Wales

Compared to its famous neighbours to the West and the North,  Wales is still a Hidden Jewel amongst golf destinations within the UK and European.  2010 will be their grand opening per say, into the high profile world of Golf Tourism.  With stunning links layouts on grounds  well over 100 years old,  Top 100 in the World layouts, Royal classification clubs, courses deep with medeival history overlooking its first tee, Golf in Wales is not just picturesque, its facinating around every turn in the road.  A country of just over 3 million people, its an incredible getaway destination to discover by car, to see Castles up close that ruled the coastlines from King Arthur days, still steeped in history, many in use,  but some eerily in ruins, even along side your next fairway. In fact the country has over 600 castles to visit and see up close, more than its neighbours combined.   Established, well groomed parkland courses are plentiful and not only well kept,  but impressive designs, Including the new purpose built 2010 course at the famed Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales, home to golf's premier event, the Ryder Cup Matches,  Oct.1st to 3rd, 2010.  If not at the Ryder Cup,  enjoy tough, wind swept dunes and links layouts scattered along the south coast nearby.  Royal Porthcawl GC still allows visitors midweek and is amongst the Top 100 courses in world.  Nearby enjoy several other links layouts, to make the perfect Golf Around Package in South Wales,  with the revitalized, tourist friendly, city of Swansea as the perfect home base.
 
In North Wales, the scenery is reminiscent of the Highlands,  snowcapped peaks in the winter, mountain pass roads in between the Snowdonia Mountains, take visitors from the seaside resorts along the North Coast to the quaint villages and hidden courses of the quiet West Coast.  Enjoy great shopping, sightseeing, castles, medeival towns and seaside resorts in Llandudno and Conwy (less than 2 hours from Manchester Airport), the perfect base to explore from, as Conwy is a walled, medeival market town, with 3 courses (all links style and challenging) within a 5 minute drive.  Pass by the Anglesey Peninsula, and towns like Caermathen, home to the famed Prince of Wales ancestrial home, Carmaethen Castle.  Just south is Nefyn & District GC (see cover photo),  referred to by visitors as the 'Welsh Old Head Links', even though it has been in use for the past 80 years,  as it is you and the elements on the back nine along the peninsula, nothing between you and Ireland.  If your looking for value of money in your golf travels, then Wales should be at the top of your get to list, courses like Nefyn, Aberdovey and Royal St.Davids can be had for less than 1/2 the green fee price than that of  its surrounding neighbours. (even in High Season).   World Class links golf,  luxury stays in small hotels or modern seaside properties, short travel distances between, make Harlech, Porthmadog and Conwy your best choices for that true golf traveller experience this season. Come discover Golf in Wales !