St Mellons Golf Club

Der St. Mellons Golf Club (5.922 Yards bei Par 69 von den gelben Abschlägen) liegt östlich von Cardiff und ist von der Stadtmitte aus in weniger als 20 Minuten erreichbar. Trotz der Nähe zur Hauptstadt sollte das Navi nicht fehlen. Nach der Einfahrt auf das Clubgelände fährt man entlang des 18. Fairways und erreicht dann den Parkplatz direkt am Clubhaus. Von dort sind es nur wenige Schritte bis zum gut sortierten Pro-Shop, wo ich freundlich und professionell empfangen wurde. Das Clubhaus hat Charme und wirkt total einladend - genauso soll es sein. Da ich leider keine Zeit hatte, nutzte ich die Übungsmöglichkeiten (incl. richtiger Driving-Range) nicht, nur ein paar Bälle auf dem Putting Green zeigten, wie flott die Grünswaren.bevor es dann zum ersten Abschlag ging. Erster Abschlag 321 Yards gerade aus auf ein leicht erhöhtes Grün - was soll ich sagen ... Start mit einem Par passiert mir nicht oft 😉. Der Kurs selbst ist klassisch als Parkland-Platz angelegt und zeichnet sich durch breite Fairways, zahlreiche alte Bäume und einige geschickt platzierte Bunker aus. Auf den ersten Blick wirkt vieles recht großzügig, allerdings wird schnell klar, dass gutes Course Management hier deutlich wichtiger ist als reine Länge. Die Fairways waren schön kurz gehalten, bei nicht gut getroffenen Bällen ist ein faires Weiterspielen gut möglich und die Grüns sind richtig toll. Gut, dass ich vorher auf dem Übungsgrün war, denn sonst wären einige gute Anspiele sicher zu lang ausgerollt. An einigen Bahnen hilft Länge, an anderen ist gutes Längengefühl deutlich wichtiger - der Kopf spielt auf diesem Platz eine nicht unentscheidende Rolle. Insgesamt hat mir die abwechslungsreiche Gestaltung der Bahnen gut gefallen, denn die Vielfalt sorgt für eine bis zum letzten Put interessante Runde. Als signature hole würde ich Bahn 18 wählen. Ein hervorragendes Schlussloch, das optisch stark wirkt und gleichzeitig bis zum letzten Schlag Konzentration verlangt. Mit dem Clubhaus im Blick und der Möglichkeit, eine gute Runde erfolgreich abzuschließen, entsteht hier genau die Art von Spannung, die ich gerne mag. Nach der Runde sollte man sich ein Getränk auf der Terrasse gönnen - toller Blick und angenehme Stimmung sind quasi garantiert. Typ : Parkland Schwierigkeit : mittel Belohnungsfaktor : langes Spiel und kontrollierte Annäherungen Blind Shots : wenige Hindernisse : gut platzierte Bunker Tip : die Fahnenpositionen genau beachten 😉 Wiederholungsfaktor : bestimmt

Harry Colt has had a hand in designing some of the best golf courses in the UK (Sunningdale, Swinley Forest, Wentworth, Aberdovey, Royal Pawthcawl, Royal St George's to name but a few). St Mellons, whilst good, is not on the same level as the afore mentioned courses.

I've played this course a number of times (as a friend of mine is a member) and it has always been in good condition. I've mostly played in the spring/summer and have heard that the course can suffer in the wetter months.

Most of the holes are lined by mature trees and there is a good mix of par 3,4s and 5s. However, it is hard to pick any particular holes that standout as ones to remember. The course itself feels a little bit disjointed, largely due to the two small roads running through the course dividing it up into small segments which each feel disconnected from each other (you have to cross the two roads a total of five times over an 18 hole round).

Worth playing if you are in the area. You will enjoy your round at St Mellons but in my opinion it does not stand out as being any better than a multitude of other courses in the region (Newport, Creigiau, Vale resort, Llantrsant & Pontyclun, Cardiff, Whitchurch, Radyr etc.).

Situated in southern Wales, amidst a medley of mature trees, the St Mellon golf course designed by Harry Colt offers a serene environment that belies its proximity to a nearby motorway and location on the outskirts of the Welsh capital. Colt's signature design philosophy is evident in the course's well-proportioned holes, consisting of 12 Par 4s,5 Par 3s, and 3 Par 5s. The course layout seamlessly integrates with the natural surroundings, with strategic bunkering and subtly contoured greens providing the only indications of human intervention.

The golf club boasts a well-sized pro shop staffed by friendly professionals and a picturesque patio that overlooks the putting green and first tee, where golfers can relish their pre and post-round meals. A generously sized undulating putting green is available for warm-up purposes, while some nets are placed adjacent to the car park as a substitute for a driving range. The clubhouse, standing proudly beside the first tee, appears to have been constructed long ago but is impeccably maintained.

St Mellon's course presents an exciting challenge to golfers, with a relatively straightforward bogey but challenging par format. A slight respite is offered on the first hole, which has a stroke index of 15 and is a Par 4. However, the subsequent holes have encroaching trees that force golfers to remain focused throughout the course. While water hazards are absent, numerous strategically placed bunkers and the aforementioned contoured greens make the course an engaging challenge.

I was very fortunate with the weather when I visited and I will be returning as I know I left some shots out there. All in all you will not be disappointed with a round of golf at this great parkland club.

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I’ve always enjoyed playing Jack Nicklaus designed courses so the decision to go to St Mellion was quickly made. The hotel and clubhouse is not what I was expecting. It totally without any character and so is most of the staff.

Luckily the starter was a very nice old lady who explained me how to get around the course. Once ready to start she asked me if I wanted to play the Tiger line, and she pointed out a pole far in the distance. I had to laugh and told her that I was already happy to find the fairway.

St Mellion is a true Jack Nicklaus’s creation. Most of the holes are simply brilliantly designed. You really have to think what club you’re playing. A course where picking a driver from the tee on each par 4 and 5 simply won’t do. Jack has designed a course for the golfers mindset. Placement is key and this starts from the 2nd (par 5) tee where a long iron/wood will be the only option to set up the hole. St Mellion has played host to 12 European Tour events and the Amateur Championship. The quality of the fairways and greens were excellent. The rough was thick and tough. The only thing they forgot was to cut the tee boxes. The grass was too high and often in the way for playing a good shot. It’s a course which you never get tired of playing. Unfortunately the hotel is not my cup of tea. I would recommend to find a nice B&B/pub in the neighbourhood if you want to stay over. After my round I wanted to have a shower but no towels available. Can you imagine in such a ‘wannabe star resort’! I also asked the guy in the Proshop for a towel and he looked at me if he saw water burning. No besides the friendly old lady starter I have not come across nice people here. Normally I alway have a drink after my round in the clubhouse but this time I went straight away to the nearest pub.