| Great trails: North Devon |
| Fore Fun |
| The golf courses of North Devon are delightful. Our route takes in the very best |
North Devon offers a huge variety of golf courses, from wonderful links courses on the coast, to parkland holes offering great views of the undulating
landscape. Take your pick from those we visited, covered below. We have taken Barnstaple as the start/
finish point for route directions.
1. Ilfracombe Golf Club
• Take the A361 north from Barnstaple for 12.5 miles. At the traffic lights entering Ilfracombe, continue up the High Street. Take the right fork in the road at 12.9 miles. The golf club is on your right at 14.5 miles.
This is Devon’s second-oldest (1892) and open to non-members. It’s set in rolling parkland with spectacular views of the Bristol Channel and moorland. The
fairways are lush, the greens quick and an on-shore wind can add an extra challenge. And, when you retire to the clubhouse bar you can enjoy a drink overlooking the sea.
2. Ilfracombe and
Woolacombe Golf range
• Take the A361 north from Barnstaple for 10.5 miles. Turn left at Mullacott Cross roundabout, then left again at 11.6 miles for the golf range.
This is one of the most beginner-friendly golfing venues in Devon. There’s a nine-hole course, which shouldn’t prove too intimidating for the novice, and a 300-yard
driving range with covered bays.
3. Willingcott Valley Club
• Take the A361 north from Barnstaple for 10.5 miles. Turn left at the Mullacott Cross roundabout, then left again at 12.2m for Georgeham and Croyde. Left again at 12.7 miles for the Golf Club. Follow the road round to the left and park.
The club is set in more than 100 acres of peaceful valley. You’ll find that it’s not just a golf course, it’s also a holiday venue with an
outdoor, heated pool.
There’s a nine-hole course with 18 tees and a transatlantic feel; the Americans have a penchant for their water hazards. Large, scenic tees and generous greens make for an enjoyable round.
The clubhouse is a charming 16th-century farmhouse which serves a snack menu all day. There’s an intimate restaurant, too.
4. Saunton Golf Club
• Take the A361 north from Barnstaple for five miles. Turn left at the traffic lights in Braunton. At 6.5 miles the entrance is on your left.
There are two superb 18-hole
traditional links courses at Saunton. The East course is over 100 years old and its holes are placed in
challenging pockets among the dunes. The newer West Course was rebuilt in the 1970s. Visitors should be members of affiliated golf courses with a handicap certificate.
5. Portmore Golf Park
• For Portmore, take the A361 towards Exeter/Taunton. After about two miles, turn left at the roundabout signposted Landkey on the A361. In one mile turn right towards Landkey/Swimbridge, then right again for Porthoe. Turn right one mile later into Portmore Golf Park.
Portmore lays claim to North Devon’s premier undercover
floodlit golf range and has two decent parkland courses, as well: a par three nine-holer and a full-size course over 6000 yards long.
6. Libbaton Golf Club
• From Barnstaple, take the A361 towards Exeter/Taunton. After two miles, turn right at the roundabout and follow the A39 to Bideford for one mile, then left towards Crediton on the A377. In 6.1 miles turn right onto the B3227 signposted Libbaton Golf Club. In a further 1.3 miles, turn left onto the B217. The club is on your right 2.7miles later.
Opened 13 years ago, this is a mature course set in 110 acres of parkland. Water hazards and trees come into play on many holes and the rolling terrain can prove
difficult for a newcomer. The clubhouse has bar and dining facilities and the pro-shop houses club maker JLS. Here, you can get your clubs assessed and/or repaired. There’s also a floodlit driving range.
7. Great Torrington Club
• From the Taw bridge, continue on the B3233 and turn right after nine miles for Torrington/Okehampton, crossing the river, then left onto the A386 south for Torrington. Follow the route through Great Torrington then at 16.1 miles, turn left onto School Lane. Great Torrington Golf Club is on your left at 17.5 miles.
Great Torrington is an attractive, nine-hole heathland course, with 18 tee positions, that drains well in poor weather. Many tees provide great views of the Torridge Valley.
8. Royal North Devon Club
• From the Taw bridge take the B3233 and after 8.5 miles turn left, then immediately right onto the A39 towards Bude. At 9.4 miles, turn right onto the A386 towards Appledore. At 9.9 miles, bear left onto the B3236 then immediately right and follow the brown signs.
Royal North Devon is the oldest links course in England (established in 1864). Sea breezes, pot bunkers, burns, and ditches bring to mind the great Scottish courses. The
elegant clubhouse – something
of a golfing museum – is well worth a visit.
9. Hartland Forest Club
• From the Taw bridge follow the B3233 towards Instow, and at 8.5 miles turn left then immediately right onto the A39 towards Bude. Continue on the A39 and at 23.7 miles turn left. Follow the track, arriving at 15.8 miles.
A scenic, parkland course with attractive water hazards. Thousands of young trees have yet to mature, when this will be a great golf course. The clubhouse has a bar, bistro, lounge and sports bar. The leisure club, attached, has a heated indoor swimming pool, spa and sauna.
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Distance For each course the distance travelled is
measured from Barnstaple town centre.
Time 18 holes of golf will usually take between
three-and-a-half to five hours, depending upon your level of ability, fitness, and whether or not the course is busy. Serious golfers with a
predominantly golfing holiday in mind may like to play a
different course each day.
Suitable for We’ve picked courses for all: learners to experienced players. Decide on your level of ability and call the club in advance for a description of the course.
REFRESHMENTS
Most of the clubhouses we list here sell a range of bar snacks and sometimes evening meals.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Barnstaple
Tel 01271 375000.
Bideford
Tel 01237 477676. Torrington
Tel 01805 626140.
TIP
Some courses have visitor restrictions: you may need to be a member of another golf course, or present a handicap certificate; or, you may not be allowed to play on certain days. Check with the club in advance of your visit.
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