The Vale Resort (Wales National Course)

The biggest compliment you can pay The Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort’s ‘Wales National’ is that it looks like it’s been around forever despite its relatively young age.

This swiftly maturing inland championship course has developed a fearsome reputation – mainly due to being a whopping 7,433 yards from the back tees.

But it isn’t all about big hitting with the grand National featuring some marvellous par-3s and a classic driveable, risk-reward short par-4. This classy resort’s pride and joy is a brilliant but brutal course stretched out over nearly 200 acres with water features galore. The tone is set as early as the 2nd hole, a tight driving hole which also happens to be stroke index 1 and one of the longest par 5s in Wales.

There’s little respite even at the short holes, the stroke-index-18, 131-yard 14th being a typical example. You’re firing over a pond to a narrow two-tier green and you need to hit the right level.

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Wales premier 4* Resort is now one of the UK's most desirable golf break destinations. Nestled in over 650 acres of beautiful Welsh Countryside this world class Resort encompasses 143 luxury bedroom hotel, 2 championship golf courses - the Wales National at 7,433 yards and the aptly named Lake Course with water comin into play on 12 holes, Wales' largest spa plus award winning cuisine in the AA Rosette Vale Grill and exceptional leisure facilities. Situated within easy reach of Cardiff, Birmingham and central London the Vale Resort is ideally placed for easy access for golfers across the UK.

• Course has: Bar
• Course has: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course has: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course has: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course has: Handicap

• 2 out of 5 Greens - Poor and the course not in top nick 17 August 2015

  By Paul088

  Was expecting better greens. My club greens are better. The course had rubbish every where and the tees looked like thered been a rugby match on them. Paid £45 to play at this course. I was expecting a better course. I have paid a lot less and have been in better courses. A threeball took 4hr 30m to complete a round not acceptable at all.

• 4 out of 5 It's long long long!!! 15 April 2010

  By Cadburysparrot

  A fantastically presented and challenging course. Course management is everything, but you can't afford to be too cautious, otherwise you'll be left with a 200 yard approach shot (and if the wind's up...). It's a super layout with the natural surroundings 'framing' the holes so that you only see the hole you're playing. This is how a proper course should be and feel. There are lots of dog-leg par 4's where cutting the corners is a hugely risky and so these holes play a lot longer than the stated yardage as a consequence. Some distances are also deceiving, another sign of a good pedigree, and so a course planner is essential. Tees were a little scruffy, but the greens were in great condition (although there were a disappointing number of un-repaired pitchmarks; come on fellow golfers!). 3/4 putts are entirely possible due to the difficult pin positions (try 2 putting on 8th if the pin is back right). There's a great variety to the holes, a great 260 yard par 4 requiring an excellent drive or an intelligent lay up, the monster 2nd hole requiring pinpoint accuracy through the narrow avenue of trees, the already mentioned dog leg par 4s and my favourite the short 14th (probably because it was one of only a few pars I managed). I came off feeling second best and while the course won today... I'm going back the day after tomorrow for round 2!!! A great course, difficult, but a real gem. 

• 4 out of 5 The best in Wales ? 12 December 2009

  By iwan93

  What a fantastic course , every hole has character and its a real battle at times but great fun, we played it after weeks of heavy rain and it was just about playable ( hence low score for tees and greens ) Its a long course and was of course made longer by the wet weather .   I think its the best course ive played in Wales ( Including Celtic manor 0 Some great deals to be had , i paid £25 for a round finished off with a soup and a roll , they also take 2 fore 1 vouchers and were very friendly, and if you lucky you may see the Welsh Rugby team in training there !!! ( the WRU training facility is situated here   Fantastic course , highly recommended

• 4.5 out of 5 Monster course, hard work, great condition and well worth playing 06 March 2009

  By andy e

  I love the set up at the Vale & would recommend it to every one of all capabilities, there are some great holes on the National, and I love the 2nd par 5 at 556 off the yellows with a pond protecting the front of the green. For the standard of the resort I was a little disappointed with the 18th as a finishing hole as it lets the course down a bit, it’s just ordinary and no fun to finish at the car park. That said it’s a great track and its little sister the Lakes is a marvel too. Take your pick as to which course you play. The staff are fantastic and some of the friendliest and most helpful people I have come across.  

• 4 out of 5 Wales National in November 06 May 2008

  By stuart.hitchings

  Been looking forward to playing this course for ages and wasn't disappointed. It was a rainy Friday November morning, but the course was in good condition. Some of the fairways held a bit of water, but the greens were in superb shape. The only fault was how disapointing the 18th hole was. It runs along the main road and is very ordinary. But that's just my opinion. Other than that a great day out.

• 5 out of 5 worth a trip. 26 June 2007

  By Al the visitor

  As an Australian visitor to the UK I am keen to play as many quality courses as I can whilst I am here. A friend suggested The National course at the Vale. It was fantastic!!! The setting was ideal, the course in great condition. Playing a course for the first time without 'local knowledge' can cause you to make a few bad decisions, but I cared not. It was such a delight to be there it was relaxing. I also think it is great value, as similar courses would be over £100 in green fees. I am keen to return and my biggest decision would be to walk it or get a buggy, as many will find it a long walk. This will be one of my most talked about courses when I leave. Give it a go!

• 4.5 out of 5 One of the best golf play and stay venues 21 June 2007

  By Kevin Burnett-Whalley

  I can honestly say I really enjoyed our weekend in June at the Vale of Glamorgan which has two exceptional courses and superb facilities. The staff bent over backwards to be helpful and were extremely friendly also the team in the professional shop made organizing of events very easy as well as helping you part with your money. The five star hotel rooms were spacious and luxurious compared with other golfing complexes we had stayed at and they also didn’t mind you taking your clubs back to the room after the days play. Overall I couldn’t fault the place or the course’s which were in very good condition. The Wales National plays very long so don’t expect to play two rounds in day on this course as it took five plus hours to complete the round due to the long walking distances between tees. I am not a great favorite of buggies but when you play the course you will understand why they have so many on offer. There were a number of holes that stood out the 3rd and the 10th and there were about four holes on the back nine 14th - 16th which play around a number of lakes and ponds. The Lakes was superb course water everywhere including an island green, the greens were in superb condition if I was a member here I would love playing it every weekend.

• 5 out of 5 awsome 27 April 2007

  By chris boulton

  has to one of the top places i have played the back 9 is like some thing you see on SKY with all the water and flowers set up around the course. the underlations on the greens are awsome which can give you some really hard putts.

• 4 out of 5 my visit to the vale national 01 February 2007

  By Anonymous

  There is a very well conditioned range perfect to warm up for a long testing but enjoyable round of golf. The first tee is away from the clubhouse bt its a short walk from the range, once on the first tee the friendly well manered course marshall checks your tee time. The course is fairly flat but very long with lots of water and bunkers lurking so be sure to bring lots of balls the greens were imaculate but in my opinion the tees could have been better Overall i thourougly enjoyed my day and would definately visit again.