North Wales is renowned for it’s golf as the region boasts some of the most beautiful courses in the world. We give you a run down of the best of the best…

With so many amazing golf courses in the region, it’s difficult to know where to start. Well why not begin where the views promise to take your mind off any bad shots?!

Porthmadog Golf Club boasts stunning views of the Cardigan Bay coastline and Snowdonia mountain range. It is situated in Morfa Bychan, just three miles away from the harbour town of Porthmadog and was established in 1905 by James Braid, the genius course designer of his day. It is a traditional links course, friendly, challenging and not to be missed.

The front nine is predominantly heathland – including the superb island-green 6th hole following work by last year’s Captain’s landscaping company Penrhyn Paving – and the back nine is links. Both 9’s are great to play but, if you love links golf, you are in for a treat as you head to the 10th. The stretch from there to the 17th contains some of the best links holes in Wales, including the 14th, with the ‘Himalaya’ mounds. Play it, and you’ll see why the name has stuck!

Porthmadog has buggies, electric trolleys and pull trolleys available to hire from its professional Mark Pilkington, as well as two practice grounds, a practice net and a putting green on site to help you prepare for your round.

After your game you are welcome to enjoy all areas of their clubhouse. The area also offers other activities away from golf – visit the famous Portmeirion Italian Village or ride the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway steam trains if you fancy a day away from the course.

On the other side of the Llŷn Peninsula lies Nefyn & District Golf Club, a 27-hole golf course that boasts a view of the sea from every tee. Nefyn’s Championship layout offers golfers a rich variety of challenges and rewards. From the start, golfers are faced with spectacularly located tees, fairways which hug the rugged coastline, and greens perched precariously close to the shoreline.

Nefyn has a great selection of tailor-made golf packages from which golfers can choose, all of which can include high quality accommodation in local hotels if required. It also offers two- and three-round packages with other local clubs.

Further up the coast and you’ll find Conwy Golf Club. This classic links course was established in 1890, and nestles where the dramatic Snowdonia Mountain range greets the Conwy estuary at the Irish sea. Conwy has played host to a number of high profile tournaments such as the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open, Open Final Qualifying and the Mens & Ladies Home Internationals. Most notably Conwy has been chosen as the Host Venue for the 41st Curtis Cup Matches in 2020. These links provide a great test of golf all year round, but the clubs main objective is to ensure that its members, visitors and societies enjoy their golf here.

Andrew Blake started at Conwy Golf Club back in 2002 as an assistant to long serving club professional Peter Lees who retired in 2013 after 47 years at the club. Andrew was promoted to club professional and has since re-furbished the professional shop bringing in new brands and a greater range of products and services along with opening an Indoor Coaching and Club Fitting Studio.

Having taken the game up at the age of 15 Andrew joined a local club in his native North East and played on and off before taking up the position of Assistant to Stephen Bradbury at Houghton-le-Spring Golf Club who incidentally had worked for Peter at Conwy many years earlier. A move to Chirk Golf Club just outside Wrexham then followed during which time he attained Club and County Scratch Champion titles before turning professional in 1995. With nearly 30 years in the business, he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Conwy where his relaxed and friendly approach serves the Club well.

Coaching is available seven days a week and is tailored to the individual’s needs using both the extensive outdoor practice facilities along with the indoor simulator and video coaching system. This provides a much faster learning experience allowing the player to visually see the improvements made throughout the session.

Prestatyn Golf Club is another outstanding traditional links golf course with excellent practice facilities, boasting a fleet of new golf buggies for your comfort. This year, the club is yet again proud to be selected to host the Welsh Open Amateur Strokeplay Championships.

The course offers a challenging layout, and is in excellent condition, the greens being fully endorsed for their quality by the Sports Turf Research Institute.

However, whether you are playing golf or out with friends for a catch up, visitors to the Club can just pop in for a drink where you will be given a warm welcome from their hospitality staff. Visitors to Prestatyn Golf Club can enjoy the views from its first-floor lounge and balcony and can indulge in a popular afternoon tea – with Prosecco if you fancy! Even your ‘best friend’ can lap up a doggy Scoops ice cream at Prestatyn’s Halfway House.

Back towards the borders and the Vale of Llangollen Golf club has been welcoming visitors for over a century to this beautiful and spectacular golf course. Favoured as a championship venue to test the skills of County, National and R & A events, it is also a bucket list destination for club golfers right across the Midlands and the North West.

There are some stunning holes throughout the course which nestles on the banks of the River Dee as it meanders its way through this World Heritage site and the pretty picture postcard town of Llangollen. Visitors return year after year bringing old and new friends each time to enjoy the golf, the welcome – and the breathtaking vista. 

Further information

Andrew Blake, Conwy professional

professional@conwygolfclub.com 

Nefyn & District Golf Club

nefyn-golf-club.co.uk

Porthmadog Golf Club

www.porthmadog-golf-club.co.uk

Prestatyn Golf Club

www.prestatyngolfclub.co.uk

The Vale of Llangollen

www.vlgc.co.uk