Holyhead Golf Club
One of the quirkiest and most scenic rounds in North Wales. Holyhead is a James Braid design from 1912, a par 71 of roughly 6,077 yards laid across rocky, gorse clad ground above the Irish Sea at Trearddur Bay, where the rock outcrops, the wind and the sea views give every hole its own character.
Photo: Holyhead Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Holyhead is the kind of course that golf travelers remember long after the resort names blur together. Designed by James Braid in 1912 and opened in 1914, it sits on rugged Anglesey ground at Trearddur Bay, where heather, gorse and bare rock frame fairways that tumble across the natural lie of the land. Braid worked with what the island gave him, and the result is a layout full of charm, surprise and genuine teeth.
It plays as a par 71 of around 6,077 yards, modest on the card and anything but on the ground. The wind off the Irish Sea is a constant companion, the rock outcrops force you to think your way around, and the views, across the bay and out to the South Stack lighthouse, are among the finest from any course in Wales. This is not manicured resort golf but something older and more honest, a true hidden gem for the player who values character over length.
Holyhead at a glance
- Designed
- 1912
- Design
- James Braid
- Type
- Heathland
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- ~6,077 yds
- Green fee
- Visitor rate
Design, year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Holyhead Golf Club and leading course databases. Laid out by James Braid in 1912 and opened in 1914, the course plays as a par 71 of roughly 6,077 yards. Holyhead welcomes visitors; green fees vary by season and day (indicative, 2026), so always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
What sets Holyhead apart is the rock. Braid routed the holes between and over the natural outcrops of Anglesey stone, so tee shots are framed by crags, approaches must carry rugged ground, and the occasional blind shot adds to the sense of adventure. It is golf played across a landscape rather than imposed upon one, and the variety from hole to hole keeps you guessing all the way round.
The short holes are a highlight, played to greens perched among the rocks with the wind swirling and the sea as a backdrop, where the right club is rarely the obvious one. The par 4s ask for placement over power, rewarding the golfer who can shape a shot and keep the ball under the breeze rather than the one who simply hits it hard.
Throughout, the views do their best to distract: the sweep of Trearddur Bay, the rugged Holy Island coast, and on a clear day the mountains of Snowdonia across the water. Few courses in Britain give you so much scenery and so much quirk for such a gentle scorecard, and fewer still leave you wanting to go straight back out and play it again.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A welcoming members club that takes visitors throughout the season; book a tee time ahead, particularly in summer and at weekends when member play is busiest |
| Green fee | Indicative visitor green fees in the region of 35 to 50 pounds depending on day and season (2026); always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Reserve through the Holyhead pro shop or office; pairs naturally with Bull Bay and the other Anglesey courses on a North Wales trip |
| On the day | Smart golf dress; a walkable but undulating course over rocky ground, so steady footwear helps and a buggy may be available on request |
| Getting there | At Trearddur Bay on Holy Island, just off the A55 near Holyhead, around 90 minutes from Chester and easily reached on the way to or from the Dublin ferry |
| Best months | May through September for the driest, firmest conditions and the long Anglesey evenings, though the course plays well into autumn |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; rates change by season and day, so always confirm directly with the club or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Trearddur Bay has comfortable seaside hotels and guesthouses within minutes of the first tee, while the wider Anglesey coast offers everything from country inns to boutique boltholes for a more leisurely golf and coast break.
Holyhead is best enjoyed as part of an Anglesey and North Wales golf tour, paired with the island's other courses and the great links of the mainland coast for a few varied and scenic days.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Holyhead.
Build a North Wales golf trip
We arrange tee times at Holyhead and across the courses of Anglesey and North Wales, pair them with the best lodging and handle the logistics. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Holyhead questions
Who designed Holyhead Golf Club?
Holyhead was designed by James Braid, the five times Open champion and architect of the King's and Queen's courses at Gleneagles. He laid out the course in 1912 and it opened for play in 1914 at Trearddur Bay on Anglesey.
What is the par and length of Holyhead Golf Club?
Holyhead plays as a par 71 of roughly 6,077 yards. It is not long by modern standards, but the rugged ground, rocky outcrops and exposed coastal wind make it a genuine and absorbing test.
What kind of course is Holyhead?
Holyhead is a heathland and moorland style course set on rocky, undulating terrain above the Irish Sea at Trearddur Bay. It is known for its quirky, natural character, dramatic rock features and wide sea views rather than for manicured uniformity.
Can visitors play Holyhead Golf Club?
Yes. Holyhead welcomes visiting golfers throughout the season. Book a tee time through the club, and confirm the current green fee before you travel, as rates vary by season and day.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Design, year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.