A red golf flag stick stands silhouetted against a dusky blue sky on an empty putting green at twilight.

Royal North Deven Golf Club

Golf as it was meant to be!


The oldest golfclub in England


Playing on the oldest golf course in England is special from the start. But I had no idea how special it would be when I arrived at the clubhouse. The oldest golf course in England, as they say on the website: "Royal North Devon at Westward Ho! can rightly claim to be the cradle of English golf. Founded in 1864, it is the oldest golf course in the country and is regarded as the St. Andrews of the South" (source: https://www.royalnorthdevongolfclub.co.uk/). And it truly was a historic experience. Behind the clubhouse, you finally see the golf course, and you think, wow. This is going to be something. You see sheep, horses, and look straight toward the sea.


I met another Englishman, also on holiday, and we decided to play together. The first hole is a nice par 5, not too difficult, except that the sheep can really get in the way 😉. Hole 2 is a nice par 4 over the road toward the beach. You have to wait for the cars to pass before you can hit. Especially on a sunny day, you have to be quick. After that, you disappear with the sea on your left into the real linksland. Relatively flat, with many sheep and wide-open views. Truly beautiful. On hole 6, after the challenging par 3 fifth hole, you get an incredible view over the course and the sea. Simply breathtaking. This is links golf.


The holes aren’t particularly special, but they’re fun and challenging. It’s a relaxed round with varied holes, though I would say holes 5 and 6 are among the prettiest on the course.


The last few holes take you back toward the clubhouse. Interestingly, on the way back, people also walk across the golf course, heading to the village. They don’t even look left or right, so as a golfer, you have to stay alert 😉.


After dodging a few more sheep and a horse, it was time for a pint at the clubhouse. The clubhouse is more like a museum, filled with memories from the past. So beautiful—you could easily spend an entire afternoon there.


Watching the sunset, I reflected on a very enjoyable round of golf and came to the conclusion that this is golf as it was meant to be. A golf course on linksland, wild animals, people walking across the course, and a fantastic clubhouse to finish. It’s a course you must play.


Cost for Royal North Devon: £60–100

https://www.royalnorthdevongolfclub.co.uk/



Golfer in mint green shirt hitting from sand bunker on coastal golf course with ocean view and blue sky.
Vintage golf clubs with metal heads displayed on a blue velvet surface at an antique shop or museum.
Vintage wooden locker room with built-in benches, blue carpet, and framed artwork adorning the wood-paneled walls.