Naunton Downs
GF: From £20 STATS: par 71, sss 69, 6,135 yards T: 01451 850092 W: nauntondowns.co.uk
With beautiful views over the Cotswold countryside, Naunton Downs is a scenic setting for golf. Moving over undulating terrain, past mature trees and shrubs, the course was designed with a view to it blending into the natural surroundings. The attractive stone clubhouse deserves a special mention. It has a great traditional feel and is an excellent place to enjoy a post-round debrief.
Ilfracombe
GF: £27.50 STATS: par 69, sss 68, 5,795 yards T: 01271 862176 W: ilfracombegolfclub.com
Golf had been played in this part of North Devon for a couple of years before Ilfracombe Golf Club came into being in 1892. From its lofty perch the course offers spectacular views across the Bristol Channel and on into Wales. It may not be overly long, but when the prevailing south-westerly is in town you’ll need to have your full golfing wits about you to plot your way successfully around. Great fun and a very pleasant place to play.
Newquay
GF: £30 STATS: par 69, sss 69, 6,141 yards T: 01637 874354 W: newquaygolfclub.co.uk
The revered Harry Colt laid out the course at Newquay on an essentially rectangular piece of linksland sloping gently towards the Atlantic. Step onto the 1st tee and the whole course seems to spread out invitingly in front of you. But, as ever, it’s not as easy as it may look and with holes constantly changing direction, any sort of a breeze makes things interesting. Wonderful views from every hole. Marlborough
GF: £30 STATS: par 72, sss 71, 6,409 yards T: 01672 512493 W: marlboroughgolfclub.co.uk
Marlborough was founded in 1888 and boasts two distinct nines – the front is largely tree-lined, the back has more of a downland feel. When the club extended to 18 holes in 1920, Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler of Sunningdale and Walton Heath fame respectively, crafted the new nine, eight of which are essentially still in play today. The course lost ten years to the war effort from 1940 to 1950, and has hosted the Wiltshire Professional Championships since 1992. The slightly futuristic clubhouse with wonderfully commanding views was opened to coincide with the club’s centenary in 1988.
