Best Golf Courses in Wales for a Weekend Break

Why Wales for a golf weekend?

Wales punches well above its weight as a golf destination. The country has hosted the Ryder Cup, produced multiple Open Championship venues, and offers some of the most dramatic coastal links anywhere in the British Isles. Better still, green fees are often significantly lower than equivalent courses in England and Scotland, and the scenery is extraordinary.

From the championship links of the south coast to the remote mountain-framed courses of Snowdonia, a Welsh golf weekend gives you variety, value, and landscapes that stay with you long after the round is over.

Top golf courses in Wales at a glance

What are the best links courses in Wales?

Royal Porthcawl

Royal Porthcawl is the jewel of Welsh golf. Perched on the Bristol Channel coast between Swansea and Cardiff, it has hosted the Senior Open, the Amateur Championship, and the Walker Cup. The opening holes run along the seafront with views across to Exmoor, before the course turns inland through dunes and gorse.

This is a genuine championship test. The greens are fast, the wind is a constant factor, and position off the tee matters more than distance. Green fees are £160 to £200, and booking ahead is essential, particularly in summer.

Best for: Low to mid handicappers who want to play one of the finest links courses in the UK.

Royal St David's, Harlech

Set beneath the imposing walls of Harlech Castle, Royal St David's offers one of the most memorable settings in golf. The links runs through natural dunes with the mountains of Snowdonia as a backdrop. It is a proper championship course that hosted multiple major amateur events.

Green fees sit at £80 to £120, which is exceptional value for a course of this calibre. The town of Harlech itself has good accommodation options and a handful of excellent restaurants.

Best for: Golfers who want a world-class links experience without the south-coast price tag.

Pennard Golf Club

Pennard sits on the cliffs above Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower Peninsula. It is one of the most visually stunning golf courses in Britain. The turf is genuine links, the views are breathtaking, and the ruins of a 12th-century castle sit within the course boundary.

At £60 to £80, Pennard offers outstanding value. The course is not as long as the championship venues, but the undulating terrain and coastal wind provide a thorough examination.

Best for: Golfers who value scenery and atmosphere as much as the golf itself.

Tenby Golf Club

Tenby is the oldest constituted golf club in Wales, founded in 1888. The links sits on the headland above the town, with views across Carmarthen Bay. It is a charming, traditional course that rewards accuracy and course management.

Green fees are £50 to £75, and the town of Tenby is one of the best bases for a Welsh golf weekend. The beaches, restaurants, and harbour make it ideal for a trip that includes non-golfing companions.

Best for: Mixed groups, couples, and golfers who want a great course in a beautiful seaside town.

Aberdovey

Bernard Darwin, the famous golf writer, called Aberdovey "the course that my soul loves best of all the courses in the world." It is an honest, traditional links on the mid-Wales coast with a warm welcome and a layout that charms rather than brutalises.

Green fees are £55 to £80. The club is famously friendly, and the course is enjoyable for golfers of all abilities.

Best for: Golfers looking for a genuine links experience with a welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere.

What about parkland golf in Wales?

Celtic Manor Resort (Twenty Ten Course)

Celtic Manor needs little introduction. The Twenty Ten course was built specifically for the 2010 Ryder Cup, and it delivers a memorable experience from start to finish. The conditioning is immaculate, the par-3s are spectacular, and the 18th hole is one of the most dramatic finishes in European golf.

Green fees range from £100 to £175 depending on the season. The resort itself offers accommodation, dining, a spa, and multiple other courses, making it ideal for a full weekend away.

Best for: Groups and couples who want a complete resort experience with a headline course.

Machynys Peninsula, Llanelli

Designed by Jack Nicklaus, Machynys is a modern links-style course on the Carmarthenshire coast. It opened in 2005 and offers a well-conditioned, strategic layout with water features and excellent greens. Green fees are £40 to £70, which is remarkable value for a Nicklaus design.

Best for: Mid handicappers who enjoy a well-maintained modern course at a fair price.

How to plan a Welsh golf weekend

Getting there

Wales is surprisingly accessible from most of England. Cardiff is roughly two and a half hours from London by car and two hours by train. The M4 corridor connects London, Bristol, and south Wales efficiently. North Wales is accessible via the A55 from Chester and the M56 from Manchester.

Best time of year

May to September offers the best weather and longest days. The links courses are playable year-round, but the coastal wind can be fierce in winter. Shoulder months like April and October often bring quieter courses and lower accommodation prices.

Where to stay

South Wales: Porthcawl town is the natural base for Royal Porthcawl and is within striking distance of Pennard and Machynys. Celtic Manor's resort accommodation is the obvious choice if you are playing there.

Pembrokeshire: Tenby has a wide range of hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering options. It is a great base for Tenby Golf Club and is within reach of several other courses.

North Wales: Harlech and the surrounding area have good accommodation options for Royal St David's. For Conwy and the north coast, Llandudno is a popular base with plenty of choice.

Suggested two-day itineraries

South Wales: Day one at Royal Porthcawl, day two at Pennard. Stay in Porthcawl or Swansea.

Pembrokeshire: Day one at Tenby, day two at a hidden gem like Haverfordwest or Milford Haven. Stay in Tenby.

North Wales: Day one at Royal St David's, day two at Conwy or Aberdovey. Stay in Harlech or Llandudno.

Our pick

For the complete Welsh golf weekend, Royal St David's at Harlech takes our top recommendation. The combination of championship-quality links, a jaw-dropping setting beneath the castle, and green fees that remain genuinely reasonable makes it the standout choice. Pair it with a second day at Aberdovey or Conwy, and you have one of the best value golf weekends in the British Isles.