Celtic Manor vs St Pierre for Golf
Two of the best known names in South Wales golf, twenty minutes apart by the Severn. Celtic Manor is the modern resort built around a Ryder Cup, all scale and occasion. St Pierre is the classic parkland on a medieval deer park, all history and value. Here is the honest head to head, with our verdict up front.
Photograph: The Celtic Manor Resort, South Wales, via Google
The verdict
For the bucket list round and the big occasion, Celtic Manor wins. The Twenty Ten Course is the only course on earth purpose built to host a Ryder Cup, and the 2010 matches there, sealed by Graeme McDowell, gave it a story no other resort in Wales can tell. Add three courses, a five star hotel, a spa and full conference facilities and it is the obvious pick for a once in a while trip, a corporate or society day, or a group that wants everything on one site. It is also the more expensive and the more corporate in feel.
But St Pierre is the better everyday round and the better value. Ken Cotton's Old Course, laid out in 1961 across a fourteenth century deer park, is a mature, tree lined parkland with one of the most famous finishes in British golf, the long par 3 18th played all the way across a lake. It has hosted the Solheim Cup and decades of European Tour events, it costs a fraction of the Twenty Ten, and it feels like a proper club. Choose Celtic Manor for the occasion and the facilities, St Pierre for the classic course and the value. Better still, twenty minutes apart, play both.
Head to head
| Celtic Manor, Twenty Ten | St Pierre, Old Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Designer and opened | Ross McMurray, European Golf Design; opened 2007 | Ken Cotton, 1961; remodeled by Ross McMurray in 2008 |
| Course type | Modern resort parkland on the Usk valley floor, par 71, about 7,490 yards | Classic mature parkland on a historic deer park, par 71, about 6,800 yards |
| Claim to fame | The only course ever built specifically for a Ryder Cup, host of the 2010 matches won by Europe | Host of the 1996 Solheim Cup and decades of Dunlop Masters and European Tour events |
| Signature hole | The watery par 3 and the run of holes by the river that decided the 2010 Ryder Cup singles | The famous par 3 18th, played the length of a lake to a green below the clubhouse |
| The resort | Large five star resort: three courses, hotel, spa, conference and dining on site | Delta Hotels by Marriott resort: two courses, hotel and leisure, more low key |
| Green fees, peak | Indicative 2026 roughly 150 to 235 pounds; stay and play packages common | Indicative 2026 roughly 60 to 95 pounds; strong value for a tournament course |
| Location | Newport, beside the M4 and the Severn crossing, easy from Bristol and Cardiff | Chepstow, by the old Severn bridge, around twenty minutes from Celtic Manor |
| Who it suits | Bucket list golfers, corporate and society days, groups wanting one resort with everything | Buddies trips and value seekers wanting a classic parkland and a relaxed club feel |
Course facts and indicative fee ranges verified June 2026; fees move with season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Pick Celtic Manor if
You want the big occasion. The Twenty Ten is a genuine Ryder Cup venue, and the resort wraps it in three courses, a five star hotel, a spa and full conference space, which makes it the natural home for a milestone trip, a corporate away day or a society outing that wants everything in one place. It is the more expensive and more polished choice, and worth it for the story and the facilities.
Pick St Pierre if
You want a classic course and better value. Ken Cotton's parkland on a medieval deer park is mature, characterful and crowned by one of the most famous finishing holes in Britain, and it has the tournament history to back it up, all at a fraction of the Twenty Ten green fee. It is the smarter pick for a buddies trip, a relaxed weekend or anyone who prefers an old fashioned club to a big resort.
Plan your South Wales golf trip
Celtic Manor, St Pierre or both on the same trip, with links golf or the Brecon Beacons alongside. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and one concierge builds the tee times, base and travel and costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Celtic Manor vs St Pierre questions
Is Celtic Manor or St Pierre better for golf?
It depends on the trip. Celtic Manor is the bigger occasion: its Twenty Ten Course was purpose built for the 2010 Ryder Cup, and the five star resort has three courses, a spa and conference facilities, which makes it the choice for a bucket list round or a corporate or society day. St Pierre is the classic, better value parkland, a Ken Cotton design from 1961 on a historic deer park, with a famous watery finish, ideal for a relaxed buddies trip.
What course at Celtic Manor hosted the Ryder Cup?
The Twenty Ten Course hosted the 2010 Ryder Cup, won by Europe. Designed by Ross McMurray of European Golf Design and opened in 2007, it was the first course ever built specifically to stage a Ryder Cup. It plays to a par of 71 at around 7,490 yards from the back tees and runs along and across the floor of the Usk valley.
How much does it cost to play Celtic Manor and St Pierre?
Celtic Manor is the premium ticket: indicative 2026 high season green fees on the Twenty Ten Course run from roughly 150 to 235 pounds, with resort and stay and play packages common. St Pierre's Old Course is far more accessible at an indicative 60 to 95 pounds depending on season and time. Both move with season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking.
Are Celtic Manor and St Pierre close together?
Yes. Both sit in southeast Wales near the Severn estuary, Celtic Manor at Newport and St Pierre at Chepstow, around twenty minutes apart by car and easy to combine on the same trip. Many groups play both, often adding the Roman Road and Montgomerie courses at Celtic Manor or links golf further west for a fuller week.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts and indicative fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.