Morlais Castle

Morlais Castle is one of several cracking inland courses in South Wales, but perhaps the most unique of those thanks to its layout. 

The front nine winds its way around the quarry, before you get to the back nine, which turns the course into a rolling moorland. 

Throughout, there are narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers and a whole lot of fun to be had, all in the shadows of Morlais Castle itself.

Visit Morlais Castle’s website here. 

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Morlais Castle itself, which was built by Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Lord of Glamorgan, dates to the mid-13th Century. 

It would be another 600 years before the first golf course was constructed. The golf club was founded in 1900, and built around a quarry. 

Not much has changed over the 125-year history of the club, but the team behind the course were recognised in 2025, as Morlais Castle’s greens staff won the BIGGA Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year Award.

The golf course at Morlais Castle is in two distinct halves. The front nine is set out around a quarry, while the back nine takes the player through rolling moorlands. From the tips, Morlais Castle pushes to 6,550 yards, and plays as a par 71, making it a challenging track for both low and high handicappers alike. The tree-lined fairways of the back nine make for a tough run for home. 

The course begins with the first of the two par 5s, and the longest hole on the property. From the back tees, the opener is 530 yards, but a generous fairway allows you to get the driver out on the first tee box. A run of five par 4s follows, with a couple of birdie chances coming at 2 and 5. The former is just 280 yards, and a good tee shot will leave you with just a flick for your second. The 5th is 332 yards, playing as a slight dog-leg left and once again, a fairway found will give you a good chance of making birdie. 

The other three par 4s in that run are all more than 400 yards in length. The 3rd is the Stroke Index 1 at Morlais Castle, pushing the 450-yard mark. A very narrow fairway gets even tighter in the landing zone as trees encroach. The 4th is a sharp dog-leg right and at 405 yards, it is another that will require two very good shots to get home. The 6th is a yard longer than the 3rd, and plays with a slight ‘S’ shape – first moving from right to left, before then moving left to right at the green. 

The first of the trio of par 3s at Morlais comes at 7. 170 yards, and not much trouble to be found, this is a bit of respite after the tough run before it. Another trio of par 4s take you around the turn, starting with the wide fairway at the 8th. Attack it, as it might be the most generous you will see for the rest of the day! 9 is another par 4 of more than 400 yards, and with a water hazard in front of the fairway, though that should not come into play. The back nine begins with a tricky dog-leg left, one where reaching the corner with your tee shot is key to giving the best angle.  

The first of two par 3s on the back nine comes at the 11th. It is the longest of the trio at 180 yards, with a pair of bunkers protecting the green. 12 through 15 are consecutive par 4s, all of which are very different. Miss left on 12 and you’ll find the thick trees that line the fairway. At 380 yards, a good drive is required. The 13th is a dog-leg left of just 340 yards, with the 14th only being slightly longer. It has a wide fairway, while the 15th has a very narrow landing zone. 

Get through all that and you’re welcomed to the last of the par 5s. At just 505 yards, the 16th is a scoring chance, but only if you can master the 90-degree left turn. Get your drive to the corner and you could have a crack at making it home in two. That is followed by the shortest hole on the course. The 17th is just 158 yards from the tips, and again, like on 11, avoiding the two greenside bunkers is key. The closing hole at Morlais Castle is a lengthy par 4, one that is arrow straight back to the clubhouse. Again, there is a generous fairway, but it feels tighter with the trees lining both sides...

Where is Morlais Castle Golf Club located?  

Morlais Castle Golf Club is situated just north of the village of Pant, which in itself sits just outside the town of Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales. Merthyr Tydfil sits inside a triangular cross-section of the A470, A4060 and the A465, giving great road routes in all directions. The Welsh capital city of Cardiff is less than 30 miles to the south of Morlais Castle. 

Thanks to being so close to the Welsh capital, Cardiff Airport is the closest major international airport to the venue – along with being the busiest in Wales. Merthyr Tydfil is home to the closest train station to Morlais Castle, with the station sitting at the end of the line, and with services running to Cardiff and back.

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

Although situated inland from the south Wales coastline, there are plenty of venues within close order of Morlais Castle. The Monmouthshire and The Rolls of Monmouth to the east, along with the Vale Resort’s Lake Course and Wales National Course, and Celtic Manor – home to the Twenty Ten Course, Montgomerie Course and Roman Road Course – are all within 40 miles of Morlais Castle.

What golf facilities does Morlais Castle Golf Club offer?  

There is a practice ground at Morlais Castle Golf Club, which is situated at the southwestern corner of the property, between the 4th and 8th holes. There is also a putting green which sits next to the clubhouse.

What are the green fees at Morlais Castle Golf Club?  

The price of a green fee at Morlais Castle 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 Morlais Castle, visit their website here.