Our next golfing assignment involves the glamour of a trip abroad, to North Wales, and 12 miles south of Wrexham; the city enjoying a long overdue upturn in fortunes, as it rides the wave created by the football club’s Hollywood owners and resulting TV fame. Llangollen is best known as the venue for International Musical Eisteddfod, which has been running for the past 77 years, and has seen the Kaiser Chiefs and Tom Jones visit the town in the week following our visit.
The Vale of Llangollen Golf Club, to give it its full title, was formed in 1908 by ‘some of the local gentry’, and sits on the edge of an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within the designated area of a World Heritage Site (The Froncysyllte Aquaduct)… said to be a totally unique combination! Over its first 116 years, the club has spent almost exactly half that time as a nine hole course, until 1967 when a new 18 hole layout was designed, with subsequent tinkering presenting the course we find today.
Those of a curious nature, such as ourselves, can find some fascinating details of the club and course via the Course Policy Document, such as the design strategy; ‘There are no hidden traps. Its defences are the length of shot required, strategically placed hazards, and whatever direction the prevailing wind is blowing down the valley’. Admittedly, some of the more technical aspects go way over our head (‘unconsolidated alluvial sediments’ anyone?), but for golf nerds, it makes for a riveting read.
There’s insights into course management, such as the seven specified different mowing heights from greens (3.5-4.5mm) to very deep rough (75mm), offering an enlightening glimpse into how much skill and effort goes into presenting a course of this standard. Pre-round, and there’s a chance to take in the practice grounds, somewhat hidden down a track by the car park, where there’s a couple of nets, a short game area, and putting green (along with another near the clubhouse).
The round starts in spectacular fashion, with an elevated tee shot, fringed by wildflowers (pictured), to a doglegged fairway, and pond-guarded green. Some suggest that it makes up one of the easiest opening trio of holes around, given they comprise two sub-500 yard par 5s, sandwiching a 272 yard par 4. But this seems to assume a strong degree of accuracy off the tee, with around a 20 yard parcel of fairway to aim for off the first, to navigate the apex.
The rest of the round passes by very pleasantly, with the ninth, and its narrow dogleg left with trouble down the right among the more noteworthy challenges. It’s a beautiful course, despite the grey skies above, but when the sun comes out it is simply breathtaking. Everywhere we look, we’re surrounded by the most picturesque rolling hills, with push-up greens, accompanied by the sound and occasional sight of the River Dee, which borders four of the narrow, tree-lined fairways.
The closing hole, on paper an innocuous 153 yarder, transpires to be uphill and with four bunkers to avoid, and proves a test too far for our society group, with not one of 23 finding the green from the tee! Apres-golf, and we’re delighted to discover not only some excellent hand cut chips, but even better… Madri for under £5 a pint! These simple yet profound pleasures, combined with one of the best 19th hole views around, serves to provide the perfect end to a special trip to Llangollen.
Key Info
Holes: 18
Par: White / Yellow: 72. Red: 74
Yards: White: 6,624. Yellow: 6,422. Red: 5,824
Slope: White: 122. Yellow: 119. Red: 125
Visitor Green Fees: £30 – £80 depending on time of year / week
Website: https://www.vlgc.co.uk/
Location
Prices correct at time of writing (July 2024).
Where shall we review next? Let us know here.
