REGION GUIDE
Golf in the South West of England
The South West is England’s great links adventure. From the dunes of Somerset and North Devon to the clifftop courses of Cornwall and the heathland of Dorset, it packs an extraordinary variety of golf into one beautiful corner of the country.
It is also one of England’s favourite holiday regions, with golden beaches, fishing villages, superb seafood and a relaxed pace of life that suits a golf trip perfectly.
Top 10 must-play courses
- Royal North Devon Golf Club: England’s oldest links, founded in 1864, with pot bunkers, sea rushes and sheep on the fairways.
- Saunton Golf Club: Two championship links, East and West, set among some of the biggest dunes in Britain.
- St Enodoc Golf Club: Towering dunes on the Camel Estuary and a famous medieval church beside the fairways.
- Trevose Golf and Country Club: A Harry Colt links above the Atlantic near Padstow, with accommodation on site.
- Burnham & Berrow Golf Club: A classic Somerset links threaded through huge sandhills.
- Perranporth Golf Club: A raw, natural James Braid links in the dunes on Cornwall’s north coast.
- Parkstone Golf Club: Pine, heather and views of Poole Harbour, at the heart of Dorset’s heathland golf.
- Ferndown Golf Club: Harold Hilton’s pine and heather heathland, one of the finest inland courses in the south.
- Broadstone Golf Club: Tom Dunn heathland later reworked by Harry Colt.
- Isle of Purbeck Golf Club: Harry Colt heathland with sweeping views over Poole Harbour.
The top 10 at a glance
| Course | Type | Par | Yards | Architect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal North Devon Golf Club | Links | 72 | 6,665 | Old Tom Morris, later Herbert Fowler |
| Saunton Golf Club | Links | 71 (East) | 6,729 | Herbert Fowler, later C.K. Cotton |
| St Enodoc Golf Club | Links | 69 (Church) | 6,557 | James Braid |
| Trevose Golf and Country Club | Links | 72 | 6,948 | Harry Colt |
| Burnham & Berrow Golf Club | Links | 71 | 7,023 | Herbert Fowler, later Harry Colt |
| Perranporth Golf Club | Links | 72 | 6,286 | James Braid |
| Parkstone Golf Club | Heathland | 72 | 6,264 | Willie Park Jr., later James Braid |
| Ferndown Golf Club | Heathland | 71 | 6,516 | Harold Hilton |
| Broadstone Golf Club | Heathland | 70 | 6,349 | Tom Dunn, later Harry Colt |
| Isle of Purbeck Golf Club | Heathland | 70 | 6,295 | Harry Colt |
Getting there
Bristol and Exeter airports serve the region directly, and Newquay is ideal for Cornwall. Heathrow is around two hours from Dorset and Wiltshire, and North Devon and Cornwall are a comfortable drive further west, so many visitors fly into London and work their way down the coast.
Where to stay
Stay right beside the links at Saunton Sands Hotel, or choose the Headland above Fistral Beach, The Point at Polzeath near St Enodoc or the resort courses at St Mellion. For country house style there is Bovey Castle on Dartmoor and The Manor House at Castle Combe in Wiltshire.
When to go
The mild climate means the links play well all year. Spring and autumn are ideal, with quieter courses and good value. July and August are peak holiday season, so book tee times and hotels early.
Golf courses in the South West
Golf tours in the South West
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Where to stay in the South West
Frequently asked questions
What are the best golf courses in the South West of England?
Royal North Devon, Saunton, St Enodoc, Trevose, Burnham & Berrow and Perranporth are the headline links, and Parkstone, Ferndown and Broadstone lead the way for heathland golf in Dorset.
Which airport is best for a golf trip to Devon and Cornwall?
Exeter is best placed for Devon, Newquay for Cornwall and Bristol for Somerset. Many international visitors fly into Heathrow and drive west.
Can I play links golf in the South West in winter?
Yes. Links courses drain quickly and the South West has some of the mildest weather in England, so golf is possible all year.
Ready to plan your trip?
Tell us where and when you would like to play, and we will put you in touch with a trusted tour operator.