The Glamorganshire

The Glamorganshire Golf Club is based in a stunning location, just a few hundred yards from the southeast coast of Wales, and within a short drive of the centre of Cardiff. 

Founded in 1890, The Glamorganshire is one of the oldest golf clubs in the country, with John Hunter and Willie Fernie the men to make the biggest changes to the course. 

It is not a long course, at less than 6,200 yards from the tips, but the six par 3s all provide their own challenges, along with the trio of long par 5s... 

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The Glamorganshire Golf Club is one of several Welsh venues that can say they were founded prior to the turn of the 20th Century. 

The club was founded in 1890, with Lord Windsor donating a plot of land for the original 9-hole golf course to be laid out over. 

John Hunter, the club’s leading player at the time, was the main man behind the extension of the golf course in the mid 1890s. This was done, taking the layout to 18 holes, so the club could host the Welsh Championship in 1897.  

Willie Fernie, winner of the Open Championship, also made changes through his time at The Glamorganshire as both the head professional and a member of the greens staff.

The layout is crafted into the undulating parkland on the eastern edge of the Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, allowing you to enjoy the ocean view to the south and east without the usual difficulties. But this is not to say that the course is a pushover. Narrow wood-lined fairways and well-protected greens mean that accuracy is crucial, especially if you wish to avoid playing out of one of the course's 80 strategically placed bunkers. At 6,184 yards, the par 70 design may not be the longest, but it more than delivers on variety. Three par 5s exceed the 500-yard mark, while there is an array of par 3s throughout a round, rewarding guile and precision. 

The opener is 385 yards, but plays as a straight par 4. Bunkers sit on either side of the green to catch any mishit approach shots. The 2nd is the first of the six par 3s at The Glamorganshire, coming in at less than 120 yards, even from the tips. The green is narrow, with the back half being slightly wider. Aim for the centre to leave yourself a gentle two-putt. Back-to-back par 5s comes next, both of which are around 525 yards. The fairway on 3 cambers from right to left, so aim down the right side of this dog-leg left. The 4th bends the other way, and only the longest of hitters will find their drives reaching the corner. The majority will have to play it as a three-shotter, especially with the fairway pinching in at the corner as well. 

Two very different par 4s come next. 5 is one of the easiest holes on the course at just 300 yards, while the 6th is 100 yards longer, and the Stroke Index 1 at The Glamorganshire. With OOB running down the entirety of the left side, and a stream running across the hole in front of the green, there is plenty to watch out for on the 6th. The longest of the par 3s comes at 7, the only one to touch the 200-yard mark. A trio of bunkers guard the green, as the hole runs parallel to the Cosmeston Lakes Aqua Park. The same stream that you came across on 6 also makes its way down the 8th as well. This time your tee shot is hit over it, before the stream runs down the left side of the landing zone on the fairway as well. Despite the tree trouble, right is definitely the miss. 

Around the turn, The Glamorganshire has a run of par 5, par 3, par 5. The 9th is 530 yards and moves from left to right around thick trees. A solitary bunker on the outside corner is a good line for the tee shot, with three more then in your eyeline for your approach shot. The 10th can be either 160 yards or 190 yards, depending on how far back the flag is on this deep green. Wherever it is, bunkers on either side of the putting surface lie in wait. 11 is the last of the par 5s on the property, and also the shortest as the only one to remain under 500 yards from the tips. There is a generous fairway to attack off the tee, and even if you find the trees on either side, you should still be able to find your way out and have a third shot to the green. 

12 is another good birdie chance – a par 4 of just 330 yards. It moves from left to right, with the ideal tee shot being down the left half of the fairway to provide yourself with the best view of the green. Back-to-back par 3s follows at 13 and 14, both of which are 180 yards in length. The green on the 13th is surrounded by trees, with bunkers sitting both front left and front right. Meanwhile, on the 14th, anything long of the green could end up rolling OOB through the property boundary. 

A trio of tough par 4s begin the closing stretch at The Glamorganshire, all of which are around the 415-yard mark from the tips. 15 is the Stroke Index 2, thanks to having one of the narrowest fairways on the course. The 16th turns sharply to the left, and it is another hole where the tee shot has to be the right distance to get to the corner, thus giving the best angle to the putting surface. The penultimate hole has a fairway that starts off pretty wide, but then gets tighter as you get closer to the hole, so accuracy is key if you’re taking driver off the tee. The green sits behind a bunker, with trees and OOB behind the surface as well. The final hole is the last of the six par 3s, and if you can keep your ball straight, you’ll be absolutely fine. If not, trees and sand are there to collect it...

Where is The Glamorganshire Golf Club located?

The Glamorganshire Golf Club is situated on the southern coastline of Wales, between the towns of Penarth and Lavernock. It is to the south of Cardiff, with the centre of the Welsh capital just six miles from the venue. The Glamorganshire is just a few hundred yards away from the coast, overlooking Penarth Bay and out to Flat Holm.

Penarth is also home to the nearest train station to The Glamorganshire, just a mile north from the entrance to the golf club. Services run to Coryton and Caerphilly, with Penarth at the end of the line. For international visitors, Cardiff Airport – the busiest airport in Wales – is less than ten miles from the golf club.

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

The Vale Resort – home to the Wales National Course and the Lake Course – is 15 miles to the northwest, while Celtic Manor – with its Twenty Ten Course, Roman Road Course and Montgomerie Course – is also within 25 miles. Royal Porthcawl, Southerndown and Pyle & Kenfig are within a 30-mile drive to the west, along the coastline of south Wales.

What golf facilities does The Glamorganshire Golf Club offer?

There is not just one practice area at The Glamorganshire, but there are three to choose from. This allows members and guests alike the chance to warm up before they take to the course.

What are the green fees at The Glamorganshire Golf Club?

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