Massively popular among our customers, South West England has so many options for a golf break. Take a look at our guide to the very best golf courses from Dorset across to Cornwall and back up towards Somerset
Looking to play the best golf courses in South West England?
If you're into Top 100 golf courses, you'll definitely have a blast playing in the Southwest. Known for its stunning Atlantic links courses, beautiful stretches of coastline, and world-renowned countryside, this part of England offers some of the most diverse landscapes in the UK & Ireland.
From Dorset across to Cornwall and back up towards Bristol, test yourself on the best golf courses in South West England on your next golf break!
The golf course at St Enodoc is, frankly, exceptional. Located in the sailing town of Rock, the links course overlooks the Camel Estuary and the picturesque Padstow harbour a little further beyond. The Church Course is rightly ranked in the top 100 best courses on the planet, and a visit to the spectacular layout is certainly one that must not be missed.
St Enodoc itself is blessed with towering dunes and undulating fairways that, along with the surrounding scenery, provide a beautiful setting for a world-class golf course. The course gives golfers a round like few others in the world, let alone the UK, and at 6,500 yards provides a challenge, but not a burden, to visitors due to its extremely intelligent course design.
St Enodoc, 10th hole
St Enodoc facts
Saunton is home to two fantastic courses, but the East course is a genuine marvel. The course runs through a UNESCO world heritage site, and is more than 120 years old, leaving plenty of time for the course to mature! The course is challenging and measures up at 6,444 yards, with all eight of its par 4s measuring at over 400 yards, making it a real test for even the biggest of hitters.
The club itself is really known as a golfers’ destination, with golf at the forefront of everything the club does. Only one other location has two higher ranked links courses on site in the UK, St Andrews - and it shows!
The East course at Saunton is truly a memorable experience for a golf trip to Devon, and for those looking to stay nearby there are ample options for accommodation. A genuinely top-class golfing escape awaits!
Saunton East Course
Saunton East Course facts
Situated in the serene Dorset countryside, Broadstone Golf Club is recognised as one of the premier heathland courses in England. What distinguishes Broadstone is its exquisite natural heathland setting, beautifully adorned with gorse, pines, and vibrant rhododendrons.
The course is best highlighted by its two signature holes: the 6th and the 14th. The 6th is a relatively short par 3, defended by a bank and three large bunkers beside the green. The 14th begins from a raised tee, leading to a gentle dogleg and culminates in a challenging uphill approach shot, with four bunkers protecting the green. Truly remarkable!
Broadstone Golf Club
Broadstone Golf Club facts
Tucked between Bournemouth and Poole, and just a 10-minute drive from the renowned Sandbanks, Parkstone is often celebrated as a seaside heathland and consistently ranks among the top golf courses in Dorset. Established in 1909 by Willie Park Jr, famous for his work at Sunningdale, and later refined by James Braid, Parkstone Golf Course has enjoyed the touch of two of golf's legendary architects.
The course today largely reflects Braid's revisions, showcasing a spectacular design surrounded by mature pines, heather gorse, and occasional sweeping views of Poole Harbour. Similar to Broadstone, Parkstone features rolling fairways, enclosed by tall trees and challenging deep cross bunkers, offering a true test of golfing skill.
Parkstone Golf Course facts
Located nearby the beautiful harbour town of Padstow in Cornwall, Trevose Golf & Country Club is home to three classic links courses, all of which overlook Constantine Bay and have spectacular coastal views. The Championship Course at Trevose, originally designed by world-renowned architect, Harry Colt, and updated by Mackenzie and Ebert in 2016, is a par 72, measuring 7,172 yards from the back tees. Wide, undulating fairways are aplenty at Trevose in addition to tough, well positioned bunkers.
The coastal feel and the stream that run through the course offer a fair challenge yet proper test for golfers of all abilities. Ranked in the top 70 golf courses in England, the Championship Course at Trevose is a truly worthwhile visit for avid golfers and tourists alike.
Finally, the four-star accommodation at Trevose is ideal for those looking for a convenient, yet luxurious, place to stay alongside their golf.
Trevose Championship Course facts
St Mellion’s Nicklaus Course is a fantastic track, rated in the top 70 courses in England. The course itself stretches to over 7,000 yards from the championship tees and provides an excellent test for golfers of all abilities. The course has a number of unique qualities, such as the split fairways and double options on the 7th and 15th holes, that offer golfers the opportunity to take two different approaches to each hole.
In addition to the golf course, visitors can stay in one of the 80 guest rooms at St Mellion, one of our favourite resorts in England, which are the perfect place to retire after tackling a championship golf course. In addition to the well-equipped rooms, there are two wonderful dining options: choose from the a la carte restaurant “An Boesti” or the more relaxed “Bewdern Brasserie” which overlooks the 18th green of the Nicklaus Course.
St Mellion Nicklaus Course facts
Having been founded in 1864, Royal North Devon is the oldest golf course in England, and arguably one of the finest; often featuring in the top 60 golf courses in the country, and indeed often in the top 100 courses in the world.
