2 Nights, 2 Rounds
Saunton Golf Club is home to two of England's best links courses. It has been asserted by many that if the Royal & Ancient was to add to the Open Championship rotation, Saunton would feature high on a list of potential venues. The venue does have a history of hosting tournaments though, hosting the Brabazon Trophy in 2022 and the R&A Women's Senior Amateur & Senior Amateur Championship in 2024.
Located within the North Devon AONB, running through a UNESCO World Heritage site, the rugged coastal landscape has had golf played on it for over 100 years. Herbert Fowler, famed architect of Walton Heath and The Berkshire, is responsible for creating both courses with help from English Amateur Champion Frank Pennink along with his business partners Donald Steel and Ken Cotton.
The courses of Saunton are a must for anyone considering a golf break in Devon, playable all-year round due to the fast draining links surfaces they are the perfect playing partner to the oldest golf course in England, Royal North Devon.
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2 Nights, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 2 Rounds
1 Night, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
2 Nights, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
3 Nights, 3 Rounds
2 Nights, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
Herbert Fowler's East Course at Saunton is ranked just outside England's top ten and at 6,779 yards provides a stern test to even the most skilled golfers. The rugged sand dunes of Braunton Burrows are the setting for this fine true links destination, a site that has been designated as being of international importance by UNESCO.
The real challenge of the East Course from the back tees is the tough par-4s, seven of which measure over 400 yards with carries over heavy rough and sand dunes. The charm of the course is accentuated by the feeling that every hole is cut distinctly through the dunes.
The 16th hole on the East Course seems somewhat out of character with the rest of the course, it consists of a blind risk and reward dogleg with a long approach to a hidden green. Being a stand out hole it is not surprising that it is named after the architect responsible for building it, 'Fowler'.
| Par | 71 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Herbert Fowler, Ken Cotton |
| Opened for play | 1897 |
| Blue | 6,779 yards | SSS 72 |
|---|---|---|
| White | 6,427 yards | SSS 71 |
| Red | 5,960 yards | SSS 76 |
| Yellow | 5,744 yards | SSS 69 |
The West Course was originally opened in the 1930s but was used as a training field during the Second World War and subsequently lay dormant for some 40 years until the esteemed Frank Pennink revived it in the 1970's.
Donald Steel later supervised the relaying of all the greens and he has stated that he considers Saunton’s West course greens some of his best work. Emulating the general characteristics of the East course, the West requires clever positioning off the tee and accurate approaches to run your ball into the green complexes.
The West may be shorter than the more prestigious East Course, but it remains a considerable test, with a network of burns and streams interspersed through the dunes to test your short game.
Both courses are reputed to boast some of the finest putting surfaces in England, and together they represent a truly terrific links golf tour in Devon.
Saunton Golf Club is located just off the Saunton Road (B3231), 3 miles West of Braunton, 8 miles from Barnstaple train station.
Address: Braunton, Devon, England. EX33 1LG
| Par | 71 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Herbert Fowler, Frank Pennink, Donald Steel |
| Opened for play | 1935 |
| Blue | 6,596 yards | SSS 73 |
|---|---|---|
| White | 6,200 yards | SSS 71 |
| Yellow | 5,801 yards | SSS 70 |
| Red | 5,314 yards | SSS 72 |
Peter
✓6 Sep 2019
Slightly more enjoyable than the east course but overall nice course to play
Peter
✓6 Sep 2019
Very enjoyable links golf course
Martin
✓5 Jun 2019
Appalling weather couldn’t spoil a great day’s golf...though it tried hard!
Martin
✓5 Jun 2019
Wonderful course in a great location. Nice clubhouse with an excellent pro shop. Food was typical golf fare but no worse for it.
Christopher (Kit)
✓1 Jun 2019
A great golf course
Christopher (Kit)
✓1 Jun 2019
Small greens on shorter course makes it a tough test
Tony
✓19 Oct 2018
Some players found the course difficult, a wonderful experience
Yes
Yes
£50 plus discretionary
None
There is 1 bar on site
There is complimentary car parking
