weather to scenic parkland layouts nestled in valleys, Wales has something to offer every golf enthusiast. 

With a rich golf heritage and home to some of the UK’s most iconic courses, Wales is very quickly becoming one of the top destinations for a spot of golf in 2025.

If you do venture out to play golf in Wales you will likely want to remember your brolly... as a word of warning, GolfMagic has played golf in Wales six times over the past 24 months and we're sorry to report it rained on four of those occasions! 

Anyway, in our latest best golf courses feature, we take a closer look at five exceptional golf courses in Wales that every golfer should experience come rain or shine. 

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Royal Porthcawl Golf Club

• Location: Porthcawl, Wales
• Par: 72
• Length: 6,580 yards
• Course Type: Links
• Opened: 1891
• Designer: Harry Colt
• Signature Hole: par-4 18th, a challenging tee shot over a cliff with views of the Bristol Channel
• Website: Royal Porthcawl

Rightly regarded as one of the best links courses in the world, Royal Porthcawl Golf Club is a true jewel of Welsh golf. 

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Bristol Channel, the course features classic links characteristics such as tight fairways, deep bunkers, and fast, undulating greens. 

A combination of natural beauty and challenging elements makes it a memorable destination for golfers of all abilities.

We played here with former European Tour player Rhys Davies and loved every second of our experience, even in the teaming rain! It's a brute of a golf course in the elements, but it all adds to the experience for sure and makes you appreciate just how good these guys on Tour really are. 

Designed by the legendary Harry Colt, Royal Porthcawl is known for its strategic layout and its ever-present coastal winds. 

The course weaves through rolling dunes and offers spectacular views from almost every hole. 

Royal Porthcawl has earned a reputation for its competitive spirit, having hosted multiple prestigious events, including The Senior Open most recently in 2023. 

It will proudly host the AIG Women's Open from 31 July to 3 August. 

Get your tickets here.

Aberdovey Golf Club

• Location: Aberdovey, West Wales
• Par: 71
• Length: 6,324 yards
• Course Type: Links
• Opened: 1892
• Designer: J.H. Taylor (original design)
• Signature Hole: par-3 12th, plays to an elevated position on top of a dune and offers panoramic views of the sea
• Website: Aberdovey GC

For a more traditional and less commercialized Welsh golf experience, Aberdovey Golf Club is a must visit for serious golfers. 

Located on the beautiful west coast of Wales, the course offers spectacular views over Cardigan Bay and a chance to play on a classic links course that has retained much of its original charm.

Aberdovey’s design makes the most of the natural landscape, weaving through dunes, gorse, and heather. 

Though the course is relatively short compared to modern layouts, it is far from easy. You'll definitely want to bring an extra sleeve or two! 

The unpredictable weather conditions here, coupled with strategic bunkering and narrow fairways, make it a true test of accuracy and shot-making.

Aberdovey offers a traditional golf experience with an emphasis on strategy and precision. 

The unhurried atmosphere and stunning coastal backdrop make it a fantastic choice for those seeking a more laid-back, authentic links experience.

Royal St. David’s Golf Club

• Location: Harlech, North Wales
• Par: 69
• Length: 6,649 yards
• Course Type: Links
• Opened: 1894
• Designer: James Braid (original design)
• Signature Hole: par-4 15th has spectacular views in almost every direction
• Website: Royal St David's GC

Situated in the picturesque town of Harlech, home to the historic Harlech Castle, Royal St. David’s is one of Wales' finest golf courses.

Known for its traditional links design and stunning views of both the Snowdonia mountains and the Cardigan Bay coastline, this course is a must-play for serious golf enthusiasts.

Royal St. David’s is a challenging, yet fair course that stays true to its traditional links roots. 

The layout offers a series of strategic holes, with deep bunkers and fast greens that require accurate shot-making. 

This course is regularly ranked among the best in the UK, and its scenic beauty adds an extra layer of enjoyment to any round.

Royal St. David’s combines a rich golfing history with a challenging layout, making it a perfect destination for golfers who want to test their skills in a spectacular setting. 

The stunning views of the mountains and coastline only add to the allure of this incredible course.

Pennard Golf Club

• Location: Swansea, South Wales
• Par: 71
• Length: 6,422 yards
• Course Type: Links
• Opened: 1896
• Designer: Originally designed by James Braid
• Signature Hole: par-4 12th, risk reward hole reachable for bigger hitters
• Website: Pennard GC

Often referred to as the "links in the sky," Pennard Golf Club offers a truly unique golfing experience. 

Situated on a dramatic clifftop with sweeping views of the Gower Peninsula, the course is a hidden gem that combines stunning scenery with a challenging layout.

Pennard Golf Club is a traditional links course known for its tough, tight fairways, deep bunkers, and fast greens. 

The layout takes full advantage of the natural terrain, incorporating the dramatic elevation changes and coastal winds that make the course both beautiful and challenging. 

This course is not only difficult but also rewards creativity and strategic thinking.

Pennard GC offers a golf experience like no other. Its stunning clifftop location, combined with a demanding layout, ensures that golfers will have a round to remember.

If you're looking for a quiet, scenic course with a challenging but fair design, Pennard is an ideal choice.

The Twenty Ten Course at Celtic Manor Resort

• Location: Newport, South Wales
• Par: 71
• Length: 7,493 yards
• Course Type: Parkland
• Opened: 2007
• Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
• Signature Hole: par-5 18th with its iconic amphitheater-style green on an elevated green sat above a giant water hazard
• Website: Celtic Manor Golf Resort

Celtic Manor Resort, famous for once hosting the Ryder Cup, is one of the premier golfing destinations in Wales.

The Twenty Ten Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., was created specifically for the 2010 Ryder Cup and offers a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers at every level.

Set in the picturesque Usk Valley, the Twenty Ten Course features a mix of parkland and strategic hazards, including water features, bunkers, and the famous 18th hole with its natural amphitheater. T

This course is challenging, with undulating fairways and well-protected greens that demand precise shot-making.

The par-5 18th is a spectacular closing hole, reachable for the longest hitters. But the prudent play is to lay up short of the giant water hazard sat below an elevated green and par is still a good score given the troubles that await. 

Celtic Manor’s Twenty Ten Course offers golfers a chance to play on a Ryder Cup venue, combining the thrill of championship golf with the luxury of a world-class resort. 

The course’s challenging layout ensures golfers will be tested, while the resort’s amenities provide the perfect place to relax afterward.

Why Golf in Wales is So Special

Wales offers more than just great golf—it provides a rich, diverse golfing experience that combines history, beauty, and challenge. 

From the spectacular coastal links courses to peaceful inland gems, golfers can find a variety of courses to suit their preferences. 

Wales' dramatic natural landscapes, including its rugged coastline and rolling hills, serve as the perfect backdrop to a round of golf.

But what truly makes golfing in Wales special is the atmosphere. 

Welsh golf courses are known for their welcoming, friendly nature, making players feel at home from the moment they arrive. 

Additionally, the country’s long-standing golfing traditions ensure that golfers have access to courses with deep roots in the sport’s history. 

Whether you’re playing at a world-famous venue like Royal Porthcawl or a hidden gem like Aberdovey, Wales offers an unforgettable golfing experience that should be on every golfer’s bucket list.

More Best Course Guides: 

• Best Courses in England

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