200 - Vale (Lakes)

Location: Cardiff, Wales

Rating: 7.6

After playing the National in the morning and a bit of lunch at the restaurant we headed out onto the Lakes Course. At 600 meters shorter than the National it is a completely different proposition and bit more of a normal parkland course and probably course to have a bit more fun with your mates, we ended up playing a 3 man scramble and was a really fun course to do it.

It starts off with what you’d think is a nice easy par 3 down the hill at not much more than a 9 iron but easier said than done with none of us hitting the green. Maybe the beer at lunch had something to do with that. The 2nd follows with a severe dog leg to the right, a par 5 that measures 320 meters as the crow flies but tall trees block any attempt of trying to drive the green. Despite it’s length the course is fairly challenging, a couple of the par 4’s have water features protecting the front of the green, the 7th, a par 5, has a severe drop off to the left with trouble in the form of thick bush and the 17th is a driveable par 4 but anything short will end up in one of the four bunkers before the green.

Despite there being quite a lot of people there on the day we didn’t have any delays if any. The pro shop is substantial, only wish they’d have some more Vale branded items in there, sucker for some merchandise.

Lastly the practice facilities were very good, there’s a driving range right next to the Lakes first tee and short game area as well. The Lakes course is definitely for a more relaxed round of golf and I’d certainly recommend playing both. It is a very good resort with two very different styles of course and a good day out.