The Rolls of Monmouth

The Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club sits within The Rolls of Monmouth Estate in the southeastern part of the country, close to the Welsh border with England. 

 

The estate itself dates to the mid-18th Century when it became the country seat of the Rolls family. The golf course came much later, only being opened in 1982. 

 

The course is a championship-standard track, playing to more than 6,700 yards and with plenty of hazards and danger to keep you focussed throughout a round. 

 

  

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There is a great backstory to this club, which sits within the Rolls of Monmouth Estate – also known as The Hendre – and has been the country seat of the Rolls family since 1767. 

 

It was more than two centuries later before a golf course was designed and constructed at the Rolls of Monmouth Estate, with the championship course opening in 1982. 

 

Both Tony Jacklin and Greg Norman said wonderful things about The Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club, with the Australian being linked to the club as the Touring Professional in the late 1980s.

 

The 6,733-yard parkland is laid out around the Manor House that was the former home of Charles Stewart Rolls, co-founder of the iconic Rolls Royce firm. Few courses can boast a setting like this course, which is split into two by a forested hillside. Expect mature oak trees, water hazards and large greens on a pedigree layout. Water features in fact appear on several holes, and at 6,733 yards, it is longer than most courses you will find on the NCG Top 100s: Wales list. Take 450 off that is you play from the yellows, and both nines have a pair of par 3s and a pair of par 5s. 

 

The course opens with three par 4s, the 2nd being the shortest of those at just 360 yards. The 3rd plays as a dog-leg left around trees, meaning your tee shot must be accurate. The 4th is the opening par 3, and anything long may well run through the back of the green and down into the water at the back. It is 165 yards from the tips, so make sure you have the right club in hand.

 

5 and 7 are the two par 5s on the front nine. The 5th might be in range for some with their second shot, but only if the water on the left has been avoided. Those going for it on 7 must be accurate, with water in front and to the left of the green. Sandwiched in between is the long par 4 6th, that pushes past 435 yards from the tips. Anyone who can drive the ball around 300 yards will then get the help of the downslope in the fairway, while the green is protected by a single bunker on its right.

 

8 is a picturesque par 3 played among the trees, while the 9th and 11th provide birdie opportunities around the turn – both being par 4s of 340 yards or less in length. In between them is the opener to the back nine, a 411-yard par 4 that moves slightly from right to left. An accurate tee shot is required between the trees on 10. The 12th is a tricky par 5, with golfers playing from the left of the fairway being blocked out by a large tree that sits on the edge of the fairway. The 13th sits at the eastern boundary and is called 'The Lake'. You can probably guess why. A large water hazard sits to the right of the green, which is 190 yards away from the tips.

 

14 is a tricky little dog-leg left. It is only 360 yards, but the tee shot must be the right distance to give yourself the best angle to the green. The closing stretch at The Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club begins with the tough 15th. It is a sharp dog-leg left, almost a 90-degree angle, with players having to avoid two bunkers and a greenside tree with their approach. It is easy to see why the 15th is the Stroke Index 1. 

 

16 is a short par 4, before the final par 5 on the course comes at the penultimate hole. The 17th is the longest hole at The Rolls of Monmouth, tipping 555 yards. The last is a 220-yard par 3, playing over water and with a greenside bunker, all ready to catch any errant shots. With a good card in your hand, it becomes a much tougher tee shot to finish it off well, especially with the Manor House looming in the background.

 

Where is The  Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club located?  
The Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club is in southeastern Wales, around five miles from Monmouth. The venue is only seven miles from the Welsh border with England, via the A40. Both Newport and Gloucester are within an hour’s drive from the course. Raglan Castle is also within ten miles of The Rolls of Monmouth. 

 

The nearest train station is Abergavenny, but it is 12 miles to the east of The Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club. Abergavenny is on the line between Manchester Piccadilly and Cardiff Central, while trains from the station also run to Wrexham General and Holyhead. In terms of air travel, both Cardiff and Bristol Airports are around an hour’s drive from the course. The latter is the eighth busiest airport in the United Kingdom, while Cardiff is the busiest in Wales by far. 

What golf facilities does The Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club offer?  
Along with the championship-standard offering, there is a short practice area, allowing golfers to hit mid-to-low irons and wedges. There are also two nets so players can hit longer clubs, along with a short game area for putting, chipping and bunker practice.  

What are the green fees at The Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club?  
The price of a green fee at The Rolls of Monmouth 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 The Rolls of Monmouth, visit their website here. 

 

  

Visit The Rolls of Monmouth website here. 

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.