Golf is a popular sport in Wales.  Although the sport of golf in Great Britain is most associated with Scotland, where it was established and developed, Wales can record its first courses back to the 1880s, and today has over 200 clubs where you can play beneath the shadow of a castle, parkland courses in mountain settings, and inspirational links.

The earliest course was constructed in Pontnewydd in Monmouthshire in 1875, but this was a short course.  By the mid-1880s nine-hole courses were built at several sites in Wales on coastal common land where the turf was acceptable.  Several sites claim to be home to the oldest golf club in Wales, though it is generally accepted that Tenby, formed in 1888, was the first, with evidence that the game was played there from at least 1875.  Other 19th-century courses, again all coastal, include Conwy (1890), Penarth (1890), Porthcawl (1891) and Aberdovey (1892). 

The opening of the early railway lines and the growing tourism in Wales gave these new courses opportunities to attract visitors.  Though, as the golf clubs of Wales were initially created and run by the middle class, the sport suffered from a view as being English and elitist.

RESORTS
Bodysgallen Hotel & Spa, Llandudno, North Wales.....www.bodysgallen.com
The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, South Wales.....www.celtic-manor.com
NewportMorgans Hotel, Swansea, South Wales.....www.morganshotel.co.uk
St. George’s Hotel, Conwy, North Wales.....www.stgeorgeswales.co.uk
The Vale Golf & Spa Resort, Hensol Park, South Wales.....www.vale-hotel.com

GOLF COURSES
Aberdovey Golf Club, Aberdovey.....www.aberdoveygolf.co.uk
The Celtic Manor Resort (Twenty Ten Course), Newport, South Wales.....www.celtic-manor.com
Conwy Golf Club, Conwy.....www.conwygolfclub.com
Machynys Peninsula Golf Club, Machynys.....www.machynys.com
Nefyn & District Golf Club, Morfa Nefyn.....www.nefyn-golf-club.co.uk
Pennard Golf Club, Southgate.....www.pennardgolfclub.com
Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, Rest Bay, Porthcawl.....www.royalporthcawl.com
Royal St. David's Golf Club, Harlech.....www.royalstdavids.co.uk
Tenby Golf Club, Tenby.....www.tenbygolf.co.uk