Bala Golf Club

I play this course every year when staying in Bala. It has to be one of my favourite courses to play. Don’t be fooled by the Par 66, this course can chew you up and spit you out. It’s very unforgiving and losing balls is almost guaranteed. If you are playing it for the first time I would suggest playing with a partner as you play blind on several holes. Tee shot on 4 is tough, and approach on 5 is difficult as it has a very small uneven green that has a huge drop off the back. If you play in the week early on you will not see many golfers out there so pace is brilliant. It is very hilly and will give you a good work out out I thoroughly recommend.

What to say about this course?

I was in Wales for a few days and played golf two days in a row. The first was at a more typical 18 hole golf course (still had great fun there). The second was this course. I hadn’t planned to play the second day and after such a good game I was eager for another. Using golf now I found this gem which gave more a reasonable Tee Time. I wasn’t sure as it is a more provincial course but i enjoyed this course more than the one the day before.

It may not have massive Par 5 holes over 600 yards but it has a lot going for it.

Challenging course layout - check

Well maintained course (within reason) - check

Value for money - check

Sheep - check

Views - check

At first I wasn’t sure what to expect and the first hole had me questioning my choice but after the second I was very in to it. This course is challenging, it rewards accurate shots as well as well thought out approach / fairway shots. Not one you turn up and smack balls with a driver off the Tee just looking for distance.

The staff were very friendly and the course was well maintained for a smaller provincial course.

I went on a very sunny day (May 2026 heatwave for those that remember it), so that may have made it sparkle that little bit more, I’m not sure you would want to play here with moderate (or worse) winds as it is exposed at the top of a large hill. The views.. my word, absolutely stunning.

There are sheep everywhere, I pushed my trolly around so a bit more caution so I wasn’t rolling around in sheep poo (also an additional hazard on the course ha!)

It is however, very steep at the start and end and also not flat in between, not for those with limited mobility and whilst you don’t need to be super fit, it isn’t a walk in the park.

Pros: challenging and interesting course using the environment around it, well maintained, makes you think tactically about your play (not hit and hope), beautiful views, friend staff, sheep.

Cons: very steep at start and end and not flat in between, may be too much of a challenge for those whose are just starting out or are quite wild with their shots, the layout is labyrinthine-esc so unsure what it may be like if it was really busy (people walking across fairways and balls flying everywhere) though k wonder if it is ever super busy.

If you like a challenge and are in the area give it a go. Not one to travel 2 hours plus for but still fun none the less.

Thoroughly enjoyed the experience of this very challenging course. There were sheep on some of the course.

Great course with excellent holes, not long but definitely a challenge. If you’re anywhere near it’s a must play.