Gareth Bale: Real Madrid star building three-hole golf course at his Wales home

Course in his back garden in Vale of Glamorgan will feature holes modelled on three of the most iconic in the world

Bale has consistently been linked with a move back to England

Gareth Bale has revealed he is building a three-hole golf course in the back garden of his home in Wales.

The Real Madrid star, who became the most expensive footballer of all time when he joined the club for £85.3 million in 2013, plays off a handicap of six and describes himself as “obsessed” with the sport.

The course at his home in the Vale of Glamorgan will feature full-size holes modelled on three of the most iconic in the world: the Postage Stamp at Troon, the 11th from Amen Corner at Augusta and the 17th at Sawgrass.

Bale's bespoke course will feature iconic holes from the world of golf (Getty) (Getty Images)

Wales Online reports that the forward, who played an instrumental role in Wales’ qualification for the Euro 2016 with seven goals, is considering hiring a full-time greenkeeper to keep the course in pristine condition.

“I try to play as much golf as possible,” Bale said. “In fact, I’m obsessed with it. I’ve not really thought about what I’ll be doing in 20 years when I’m retired from football, but, hopefully, I will be playing golf.”

Since winning the Champions League and scoring the winning goal in the Copa del Rey during a successful first season at the Bernabeu Bale has faced criticism over his patchy form. The Welshman has consistently been linked with a move back to England, with Manchester United considered his most likely destination.

The 26-year-old has failed to find the net for his club since a brace against Real Betis in August, his only two goals of the season. He has insisted he is enjoying his time at the club, but has refused to rule out a return to the Premier League, where he was twice named PFA Players' Player of the Year.

Real have had an indifferent start to the season, and after a humiliating 4-0 defeat to league leaders Barcelona in Saturday’s Clasico sit third in La Liga, a place behind Madrid rivals Atletico.

The performance of Bale and fellow attackers Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez was described as like a ‘Sunday League team’ by Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports.