18 Hole Course
Plan ahead for your round at Radyr Golf Club with our overview of each hole, along with tips on how to play them. Please click on an image to enlarge.
Individual course planners are available in the Pro Shop on arrival at the club.
Hole 1
A gentle introduction, but trees and rough either side of the narrow fairway will punish any off-line tee shots. The view across the City and Severn Estuary from the Tee can be distracting!
Hole 2
Another short Par 4 which offers a good birdie opportunity if the second shot finds the narrow green. Four greenside bunkers await any mis-hit approach shot.
Hole 3
A deceptive Par 3 played into the prevailing wind. Bunkers guard the front of the green and a steep bank to the right condemns many to a difficult pitch.
Hole 4
The start of a run of three 410 yard plus Par 4’s, the fourth plays downhill into the prevailing wind. The fairway is narrow for the short drive and fairway bunkers threaten the long drive. The second shot to a generous green has to carry a stream that runs across the fairway.
Hole 5
A classic uphill Par 4 with a drive out through a chute to a narrow fairway bounded by OB and bunkers. The long second has to be accurately judged to be on the right level on the two-tier green that is well guarded by bunkers. A par on this hole is well deserved.
Hole 6
As with the fourth this Par 4 hole plays into the prevailing wind and usually plays longer than its measured yardage. A dip short of the green leads to misjudged approach shots. The putting surface has to be carefully assessed if a three-putt is to be avoided.
Hole 7
New bunkers across the front of the green have transformed this Par 3 hole and placed a premium on correct club selection. Over hit shots result in a tricky recovery or putt down the sloping green.
Hole 8
The only Par 5 on the front nine, which at 480 yards offers a birdie opportunity as a reward for a well hit accurate tee, shot and approach. Players that go for the green in two have to carry a deep ditch protecting the front of the green, with OB lying less than 10 yards beyond the putting surface.
Hole 9
Another very long Par 4. Players tend to lay up with the tee shot as the fairway ends in a steep bank giving severe hanging lies. The lay-up leaves a 200 yard approach to the smallest green on the course. Add to these problems a putting surface that is difficult to read and deceptively sloping, and you have a very challenging finish to the front 9.
Hole 10
The longest Par 3 on the course played uphill into the prevailing wind. The tee shot has to carry a deep swale with a very steep bank of deep rough. The well-bunkered green again demands control of line and length. Members are well satisfied with a Par here.
Hole 11
Played downhill and relatively short this straightforward Par 4 offers a birdie opportunity but beware the OB is closer to the green than you think!
Hole 12
If signature holes had existed when Colt designed this unique Par 3, this would have been Radyr’s. A relatively short hole it has lead to many card-wrecking scores. Miss the banana-shaped green left and face an intimidating chip down to a very narrow green. Miss right and you are in rough with a pitch up a very steep bank often with a difficult stance. A delight to the eye that can be a nightmare to play.
Hole 13
The second Par 5 played into the wind. Like the 8th it offers a birdie opportunity but OB close to, and short of, the green tends to force players left. Two large trees frame the tee shot but stand in the way of the player going for the green if the tee shot is off line.
Hole 14
A recently constructed pond has given the hole character and made it a picturesque and challenging par 3. Played from an elevated tee with a water hazard behind, the pond has to be carried and also catches any pulled tee shots. Bunkers catch those who bale out right.
Hole 15
The start of another sequence of three long Par 4’s. Playing downwind the fairway bunkers or the copse catch the unwary. The generous green is, as usual at Radyr, guarded by two bunkers.
Hole 16
The shortest of the three but plays the longest when the wind blows. Fairway bunkers have to be carried to beat the dog-leg. An accurate second is required to find the smallish green nestled between two copses and guarded by bunkers. Get everything right and make a satisfying par.
Hole 17
A very long Par 4 with a road crossing just in range of a long drive necessitating care with the tee shot. The second shot is blind to a raised green, again with bunkers left and right. Putting from above the hole requires a delicate touch.
Hole 18
A hole that plays downhill and downwind. Care is required to position the tee shot and the drop on the second shot places a premium on club selection. The apparent flatness of the green is deceptive, why this is - you are left to discover! The hole, with its panoramic views from across Cardiff and the Severn Estuary are a fitting end to the round. The Clubhouse and its restaurant and bars await….