Llandrindod Wells

Llandrindod Wells was founded in 1905 and has a blockbuster design team. James Braid and Harry Vardon – a pairing with a combined 11 Open Championship victories between them – were the men behind the design. 

The course has hosted several competitions, including the Welsh Golfing Union's Welsh Individual Handicap Championship on five successive occasions in the 2000s.

It is one of the finest examples of moorland golf in the British Isles.

One of the shortest courses on the NCG Top 100s: Wales list, the Par 69 Llandrindod Wells layout only measures 5,760 yards. It is one of the best moorland courses in the country, with turf banks, natural hazards, and true greens, most of which are well protected. Though not by any sand bunkers.

It offers links-type golf at times, despite being inland, and although it is a short course on the scorecard, there are plenty of challenges.   

Llandrindod has a gentle opening sequence on paper but it is anything but in reality. The opening hole is a par 4 of just over 300 yards, with the 2nd being the first of six par 3s on the card. At just 145 yards and with no real greenside danger, it is a green light to attack. 

The 3rd is the first of three par 5s, and at just 490 yards, can be another birdie chance, providing you can find the fairway off the tee and depending  on the wind. The 4th and 6th are the other short holes on the front nine, with the latter being the shortest on the property at just 130 yards.   

In between those is the 5th – the hardest hole at Llandrindod Wells. It is more than 460 yards, and although there are no bunkers, there is a drop off on the left side of the green, so the wise miss is to the right. The front nine closes with three shorter par 4s, with both the 7th and 8th being drivable for the longest of hitters in the right conditions. 

The 9th tee shot plays over water, but it should not come into play. It is the longest of the closing trio on the front side, playing just shy of 400 yards. 

The back nine begins with the longest and hardest par 3 on the property. At 230 yards, and with danger behind the green, the 10th is a brute and often better treated as a short par 4. 

It is followed by another par 3, the 11th, which is some 80 yards shorter than the 10th. 

The 12th offers up a generous fairway, though anything left might be flirting with the OOB line thanks to the edge of the property. 

At only 285 yards long, 13 is reachable for plenty, but the course boundary is tight to the left side of the fairway, so any hooks off the tee and you will be reaching into the bag for another ball.  

Back-to-back par 5s come at 14 and 15 as you find yourself at the further point away from the clubhouse, before turning for home. The latter is only 480 yards, and with another solid drive, providing you avoid the large group of trees on the right side, then it could well be reachable in two. 

The 16th is one of the longer par 4s on the course, and it features a split fairway, before the last of the par 3s comes at the 17th. It is 195 yards but thankfully, it is one where the ball can be run up on to the surface – not that you can see that from the tee. 

The closing hole at Llandrindod is another that could be seen as drivable – but with a good card in your hand, is it worth the risk?

Chris Myatt: A real pleasure to play although is a difficult walk. A great piece of land for a golf course and some very interesting holes.

Greg Webber: They have remained true to Vardon's bunkerless design on this scenic, undulating course. A strong set of holes with excellent greens complexes make this well-presented course a treat to play.

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

Where is Llandrindod Wells located?  
Llandrindod Wells is one of the easternmost courses on the NCG Top 100s: Wales list. It sits just off the A483, which runs between Swansea and Chester. Llandrindod Lake is just to the west of the golf course, while the border with England is only 20 miles to the east.  Llandrindod has its own train station, just over a mile from Llandrindod Wells Golf Club. It sits on the Heart of Wales line, which services some of the more rural areas of the country. Trains run from Shropshire to Llanelli each day. Cardiff and Birmingham Airports are both within 100 miles of Llandrindod Wells, with both offering flights to a range of destinations each day. Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Wales venues nearby?
Llandrindod Wells is somewhat on its own when it comes to other venues on the NCG Top 100s: Wales list. Welshpool is the closest, but that is still a 40-mile drive north, and through country roads. Aberystwyth, Borth & Ynyslas, The Monmouthshire and Rolls of Monmouth are all also within 50 miles.
What golf facilities does Llandrindod Wells offer?  
Along with the 18-hole course designed by Vardon and Braid, Llandrindod Wells is also home to a driving range facility. It sits adjacent to the 1st hole, with covered and open-air tees. There is also a putting green by the opening tee box.  
What are the green fees at Llandrindod Wells?  
The price of a green fee at Llandrindod Wells 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 Llandrindod Wells, visit their website here (opens in a new tab).   Visit the Llandrindod Wells website here (opens in a new tab). Go back to the NCG's Top 100s Homepage.