St Nicholas,
Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF5 6JS
Office
+44 (0)1446 781 781Pro shop
+44 (0)1446 781 781Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Simon Cox / Gareth Bennett.Academy
Cottrell Park Golf AcademyThe Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Rural countryside and woodland.
Designer:
Robert "Bob" Sandow
Above distances are for the Mackintosh course. Also at Cottrell Park is the 18-hole Button Gwinnett course (par-71, 6,180 yds from back tees).
51.459306
-3.326093
2.5 mi W of Culverhouse Cross / 7.5 mi W of Cardiff centre.
From the M4 motorway take exit 33 (Cardiff West) and follow the A4232 direction Cardiff Intl Airport. After 3 mi take the Culverhouse Cross exit, and at roundabout at top of ramp take the fourth exit onto the A48, direction Cowbridge. Go through the village of St Nicholas. Cottrell Park entrance is on your right, 200 yds after exiting the village.
Cottrell Park Golf Resort: set in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan, Cottrell Park's two 18-hole courses offer sweeping views northwards to the Brecon Beacons and southwards over the Bristol Channel to the Mendip Hills in England. Within the estate's 400 acres of rolling parkland, you'll find the Mackintosh and the interestingly named Button Gwinnett golf courses, as well as excellent clubhouse facilities and onsite accommodation.
The par-72 Mackintosh course is the longer of the two Cottrell Park layouts, and plays host to Welsh Golf Union events and County Matches, as well as the club's main championships. It is slightly more tree-lined than its sibling, with many trees dating back over 300 years. This parkland course makes full use of the naturally rolling terrain, which includes a Roman motte (a defensive position based on a large mound). The layout, with its four par-3s and four par-5s includes several challengingly doglegging holes.
The American style Button Gwinnett course, more open and less tree-lined than the Mackintosh, stretches to 6,180 yards off the tips. The course features 13 lakes spread over the 18 holes, and culminates in a wonderful finishing hole. The short par-4 18th plays back to the attractive single-storey clubhouse, with a pond to cross in front of the final green.
Stay&Play at Cottrell Park: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.
Visitors welcome on weekdays; no outside visitors on weekends.
Must book in advance.
Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire (if pre-booked).
Good
Cottrell Park's Mackintosh course takes its name from past Cottrell resident, Alfred Donald Mackintosh of Mackintosh, the 28th Chief of Clan Mackintosh and Chief of Clan Chattan. Living at Cottrell until his death in 1938, Mackintosh made his Welsh seat a centre of lavish entertainment and social gatherings.
The resort's Button Gwinnett course is named after a former resident and one of the fifty-six men to sign the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776. Born in Gloucestershire, England, he was one of three signers representing the state of Georgia. His unusual forename was a homage to his uncle Sir Thomas Button, a naval explorer most famous for charting the American northwest coast.
The golf courses at Cottrell Park were designed by a Hereford man, Bob Sandow. During his time as a touring professional in the USA and Canada, Sandow played alongside the likes of Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson. He worked with the legendary Robert Trent Jones Snr, before going on to design over 170 courses around the globe.
Wales' 42nd best course (Golf World, 2023).
St Nicholas, Cardiff, South Glamorganshire CF5 6SJ.
+44 (0)1446 781 781
Visit websiteAccommodation at Cottrell Park comprises two luxury onsite lodges (the Arabella and Emilia apartments), which provide luxury facilities for golfers, groups of friends, families and wedding guests. The resort offers a bar and restaurant, as well as plenty of activities in addition to the two 18-hole golf courses. To the west lies the market town of Cowbridge; the Welsh capital of Cardiff is just a few miles to the east.
Cottrell Park (Mackintosh and Button Gwinnett courses).
Vale Resort.
Whitchurch; Southerndown; Royal Porthcawl; Pyle & Kenfig; Radyr; Pontypridd.
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Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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