Welshpool Golf Club is one of the most scenic courses you could ever play. It offers panoramic views of the Mid Wales countryside, the Shropshire hills, and the mountains of Snowdonia, all of which combine to produce a stunning backdrop.
This is actually the 99th course I’ve played, and it really did not disappoint. Even the drive to the course helped to set the scene with some lovely views en route. When you turn up the lane to the course, you then get the feeling of what may lie ahead as the drive just goes up and up and up - once you reach the course you can only be excited for the experience that lies ahead. After driving past a couple of the holes you get to a traditional yet well-presented clubhouse.
Once out on the course, straight away you get the feeling that it’s a spectacular tribute to old-fashioned golf - complete with stunning greens, some blind tee shots, and gorse-lined fairways, all wrapped in jaw-dropping 360-degree views of the countryside. It plays tough, too! No bunkers are needed when you have hills, steep run-offs, and natural slopes providing this much jeopardy. A brilliant, creative layout.
What It's Like to Play Golf at Welshpool
The front 9 starts with a short par 4 that doglegs to the right and for the longer hitters can be reached. The green, as is a feature here, is very quirky, tricky and great protection for a short par 4. Next up is a mid-length par 3 to another tricky green. You then have a run of five par 4s but don’t worry as each one serves up different challenges, options and decisions, especially off the tee. The 3rd being the longest at 391 yards and the 5th the shortest at 274. All well-designed holes with yet more stunning views and tricky greens.
The 8th hole is the second par 3 of the round and the front 9 finishes up with a great par 4 where the tee shot needs to be well placed short of the water on the left and the second shot is then over the water.
What a finish to a truly enjoyable and beautiful 9 holes of golf.
The back 9 starts with the first par 5 which requires three (or two for the big hitters) straight, well hit shots to get to a green, which, as with all the others, is tricky and not at all easy to hit. Next up is another mid-length par 3, but like all the holes it offers up different challenges, this one is a really small target and has run-offs all around meaning accuracy is paramount.
The 12th is the signature hole and you can see why as soon as you step on the tee - a drive over a massive valley and ferns to a fairway that runs at right angles off to the left and then an approach of anything up to 200 yards also confirms why it's stroke index 1. A par here is real bonus!
Thankfully a shorter par 4 follows and then the second and final par 5 where accuracy more than distance is required here as the hole is very narrow. The fairway slopes to the right off the tee and the green is one of the larger ones here.
The final par 3 awaits next. Again, it’s mid-length but playing all uphill with a ravine short right and grass bunkers to the left and right. Even hitting the green doesn’t guarantee a par as this surface really is undulating.
The final three holes are all par 4s and all between 300 and 340 yards. A good drive on all will leave a short approach to each green. Once more each hole offers up different challenges which really keep you on your toes.
I have to say, even though the course isn’t the longest, it’s still quite tough, especially if the wind is blowing like it was when we visited. The greens and surrounds also make you think about every shot, which for me is something I really enjoy.
This is a wonderfully designed layout with a great mix of holes and some of the best green complexes you will find.
Why You Need to Visit Welshpool Golf Club
Welshpool is not the longest of courses, it has no bunkers, but boy is it a great course with challenges, choices and some stunning views all the way round. Yes, it’s hilly, but don’t let that put you off as the course and views are well worth the climbs. I for one will definitely be returning as personally courses like this to me are what golf is all about.
There is an excellent setup in the clubhouse and probably the best selection of food I’ve ever seen at a golf club followed by a friendly atmosphere. A must visit for all golfers.
Anthony Doleman, who is the club steward, is really putting his stamp on things with some great advertisements around the clubhouse and a really good social media presence. I must say quite a few clubs could learn from what Welshpool and Anthony are doing.
They also have a couple of great offers available coming up, including a Winter Warmer that costs £27.50, where you can enjoy a bacon bap, tea/coffee and 18 holes golf.
You may also be intrigued by the Winter Membership (£200) that runs from 1st October to 31st March.
For more information, please visit https://welshpoolgolfclub.co.uk/.
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