Rob Wallace

Simply a fantastic golf course that will test your game to the max! There are some truly world class holes, the 5th and 12th are possibly my favourite and the 18th is worthy of any championship finish. There are many top class courses in England which could be debated as better but none of them are priced anywhere near St Mellion which is very refreshing.Tip: They run a couple of competitions a year from the blue championship tees, these perhaps give a small insight into what the pros went through when they played the British Masters there....it’s incredibly difficult but in a sadistic way quite fun!!

The Bracken is great complement to the world class Hotchkin, I am very jealous to the members to have 2 very different courses to play. Do not expect anything like the Hotchkin they are completely different the Bracken is a more modern design with very undulating greens.My tip play this course as part of a trip to Woodhall spa and combine it with the Hotchkin and if your planning a trip to play the famed Hotchkin make time to play the Bracken also.The town is quality also so if your looking for a quality golf trip you won’t be disappointed.

I feel a little guilty for not giving this a perfect 6 but I feel I need to save room in case I get to play Pebble Beach or Augusta!! I have been lucky enough to play many world class courses and the Hotchkin is as good as anything I have played....nothing compares to the feeling stood on the 1st tee at the old course at St Andrews or perhaps the 16th,17th and 18th at TPC Sawgrass but the Hotchkin is a joy to play that for me gets better every time I have the pleasure. it’s beauty is there in natural abundance ,genius by design and easy to walk, but with ferocious bunkering. Not only is it worthy of all the accolades it receives but it is incredibly priced for such a course of this stature. In addition the clubhouse is itself a very non pompous affair that has the feel of a professional yet welcoming club that is actually pleased you are there. Their man Glyn Roddy that runs their open events is a perfect example of how top clubs should operate.Quite simply make the journey and play it , then look back and question why did you ever pay the £££ you did to play the other similar ranked courses when you could of been playing this!!

I have ranked this course just below the mass of good quality parkland course Wales has to offer, Whitchurch,Newport,Cardiff,Creigiau St Mellons and Glamorganshire are all in my opinion better, but not by a long way and the back 9 of Wenvoe is the equal of any of the top Parkland courses, it invariably has quality slick greens and worthy of a visit.

One of Wales highly regarded parkland golf courses , I have personally always enjoyed this course, it demands more strategic tee shots than your usual driver go get golf courses and when it’s in top condition a joy to play. A shout out to the quality halfway house 2nd only to that of Glamorganshire.In all honesty it would be easy to argue any of Newport, Cardiff,Whitchurch,Creigiau,Radyr or Glamorganshire in various order of rankings all are good quality and of similar stature.Try them all and make up your own mind as none should disappoint.

One of Wales highly rated parkland courses, I believe it deserves a higher ranking. I believe along with Newport, Whitchurch , Cardiff , Creigiau, St Mellons and Glamorganshire all have their individual charm and can be argued better than the other..in short they are all quality and well worth a visit.

I have played here many times (I live about 2 miles from it) and it has some decent holes, it’s certainly brutal from the tips and even from the yellows it’s a challenge but for me it tried to be considered a top championship course and compete with the Celtic Manor as the premium resort in Wales...it failed in both attempts.It is in my option an eclectic mix of holes that don’t blend or enthuse the golfer and neither does the course ask too many questions, it simply on too many occasions says hit it as hard as you can. It possibly also has the most disappointing finishing hole of any wannabe championship course.Tip...Play it’s other course the lakes it’s far more enjoyable.

If we were ranking courses on the views this would right up there with the very best! In a beautiful part of Wales it should be played as part of a trip to the area. That said the course whilst ok is nothing special IMO.There are some great holes but much of the rest is just average.Should you give this course a go ....yes if only for the views and few top class golf holes alone.

A pleasant enjoyable golf course that won’t disappoint always great value and a warm welcome. It’s been a few years since I last played it and I feel a little bad only giving it 3.5 rating but I have played many world class course so need to keep room for them above and I rate (Newport,Whitchuch, Cardiff ,Radyr, Creigiau and Glamorganshire all above )But don’t let that stop you playing it.

This used to be my favourite parkland course in Wales but it would be very easy to argue any from Whitchuch, Radyr , Creigiau, St Mellons, Glamorganshire or Newport. All are worth a visit. However I don’t advise a visit in the winter as it suffers badly in the wet!

One of Wales premium parkland courses, it could easily be debated for a much higher ranking and wouldn’t disagree. If you prefer Parkland to links then this should be added to your list of courses to play in Wales. ( Newport, Radyr, Cardiff Golf Club,Creigiau, Glamorganshire and St Mellons are all of similar quality and worthy of a visit.)

I have ranked this the same as The Montgomery’ both are part of the fantastic Celtic Manor complex and both play 2nd fiddle to the overpriced 2010. Both the Roman Road and Montgomery are good conditioned tracks that can normally be played for a reasonable price...My tip would be to also stay the night at the Hotel and take in the top class service of the Hotel also.

