SAUNTON & NORTH DEVON GOLF COURSES
Our Devon golf course guide.
Saunton East Architect: H. Fowler (1897) 18 holes: 6,123yds: par 71.
The original course at Saunton, rough-hewn from the tumultuous terrain of Saunton Burrows in the late 19th Century, then polished into the gem you still find today in the early 1900s by non other than Herbet Fowler. As an example of pure links golf, Saunton East has few equals. The dramatic panorama of dunes and wild sea grasses that meets your eye as you descend to the (pleasantly unassuming) Clubhouse tells you all you need to know about what's in store for you. Have fun!
Saunton West Architect: F. Pennink (1975) 18 holes: 6,138yds: par 71.
Once upon a time The West was a much easier proposition than the East at Saunton: not so any more. Some serious interventions from Frank Pennink and some subtle touches later by Donald Steel, have strengthened the West to match its big sister. Saunton West has slightly hillier land that creates one or two blind shots and some elevation changes but nowhere around the course is this overdone. Another great links golf course - we'll leave it to you to decide which you prefer!
Royal North Devon Architect: Old Tom Morris (1864) 18 holes: 5,990yds: par 71.
For over 150 years golf has been played at At Westward Ho! and Royal North Devon is justly proud of its place in golfing history as the oldest Club in England. Little has changed in the intervening century-and-and-a-half, so today you will find the course very much as it has always been. The land is fairly flat with rippling rather than towering dunes, however pot bunkers abound with some larger specimens too that will meet you with a wall of railway sleepers! Thre is hardly a tree to be seen so you will feel the full effect of any breeze (the locals play a low-ball game!). Glorious old-fashioned golf.
Other courses to consider:
Ilfracombe - Windswept golfing over steeply inclined clifftops and gullies: shots need to be played here that you wouldn't encounter anywhere else!