| Great Escapes - N Devon 4 |
Mark Twain famously said that golf is "a good walk ruined". But those who have been bitten by the bug will know how wrong he is. It's good exercise in the fresh air and, with the
handicap system, people of all ages can play.
There's a huge variety of courses to play in North Devon, from wonderful links courses on the coast, to parkland courses offering great views of the undulating landscape. Take your pick from the courses we visited below.
1. Ilfracombe Golf Club
We have taken Barnstaple town centre as the start/finish point for routes to the golf courses we visited.
For 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 14.5miles.
Ilfracombe Golf Club 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 are quick and an on-shore wind can hold surprises for the unsuspecting golfer. 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 turn left again at 11.6miles for the golf range.
This is perhaps 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 golfer and there's a 300-yard driving range with covered bays in which to introduce a loved one to the game or fine tune your swing.
3. Willingcott Valley Golf 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 a 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.
It's a nine-hole course with 18 tees and a very American feel to it: it is designed around three picturesque lakes; the Americans have a penchant for their water hazards, whereas bunkers and hillocks are more often found on British links courses. (A 'links' is a course that was developed on the unsheltered sand which links the seashore to agricultural land. Eventually, grass colonises the humps and hollows of the dunes.) Large, scenic tees and generous greens constructed to United States Golf Association specifications make for an enjoyable round.
The clubhouse is a charming 16th-century farmhouse which serves a snack menu all day. There's an intimate little restaurant, too.
4. Saunton Golf Club
Take the A361 north from Barnstaple for 5miles. Turn left at the traffic lights in Braunton. At 6.5 miles the entrance to Saunton Golf Club is on your left.
There are two, superb 18-hole traditional links courses to be enjoyed 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 Golf Park from Barnstaple, 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. As with Willingcott Valley Golf Club, the greens are built to full USGA specification. There's a golfer-friendly nine-hole par three course which can be enjoyed both by novices and more experienced players, with its tight greens and challenging bunkers. For more serious golfers, there's a full-size course over 6000 yards long.
6. Libbaton Golf Club
From Barnstaple, take the A361 towards Exeter/Taunton. After about two miles, turn right at the roundabout and follow the A39 to Bideford for one mile, then turn 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 be sure to give way to oncoming traffic, then turn immediately left onto the B217. Libbaton Golf Club is on your right 2.7miles later.
This club, opened 13 years ago, is now 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 professional club makers JLS. Here, you can get your clubs assessed, adjusted, repaired, restored and refurbished, or simply take lessons to help bring your game along. There's also a floodlit driving range.
7. Great Torrington Golf Club
From the Taw bridge, leaving Barnstaple, continue to the next traffic island on the B3233, then take the second exit at the roundabout at 0.8 miles, signposted Instow. Continue on the B3233 and turn right at nine miles for Torrington and 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.
As we went to press, the club was closed due to the 'foot and mouth' outbreak. Call the club in advance on 01805 622229.
8. Royal North Devon Golf Club
From the Taw bridge leaving Barnstaple continue straight through the next traffic island on the B3233, then take the second exit at the roundabout at 0.8 miles, towards Instow. Continue, and at 8.5 miles turn left, then immediately right onto the A39 towards Bude. At 9.4 miles, turn right onto the A386 northbound towards Appledore. At 9.9 miles, bear left onto the B3236 then immediately right and follow the brown signs for the golf course.
Royal North Devon is the oldest links course in England (1864). Sea breezes, pot bunkers, burns, ditches and all the humps and bumps you could imagine are reminiscent of many Scottish courses. The clubhouse is something of a museum and academy to the game of golf, and well worth a visit.
As we went to press, the Royal North Devon Golf Club was closed due to 'foot and mouth'. Call 01237 473817 before you visit.
9. Hartland Forest Golf Club
From the Taw bridge leaving Barnstaple continue through the next traffic island on the B3233, then take the second exit at the roundabout at 0.8 miles, signposted Instow. Continue along the B3233 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 to Hartland Forest Golf Club. Follow the track, arriving at 15.8 miles.
A very scenic, parkland course with attractive water hazards. The thousands of young trees have yet to mature but this will soon be a great golf course. The clubhouse has a bar, bistro, members' 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 golfing holiday in mind may
like to play a different course each day.
Suitable for We've picked courses for all: from learner golfers to experienced players. Decide on your level of ability and call the course in advance.
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.
TIPSome 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. Always call the club, in advance of your visit.
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