Royal North Devon

[Piece]

The first course in our annual golf tour to North Devon. This place is the oldest English course I am told and is known as a bit of a strange course to play, apparently. A trip around the clubhouse certainly portrays a club steeped in history; old veneer boards, old school lockers and mini museum within the bar area displaying all manner of historical golf clubs, markers, balls and tees. The pro shop is small but well stocked with RND liveried clothes. The staff were welcoming and helpful.

The course did reflect its reputation on a windy day. Mainly flat, almost field like in places, with a couple of up and down elevated holes. It's not often you hit over sheep, wait to drive for 5 mins as the public wander aimlessly, or have to shout fore to a herd of horses munching next to a green! It turns out that each green was taped off not to stop trolleys, but to stop horse and sheep scoffing the grass on the dancefloor.

It's not a long course. It was challenging though as the sea wind made for interesting scoring. Greens were generally fine with only a couple providing a real double layer challenge. You can spray a bit off most of the holes, but vicious reed clumps on some holes will definitely mean a reload. The highlights for me are all the par threes....not exceedingly difficult but you can rack up some unwanted scores if you stray off the tee.

If you want a quirky challenge, then RND is definitely a place to hack around.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Played there a few years back on a modereately blustery day in October and thoroughly enjoyed it. Greens were true and fast, fairways tight and running, vicious spikes on the sea rushes either side of the fairways. One drive over a huge railway sleeper faced bunker was very memorable, as was the approach to the last green protected by a burn. Very old fashioned "this is what the game used to be like" feel to it which is what you'd expect from the oldest links course in England. Felt like I ought to have been wearing tweeds and using hickory shafts. Definately worth playing.

 

[Smiffy]

Not played it, but passed it on the way to a fishing expedition whilst I was down that way with friends.
Couldn't help thinking how tough it looked. Could see a few flags stuck in greens but very little fairway!

 

[User20205]

Not played it, but passed it on the way to a fishing expedition whilst I was down that way with friends.
Couldn't help thinking how tough it looked. Could see a few flags stuck in greens but very little fairway!

It's a bit strange like that, some fairways are 150 yardswide, others you stand on the tee and struggle to make that fairway out betweenthe huge expanses of sea rushes. It's definitely a great experience, I lovedit. Holes 3-11 are the best run of links holes that I've played.

 

[Smiffy]

I'd like to play it. I was looking across the course from the beach area I was fishing from so had a totally different perspective as I would have had standing on the tee though.
Still looked as tough as old boots......

 

[richart]

Played RND just the once, but did not enjoy it as much as Saunton. Front nine has some great links holes, but back nine is not as good in my opinion. We also had a run in with some members, and unfortunately didn't find the club very friendly.