South Wales: an underappreciated UK golf destination

South Wales might not always be the first destination that springs to mind for a UK golf break, but after spending two days exploring Swansea and playing two very different courses, I came away wondering why it had taken me so long to visit.

From the spectacular coastal setting of Royal Porthcawl Golf Club to the modern championship layout at Machynys Peninsula Golf & Country Club, there is plenty of variety. Add a stay in the heart of Swansea, evenings exploring the local area and some incredible coastal scenery, and you have all the ingredients for a brilliant golf trip.

Here’s how I got on during my two-day golf break in South Wales.

After a three-hour drive to Swansea from Windsor, our first stop was Morgans Hotel, our base for the trip.

Set inside a Grade II listed building that was originally home to the Swansea Harbour Trust, Morgans is a small boutique hotel with plenty of character. The first thing that stood out was the size of the rooms. They were incredibly spacious, with high ceilings and a modern finish that still complemented the history of the building.

One of my favourite touches was that the rooms have names rather than numbers, with each individually designed. It is a small detail, but one that gives Morgans a lot more personality than your typical city-centre hotel.

Bags dropped off, it was time for the main reason we were in Wales.

Royal Porthcawl is around a 30-minute drive from Swansea and is widely regarded as one of the finest links courses in the UK. Sitting directly on the Glamorgan coast, the course is completely exposed to the elements and offers spectacular sea views from almost everywhere you look.

Before teeing off, we had lunch outside the traditional clubhouse overlooking the putting green and beach. We also discovered one of the club's more unusual traditions: if you order the fish and chips, you have to eat them outside. I played it safe with a toastie before having a quick look around the pro shop and heading for the first tee.

And what a first tee it is.

The opening hole plays directly towards the sea and immediately gives you a taste of what makes Royal Porthcawl so special. With the coastline filling the backdrop and the wind coming straight off the water, there aren't many better ways to start a round.

Royal Porthcawl measures just over 7,000 yards from the back tees and 6,303 yards from the front yellow tees, making it accessible to a range of golfers without losing its challenge. With holes running in every direction, the wind is constantly asking different questions of your game. Its championship credentials are equally impressive, having hosted the AIG Women’s Open in 2025, when Japan’s Miyu Yamashita claimed her first major title. We experienced what felt like all four seasons during the round, but somehow that only added to the experience.

And then there were the bunkers. As you’d expect from a proper links course, they’re deep, intimidating and seem to have a habit of collecting anything even slightly offline. I found out fairly quickly that getting into one is much easier than getting back out again! Staying clear of the sand became just as important as battling the wind.

One of my favourite holes was the 7th, a brilliant little par 3 of around 120 yards. Don't let the distance fool you. Its narrow, undulating green is surrounded by mounding and deep pot bunkers, making accuracy essential. With the wind involved, choosing the right club is far from straightforward.

The closing stretch was another highlight, particularly the 16th and 18th. The final hole is a magnificent par 4 heading back towards the historic clubhouse, with a tricky multi-tiered green sloping towards the sea. It is a fitting end to a course where the coastline and the elements are never far away.

Regardless of what the scorecard said by the end, the views around Royal Porthcawl are what will stay with me. It is proper links golf in an incredible setting and a course that feels special from the moment you arrive.

After the round, there was only one thing left to do: head into the clubhouse for a well-earned pint.

We then made the journey back to Morgans Hotel for a quick change before heading out to The Mumbles for dinner and drinks. Being based in Swansea gives you plenty of options away from the golf, with the marina, coastline and Mumbles all within easy reach.

After experiencing one of Britain's great traditional links courses on day one, day two offered something completely different.

Machynys Peninsula Golf & Country Club is around 30 minutes from Morgans Hotel and was the first Nicklaus-designed golf course in Wales.

Before our round, we had lunch at The Brasserie, sitting out on the terrace overlooking the 18th hole. It's a great spot to watch groups coming down the last and it was soon our turn.

What surprised me most about Machynys was the variety throughout the 18 holes.

The front nine has much more of a parkland feel, before the course changes character considerably on the back nine. Here you start to experience more of the modern links design, with water becoming increasingly prominent and the coastal setting really coming into its own.

The 6th is one of the first standout holes. This sweeping par 5 brings both water and strategically positioned bunkers into play, meaning placement is just as important as distance if you want to give yourself a good chance of scoring.

The 9th was another memorable hole, playing back towards the clubhouse to finish the front nine. With water and bunkers waiting for anything that strays offline, it’s a great-looking par 4 and a brilliant way to round off the opening nine before the course reveals a different side.

