The Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club

To call this the Rolls Royce of golf courses is not too fanciful because this is where the first Rolls Royce engine was built.

That other sleek driving machine, Greg Norman, also paused here on his way to the top of world golf. He was the touring professional of The Rolls in the 1980s and thought that the four short holes on this lush parkland course were fantastic. Tony Jacklin investigated this claim and came away wondering why the Rolls was being kept a secret.

To a large extent, it still is. Under the distant gaze of the Black Mountains, this long and undulating coarse boasts magnificent specimen trees. With a large wooded hill at its centre and surrounded by 600 acres of woodland, it allows you to take your punishing test in peace and tranquility with only the odd deer to disturb you.

The clubhouse is the former workshop and garage of the 18th century mansion which was the home of Charles Stuart Rolls the early aviator and motoring pioneer. He formed a partnership with Henry Royce and the first engine bearing their famous names emerged from those garage doors which now form one wall of the lounge area.