Royal North Devon

History:

Founded in 1864, Royal North Devon Golf Club is the oldest seaside links course in England, earning its reputation as the “St Andrews of the South”. Based on dunes shaping the coastline of Northam Burrows, the club’s origins date back even earlier, with informal golf being played in the 1850s. The formal course was laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1864—including 17 holes—with the club proudly noting its conservative changes since. In 1867, the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), then the club’s patron, conferred the “Royal” title. The name was simplified to Royal North Devon in 1910. Royal North Devon served as a training ground for legends like J.H. Taylor, who began as a caddie locally before winning five Open Championships; he later became club president in 1957. Other notable members include Horace Hutchinson and Harold Hilton, both early amateur champions.

The course hosted the British Amateur Championship in 1912, 1925, and 1931, and even staged the Martini Pro in 1975.

Royal North Devon is celebrated for being largely unaltered since its foundation. Herbert Fowler made enhancements in 1908, notably new bunkers and one-shot holes, yet the core routing remains true. More recently, coastal erosion forced adjustments to holes 7–9, led by the team at MacKenzie & Ebert, ensuring the course preserves its character while adapting to natural changes.

Description:

• Holes: 18
• Par: 72 (36–36)
• Yardage (Championship Tees): ~7,044 yards; commonly plays around 6,650–6,800 yards depending on setup

Course Highlights & Layout

The oldest seaside links in England, designed by Old Tom Morris in 1864, Royal North Devon unfolds across windswept dunes beside the Atlantic. It’s an out-and-back routing where the front nine hugs the coast and the back nine ventures inland.

• Hole 1: 521‑yard par 5, reachable in two but guarded by a ditch on the right.
• Hole 2 (“Baggy”): ~422 yards, plays parallel to the sea.
• Hole 4 (“Cape”): ~344 yards par 4 featuring the famed sleeper-faced “Cape” bunker—possibly the world’s widest.
• First Par 3: Hole 5, ~138–163 yards, surrounded by multiple pot bunkers and elevated green.

The front nine shadows the sea breeze; holes 6–8 offer dune-lined fairways and panoramic ocean views. The back nine demands strategy:

• Hole 12: A 400+ yard par 4 (4th toughest, strong bunker defenses).
• Hole 14: Longest par 3 at ~207 yards.
• Hole 17: Longest challenge at ~554 yards par 5, guarded by a road and ditch.
• Hole 18: A tough 414‑yard par 4 uphill to green over a burn.

 Playing Conditions & Character

• The turf is firm and fast, with naturally fast-running fairways and receptive greens that take minimal maintenance .
• Hazards include: deep revetted bunkers, expansive “Cape” holes, Great Sea Rush (poisonous dune grass), a burn crossing the 18th, and roaming sheep and horses
• No yardage markers exist—players rely on simple 150‑yard rocks and innate course knowledge.

Overall Info & Location

• Name & Status: Royal North Devon Golf Club – England’s oldest seaside links, founded in 1864 and granted ‘Royal’ title in 1867
• Address: Golf Links Road, Westward Ho!, Bideford, Devon EX39 1HD – located on Northam Burrows, between Westward Ho! and Northam
• Course Details: 18-hole links, par 72, ~6,665 yd from the back tees (men), ~5,703 yd (women)
• Design & Recognition: Originally by Old Tom Morris; updated by Herbert Fowler. Ranked among the UK & Ireland Top 100 (84th for 2023/24) and featured in Golf World’s “must-play” list

 Natural Environment

• Pure Links Terrain: Set on 650 acres of Northam Burrows common land, protected as an SSSI and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
• Authentic Character: The course remains almost unchanged from 150 years ago—fast-running fairways, sheep and horses grazing, deep pot bunkers, sea rushes, and natural burns
• Strategic Variety: Known for rugged bunkering and a mix of subtle and dramatic holes—risk/reward designs like the iconic 10th, and standout par‑3s such as the 16th and demanding par‑4s like the 4th and 18th

Wind & Views: Fully exposed to Atlantic breezes with sweeping vistas across Bideford Bay and Lundy Island. Coastal erosion has prompted minor routing adjustments while preserving the original character