This links golf course certainly sits in the ‘must play’ category, and even still plays along the original layout penned in 1864. The course can play very tough, with very little in the way of bushes and trees to stop the sea breeze from blowing across the golf course. At a glance, the course looks fairly flat, but when standing on the first tee you will appreciate the undulations and land movement of the golf course. It is a course that will challenge even the best golfers, but still provides an enjoyable experience.
For golfers who are looking to make the trip, the clubhouse is warm and friendly, and nearby there are ample options for accommodation for the weary traveller.
Royal North Devon
Royal North Devon facts
Saunton’s second course, the West Course, may not be as highly ranked as the East, but is a splendid track in its own right – creating one of the best golf clubs in the UK. The 6,200 yard par-71 is undulating and varied, with the majority of the holes weaving themselves between the towering dunes. Cleverly placed bunkers and exciting raised greens mean that the West Course certainly holds some defences and proves a stern test for all golfers. It is a course that rewards a thinker, with a number of doglegs that require well planned shots to provide a simpler approach.
The West Course certainly isn’t the lesser of the East Course, even if it is its younger brother!
Saunton West Course
Saunton West Course facts
Located in Somerset, about an hour southwest of Bristol, sits the picturesque links course of Burnham & Berrow. The layout dates back to 1890 and has been shaped by some of golf’s most prominent designers such as Harry Colt, Dr Alister MacKenzie, and Herbert Fowler, who have created a true masterpiece.
Known for its rugged dunes and traditional out-and-back layout, the course stretches over a natural landscape, demanding strategic play with its deep bunkers, strong coastal winds, and even views out over the Bristol Channel. The greens are small, undulating, and slick, and are among some of the most difficult in the UK.
Burnham & Berrow
Burnham & Berrow golf club facts
Bovey Castle is set in an unrivalled position, within a 275-acre estate on Dartmoor’s National Park. The golf course is coupled with a luxurious retreat of the very highest standard. The resort boasts fantastic accommodation, with 60 rooms and 22 lodges, along with two options for dining on-site. Additionally, there is a high-class spa on offer to guests that offers a sauna, steam room, swimming pool and much more.
The golf at Bovey Castle is fantastic, whilst the practice facilities are extremely well presented, the Old Course at Bovey Castle is something of a gem. Tree lined fairways, small but quick greens and two rivers running through the course make it a picturesque yet challenging golfing experience. It is arguably the best parkland course in Devon and is often donned with international acclaim for its fantastic layout.
Bovey Castle Old Course facts
Bowood Park is set in the glorious Cornwall countryside and, as its name suggests, it is a parkland course. It is in fact set within the largest deer park in Cornwall, which makes for fantastic scenery and the occasional sighting of some English wildlife.
The Bowood Park Golf Course is extremely well kept, and the greens were designed and constructed to USGA specification. There are more than two-dozen water hazards littered across the course that often come into play during 18 holes at Bowood Park, creating a strong test for golfers.
In addition to the golf, there are 31 well-appointed rooms available to visitors, along with a locally renowned restaurant on-site, that serves delicious, locally sourced food of the highest quality. Guests can truly immerse themselves in the beautiful Cornish tradition and surroundings.
Bowood Park
Bowood Park Golf Course facts
Dartmouth’s Championship Course is an enjoyable challenge, situated at a friendly and relaxed resort. Located in Devon’s sheltered South Hams, Dartmouth Championship is fairly young, having opened in 1992, and is set within 225 acres of rolling parkland. There are some thrilling holes on offer at Dartmouth Championship, as it makes use of the undulating terrain on which it is situated.
There is a great deal of water to be weary of, and the course is very dramatic in places. Played off the very back tees, it measures at over 7,200 yards in place, making it a true test for even the best golfers.
Dartmouth Hotel is coupled to the golf course, and is home to 35 beautifully decorated bedrooms, some of which boast panoramic views across the golf course and surrounding Devon countryside. There is even a spa available to visitors, which gives golfers a great place to relax post round. Finally, the delightful on-site bar and restaurant is an ideal place to enjoy a high-quality, relaxed meal.
Dartmouth Championship Course
Dartmouth Championship Course facts
Nestled in the picturesque outskirts of Bristol, The Kendleshire is a fairly young golf club but has quickly earned a glowing reputation thanks to its design and upkeep. The club boasts three nine-hole courses—The Hollows, The Ruffet, and The Badminton—each offering a unique blend of hazards and terrain that test golfers of all skill levels.
The signature hole is without doubt the 11th hole on the Hollows-Ruffet course. This tricky, 165-yard par-3 plays into an iconic island green surrounded by water – not too dissimilar from TPC Sawgrass. Be sure to take your camera!
When you combine the three varying loops of 9, beautiful scenery, and great facilities, The Kendleshire is a must-visit venue for golfers looking to tick-off Bristol.
The Kendleshire Golf Course facts
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As the Official Golf Tourism Operator of the PGA TOUR and with over 25 years’ experience, Golfbreaks is one of the world’s longest established and most trusted golf travel companies. We organise golf breaks, holidays and tournament experiences for more than 200,000 golfers annually at over 2,000 resorts and golf courses in the UK, Europe, and further afield.
