V – Vale of Llangollen
GB&I Golf Course Reviews – Z to A
Over the next 26 days, I am going to showcase one golf club a day in GB & I. It is my ode to some great golf in the UK and Ireland. Full write up’s and more images can be found on golfgurugroup.blogspot or www.golfgurugroup.com Travelling Lady Golfer tab. So there is no missing out on that extra little bit of information, if needed.
Feel free to share them to help others.
Vale of Llangollen
Holyhead Road, Llangollen LL20 7PR
In the county of Denbighshire and regarded as one of the best inland golf courses in North Wales, Vale of Llangollen is a sight for sore eyes.
It is one of those places that you don’t really give it the justice it deserves until you round the building and overlook the Vale beneath with the golf course carefully mapped out in front of you, enticing in its appearance. With the Welsh hills stretching out in the distance this is a perfect backdrop to this inviting course.
Located in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, golfers have been enjoying this scene since 1908 where it started life as a nine hole course, extended to the full 18 holes, in the 1960’s. Vale of Llangollen is located within Pontcysyllte area which in itself, being a UNESCO site is in bed with such greats as the Taj Mahal, the Pyramids and the Great Wall of China. This designated heritage site cited as a ‘masterpiece of human genius’, is impressive in its pedigree. Does this alone make Vale of Llangollen unique in its pedigree as a golf club?
The River Dee is present, although not necessarily in play. It is most noticeable on three holes; with the 9th being regarded as one of the best holes in British Golf at 418/436 yards (SI 5/1). Sure enough as you stand on the elevated tee, it doesn’t show its true colours until you see where your drive might land. Favouring the large tree on the right, you can just about tuck in before the fairway twists left keeping the River ever present on the right before finally allowing you a glimpse of the green. A par 4 for men and a par 5 for ladies add to the male vs female friendly battle. Other holes which enjoy the River Dee are the 15th and 16th
Hole number 14
A 146/167 yard par 3 SI18 has a narrowish exit with large trees towering over you as you take on this otherwise non threatening par three. Add in the other tee box sitting next you though, and one might feel as they can’t mess it up ‘in front of a crowd’. But get used to the crowd you must.
The finishing hole is a crowd busting one too. An uphill par three often requires a bit more club than the distance of 115/153 yards (SI16/12). A ditch runs across the fairway and the green slopes back to front, so on the green in one is the only option to make a par. All this in front of the elevated patio with golfers watching your every move from their vantage point. It’s a nerve jangling finishing hole, but definitely worth a bit of banter in the clubhouse afterwards.
The times I visited Vale of Llangollen we met with friendly people in the clubhouse. In fact they believe in their club so much that one member signed up his child for membership at only 5 months old to help out the club doing Covid times.
Llangollen is a pretty nice to visit too, with the River dissecting the town. Famed for hosting the International Music Eisteddfod, a unique annual celebration of world music and dance since 1947. Castell Dinas Brân has been shadowing over Llangollen since it was built in 1260 by Gruffyd Maelor II the Prince of Powys Fadgo.