This for me is one of Wales premium parkland courses It’s always been in great condition when I have played it (approx 10-12times) with some of the best conditioned greens, beware in the summer they can be super slick! It’s normally good value also, for me for more deserving of a higher rating!!Far too often the top spots go to the links courses of Wales and whilst I am big fan of my number 1 ranked Royal Porthcawl the fantastic 11th-17th of Pyle and Kenfig and the warm hospitality of Ashburnham I’d play this course before Tenby, Pennard and Southerndown which are all quality tracks but IMO all too often ranked much higher just because that’s where these type of courses tend to be ranked...better still play them all and make your own mind up....enjoy.

A decent track of good quality that has the added benefit of being part of the world class complex that is the Celtic Manor. The course has always been in good condition when I played it, I have only played it 4-5 times.Would I rush to play it again no but equally I wouldn’t tell anyone to avoid it. My best tip would be to combine it with an overnight stay at the resort.

A very pleasant golf course and club to match, I have only played here 5-6 times and have always found the course not only a decent test of golf but a pleasant experience also I particularly like the par 3 16th. Having played many of the worlds top courses I need to leave room for some of the world venues hence the average rating but play this course if you’re in the area you won’t be disappointed

I tend to agree with the previous post it’s a good parkland course well worth visit. I have played here many times and nearly all the group enjoy the pleasant and not too tough layout. A great society course that’s always good value, it can get a little wet playing in the winter but no worse than most parkland courses.Definitely worth a visit.

St Pierre is a well established course that has hosted many prestigious events and was probably once the premier course in Wales next to Royal Porthcawl , but for me with the exception of the finishing holes 15 to 18 the course is just a decent track with many average holes. Simply there are many better courses in Wales and at far better value also but it’s not to be avoided just don’t expect too much.

I think Machynys deserves a much higher ranking it has the best practice facilities in Wales and its greens and tee boxes in particular are as good if not better than any other course in Wales.The course is typical Nicholas design and with that comes world class architecture. The varied tees can accommodate all standards from tour pro to the average golfer.It’s always good value and the clubhouse is the best In Wales IMO.It doesn’t drain too well in the winter so play it In peak season (it’s still sensibly priced) and enjoy a beer on the veranda of the quality club house as you watch the groups behind play the quality par 5 finishing hole play out beneath you.....This place won’t disappoint (top 5 in Wales IMO and easy to debate any position behind Royal Porthcawl)

I have played this course hundreds of times and one of the joys is that it rarely plays the same twice!. I can fully appreciate the views of those that have only played the course once or twice and subsequently don’t rate the front 9. I felt the same the first few times I played it but gradually I fully appreciated the subtle design and challenges (the 9th is great golf hole and would be worthy of any championship finishing hole, shame it’s not the 18th!) but even if you don’t rate the front 9 you are in for truly world class experience on the back 9. Holes 11-17 are world class and whilst not the condition of Royal Porthcawl these holes are the equal of anything on the Wales no1 course.Finally its clubhouse and welcome are 2nd to none in Wales if you live local and are looking for a club to join, you will not be disappointed if they accept you into their ranks.Tip: try to play the course from the white tees it’s a different test to the yellows (don’t be tempted with the blue tees!!)

This is a great course and in my opinion one of the strongest links courses in Wales behind Royal Porthcawl it’s starts with a tricky par 3 that doesn’t ease you into the round! and gets better as the holes progress. It probably needs a breeze to make it challenging but it’s greens are always in great condition and it’s always great value. Finally a true members club that has always been very welcoming whenever I have visited.Well worth a visit.

Firstly it’s a very good golf course that is set up for championship golf and in peak season it’s a serious test of golf in top condition (It’s a low handicappers course in my opinion) you can also expect the best service from any course In Wales it simply sets the bar that no other club comes near to.But......it is very over priced due to its Ryder cup venue and don’t be tempted to play it during the winter months it’s just too wet.In short if you pay top price and go there expecting a world class experience you’ll be disappointed.

This a great golf course with some truly fantastic holes with the exception of a few inland holes on the back nine it could be top class. It is great value and always very welcoming when I visited but alas the condition is not as it was many years ago, still it’s well worth a visit...enjoy.

A good golf course but many more clubs in Wales I would rate higher, very exposed so be prepared for the wind and elements. If your lucky enough to play in the calm it’s a very playable course that’s normally in decent condition.

I have only played this course once and found it a quality test of golf, I was fortunate to have a relatively calm day as I’m sure in the peak season with the wind blowing it would set a serious challenge.Well worth a visit

A great golf course for the purest that loves links golf! Spectacular views and incredible value, I personally rate many other course in Wales higher and nowhere near the condition or quality of Royal Porthcawl but then it’s also not anywhere near the same price to play either,so don’t let that stop you playing this gem, worth every penny. My tip would be to play in one of their open events in peak season.

I have played Royal Porthcawl on many occasions from a young boy to now nearing my senior years, I had always admired it but always thought it a little over rated, but since holding the British open seniors it has risen in stature and condition and where before I would of happily argued with many whether it deserved the number 1 spot as the top course in Wales...there is simply no debate anymore it is head and shoulders above the number 2(Which can be heavily debated) and truly deserves the accolades it receives. My recommendation would be to play it out of peak season not just because you will save yourself a tidy sum, but it is always in top condition and more importantly the rough has died back, as if you play it in the summer with the rough thick and lush and the wind blows which it invariably does, it can be unplayable...but don’t let that stop you...enjoy.