| With the Ryder Cup taking place in Wales this | | | | of the most daunting in Wales thanks to its hill-like |
| year, now might be a good time to consider | | | | terrain, while the second hole at the Vale Resort - |
| planning a golf weekend to coincide with the | | | | otherwise known as the Wales National Course - |
| prestigious tournament. | | | | is the longest par-five in the principality. |
| Wales is popular as a golfing destination anyway, | | | | The same course is also famous for another one |
| but with the arrival of the Ryder Cup, keen | | | | of its holes - the 16th, which takes the form of a |
| golfers may want to take the opportunity to plan | | | | 495-yard par-four with a 60-yard undulating green. |
| a weekend getaway that allows them to attend | | | | If you do decide to stick to Newport for the |
| the contest and fit in a round or two on the | | | | duration of your golf break, you will be able to |
| green themselves. | | | | find plenty to see and do during your stay aside |
| The Ryder Cup will be held at Newport's Celtic | | | | from golf-related activities. |
| Manor Resort between October 1st and 3rd and | | | | The city is rich in history and has the attractions |
| will see some of the best golfers in Europe and | | | | to provide the evidence - Newport Cathedral |
| America battle it out for the trophy. | | | | dates back to the sixth century, while Tredegar |
| One of the best golf resorts in Europe, the site | | | | House is thought to be a particularly fine example |
| has much to offer players, including three courses, | | | | of a 17th century Charles II mansion. |
| a clubhouse that has picked up numerous awards | | | | Nearby Caerleon is home to an impressive Roman |
| and a floodlit golf academy. | | | | amphitheatre and the popular Newport Medieval |
| There are many other golf courses available if | | | | Ship is a must-see if you happen to be in the city |
| you decide to take a break from the professional | | | | on one of the few days of the year that it is |
| action to take to the green yourself. | | | | open to the public. |
| As well as the council-run Caerleon Golf Course - | | | | The Fourteen Locks Canal Visitor Centre outside |
| the first to be operated by a local authority in | | | | Newport, the century-old Transporter Bridge and |
| Wales - other facilities based in or close to | | | | the Newport Museum and Art Gallery are also |
| Newport include the Llanwern Golf Club, | | | | worth visiting on your golf weekend. |
| the Parc Golf Club, the Newport Golf Club and the | | | | If you fancy getting up close and personal with |
| Tredegar Park Golf Course and Club, which can | | | | the local wildlife, why not head to the Newport |
| be seen from the Celtic Manor Resort. | | | | Wetlands Reserve? |
| A round or two at one - or more - of these | | | | Spanning a 438-hectare area between Uskmouth |
| courses is sure to make for the perfect golf | | | | and Goldcliff, the reserve is home to creatures |
| weekend when combined with tickets to the | | | | such as orchids, otters, butterflies and dragonflies, |
| Ryder Cup. | | | | as well as several species of bird. |
| Of course, your golfing adventure does not | | | | You could also head out of Newport to explore |
| necessarily need to be restricted to Newport. | | | | the rest of Gwent, which is a particularly scenic |
| Wales is home to some fantastic golf courses, so | | | | county thanks to the fact that it is nicely |
| why not make a tour of the best ones in the | | | | positioned between the edge of the Brecon |
| county of Gwent - or even further afield? | | | | Beacons and South Wales's Valleys region. |
| Welsh golf courses that hold notable claims to | | | | Visitors will be able to see remote moorland in the |
| fame include the West Monmouthshire Golf Club, | | | | north, wooded valleys in the south and a host of |
| which is home to the highest hole in Britain, as well | | | | historic sights dating back to the Bronze Age. |
| as Pennard Golf Club in Southgate, which is said to | | | | No matter what you choose to do on your golf |
| have a particularly scenic hole in the form of the | | | | weekend in Wales, you're sure to come away |
| seventh. | | | | with some great memories - particularly if your |
| For those who relish a good challenge, the 14th | | | | favourite side wins the Ryder Cup at the end of |
| hole at Porthmadog Golf Club is thought to be one | | | | it! |