Celtic Manor, the 3 courses

[Lord Tyrion]

Just come back from a weekend away that included playing the Montgomery course. Absolutely loved it, would happily play it again. Saying that, how do the other two compare?

Is the Roman Road very much the third option or is it the equal of the Montgomery?

Is the 2010 silly hard or is it well worth playing? At Geneagles for example I've rarely heard much love for the PGA course. Is the 2010 the same?

Advise away please

 

[D-S]

Just come back from a weekend away that included playing the Montgomery course. Absolutely loved it, would happily play it again. Saying that, how do the other two compare?

Is the Roman Road very much the third option or is it the equal of the Montgomery?

Is the 2010 silly hard or is it well worth playing? At Geneagles for example I've rarely heard much love for the PGA course. Is the 2010 the same?

Advise away please

Personally I would go for the Roman Road over the 2010 (certainly an incredibly wet course out of season), it is a bit bland as it's a stadium layout..
The PGA is by far the worst of the 3 for me at Gleneagles.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I enjoyed the 2010 , but it’s not an easy walk , some good holes though

The other two were ok , preferred Roman Road - some big hills though

 

[HampshireHog]

Montgomery
2010
Roman Road

In that order

 

[babylonsinger]

Montgomerie is the more interesting of the 3 for my money. Roman Road is ok but wouldn't go out of my way to play it.

2010 is incredibly boring and a hard old slog for us high handicappers

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Montgomerie is the more interesting of the 3 for my money. Roman Road is ok but wouldn't go out of my way to play it.

2010 is incredibly boring and a hard old slog for us high handicappers

That sounds very similar to the Geneagles pga then

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Excellent answers, thank you. Sounds like don't bother with the 2010.

In terms of style, how does the Roman Road compare to the Montgomery?

 

[babylonsinger]

That sounds very similar to the Geneagles pga then

Played the Montgomerie a number of times and always enjoyed. There are a few poor holes but a couple of crackers. A few long treks between holes though.

The 2010 experience does make you feel a bit special though. Lovely clubhouse etc

 

[Oddsocks]

For me:

2010, few nice holes but nice to say you’ve played it.

Roman road, nice parkland style course, few nice holes and very quick undulating greens.

Monty…. Hated it! Felt like a mountain goat! Tip.. if playing it take a carry bag but get a buggy. Tee off, drive to level with your tee shot then take your carry bag and play the rest of the hole carrying. Cart paths are miles from the fairway let alone if you miss on the wrong side.

 

[IanM]

Wales has so many lovely courses and folk stop at Celtic Manor??

Monty is a tough walk, hills and gaps between holes. They've reversed the 9s to incorporate a single halfway house. This makes 10th tee a very long way from the 9th green.

They've made another change to the Roman Road, that has messed up 16 and 17...but they were able to extend the car park!

2010 is worth playing so that you've seen it. Off the right tees you'll have fun and a good challenge.

Shame the Wentwood Hills Course was carved up. That was the best configuration.

Avoid all courses September to April. Will be very soft indeed.

If staying get a taxi to The Groes Wen at Penhow, or smuggle in your own booze! Don't go into Newport!

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I did a review elsewhere on the forum. I mention my GPS watch stated 8.44 miles was travelled from the 1st tee to the 18th green . That's a record for me by about 3 miles.

I wouldn't consider it without a buggy.

 

[sunshine]

I seem to have a different view:

1. 2010: technical design that asks lots of questions. A lot of fairway bunkers at driving distance to make you think on the tee (choose your tees wisely), and most greens have swales or litttle run offs into closely mown collection areas to challenge your short game without punishing long rough. Yes there is a lot of water that gives you the thrill of heroic carries, but there is always a safer bail out option. Greens are lovely. The routing follows the valley floor so is largely flat until you climb out of the valley on 15 for the last 4 holes, a long but easy walk. I like the course, the history of the Ryder Cup is a big bonus. The clubhouse experience is lovely, they make you feel special, clean your clubs, personalised bag tags, luxurious locker rooms, and the food is superb.

2. Monty: A long way down the pecking order. A couple of cracking holes that were salvaged from the old Wentwood Hills championship course. Some dreadful holes too. Too hilly in places. OK if you're local, not worth travelling to specifically play it though.

3. Roman Road: Boring, up and down a lot, you drive through it on the road from the hotel to the main clubhouse and it doesn't inspire. Can't believe they hosted the Wales Open at this course when the 2010 was being developed.

I'd pay £100 to play the 2010, I wouldn't pay more than £20 to play the other two.