St Mellons

St Mellons Golf Club is one of several golfing venues in and around the Welsh capital city of Cardiff. 

Founded in 1937, and with a course designed by Harry Colt, you know what to expect – and that is mature parkland layout that will test every aspect of your game. 

Tree-lined fairways, plenty of dog-legs and a quintet of strong par 3s are the backbone of St Mellons, a course you will thoroughly enjoy. 

Visit St Mellons’ website here. 

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Founded in 1937, St Mellons is hardly a young course, but compared to many Welsh venues, it would be classed as so. 

It was the legendary Harry Colt that designed the parkland layout at St Mellons Golf Club, with three-time Open Champion Henry Cotton enjoying the 3rd hole so much that it would be named after him. 

Since the course was opened some of the world's finest players have played it including Sandy Lyle, Sam Torrance and Antonio Garrido. Indeed, Garrido held the touring professionals course record for many years.

St Mellons is a lovely parkland course on the eastern edge of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff. It is unique in that it straddles two counties - Gwent and South Glamorgan - with the clubhouse sitting in the former. The course is laid out in the shape of a clover leaf and provides one of the best tests of golf in South Wales. Though not the longest at less than 6,300 yards, the tree-lined fairways might make you think twice about taking driver out on every par 4... 

The first two par 4s sit in the southeast corner of the property, with the opener offering a birdie chance from the off. Avoid the fairway bunkers on this 330-yard par 4, and you’ll only be left with a short approach to the green. Any shots gained at 1 might well be given back on 2, though. A 420-yard par 4 that moves from right to left, and with OOB all the way down the right side – a bogey is a good score here. The 3rd, the first of the short holes at St Mellons, carries the name 'Cottons Choice', named after the comment made by the late, great Henry Cotton who rated this hole very highly. It is the longest of the five par 3s, coming in at 195 yards, and played to a very narrow green. 

Another short par 4 comes at the 4th, providing another good early chance, before the 165-yard par 3 5th. A bunker in front, plus one on either side of the green, makes the landing zone look slightly narrower than it really is. The Stroke Index 1 comes next, and you can understand why immediately. 465 yards, down a narrow chute of trees, and playing as a par 4. If you come away from the 6th with a par, you’ll gain shots on the field! The 7th is only 11 yards longer off the tips, but is much easier thanks to it being the first of the trio of par 5s on the course. There is OOB down the right, but a generous fairway should be found. 

Five bunkers lie in wait for anything mishit on the 185-yard 8th hole, before another tricky par 4 rounds out the front nine. It is not the longest, at 365 yards, but the angle of the dog-leg, and the encroachment of the trees, add to the difficulty. The back nine begins with a tee shot where driver is almost a necessity, at 455 yards. The hole moves from right to left, but there is a wide fairway to begin with. Just one trap guards the green, but anything long or right of the putting surface will also find trouble in the form of thick trees. 

You then hit a run of par 3, par 5, par 5, par 3, with 11 and 13 also sharing a double green. The 11th, along with the 14th, are the two short holes on the back nine, with 11 being the shortest at just 130 yards. 14 is around 40 yards longer, and played to a smaller putting surface. In between lie back-to-back par 5s. 12 is the longest hole on the property at almost 550 yards, making it a true three-shotter for most. The 13th, coming back to that double green with 11, is under the 500-yard mark, but the narrow fairway and the two traps on the right of the short grass could also see you laying up. 

The closing stretch is a run of four consecutive par 4s, each one longer than the last. The 15th is the shortest and easiest par 4 on the course at just 280 yards. Bushes and trees on the left side might put longer hitters off from going for the green, but there is plenty of space to lay up to the right distance before finding the surface. 16 has another wide fairway, and at 360 yards, is relatively straightforward, before the last two really bite back. 17 is a sharp dog-leg left of more than 435 yards from the tips. The green is surrounded by trees, with sand on either side for good measure. The closing hole at St Mellons is another 20 yards longer, pushing the 460-yard mark. This time moving from left to right, the tee shot has to reach the corner to give you an angle at the green. Depending how you play the last two, you could come off smiling or crying!

Where is St Mellons Golf Club located?

St Mellons Golf Club is situated on the eastern side of Cardiff, just six miles from the centre of the Welsh capital city. The course is almost equidistant between Cardiff and Newport, which is to the east of St Mellons. Both the M4 and the A48(M) are within just a couple of miles of the club, providing easy access to the east and for those coming from England.

Although there are stations closer, Newport and Cardiff are the two biggest train stations in the region as well, both sitting within ten miles of the golf club. For international visitors, Cardiff Airport sits on the opposite side of the Welsh capital, but is still within a 20-mile drive from St Mellons. Cardiff is home to the busiest airport in the country.

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

The Celtic Manor Resort – home to the Montgomerie Course, Roman Road Course and Twenty Ten Course – is on the other side of Newport, less than 15 miles from St Mellons. The Rolls of Monmouth, The Monmouthshire and the Old Course at St Pierre Country Club are also within 25 miles.

What golf facilities does St Mellons Golf Club offer?

Along with the glorious golf course, there is a driving range with some covered bays, as well as a chipping area and a putting green as well. The club also has a golf simulator located indoors, and available to rent out.

What are the green fees at St Mellons Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at St Mellons 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 St Mellons, visit their website here.