A ‘new spin on rugby’ now being played in capital

A NEW rugby golf site has arrived in Cardiff.

Rugby fans will now be able to put their skills to the test at Heath Park at the existing Pitch and Putt course.

The nine-hole golf course can be adapted for both rugby and football, with specialist nets placed around the holes.

It will join a limited number of sites in Europe offering the sport, including courses in Yorkshire and Cheltenham.

It is hoped the new facilities will challenge drop-kicking and penalty-kick techniques as well as providing fun for the family.

Duty manager Stephen Small said he was inspired by the idea after visiting a rugby golf course in England.

He said: “We’re really excited – it’s a new spin on rugby.

“It’s good at teaching the basic commands of rugby in a non-touch environment.

“No-one has got a hole-in-one yet, so I’m looking forward to that.”

Like traditional golf, players must get the ball into the target in the fewest number of kicks or passes, including the first goalkick.

Penalties can be added if a ball goes beyond the boundaries of the course.

Mr Small hopes the new course will also interest traditional golf players, with the aim of increasing participation across both sports.

Currently the city’s only other football and rugby golf course can be found at Cardiff Golf Centre in St Mellons, as one of nine facilities across the country.

Rugby golf will be available at Heath Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays and half days at weekends, with traditional golf on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The facilities will join Heath Park’s newly-refurbished tennis pitches after it received funding last year.