The Vale Resort

Hensol Park, Hensol,

nr Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan CF72 8JY

  • Office

    +44 (0)1443 667 800
  • Pro shop

    +44 (0)1443 665 899
  • Fax

    +44 (0)1443 667 801
  • Golf pro

    Several
  • Academy

    Vale Golf Academy

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.

  • Surroundings:

    Rural countryside and woodland.

  • Designer:

    Peter Johnson

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
6438
6024
5767
Par
72
72
74
SSS or slope
71
70
74

At the same location:

18-hole par-73 Wales National Course (7413 yards)

Location

Latitude:

51.495278

Longitude:

-3.376632

How to get there:

10 miles W of Cardiff

Leave M4 just west of Cardiff at exit 34 (A4119 Rhondda) and follow direction Pendoylan. After 50 yards from motorway roundabout turn right, direction Vale Hotel. After 500 yards turn right direction Vale Hotel. After 200 yards turn left and then after 300 yards turn right into the Vale Hotel.

The Vale Resort (Lake course)

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.

Est. 1993

The Vale Resort (Lake course): the shorter of the two layouts at The Vale Resort, the Lake course, as its name implies, contains its fair share of water hazards - they feature on over half the holes. Most watery of all is the island green at the short par-4 12th, which needs a well-judged tee-shot to escape with par or better.

This very pleasant parkland environment is almost garden like in places, with shrubberies adorning the fairly compact and well maintained layout. The views over the wooded Glamorgan countryside are best on the front-nine, where several holes are arranged on one side of the vale, providing occasional glimpses of 17th century Hensol Castle.

List of courses: Wales - South

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance. Handicap required.

Green fees

Contact club for green fee details.

Other information

Players generally walk this course.

Practice facilities

Excellent

Did you know?

The Vale Hotel and its golf courses are part of the Hensol Castle estate. There are substantial development plans for the 17th century castle, which would then be included in the current attractions of this excellent Stay'n'Play location.

Published ranking

Lake course:
Wales' 49th best course (Golf World, 2025).

Where2Stay

  • The Vale Resort4-star

    Hensol Park, Hensol, nr. Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan CF72 8JY

    +44 (0)1443 667 800

    Visit website

    In 2006 the Vale Resort was named by The World Travel Awards as Wales' largest and best spa.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Lake Course, Wales National Course

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      No

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Royal Porthcawl; Southerndown; Pyle & Kenfig

  • Coed-y-Mwstwr3-star

    Coychurch, Bridgend, Glamorganshire CF35 6AF

    +44 (0)1656 860 621

    Visit website

    Perched on a Welsh hillside and surrounded by woodland, this Victorian mansion provides a cosy and secluded hideaway overlooking the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan. The name Coed-y-Mwstwr translates as "Whispering Trees".

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Southerndown

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Royal Porthcawl; Pyle & Kenfig; Vale Hotel (The Lake course and Wales National)

Find a course

Or

Tournaments

Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.

Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.

Recently visited

Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.

The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.

The Dutch GC, The Netherlands

The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.

Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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