Top 10 Best Golf Courses in Torridge

A Golfing Heritage Like No Other

Golfers have a special reason to visit Torridge. The district is home to Royal North Devon Golf Club at Westward Ho!, the oldest golf course in England still playing over its original land. Its wild, natural links across Northam Burrows have welcomed golfers for over a century and a half and remain a pilgrimage destination for enthusiasts from around the world.

Beyond this historic gem, Torridge and its neighbouring areas offer a wonderful variety of golf. Championship links, rolling parkland, forest layouts and relaxed nine-hole courses provide options for every standard of player. The scenery is spectacular, the welcome is warm and green fees often represent excellent value compared with more crowded regions.

What Makes Golf in North Devon Special

The combination of coastal links and inland parkland means golfers can experience completely different challenges within a short drive. Links golf here is shaped by the wind, the dunes and firm turf, while parkland courses offer tree-lined fairways and sweeping countryside views. Many courses are playable year-round thanks to the mild climate.

The Top 10 Golf Courses in and Around Torridge

1. Royal North Devon Golf Club

Founded in the 1860s at Westward Ho!, Royal North Devon is a true links treasure. Golfers share the common land of Northam Burrows with grazing sheep and horses, and the famous Great Sea Rushes provide a unique hazard. Its history, character and natural design make it an unmissable experience.

2. Saunton Golf Club

Located across the estuary near Braunton, Saunton offers two outstanding championship links, the East and West courses, set among towering sand dunes. It is widely regarded as one of the finest links venues in England.

3. Torrington Golf Club

Set on high ground above Great Torrington, this charming nine-hole course offers panoramic views across the Torridge valley and Dartmoor. It is friendly, challenging and excellent value.

4. Holsworthy Golf Club

An attractive eighteen-hole parkland course in the heart of Ruby Country, known for its welcoming membership, well-kept greens and peaceful rural setting.

5. Hartland Forest Golf Club

Located near Woolsery, this course combines woodland and parkland holes, offering a relaxed atmosphere and an enjoyable round for golfers of all abilities.

6. Libbaton Golf Club

Situated near High Bickington, Libbaton is a parkland course with water features and gentle slopes, popular with societies and visitors seeking a scenic, accessible round.

7. Highbullen Golf Course

Part of a country hotel estate near Chittlehamholt, Highbullen offers golf with lovely views over the Mole and Taw valleys, combined with leisure and spa facilities.

8. Bude and North Cornwall Golf Club

Just across the border, this traditional links course sits close to the town centre and beaches of Bude, offering classic seaside golf with Atlantic views.

9. Ilfracombe Golf Club

A dramatic clifftop course on the North Devon coast with breathtaking sea views, offering an exhilarating and memorable round on breezy days.

10. Portmore Golf Park

Located near Barnstaple, this golf park offers a welcoming environment for beginners and families, with shorter course options and practice facilities ideal for developing skills.

Trends in Golf Across the Region

Golf has experienced a revival in recent years, with more people taking up the game for fitness, fresh air and social connection. Clubs in North Devon are responding with flexible memberships, beginner academies, junior programmes and women's golf initiatives that make the sport more accessible.

Technology is enhancing the golfing experience, from GPS-enabled buggies and launch monitor practice facilities to online tee time booking. Sustainability is also a growing focus, particularly on links courses, where clubs work to protect fragile dune ecosystems, manage water carefully and support biodiversity.

Golf tourism remains important for the local economy. Visitors often combine rounds at Royal North Devon and Saunton with stays in Westward Ho!, Instow and Bideford, enjoying the coast and countryside between games.

Tips for Visiting Golfers

Book tee times in advance, especially during summer and at popular links courses. Check dress codes and handicap requirements, which vary between clubs. On links courses, prepare for changing weather and strong winds by packing waterproofs and adjusting your game to keep the ball low. Take time to enjoy the clubhouses, many of which offer fine views and local food.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can visitors play at Royal North Devon? Visitors are welcomed, though it is wise to book ahead and check any handicap or dress requirements. Because the course sits on common land, golfers should respect walkers and livestock.

What is the best time of year to golf in North Devon? Late spring through early autumn offers the most settled conditions, but links courses drain well and are often playable throughout winter.

Are there good options for beginners? Nine-hole courses and golf parks offer a relaxed introduction, and many clubs provide lessons and beginner programmes run by qualified professionals.

Final Thoughts

From the historic links of Royal North Devon to tranquil parkland in Ruby Country and championship dunes at Saunton, golf in and around Torridge is truly exceptional. Whether you are a seasoned golfer chasing heritage or a beginner looking for a friendly introduction, this corner of Devon offers rewarding rounds in some of the most beautiful settings in England.