Golf England Series 2 – The South coast of Cornwall and Devon

This series highlights some of the overlooked golfing areas along the South West coast of England. A rugged landscape with tons of scenic beauty to offer, the courses here are equally rugged and picturesque. 

We include many links to golf courses and heathland courses which are not often available to visiting golfers outside of the UK and Ireland. 

With limited travel, this series is perfect for groups who want to maximise golfing time and minimise transport. 

The tour is set along the coast of South Devon where you will stay at a castle hotel on Dartmoor National Park. There is no links to golf but you encounter moorland, heathland and cliff-top golf.

In Cornwall, you will stay at St Mellion International Resort near the city of Plymouth. Here you play the challenging St Mellion course designed by the great Jack Nicklaus.

A Typical Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival at the St Mellion Resort

You will begin your trip with an arrival at a London or Plymouth airport, met by an AGS Representative, collect your auto or meet your private driver, proceeding to St Mellion International Resort for 3 nights.

St Mellion Resort is a 4 star luxury hotel with a leisure centre, an Elemis day spa, tennis courts, a European Tour golf course, a brasserie and an award-winning restaurant. It is located to the north of Plymouth in Cornwall but close to the south coast of Devon. 

Day 2 – St Mellion Resort Course (7008 yards, Par 72)

On your second day in Sunny Devon, you will play the  St Mellion course, it was designed by Jack Nicklaus with both Tour golf and members’ golf in mind. However, the course is tough whatever tees you play from. 

There are several unique water hazards, cleverly placed bunkers, and challenging holes, such as the run from the sixth to the ninth and a very challenging finish from 15 to 18. 

Day 3 – Yelverton Course (6008 yards, Par 70)

On your third day, you play Yelverton, a heathland course set on the southern slopes of Dartmoor National Park. From the fairways 600 feet above sea level, you can see many ‘Tors’ on the Moor. Tors are granite outcrops that uniquely characterise Dartmoor. Although not long the course will present many hazards.

There is gorse and bracken but also ravines, dips caused by collapsed tin mines, a bomb crater and the moor’s famous ponies. Sir Francis Drake had built a watercourse to supply Plymouth which comes into play on several holes. 

Day 4 – Dartmouth Golf & C.C. & Arrival at Bovey Castle (7,200 yards, Par 72)

On your fourth day, you will play Dartmouth on route to Bovey Castle. Dartmouth Golf & C.C.  regularly hosts West Region PGA Championships. It was designed to challenge the most proficient golfer, with the strategic positioning of tees, meandering streams, 12 water features, sweeping fairways and superb undulating greens. 

The par three 3rd has an elevated tee with a carry over a lake 60 feet below and a green 50 yards long. The 4th is the toughest hole, a snaking par 5 of 533 yards with hazards left and right and a well protected green. 

5* Bovey Castle is located in Dartmoor National Park. It is one of the best luxury castle hotels and restaurants in Devon. 

The castle features 60 individually designed bedrooms located in both the original historic manor house and a private mews building across the courtyard. 

Each room reflects the luxurious hospitality that Bovey Castle is renowned for, with every finishing touch selected to complement the warmth and elegance of the guest rooms. Add the Spa and many activities for a perfect relaxing stay. 

5* Bovey Castle is located in Dartmoor National Park. It is one of the best luxury castle hotels and restaurants in Devon. 

The castle features 60 individually designed bedrooms located in both the original historic manor house and a private mews building across the courtyard. 

Each room reflects the luxurious hospitality that Bovey Castle is renowned for, with every finishing touch selected to complement the warmth and elegance of the guest rooms. Add the Spa and many activities for a perfect relaxing stay. 

Day 5 – Teignmouth Golf Club (6105 yards, Par 69)

On day 5 you will be playing Teignmouth Golf Club, designed by the legendary Dr Alister MacKenzie. The course opened in 1924, some 9 years before he completed his most famous work at the Augusta National, home of the US Masters.

Situated near the South Devon coast at 800 feet above sea level; Teignmouth Golf Club commands spectacular views of the sea and nearby moors. This moorland course presents a great test of golf for players of all abilities, featuring six varied and challenging par 3s and 11 two-tier greens, a true MacKenzie trademark. 

Day 6 – Bovey Castle Old Course (6309 yards, Par 69)

On day 6 you will play the stunning Bovey Castle Old Course, a challenging and beautiful championship golf course on the edge of Dartmoor. It has 2 rivers running through it and meanders through the sprawling Castle estate.

There are tree-lined fairways surrounded by an idyllic landscape. There are challenges for all levels of players and it provides a spine-tingling test of golf. Henry Cotton said, “The 7th hole is possibly the best par 4 in British inland golf.” 

Day 7 -  East Devon Golf Course (6231 yards, Par 70)

For your final day of play, you will arrive at East Devon Golf Course, a challenging clifftop and heathland course. Set 400 feet above the sea near picturesque Budleigh Salterton, the undulating fairways are cut through a profusion of heather and gorse. This course provides players with some very pretty coastal views and is both demanding and fair. 

In general, the fairways are quite generous but, with some tight drives, a wayward shot will be severely punished! The pick of the par three’s is the 10th, a stunning hole. 

From an elevated tee, you play across a valley of gorse and heather to a well-protected three-tier green. The layout is varied with differing winds to add to the course’s variety. 

 Day 8 – Depart for Airport

You depart to the airport after a successful golf trip.