Golf: South Wales

Despite being the nation's most densely populated region, South Wales possesses over 50 courses consisting of the most tranquil parkland, links and mountainside venues.

No visit to Wales would be complete without a trip to the Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club on the coast of Porthcawl. With stupendous undulating sand dunes, Pyle and Kenfig is a golfer's paradise with top quality links holes added to the superb views of the Bristol Channel, the Gower Peninsula and the magnificent Welsh Mountains.

Neighbouring Pyle and Kenfig is the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, which is included in Golf Monthly's top 100 courses. Memorable views can be found at every corner of this truly world-class links course, facing south to Somerset and Exmoor, and northwest across Swansea Bay to the Gower Peninsula. The course slopes down to the shore, and with the holes facing every point on the compass, this 7,065-yard monster is the ultimate test.

At 6,733 yards, the sublimely-kept parkland Rolls of Monmouth will test any golfer, and with the striking presence of Manor House - the former home of Rolls Royce co-founder Charles Stewart Rolls - you can't fail to enjoy this experience. The 566-yard 17th hole will challenge the ball-striking of all low-handicap golfers.

Another unique parkland offering is The Vale Resort. Often known for its world-class multi-sports facilities, the Wales National Golf Course at the Vale Resort is most certainly that, holding the longest par 5 in the entire country. The Wales National is one of two championship courses at this superb 650-acre facility.

If you fancy a championship course with proven prestige and tournament history, then why not visit the Old Course at St Pierre. This 400-acre track was originally designed by Ken Cotton in 1961 and has since played host to copious European Tour events, and, with previous winners such as Langer, Ballasteros and Norman, the lake-lined beauty allows you to tread in the footsteps of champions.

Wherever you decide to visit in Wales, the main golfing focus in the nation, and indeed the UK, is most certainly the Celtic Manor Resort. The 2010 Ryder Cup venue has unveiled numerous changes ahead of the big event in October, and, with the Roman Road, the Montgomerie and The Twenty Ten, incorporates a wide range of quality championship courses within a stone throw from the Wales-England border.

To view the Celtic Manor and other top courses in South Wales, visit our gallery, and to discover how to book a trip to Wales go to golfasitshouldbe.com. To search for specific courses, please visit golf.visitwales.com.
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