Cardiff

In a region that has plenty of stunning links layouts, Cardiff is one of the finest parkland offerings in South Wales. 

Opened in 1922, not much has changed since then, with the layout working its way through the trees in the north of the Welsh capital city. 

The six par 3s are all different distances and offer different challenges, while there is also a quartet of par 5s to give scoring chances throughout. 

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The history of Cardiff Golf Club dates back more than a century, with the original layout opening in 1922. Robert Walker, the club’s first professional, was also part of the team that designed the course. 

The legendary Gene Sarazen, one of just six men to have completed the Career Grand Slam, visited and played at Cardiff six years after its opening.

Cardiff Golf Club is home to one of the finest parkland layouts in South Wales, with a great course running through the trees to the north of the city. The course has a par of 70, and is not the longest at just 6,100 yards from the tips. However, it has a somewhat unique layout, with a quartet of par 5s and six par 3s, so there are plenty of chances to put a 2 on the card! 

The course begins with the first of five par 4s that are 400+ yards. However, a good drive will add to the confidence that it is going to be a good day on the golf course! The green has a small false front, so make sure you take enough club on your approach. The first of the six par 3s comes at the 2nd. It is 152 yards, and played to a two-tiered green. A stream comes into play on 3, cutting across the fairway just after the 300-yard mark. It shouldn’t come into play for most, but anything mishit with the approach might have you worried. 

The 4th is the opening par 5. At 514 yards, it is the longest hole on the property, and the drive must avoid the fairway bunker on the left side. The green sits in the bank, with anything slightly right feeding down to the putting surface. With five bunkers, there is plenty of trouble on the short 5th. It is only 147 yards, but there is more sand than green in your eyeline. The 6th is the Stroke Index 1 hole at Cardiff – playing as a 466-yard par 4 from the tips. It moves from right to left, with the longest hitters having to worry about the stream that cuts across the fairway. Three traps on the right side are also in play off the tee. 

From the most difficult hole on the course to a proper birdie chance. The 6th is only 300 yards, and has a generous fairway. Find it, and you can attack the flag. You then come to a run of three par 5s in the next four holes around the turn, at 8, 10 and 11. Both 8 and 10 are good scoring chances as they are less than 500 yards. 11 is the trickiest of the trio, with a stream running in front of the fairway. It is also over 500 yards, making it a three-shotter for most. 

9 and 12 are par 3s, with the former pushing to 185 yards off the back tees. A false front and run-offs on the right side, make it a very tricky approach shot. A pond to the left of the 12th green adds to the danger, while there is also a run-off behind the putting surface. 13 is one of the tightest driving holes on the course, and requires length as well as accuracy as a 425-yard par 4. The fairway cambers from the right to left, while the hole moves in the opposite direction, just to add to the difficulty of the hole. 

14 is another good scoring chance at 305 yards, but another where finding the fairway is key. The 15th is another dog-leg-right, with the most pronounced turn on the course. At 396 yards, it is another that requires a solid drive. Trees encroach on the right side of the par 3 16th, making a back-right flag very difficult to get close to. The penultimate hole at Cardiff is a right-to-left dog-leg par 4, of exactly 400 yards. The course finishes with the last of the six par 3s, and the shortest hole on the property. It is only 130 yards, played over a slight valley to a green surrounded by sand and mounds. It might only be a low iron, but it is perhaps the most difficult tee shot on the course?

Where is Cardiff Golf Club located?  

As you might expect, Cardiff Golf Club is situated within the city limits of the Welsh capital. It sits to the north of the city, in the borough of Cyncoed. The golf course is surrounded on all sides by housing, and is just east of the Llanishen and Lisvane Reservoirs. The M4, which runs from Swansea all the way through to London, is only a few miles north of Cardiff Golf Club. 

Cardiff Airport, the busiest in Wales, is located on the opposite side of the city to the golf club. It is still within 15 miles of the venue, while Bristol Airport is also within 45 miles, across the Severn Bridge. Llanishen and both Heath High and Heath Low are the nearest train stations to Cardiff Golf Club, all within a couple of miles from the venue.

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Wales venues nearby?  

The Vale Resort – home to the Lake Course and the Wales National Course – is the nearest venue on the NCG Top 100s: Wales list, situated around 15 miles west of Cardiff. Royal Porthcawl, Southerndown, Pyle & Kenfig and Celtic Manor – with its Twenty Ten Course, Montgomerie Course and Roman Road Course – are also within a 25-mile drive.

What golf facilities does Cardiff Golf Club offer?  

The club might not have a full-length driving range, but there is a practice area which sits next to the final hole of the course. There is a short game area and a putting green as well. The club also has its own golf simulator, which is available to book for use.

What are the green fees at Cardiff Golf Club?  

The price of a green fee at Cardiff Golf Club changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. 

For more information on current green fees at Cardiff, visit their website here.