Glamorgan

Founded in 1921 as a parkland course at Abernant, Aberdare is renowned for its mature oak trees and was the early stamping ground of Dai Rees, who began his professional career there as a 16-year-old assistant before going on to captain Great Britain's Ryder Cup team. The course offers a varied test of three par 5s, nine par 4s and six par 3s amid attractive, tree-lined Valleys scenery.

Established in 1910 above the Rhymney Valley, Bargoed is a par-70 parkland course whose wide, tree-lined fairways and small, fast greens make it accessible to golfers of all standards, while still testing accuracy at holes such as the tricky, water-flanked 10th. Fine views up the Darren Valley towards the Brecon Beacons add to its character.

Founded on 9 February 1921 following a meeting at Barry YMCA, Brynhill's original layout was designed by professional golfer Ted Ray and built with the help of its own members, officially opening on 28 May 1921 in a ceremonial match said to be the first golf footage filmed in Wales. The club's first professional, David Rees, was father to Dai Rees, the legendary Ryder Cup captain, and the course was substantially expanded by Dave Thomas Ltd in 1998 into the championship 18-hole layout played today.

Established in 1905 just outside the town, Caerphilly offers an 18-hole course of 5,944 yards and par 71 set on hilly, mountainside terrain beneath the Caerphilly mountain. Its elevated holes give commanding views over the Rhymney Valley and the town's famous castle, making for a scenic if demanding round.

Founded in 1920, Clyne is an 18-hole heathland course laid out across the gorse- and heather-clad slopes above Swansea Bay, with fairways criss-crossing Clyne Common and fine views out towards Mumbles Head. Tight, undulating holes and quick, well-guarded greens make accuracy off the tee essential, and the course has long had a reputation as one of the most testing in the Swansea area.

Set in the grounds of the former Coed-y-Mwstwr estate above Bridgend, this parkland course winds through mature woodland and rolling pasture with sweeping views across the Vale of Glamorgan towards the Bristol Channel. Tree-lined fairways and well-bunkered greens reward careful course management as much as length off the tee.

One of two 18-hole courses at Cottrell Resort near St Nicholas, the Button Gwinnett takes its name from the signatory of the American Declaration of Independence with roots in this corner of the Vale of Glamorgan. Laid out across rolling resort parkland dotted with lakes and mature tree planting, it offers generous fairways but well-defended, undulating greens that have made it a popular test for visitors and society golfers alike.

The sister layout to Button Gwinnett at Cottrell Resort, the Mackintosh shares the same gently rolling Vale of Glamorgan parkland but plays as the tighter, more technical of the two courses, with water hazards and strategically placed bunkering coming into play on several holes. Its short par 3s are regarded as among the strongest holes the resort has to offer.

Founded in 1921, Creigiau is a parkland course set in attractive countryside on the western fringe of Cardiff, its tree-lined fairways and well-maintained greens laid out across gently undulating ground. It has long drawn golfers from both Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to its mature, traditional layout.

Founded in 1914, Dinas Powys is a compact parkland course in the Vale of Glamorgan where tree-lined fairways and small, well-guarded greens place a premium on accuracy over raw power. Mature planting and rolling terrain give the course a traditional character that belies its modest length.

Laid out on high, open ground on the Gower peninsula close to Swansea Airport, Fairwood Park is an 18-hole parkland course with wide fairways and fine views across the surrounding countryside. Its exposed position leaves it at the mercy of the wind, adding a further test to a layout that otherwise rewards straight, accurate hitting.

Founded in 1890, the Glamorganshire is one of the oldest clubs in Wales, its downland course occupying a dramatic clifftop site at Lavernock Point with the Bristol Channel stretching away below and, on a clear day, views reaching the Somerset coast. The exposed, breezy terrain and springy turf give the course a links-like character that has made it a longstanding favourite among Welsh golfers.

Founded in 1931, Glynneath is a hilly moorland course set high above the Vale of Neath, with sweeping views towards the Brecon Beacons from several of its holes. The steeply climbing, undulating terrain makes for a physically demanding round, with well-struck approach shots essential to find the course's plateaued greens.

Founded in 1931 and originally known as Three Crosses, Gower Golf Club is a parkland course set amid the gently rolling farmland of the Gower peninsula. Mature trees and well-placed bunkering lend the layout a traditional feel, and its peaceful rural setting has long made it popular with golfers from across Swansea.

The Grove is one of the newer and most enterprising golf course projects recently undertaken in England. Designed by Kyle Phillips (the man behind Kingsbarns), the course opened for play in September 2003 to rave reviews and its already considered by some to be one of the best new golf courses inside the M25. The Grove is not your typical golf club. In fact, it isn’t a golf club at all – it’s a pay-and-play golf course open to everyone. More than a decade…

A modern parkland course set in the Vale of Glamorgan countryside near Colwinston, Lakeside takes its name from the lakes and water features that come into play on several holes. Its gently rolling layout and generous fairways have made it a popular, accessible course for golfers in the Bridgend area.

Founded in 1904, Langland Bay occupies one of the most spectacular settings in Welsh golf, its clifftop fairways tumbling towards the sweep of Langland and Rotherslade bays on the Gower coast. Sea views accompany golfers throughout the round, and the exposed position means the wind off the Bristol Channel is as much a factor as the course's own undulations.

