Why Pembrokeshire Is One of Wales' Great Golfing Counties
Pembrokeshire occupies the far south-western corner of Wales, a peninsula wrapped by the Irish Sea on three sides and protected in large part by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. That geography is precisely what makes it such fertile ground for golf. Sandy, free-draining soils near the coast produce genuine links turf; sheltered inland valleys support mature parkland; and the prevailing south-westerly wind means no two rounds ever play the same way. For golfers used to flat, predictable inland courses, a week in Pembrokeshire can feel like rediscovering the game.
The county is also unusually accessible for a rural destination. Haverfordwest sits roughly at the centre, with Tenby, Saundersfoot and Pembroke to the south, Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock on the waterway, and St Davids, Fishguard and Newport strung along the north coast. Almost every course in the county is within a forty-five minute drive of another, which makes multi-course itineraries genuinely practical rather than aspirational.
The Ten Courses That Define Golf in Pembrokeshire
1. Tenby Golf Club
Tenby Golf Club is the oldest constituted golf club in Wales and remains the county's flagship. Laid out over classic duneland beside Tenby South Beach, the course is a true championship links with blind shots, revetted bunkering and greens that reward the running approach far more than the aerial one. Its heritage, its regular role in national amateur championships and its uncompromising exposure to coastal wind make it the benchmark round that most visiting golfers build their trip around.
2. St Davids City Golf Club
Perched near Whitesands Bay in the shadow of Carn Llidi, St Davids City Golf Club is a nine-hole links that punches enormously above its weight. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautifully situated courses in Britain, with views over the Atlantic and out towards Ramsey Island. There are no artificial hazards to speak of; the landscape itself, with its gorse, natural hollows and relentless breeze, provides all the defence the course needs. It is golf in its most elemental and affordable form.
3. Newport Links Golf Club
Set beside the Nevern Estuary on the north Pembrokeshire coast, Newport Links offers an eighteen-hole links experience with a friendly, unhurried club atmosphere. The layout moves between dunes, estuary edge and open pasture, and the club has invested steadily in drainage and greenkeeping so that conditioning holds up well through the winter months. On-site accommodation has made it a popular base for golfing societies visiting the north of the county.
4. Haverfordwest Golf Club
Just outside the county town, Haverfordwest Golf Club is a parkland course that serves as the everyday home club for a large share of Pembrokeshire's golfing population. It is a well-drained, gently undulating eighteen holes with tree-lined fairways and generous practice facilities. Its central location and consistently playable winter conditions make it the county's most reliable year-round option, and its active junior and ladies' sections give it a strong community reputation.
5. Milford Haven Golf Club
Overlooking the Milford Haven Waterway, this clifftop parkland course rewards accurate driving and offers some of the most distinctive views in Welsh golf, taking in the deep-water port, the estuary and the Cleddau. The course is known for its warm welcome to visitors and societies, competitive green fees and a clubhouse culture that reflects the town's maritime character.
6. South Pembrokeshire Golf Club
Located at Pembroke Dock with commanding views across the waterway towards Neyland, South Pembrokeshire Golf Club is an eighteen-hole course that blends open, heathland-style holes with more sheltered stretches. Elevation changes give several holes genuine drama, and the club has built a reputation for accessibility and value, making it a favourite among newer golfers and touring groups alike.
7. Priskilly Forest Golf Club
Near Letterston in the north of the county, Priskilly Forest is a nine-hole parkland course set within the grounds of a Georgian country house estate. Mature specimen trees, a peaceful setting and an unfussy, welcoming approach define the experience. It is an excellent choice for a relaxed round, for families, and for golfers who want a gentler counterpoint to the exposure of the links courses.
8. Trefloyne Manor Golf Club
Just inland from Tenby at Penally, Trefloyne Manor is a mature parkland layout carved through woodland and open meadow. Playing to a par in the low seventies, it offers a strategically varied round with water features, tree-lined corridors and well-presented greens. Its on-site restaurant and event facilities have made it a strong choice for corporate golf days and celebrations as well as casual rounds.
9. Mayfield Golf Complex
Between Pembroke and Tenby, Mayfield operates as a practice and pay-and-play destination combining a driving range, short course and coaching provision. It plays an important developmental role in the county, giving beginners, juniors and improving players somewhere to build a swing before taking on the tougher championship layouts. For visiting golfers, it is a useful warm-up venue at the start of a trip.
10. Glynhir-Style Country and Estate Golf Near the County Border
Pembrokeshire golfers frequently extend their itineraries into the neighbouring Carmarthenshire border country, where estate and parkland courses complement the coastal links. Adding one inland round of this type to a Pembrokeshire trip creates useful variety, giving a sheltered alternative when Atlantic weather makes the exposed links courses genuinely punishing.
What Sets Pembrokeshire Golf Apart
Three characteristics recur across the county's best courses. The first is authentic links turf. Because much of the coastline is sand-based, several courses offer firm, fast conditions that are increasingly rare inland. The second is scale and intimacy. Most Pembrokeshire clubs are member-owned and modestly sized, so visitors are dealt with personally rather than processed through a resort system. The third is value. Green fees across the county remain significantly lower than at comparable coastal courses elsewhere in the United Kingdom, which is a major driver of the region's growing golf-tourism trade.
Planning a Golf Trip to Pembrokeshire
Late spring and early autumn generally offer the best combination of firm ground, long daylight and manageable wind. High summer coincides with the county's peak tourism season, so booking tee times in advance is essential around Tenby and Saundersfoot. Winter golf is viable at the better-drained parkland courses, and many clubs operate reduced winter rates that represent excellent value.
Practical preparation matters more here than at inland venues. Wind-resistant clothing, a low-flighted stock shot and a willingness to putt from off the green will all serve you well. Visitors should also check individual club policies on handicap certificates and dress codes, which vary between the championship links and the more relaxed nine-hole courses.
Golf as Part of the Wider Pembrokeshire Experience
Few golf destinations sit so comfortably within a broader holiday. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs past several of these courses, Blue Flag beaches are minutes away from most clubhouses, and the county's food scene has grown substantially around local seafood and farm produce. For travelling partners and families who do not play, the surrounding attractions are genuinely compelling rather than an afterthought, which is one reason Pembrokeshire has become a repeat-visit destination for golfing groups from across Wales, England and Ireland.
Final Thoughts
Pembrokeshire offers a rare combination: championship-standard links golf, dramatic and unspoilt scenery, welcoming member clubs and prices that have not yet caught up with the quality on offer. Whether you build a trip around the historic dunes of Tenby, the raw Atlantic beauty of St Davids or the sheltered parkland of the interior, the county delivers a golfing experience with real character. For anyone compiling a Welsh golf itinerary, it deserves a prominent place on the list.
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