Best Golf Courses in Devon — Links, Clifftops and Moorland

Ask most golfers to name England’s great links regions, and they will mention Lancashire, Norfolk or Kent. Devon rarely makes the list. However, that is a blind spot, because Devon has Saunton and the oldest course in England at Westward Ho!. It also has clifftop golf in the south, moorland golf near Dartmoor and an odd links on a sand spit at Dawlish Warren.

The catch is that Devon takes time to reach. North Devon in particular sits at the end of long roads. So the best way to golf here is to stay a few nights, explore the coast and treat the trip as a proper break.

North Devon: the golfing heartland

The north coast between Braunton and Westward Ho! holds the county’s finest links. It starts, as most Devon golf trips do, with Saunton.

Saunton Golf Club

Saunton was founded in 1897. It sits beside Braunton Burrows, the largest sand dune system in England. The club has two courses, the East and the West, and both are true links.

The East is the championship course. It has hosted the English Amateur and the Brabazon Trophy, while the Seniors Amateur came here in 2006 and 2024. Holes rise and fall over the dune ridges, so you must think about position rather than just hit hard. Meanwhile, the West is a little shorter and a little kinder. Still, it is a proper links, and many golfers enjoy playing both in one day.

Royal North Devon, Westward Ho!

Royal North Devon was founded in 1864, which makes it the oldest golf course in England. It plays over Northam Burrows, which is common land. As a result, golfers share the links with sheep, ponies and walkers.

The club has a rich history. J.H. Taylor, a five-time Open champion, learned his golf here. Horace Hutchinson, who won the Amateur Championship in 1886 and 1887, also played here. Old Tom Morris designed the links, and its sea rushes make some of the toughest rough in England.

More North Devon golf

North Devon also has smaller clifftop clubs, such as Ilfracombe, with views over the Bristol Channel. They make good extra rounds on a longer trip. For a wider view of seaside golf, see our guide to coastal golf in the UK and our guide to the best links courses.

South Devon: clifftops and estuaries

South Devon’s golf is very different from the north. The deep estuaries and high cliffs of the South Hams shape the courses. As a result, they are scenic, varied and sometimes quirky.

Thurlestone

Thurlestone sits on the cliffs near Kingsbridge, with wide views over the bay. The course is not long. Even so, the sea breeze makes it harder than its length suggests.

Bigbury

Bigbury sits on high ground above Bigbury-on-Sea, looking out to Burgh Island and its Art Deco hotel. Several holes run along the edge of the cliffs. It is a friendly club, and the setting is a real treat.

Churston and Dartmouth

Inland, Churston near Brixham and Dartmouth Golf and Country Club offer more sheltered golf. They suit golfers based around Torbay or the South Hams.

Dartmoor’s edge: moorland golf

The edges of Dartmoor give a very different kind of golf. The courses are open, breezy and firm, while the views stretch for miles.

Tavistock Golf Club

Tavistock sits on moorland above the town, on the western edge of Dartmoor. The turf drains well, so the ball runs a long way in summer. On clear days, you can see across the Tamar Valley into Cornwall.

Yelverton Golf Club

Yelverton lies on the south-west edge of Dartmoor, close to Plymouth. It is another firm moorland course, and visitors used to soft parkland often find it tricky. For more options close to the city, see the directory of golf courses near Plymouth.

Exeter and East Devon

Exeter is the easiest part of Devon to reach, so it makes a good base. The Exeter Golf and Country Club offers parkland golf on the edge of the city. The directory lists golf courses near Exeter with holes and contact details for each.

Close by, Warren Golf Club sits on the sand spit at Dawlish Warren, at the mouth of the Exe Estuary. The course is part of a protected nature site, while the railway runs along the shore beside it. It is an unusual links, and it is well worth a round.

Green fees and booking

Green fees in Devon vary by course and season. The famous links cost most, while the moorland and inland clubs are usually cheaper. Prices change each year, so check each club’s own website. Many offer twilight or winter rates too.

Book ahead in the summer holidays, especially at Saunton. Since North Devon fills up with families in August, rooms go early as well.

Short courses in Devon

Devon also has short courses that suit beginners and families. Our guide to nine-hole golf courses explains how to find them. These courses are a relaxed way to start before you tackle the big links.

Getting to Devon

Exeter has fast road links via the M5. In addition, it has direct trains from London Paddington and from the north. North Devon is slower to reach, since the roads narrow beyond Barnstaple. If you are driving from the Midlands or the north, our page on golf courses near Bristol suggests a stop on the way.

Combining Devon with Cornwall

Devon and Cornwall make a fine two-county trip. For example, you could play Saunton and Westward Ho!, then head west for St Enodoc and Trevose. Our guide to golf courses in Cornwall covers the Cornish side, while our UK golf breaks guide helps you plan the travel.

Explore more English golf

Devon is just one part of England’s varied golf. You can browse every course we list in England by county. Alternatively, read our guide to golf courses in England for a region-by-region overview.

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