Royal North Devon Golf Club Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info

Royal North Devon Golf Club Key Information

The historic links at Westward Ho! in Devon is the oldest course (not club) in England still playing over its original fairways. As such, this is the oldest English course in our Top 100 golf courses UK&I.

RND dates back to 1864 and was laid out by Old Tom Morris. As you set out towards the sea over a couple of relatively benign holes, you may just wonder what all the fuss is about. But be patient!

Before long, you’ll be out onto a landscape of sleepered bunkers, sea rushes, grazing sheep and horses, and golf of the rawest and most fun kind.

Yes, it can take a couple of rounds to begin to understand the subtleties of this great links, but that is all part of its charm and character and I have learned to appreciate the challenge of the layout over a number of years visiting.

There are some tremendous holes as you turn right after the 2nd and play more or less parallel to the coast until you reach the long par-3 8th, whose green can be frustratingly elusive if the wind is howling in off the sea to your left.

This is the part of the course where Royal North Devon has been suffering from coastal erosion in recent years, and where things have been rejigged a little.

In this stretch, the tee-shot on the 4th – Cape – perhaps epitomises what the course is all about.

Here, you have to carry two huge sleepered bunkers off the tee, and although you should make it, failure to do so into the wind or on a mishit could make for a very interesting second.

Generally, there’s room to manouevre off the tee, but things tighten up a bit as RND’s famous sea rushes make their presence felt early on the back nine, especially on the 10th where they hide the fairway alarmingly.

As you turn and head for home via the 414-yard 18th the wind may well be at your back. But if it’s strongly against, you could be standing in the fairway with a very long club in hand contemplating your chances of clearing the burn that crosses the fairway just short of the green.

RND is steeped in history and has an old-school feel, but I have always found this is a friendly place to play and the clubhouse, packed with golfing memorabilia, is a wonderful spot for a debrief over a pint.

What's new for 2025/26? What our panellists said...

Mike Chapman

RND was laid out over 150 years ago and has only changed when erosion has necessitated. Indeed, it is the policy of the club not to make changes unless forced to do so.

RND is certainly an experience. It is most definitely something that a player with knowledge of the history of golf would enjoy.

RND clearly have issues with the local environmental agencies and in particular Natural England.

My personal thoughts on RND are, to quote Star Trek, “It’s golf Jim – but not as we know it!”

Rob Fear

RND's defences include the wind and the sea grasses which line a couple of the fairways, and from which there is no escape. Soon after, however, there are two or three holes which have vast playing areas, demanding no accuracy from the tee and in my view, are too bland and let it down (12, 13, 15). My favourite holes include the 6th, the new 8th and 18th.

Royal North Devon Golf Club Location

For full visitor information, see the visitor page of the Royal North Devon website.

Royal North Devon Golf Club Scorecard

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Best Courses Near to Royal North Devon Golf Club

SAUNTON EAST

Set in the peaceful North Devon dunes, the East Course was designed by Herbert Fowler and is a wonderful place for golf. It has long attracted major events and a teenaged Sergio Garcia won the Boys’ Amateur here in 1997. There are just three short holes, but each is strong and different.

SAUNTON WEST

For many golfers, the West is the more forgiving, more varied, and most importantly more fun of the two courses at Saunton. Lost during the war, it was redesigned by Frank Pennink and reopened in 1973. The back nine is particularly full of variety as it features three of each par.

Best Places to Stay Near To Royal North Devon Golf Club

The Royal George Hotel - Book now at Booking.com
In Appledore, 1.9 miles from Royal North Devon Golf Club, this characterful hotel sits right on the waterfront. The Royal George offers a continental or Full English/Irish breakfast. At the inn you will find a restaurant serving British, French and Greek cuisine.

Saunton Sands Hotel - Book now via Booking.com
With excellent views over the golf course, Saunton Sands Hotel features a spa, 2 swimming pools and a popular restaurant. The elegant rooms have modern, en suite bathrooms and the Restaurant offers formal dining and a seasonal menu. It's just a half hour drive to RND, and acts as a great base for golfing trips to Westward Ho! and Saunton.

Royal North Devon Golf Club Course Gallery

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Royal North Devon Golf Club Historical Top 100 Ranking UK&I

• 2025/26 - 94
• 2023/24 - 84
• 2021/22 - 85
• 2019/20 - 82
• 2017/18 - 74
• 2015/16 - 72
• 2013/14 - 75
• 2011/12 - 73
• 2009/10 - 69

Frequently Asked Questions