The Celtic Manor Resort – Roman Road

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr, the rolling Roman Road offers a superb collection of holes with the 8th, 14 and 18th being stand-outs. It opened in 1995 – well before the neighbouring 2010 Ryder Cup course – and has staged a number of Wales Opens. Recently hosted the star-studded Celebrity Cup won by an England side led by former World Cup winner Mike Tindall. The resort’s No.2 layout was once voted Wales’ best inland course. It may be on the short side but the Roman Road is plotted on wickedly undulating terrain so you’ll be playing from plenty of sloping lies.

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Roman Road, the first of the Celtic Manor Golf Club's golf courses, opened in 1995 and has been ranked 'the top inland golf course in Wales'. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr and is named after the many Roman roads that criss-cross it; the design shaped to avoid disrupting any remains.

Roman Road was the host venue in 2005 and 2006 for both the Celtic Manor Wales Open and the star-studded All*Star Cup, featuring golfing celebs such as Michael Douglas, Alice Cooper and Ronan Keating.

Accommodation: There are a total of 400 rooms available in two on-site hotels – 330 in the five-star main hotel and another 70 in the Manor House.

• Course has: Bar
• Course has: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course has: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course has: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 4 out of 5 Fantastic weekend 20 April 2015

  By Bob

  The only reason RR doesn't get a 5 star rating is simply because of the time of year - cant really expect perfection in April in Wales! Puzzled by 'Julies' review from last Tuesday? "Greens were poor, as were the fairways" ?? As I said they weren't perfect - but a LONG way off poor!! Where does he normally play? I always think the RR is under rated - its VERY tough - I feel the slight enforced change in format is fine. As always the accommodation (Manor House) and staff were second to one. Thanks to all.

• 3 out of 5 Dissapointed 14 April 2015

  By Jules

  Expected the course to be in better condition. Greens were poor, as were the fairways. It is a tough course, but the condition of it left a lot to be desired. Played the Montgomerie the next day which was great and in much better nick. Shame that the Roman wasn`t as good.

• 4 out of 5 Great course ruined by well below par bunkers 04 August 2014

  By Seymour801

  What more do I need to say? Greens, fairway and everything about Roman Roads is superb but I've seen better sand at a pebble beach!!

• 2.5 out of 5 Words of warning! 14 March 2010

  By LUTINO77

  I played the course on Saturday 13th March-Tee off time at 9am. It was a 3 ball and we paid £50 each to play. I play off a 15 Handicap and have played for over 20 years. Because the resort is hosting the Ryder Cup this year i imagine interest in its 3 courses is high, this was first seen by a few surprise booking issues caused by its new found fame. We called 4 weeks before and could not get any times for the Twenty Ten Course (when we got to the course we discovered that the Twenty Ten only allows tee times from 9am-11am, not mentioned any where!) We then opted for the Roman Road (Payment of the £150 was made on the same call as you have to pay upfront at booking and if you do not or cannot make the tee time it is NOT refundable and you cannot cancel once booked-Be Warned). The people taking the call where helpful and polite which was pleasing. The tee time was accurate and we only had one group to wait for before we tee'd off at spot on 9am. The tee offs were flat grassed but worn and looked like a rest should be given however it did not hamper are initial enjoyment (The weather had been dry and sunny for 5 days previously so you would expect them to be fully ok). The fairways were in good condition but a little more attention to divot maintanence could be completed and it was dissappointing to see this had not been picked up by ground staff (Royal Porthcawl where we played the day before for the same charge had spared no expense on general housekeeping and was head and shoulders above the Roman Road in EVERY manner). The greens had been 'slitted' to allow for aireation and this caused them to be untrue and very bobbly, in fact i can say i have played Greens at home on Pay and Play that were far better quality recently (Probably the biggest dissappointment!). There should have been prior warning when booking as we would not have played had we had known or a heavily reduced green fee should have been given to allow for the inadequacy. Bunkers were ok but very firm where sand had been compacted and they had not been raked at the start of the day if in the last week, it made shots very difficult and often frustrating and i did not expect to see this from a course so highly rated in all other reviews. The actual holes were interesting and ok but nothing out of the ordinary and it is clear the Twenty Ten holds the gems! I have played other 'less hyped' courses that have far the same level of interest and excitement at a fraction of the price. There was one hole with water which did cause the WOW effect and the Par 3 after it was also a really well designed hole but 2 out of 18 is only average in my eyes and experience. I am glad i played the course if for no other reason than to check out what the hype was about. We did look at the Twenty Ten and dispite looking like it had some 'growing' to do it looked fabulous and i am sure it will be great for the Ryder Cup, however the Roman Road is not the 'best course in Wales' and would not fit in my own top 10 courses. I am sure those that read this and have played it may think differently but play Royal Porthcawl and tell me after that i am wrong! Club facilities where excellent and brilliantly presented but do not forget the phrase 'you pay for what you get' and unfortunately we did not get what we paid for.    