The back nine was definitely the highlight. There are even sections where you're playing alongside impressive houses that give the course an almost Floridian feel. It's certainly not what I was expecting to find on a golf trip to South Wales.

The par-4 16th was highlighted by co-designer Gary Nicklaus as one of his favourite holes and it isn't difficult to see why. Playing across a lake with the clubhouse behind and views across the bay, it combines challenge and scenery brilliantly.

Then comes the 18th, a dramatic risk-and-reward par 5 running alongside the water. Having watched other golfers tackle it over lunch, it was a very different experience standing over the shots yourself. It is a brilliant finishing hole and a great way to round off the trip.

Machynys is very different to Royal Porthcawl, but that's exactly what makes combining the two work so well. One gives you historic, rugged links golf beside the sea, while the other delivers a modern championship experience with plenty of water, strategic decisions and a completely different visual.

For this trip, Morgans Hotel worked perfectly as a base.

The boutique hotel has just 42 individually designed rooms, ranging from classic and superior rooms through to deluxe rooms and suites. The combination of spacious bedrooms, high ceilings, historic architecture and contemporary interiors gives the hotel plenty of character.

Its location is another major advantage for a golf trip. Royal Porthcawl and Machynys Peninsula are both within easy driving distance, while Swansea's restaurants, bars and marina are right on your doorstep.

The picturesque Mumbles and Gower coastline are also only a short drive away, giving you plenty to explore if you're extending your trip beyond the golf.

With two bars and a restaurant at the hotel itself, you don't necessarily have to venture far in the evening either. But with Swansea and The Mumbles nearby, I'd definitely recommend making the most of the location.

South Wales delivered exactly what I want from a UK golf break: great courses, memorable scenery, a comfortable base and plenty to do once the clubs are back in the car.

The real strength of this trip is the contrast between the two courses.

Royal Porthcawl is the headline act, and rightly so. The views, traditional clubhouse, unpredictable weather and pure links challenge make it an experience I'll remember for a long time.

Machynys Peninsula then offers something completely different. Its mix of parkland and modern links-style holes, dramatic water features and excellent closing stretch provide a great second round and ensure the golf never feels repetitive.

With Swansea as your base and both courses around half an hour away, it is also an incredibly easy trip to put together.

Two days, two very different golf courses and one seriously underrated part of the UK for a golf break.

There are plenty of reasons to consider Swansea and South Wales for your next golf break, but these were the standouts from my trip:

• Two contrasting golf experiences: Combine the traditional seaside links of Royal Porthcawl with the modern championship layout at Machynys Peninsula.
• Spectacular coastal scenery: Royal Porthcawl provides unforgettable views across the Glamorgan coast, while Machynys offers fantastic views over the bay.
• A great base in Swansea: Stay in the city and enjoy plenty of restaurants, bars and attractions away from the golf.
• Easy travel between courses: Both Royal Porthcawl and Machynys Peninsula are within approximately 30 minutes of Swansea.
• Plenty to explore: The Mumbles and Gower coastline make it easy to add some sightseeing, food and drinks to your golf trip.
• Perfect for a short break: With two excellent courses close together, you can fit a lot into just a couple of days.

Q: Where should I stay for a golf break in South Wales? A: Swansea is an excellent base for a South Wales golf trip, particularly if you're looking to combine Royal Porthcawl and Machynys Peninsula. Morgans Hotel offers boutique accommodation in the city centre, with restaurants, bars and Swansea Marina nearby.

Q: How far is Royal Porthcawl from Swansea? A: Royal Porthcawl is around a 30-minute drive from Swansea, making it easy to combine a stay in the city with a round at one of Wales' most highly regarded links courses.

Q: What is Royal Porthcawl like to play? A: Royal Porthcawl is a traditional championship links course with undulating fairways, deep bunkers and an exposed coastal location. The wind plays a major role and, with holes running in different directions, you'll likely need every club in the bag.

Q: What is Machynys Peninsula like to play? A: Machynys Peninsula is a modern Nicklaus-designed championship course with five sets of tees, making it suitable for a range of abilities. The layout offers plenty of variety, with a more parkland feel across parts of the front nine before water and links characteristics become increasingly prominent later in the round.

Q: Can I combine Royal Porthcawl and Machynys Peninsula on the same golf break? A: Absolutely. The contrast between the two courses is one of the best reasons to play them together. Staying in Swansea puts you within easy reach of both, making them an ideal combination for a two-night or weekend golf break.

Q: What is there to do in Swansea away from the golf? A: Swansea has plenty of restaurants and bars, as well as its marina and coastline. The Mumbles is also a short drive away and is a great option for dinner and drinks, while the Gower Peninsula is well worth exploring if you have extra time.