Founded in 1905, Llanishen is a parkland course set in the hills to the north of Cardiff, its tree-lined fairways and well-bunkered greens laid out across gently rolling ground with views back towards the city. It remains one of Cardiff's longest-established golf clubs.

Founded in 1927, Llantrisant & Pontyclun is a parkland course near Talbot Green, its rolling fairways and mature tree planting giving the layout a well-established, traditional character. Accurate iron play is at a premium to find the course's compact, well-guarded greens.

Founded in 1912, Maesteg is a hilly mountain course set above the Llynfi Valley, its climbing fairways offering fine views over the surrounding hills of this former coal mining district. Significant elevation changes and an exposed setting make club selection every bit as important as accuracy here.

Founded in 1908 as Cilsanws Golf Club, Merthyr Tydfil is a scenic mountain and moorland course set on high ground above the town, with sweeping views towards the Brecon Beacons. Its undulating fairways and testing elevation changes make for a physically demanding but rewarding round.

Originally laid out for employees of the nearby INCO nickel works and long known locally as the Inco Club, Mond Valley Golf Club sits in the hills above Clydach in the Swansea Valley, its moorland fairways offering fine views over the surrounding countryside. The course retains a friendly, unpretentious character rooted in its industrial heritage.

Founded in 1900, Morlais Castle is laid out on high mountain ground close to the ruins of the medieval castle from which it takes its name, making it one of the highest-altitude courses in Wales. Its exposed moorland terrain and far-reaching views over the Brecon Beacons come at the cost of a stern test of the elements.

Founded in 1919, Morriston is a parkland course on the northern edge of Swansea, its tree-lined fairways and well-maintained greens laid out across gently rolling ground. The course has long served as a popular club for golfers from the Swansea valley.

Founded in 1912, Mountain Ash is a hilly mountain course set above the Cynon Valley at Cefnpennar, with sweeping views over the surrounding hills typical of the South Wales valleys. Its climbing fairways and exposed position make it as much a test of stamina as of shot-making.

Founded in 1934, Neath Golf Club's parkland course lies in the Vale of Neath at Cadoxton, its mature tree-lined fairways set against views towards the Brecon Beacons. A compact but testing inland layout, it rewards accurate iron play over its tighter, well-wooded holes.

Founded in 1924, Pontardawe's course climbs the hillside above the Swansea Valley, mixing sheltered, tree-lined fairways lower down with more open, exposed holes as it rises. The elevated upper holes offer sweeping views over the valley towards the Black Mountain, adding both drama and difficulty to the round.

Founded in 1905, Pontypridd Golf Club sits high above the town at Ty-Gwyn, overlooking the junction of the Taff and Rhondda valleys. Short but severely undulating, its steep climbs and sloping lies demand careful club selection far more than raw length.

Founded in 1902, Radyr is a mature parkland course on the northern fringe of Cardiff, its tree-lined fairways running close to the banks of the River Taff. Gently undulating rather than hilly, it has long been regarded as one of the more traditional members' clubs in the Welsh capital's suburbs.

Founded in 1910, Rhondda Golf Club occupies a dramatic hillside site above Pontygwaith, its fairways climbing to make it one of the highest courses in Wales with panoramic views across the Rhondda Fach valley. The exposed upper holes and unpredictable winds give it the feel of genuine mountain golf.

A friendly parkland course on the outskirts of Caerphilly, Ridgeway has long served as a popular pay-and-play venue for golfers of all abilities. Its gently rolling, forgiving fairways beneath Caerphilly Mountain make it well suited to casual rounds and newcomers to the game.

Founded in 1975, St Athan Golf Club lies on gently rolling parkland in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan, close to the nearby RAF station it was originally established to serve. Its wide, open fairways and modest length make for an accessible test for players of all standards.

Founded in 1892, Swansea Bay Golf Club occupies a flat, open stretch of dune and reclaimed ground at Jersey Marine, between the sands of the bay and the old Tennant Canal, giving the course a distinct links character. The ever-present sea breeze off the bay adds plenty of bite to what is otherwise a gentle-looking layout.

Opened in 1991 alongside the Wales National course, the Lake Course at Hensol Park is a shorter, more forgiving parkland layout built around the resort's ornamental lake. Water comes into play on several holes, making it a scenic and relaxed option for resort guests and improving golfers alike.

Opened in 1991, the Wales National course quickly established itself as one of the country's leading championship venues, hosting the European Tour's Wales Open and serving as home to the Welsh Golfing Union's national academy. Set within the rolling parkland of Hensol Park, its length and exacting design have tested some of the game's leading professionals.

Founded in 1936, Wenvoe Castle Golf Club's parkland course is laid out around the ruins of the eighteenth-century castle from which it takes its name, a few miles west of Cardiff. Mature trees and gently rolling terrain make for an attractive round, with the castle's remains providing a striking backdrop near the clubhouse.

Founded in 1914 with early input from five-time Open champion Harry Vardon, Whitchurch is a well-wooded parkland course on the northern edge of Cardiff. Its tree-lined fairways and testing closing holes have long made it a venue for regional amateur and professional events.

Established in the 1920s, Whitehall Golf Club is a compact parkland course near Caerphilly, long valued by local members as a friendly, unpretentious place to play. Its modest length and gentle terrain in the Rhymney Valley make it an accessible introduction to the game.