• 4.5 out of 5 A welcome in the Hillside 24 July 2009

  By iwan93

  The whole Celtic Manor experience is truly wonderful, from your first telephone call to book a tee time to your well deserved pint at the 19th hole , the whole experience is a joy. For such a large development i was truly impressed by the professionalism and friendly welcome extended to us by absolutely everyone at CM. Booking a tee time over the phone is easy and friendly, arrival sees you being greeted and welcomed with a smile and helpful advice, We paid £27.50 for a round on the roman road with 2fore1 vouchers but felt like kings throughout ( no sign of being considered second class citizens ) The course itself was in excellent condition despite being closed the previous day due to torrential rain. Fairways and greens were immaculate, bunkers were not brilliant but only due to the rain the previous day, had it been dry they would have been excellent. A good variety of holes made sure you had to concentrate all the way round, the course is difficult but not impossible despite wind adding to the challenge. We paid £30 for a buggy and despite having to follow the path and still doing a lot of walking, i highly recommend using one. The walks from gree to tee are often long and hilly and im sure it would be exhausting carrying or pulling. I was really impressed with the whole set up here at Celtic Manor, You just get the impression that they want you to have a good time and go out of their way to make sure you do. I highly recommend it , We want to come back and do all three courses in the future. A visit to Celtic Manor is very affordable especially with vouchers and the whole experience is a joy, put it to th etop of your list, I doubt that you will find a resort of this type and size which offers you a more affordable welcoming enjoyable time anywhere in the country Bendigedig, Diolch yn Fawr

• 4.5 out of 5 Welsh Wonder 26 August 2008

  By hindmarshsl

  Played the course today. The welcome was fantastic however it is one of first major venues i have visited. We teed off at 9:00 the starter was ever so helpful and kind and certainly helped with first tee jitters. The course is if critical wet underfoot however with this years weather the course may just not be coping. Highlights were definitely the 14th. However the 3rd, 7th, 10th, and of course the 18th were also great holes too but fraught with danger. And at £30 for a round (junior rate) it was excellent value for money!

• 4.5 out of 5 Welsh Wonder 26 August 2008

  By hindmarshsl

  Played the course today. The welcome was fantastic however it is one of first major venues i have visited. We teed off at 9:00 the starter was ever so helpful and kind and certainly helped with first tee jitters. The course is if critical wet underfoot however with this years weather the course may just not be coping. Highlights were definitely the 14th. However the 3rd, 7th, 10th, and of course the 18th were also great holes too but fraught with danger. And at £30 for a round (junior rate) it was excellent value for money!

• 4 out of 5 hadicap 8 hilly!! 27 April 2007

  By chris boulton

  the roman road i found was a bit hilly after a few holes, the greens where really fast and the tee's where perfect but i think i will be going back in the near future.

• 4 out of 5 Excellent!!!!!!!!!!! 03 April 2007

  By ian1820

  course was fantastic just a little bit soggy, greens were lightning fast but had been spiked, refreshments in clubhouse rather expensive but enjoyed a great day and an excellent round of golf!

• 4.5 out of 5 Awesome! 19 February 2007

  By Anonymous

  Despite the bad weather and the mud which surrounded most of the greens (hence only 4* on the course), the course was in very good nick. Fairways and bunkers were immaculate, and the greens still were very fast & true despite them being spiked over the last week. i am very bias towards this course as i am a local, but the venue itself is absolutly stunning and offers golfers of all levels a brilliants days golf. the course, the hotel, lodge and practice facilities are excellent, which is to be expected from a 5 star resort, and is quite affordable especially when used with the 2-fore-1 vouvhers. I can't recommend this course enough, if you are going to try it, take the day to enjoy it all including the gym and sauna facilities whcih guests are entitled to use as part of the green fees.

• 4.5 out of 5 outstanding 11 February 2007

  By Anonymous

  always in great nick. challenging and rewarding. better than the brutal wentwood hills. but long. needs a buggy and a day to play and enjoy the facilities