Langland Bay

A golf club was first spoken about in Langland Bay just after the turn of the 20th Century. Three years later, the course opened – in 1904. The legendary James Braid – five-time winner of the Open Championship (opens in a new tab) - was the man to design the golf course.   Known as “the Pebble Beach of Wales” thanks to its clifftop location, Langland Bay has undergone extensive changes and improvements in recent years to maintain the standard of the layout.  Hollywood stars Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones – the latter being Welsh – are honorary members of Langland Bay.

"The views are never the same twice, yet always breathtaking," says Langland Bay’s website – and it is a fair comment.   Its setting – with ocean views from 15 holes – is one of its main draws. Located high above the sand of the Gower, this clifftop course enjoys 360-degree views across the Bristol Channel and towards the Brecon Beacons. The views from the course take in two of its best bays, Langland and Caswell. Small greens sit in tempting corners, or perch on daunting slopes, with sand or rough in the last places you want them.  The Par 70, 6,000-yard layout begins with a par 3, and a tough one at that. The 2nd is a short par 5, playing less than 500 yards. It is a double dog-leg, turning right twice, and it also includes a cross-over with the 4th fairway. After the opening jaunts, you come to a run of eight successive par 4s, but no two are the same. The 3rd and 4th are both drivable, measuring 265 and 260 yards, respectively. However, anything long on either hole is in trouble, so laying up and hitting a wedge to the green may well be the better play.   The 5th is a slight dog-leg left, before 6 and 7 are long par 4s. Both are more than 450 yards from the tips, with the 6th being the hardest hole on the property. It is a sharp dog-leg right, with trees on either side of the landing zone. Find the fairway, and the green is still a long way away. 7 has no bunkers, but its length will cause issues for some, while the 8th and 9th are played along the coastline and looking out over Caswell Bay. Gorse, bunkers, and water hazards come into play on both holes.   The back nine at Langland Bay starts with a solid par 4, before the par 3 11th. 11, 13 and 16 are the par 3s on the back nine, each of which sits between 150 and 160 yards. Both the 11th and 13th feature four greenside bunkers awaiting any errant approaches. 12 is a dog-leg left that features a 90-degree turn. Both accuracy and distance control are crucial off the 12th tee. 14 is technically a driveable par 4 at just 270 yards, but the green is hidden behind a thick section of trees. Play down the fairway for safety and have less than 100 yards in with a wedge in hand for your second. The closing stretch at Langland Bay begins with the par 5 15th hole. It is the longest hole on the property, but at just 504 yards from the tips, some will be going for this in two.  16 is the signature hole on the course. This short par 3 plays with the cliffs to its right and sublime views over Langland Bay. There are no bunkers, but the wind will cause enough of a challenge! The 17th is a tricky, 400-yard par 4, before the closing hole tees off from above the beach. 18 is a dog-leg right that again, could be seen as drivable for some, but a water feature to the left of the green may put some off from going for it.

Greg Webber: The self-styled "Pebble Beach of Wales" perhaps has a relatively quiet opening stretch but then takes you into a set of strong, varied and sometimes, dramatic, holes in a picturesque setting.

Read more about our panellists here (opens in a new tab).

Where is Langland Bay Golf Club located?  Langland Bay is in south Wales, overlooking the coastline of the country. It is on the Gower Peninsula and offers players views over Caswell Bay and Langland Bay. The Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is just a few miles northwest, while the city of Swansea is only six miles to the northeast of the club.  Swansea is also home to the nearest train station to Langland Bay. The station is at the heart of the city and operates a number of rail services. Trains run west to Carmarthen, Milford Haven, and Fishguard Harbour. In an easterly direction, Shrewsbury, Manchester Piccadilly, and London Paddington are among the destinations for rail travellers from Swansea. For international travellers, Swansea and Cardiff Airports are Wales’ two busiest airports, with the latter being less than 50 miles from Langland Bay. Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Wales venues nearby?
Langland Bay is one of three venues on the NCG Top 100s: Wales list that is located on the Gower Peninsula. Pennard and Clyne are the other two, and both are within five miles of Langland Bay. 
What golf facilities does Langland Bay Golf Club offer?  
Due to the tight nature of the course and its surroundings, there is not a driving range at Langland Bay. However, there is a short game area and approach area by the cliff tops, just past the 17th fairway.  
What are the green fees at Langland Bay Golf Club?  
The price of a green fee at Langland Bay 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 Langland Bay Golf Club, visit their website here (opens in a new tab).   Visit Langland Bay's website here (opens in a new tab). Go back to the NCG's Top 100s Homepage.