Mad Swans – Mendips Golf Course

Mad Swans Mendips Golf Course brings something different to the UK’s golfing landscape. Located in the Mendip Hills, between Bath and Bristol, this imaginative 12-hole layout combines thoughtful course design with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Created by acclaimed architects Mackenzie & Ebert, whose portfolio includes work on several Open Championship venues, the course makes excellent use of its natural surroundings. Mature trees, water features and distinctive Mendip stone hollows all come into play, creating an interesting mix of holes that reward good course management as well as accurate shot-making.

The course is arranged in two six-hole loops, giving golfers the flexibility to enjoy a quick six holes or complete the full 12-hole layout. Mad Swans also advertises an 18-hole option, offering additional flexibility for those who want to extend their round.

It’s an appealing concept for golfers who want a genuine challenge without committing most of the day to their round, and a great addition to a golf break in South West England.

Key Facts

Location: Marsh Lane, Farrington Gurney, Somerset, BS39 6TS
Course Designer: Mackenzie & Ebert
Number of Holes: 12 (two six-hole loops)
Par: 47
Length: 4,236 yards (back tees)
Setting: Mendip Hills countryside
Golf Format: 6 or 12 holes, with 18-hole play also advertised
Practice Facilities: Swing Barn driving range with Toptracer technology
On-Site Accommodation: Mad Swans in the Mendip (eco-cabins)
Nearby Cities: Bath and Bristol

Why Play Mad Swans Mendips Golf Course?

If you enjoy discovering courses that offer something a little different, Mad Swans Mendips deserves a place on your list. The 12-hole format might be unusual, but the quality of the design is taken seriously, with plenty to test experienced players.

The layout makes the most of the natural landscape, with strategically positioned hazards, varied holes and thoughtful tee placements that allow golfers of different abilities to enjoy the course. It’s the sort of place where good decisions can be just as important as a powerful drive.

There’s also something refreshing about the atmosphere. With no membership required and none of the formality sometimes associated with traditional golf clubs, Mad Swans welcomes everyone, from experienced golfers to those just starting out.

The 12-hole format is at the heart of the Mad Swans philosophy: great golf doesn’t have to take up your entire day. Cleverly designed to provide a satisfying challenge, the shorter round leaves plenty of time to enjoy everything else the resort has to offer, from padel and pickleball to great food and good company.

More Than Just Golf

One of the biggest attractions of playing at Mad Swans is everything else waiting for you when you finish your round. The Swing Barn driving range features interactive Toptracer technology, offering a fun way to practise or challenge friends to a series of golf games. There’s also the Putt Patch mini golf course, along with padel, pickleball, darts and shuffleboard.

Food is another highlight, with The Potting Shed offering quality dining in a relaxed setting and The Hangout providing a more informal option for pizza, drinks and games. It’s this combination of good golf, great food and plenty of activities that makes Mad Swans particularly appealing to couples, groups of friends and families looking for a different kind of UK golf break.

Stay & Play at Mad Swans in the Mendips

Make the most of your visit with a stay at Mad Swans, where contemporary eco-cabins offer a comfortable and stylish alternative to traditional golf hotel accommodation. Set within the resort grounds, the cabins are ideal for couples, groups of friends and families who want to enjoy everything on-site without having to travel between activities.

Selected cabins also welcome dogs, making it possible to combine your golf break with countryside walks and time away with your four-legged companion. With great food, a wide range of activities and the beautiful Somerset countryside on your doorstep, there’s plenty to enjoy beyond the golf course.

When to Play

Mad Swans Mendips is an appealing destination for golf breaks throughout the year, although the experience will naturally vary with the seasons and course conditions. Spring and summer are particularly attractive for making the most of the surrounding countryside, longer daylight hours and outdoor activities such as padel and pickleball. Autumn brings changing colours to the Mendip landscape, while the resort’s indoor activities, dining venues and comfortable accommodation provide plenty of reasons to visit during the cooler months.

For golfers planning a UK golf weekend, the flexible 12-hole format makes it easy to fit a round into a short stay, whatever else you have planned.