Delta Hotels by Marriott St. Pierre Country Club

St Pierre's Old Course is the main draw, and rightly so. This is a championship test that hosted the 1996 Solheim Cup and has matured beautifully in the years since. The course demands accuracy off the tee, with tree-lined fairways and strategically placed water hazards that punish loose shots. It's not overly long by modern standards, but the routing is clever and the greens are quick, so you'll need to think your way around rather than simply bash it.

The layout weaves through mature parkland with enough elevation change to keep things interesting, and the conditioning is consistently strong. Fairways are generous enough if you find them, but stray into the trees and you're scrambling. Water comes into play on several holes, most notably on the back nine where it starts to dictate club selection and strategy.

The closing stretch is where the Old Course really shows its teeth. The 17th is a stunning par three with the green almost entirely surrounded by water, the sort of hole that looks great in photos but plays even better in person. If you're anything like me, you'll take one look at that green and immediately start doing the maths on club selection, wind and how much you trust your swing that day. Miss the target and you're dropping, simple as that. The 18th then asks you to fire at an elevated green with trouble lurking if you bail out, a proper risk-reward finish that can make or break your card.

It's a course that rewards course management and punishes ego. If you're a mid-to-low handicapper looking for a proper test, the Old Course will give you everything you want. Higher handicappers can absolutely enjoy it too, but you'll need to play smart and accept that some holes are going to bite. This is Solheim Cup pedigree, and it still plays like it.

The Mathern Course is shorter and more forgiving than the Old, but don't write it off as a warm-up loop. Opened in 1975, it's a charming parkland layout that weaves through mature woodland, with plenty of elevation change and some genuinely tricky approach shots. The trees are the main defence here, narrowing landing zones and forcing you to shape the ball on several holes.

What the Mathern lacks in length, it makes up for in character and scenery. The views across the Monmouthshire countryside are superb, and the course has a relaxed, enjoyable feel that makes it perfect for a second round or for groups with mixed abilities. It's also a great option if you want to work on your game without the pressure of a championship layout, the sort of course where you can experiment with different shots and still post a decent score.

The routing is clever, using the natural contours of the land to create interest without resorting to artificial hazards. You'll find yourself playing uphill, downhill and across slopes, and the greens are well protected by bunkers and the ever-present trees. It's not a course that will beat you up, but it demands respect and rewards good ball-striking.

Both courses complement each other brilliantly. Play the Old for the challenge and the bragging rights, then enjoy the Mathern for the scenery and the fun. Together, they make St Pierre one of the most complete golf destinations in South Wales, and the fact you can knock out 36 holes without leaving the estate is a real bonus for anyone planning a proper golf weekend.