Is Wales a good place to golf?
When Tom Jones covered the Elvis hit “Green Green Grass of Home” we wonder if he was inspired by the many world class golf courses on offer here in Wales? Famed for its rugged coastline and mountainous National Parks, the natural beauty on offer in Wales is staggering. Arguably, Wales has many of the best golf courses in the UK with the Royal Porthcawl and the Royal St Davids to name but a few. In fact there are more than 140 golf courses altogether in Wales. The golf courses here are set in parkland and woodland to suit all abilities. Some even enjoying stunning clifftop sea views. You will also find golf lessons and fully stocked golfing shops for all your golfing needs. Some golf courses in Wales also offer facilities for weddings and other events too.
Is golfing good for you?
Recently, doctors in Fife, Scotland have been prescribing golf to patients under a new health initiative in partnership with local golf clubs. It could be that they are taking note of many recent studies on the health benefits of golf! According to a study which came out last week, playing a round of golf is better for the heart for the over 65s than walking the same distance. Scientists from the University of Eastern Finland have concluded that it reduces cholesterol, blood sugar levels and blood pressure. The participants of the study were measured as they tried a 3.7 mile walk, a 3.7 mile Nordic walk (using poles to work the upper body) and an 18-hole round of golf. The results revealed all three types of aerobic exercise improved their cardiovascular health, including lowering their blood pressure but it was golf which gave the biggest benefits.
Another study, in 2020, into the mortality among the over 65s in the US discovered that participants tended to live longer if they played golf once a month. And a study by Edinburgh University in 2016 found that people who played golf lived longer on average than those who did not. After a review of 5,000 existing studies, it was found that golf was likely to increase life expectancy, help chronic diseases and boost brainpower. Golfing could also help those who suffered chronic diseases including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke, as well as helping reduce the risk of anxiety, depression and dementia. This study found golfers typically burnt a minimum of 500 calories over 18 holes. Finally, in Sweden in 2012, a study found that being an active member of a golf club could add three and a half years to an elderly person’s life. So it seems that the health benefits of golf are really hard to ignore!
Have you ever considered golfing on the Gower Peninsula?
You have to agree, there’s something special about teeing off on a world class coastal course! And that’s exactly what you will find on the beautiful Gower Peninsula in South Wales. The Gower was designated an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ in 1956 and little has changed here since. One of the must-play golf courses of Wales (or even the whole UK) has to be the Langland Bay Golf Club. This club won the Wales Golf ‘Welsh Club of the Decade’ award. Whether you are a complete beginner who would like to try something new or a seasoned golf player looking for the perfect course, Langland Bay Golf Club will provide an unforgettable experience. Situated high above the golden sands of the Gower, this breathtaking golf course has 360-degree views of stunning seascapes in one direction and the distant Brecon Beacons in the other.
Alice Cooper has recently visited Langland Bay Golf Club on the Gower and Catherine Zeta Jones is a regular, often posting from the clifftop course on her Instagram as seen here https://www.instagram.com/p/CT8FX5lPNJf/
For amazing value & choice, Wales is hard to beat!
In the current economic climate, we can all be forgiven for tightening the belt a little and booking a golf package holiday can be expensive. However, by booking accommodation direct and organising tee fees yourself, you can have yourself a golfing break with much better value for money. Why not book a two night stay in nearby Mumbles? You can then relax and enjoy fabulous food and welcoming pubs after an invigorating day of golf.
Langland Bay Golf Club Course Map
How much does it cost to play a round of golf on the Gower?
Green fees on the Gower start from £30 per player for mid-week in the winter up to £70 for a Saturday or Sunday in the summer.
Would you like to know how to bag half price green fees at the stunning Langland Bay Golf Club?
Find out more about a great golfing offer and how to book here.