Royal North Devon Golf Club
Course Information
Royal North Devon Golf Club, Devon is an 18 hole, par 72 (6653 yard), private, links golf course designed orginally by Old Tom Morris and updated by Herbert Fowler in 1908
18 holes | Par 72 | 6653 yards | Private | Links
Royal North Devon Golf Club Information
Golf Club Overview
Address: Westward Ho, Bideford, Devon, EX39 1HD United Kingdom
Tel: 01237 473817
Golf Pro: Iain Parker | Tel: 01237 477598
Golf Club Facilities
Click the following link to find out what facilities are available at Royal North Devon Golf Club and read frequently asked questions.
Royal North Devon Reviews
Discover what golfers are saying about the course, facilities, and overall experience at Royal North Devon Golf Club. Explore detailed insights on the golf course, including course conditions, value for money, and pace of play from the latest reviews and feedback in 2025. The Golfshake independent reviews also cover important factors like facilities & service, hospitality, practice facilities, and food & drink. Access the latest, unbiased reviews to help you make an informed decision about your next round at Royal North Devon Golf Club.
GOLFSHAKE RATING
4.84
AVERAGE RATING 4.1
(based on 52 reviews)
5 star
20
4 star
24
3 star
5
2 star
4
1 star
0
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What the club says: Founded in 1864, the Royal North Devon is the oldest course in England and Wales. Although Old Tom Morris was involved with the design in the 19th century, the course you play today is more a reflection of the work Herbert Fowler did in 1908. A challenging links situated on the rugged North Devon coast, its exposed position, multitudes of spiky rushes, naturally formed grassy mounds and deep pot bunkers pose a number of questions to every level of golfer.
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Reviews for Royal North Devon Golf Club
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The golf courses reviews are the personal opinions of members of Golfshake who completed a review after playing the course. These opinions do not necessarily represent the views of Golfshake.com
Sean O rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Apr 21 2022
Oldest links in england
We drove down to the beach at westward ho! To looks at the 2 nd and 3rd holes and we weren’t very impressed looked very ordinary and quite bland. But when you actually get out there what a fantastic course. After 3 it turns into proper links golf . Can be very windy and quite long you need all your links skills to get around this beautyReviewer Rating
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A Golfer rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jan 11 2022
Ever changing challenge
Always kept in good condition. This links course is an ever changing challenge depending on wind speed and direction.Reviewer Rating
A Golfer rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jan 6 2022
Unique and challenging holes
A couple of unique and challenging holes including the tallest bunker face I've ever seen.Reviewer Rating
James C rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed Oct 24 2021
Lucky it wasn't windy!
I played at Royal North Devon on a recent holiday in Westward Ho! £75 for a weekend round seems a lot to me, but I wanted to play a links course for the first time. I was able to join up with a 2-ball behind me, who were very friendly and guided me around the course. The course is quite level and exposed, but there are sufficient undulations to add interest and create a lot of blind shots. The greens were in great condition and you had to be accurate with your approach shots to keep the ball on the green. The view from the 6th tee is fantastic with coastal views for around 270 degrees around you.If you fancy a taste of links golf this is a great option.Reviewer Rating
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Show moreGraham C rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed Oct 8 2021
Oldest Club in England
This is the oldest golf club in England and the course was designed by Old Tom Morris. It's a fantastic links course with some unusual holes - notably the 4th which features a fairway bunker with a 25ft wall. The course was in great condition with fast undulating greens. The clubhouse is very pleasant and features an array of golfing memorabilia which is well worth a close look. This is a must play course if you find yourself in the vicinity.Reviewer Rating
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Show moreKevin H rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed Jul 14 2021
Oldest club in England
Loved my round at RND - still conditions made for a really enjoyable experience, but when the wind blows I'm sure it shows its teeth! The highlight holes are 4-10, including a couple of lovely par 3s, but the more inland holes were still fun.The course was in excellent condition so kudos to the green keepers, and the team couldn't have been more helpful in accommodating my early start request.
If you're in the south west this summer (or any other summer for that matter) I highly recommend trying to get a round in, you won't be Disappointed.
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Show moreMartin R rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 21 2021
Challenging Links Course
RND is great course for challenging all aspects of your game. The combination of fast greens, hazards and bunkers will test your playing skills to the limit. If your game is not a match for the challenge then just enjoy the breathtaking views.Reviewer Rating
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Show moreWarren B rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 21 2021
A great course and an unusual experience playing amongst wild horses and sheep, on a beach
(Round played: Jun 2021 - Score: 106 Handicap: 16.3)
(Round played: Jun 2021 - Score: 106 Handicap: 16.3)
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Show moreThomas M rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 15 2021
(Round played: Sep 2020 - Score: 99 Handicap: 23.5)
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Mike M rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 29 2020
Wonderful historic course
A must play. You can sense you’re playing somewhere special and on a real part of golfing history. True links with brutal wind conditions. Course is always in fabulous condition, with wildlife grazing away and wonderful views of the Devon coastline.(Round played: Jun 2020 - Score: 88 Handicap: 12.4)
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Show moreWilliam S rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed May 28 2020
Course in good condition, getting quite dry now but greens looked after. Didn’t play my best at all!
(Round played: May 2020 - Score: 97 Handicap: 14.3)
(Round played: May 2020 - Score: 97 Handicap: 14.3)
Reviewer Rating
Graeme S rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Sep 9 2019
The oldest course in England was fantastic to play. Avoided hitting any sheep so that was good! A true links course which got much harder as the wind picked up.
(Round played: Aug 2019 - Score: 98 Handicap: 0)
(Round played: Aug 2019 - Score: 98 Handicap: 0)
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Show moreRod R rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jul 26 2019
Glorious weather, if a little hot, with the wind helping on the 1st.
The greens were true with a nice roll, some with tricky undulations. The light rough was playable but the deep stuff, take your punishment, play a provisional.
There are some nice holes but many look the same. The last three hole are very difficult against the wind.
The club is very welcoming with friendly and helpful staff. The food is extremely good both in choice, taste and value.
The greens were true with a nice roll, some with tricky undulations. The light rough was playable but the deep stuff, take your punishment, play a provisional.
There are some nice holes but many look the same. The last three hole are very difficult against the wind.
The club is very welcoming with friendly and helpful staff. The food is extremely good both in choice, taste and value.
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Show moreIan B rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed Aug 10 2018
Great course
Great course with car, people sheep and horses as hazards. 15 foot deep bunker amazing and lots of blind shots, 50 feet from the sea(Round played: Aug 2018
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Show moreRichard M rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed Aug 1 2017
A true gem that every golfer should play
Staff were soooo friendly what a lovely place. We're so excited to play I drove 2 hours 40 and my playing partner 4 hours to get there. Well worth the trip. It was awesome. The greens were so firm and ran very true. Loved the course. Will play again. The wind was strong but no gale as is sometimes the case I was warned!(Round played: Aug 2017 - Score: 85 Handicap: 15)
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Show moreGul Abu Dhabi rated 2 out of 5
Reviewed Jul 27 2017
Baron landscape
Had heard many good things about the course siama was very excited at getting the opportunity to play there. The club house it's great and gives you a sense of the history of the course. The putting green is good and the chipping practice area is equally impressive. The driving range was a long distance away and of very poor condition. Finally, the course; apart from holes 4-8 I found the course baron and non-descript. There also needs to be more signage for visitors. As it's just a vast landscape, the holes aren't very well defined. The greens though were excellent and challenging. Overall, i was disappointed, but maybe my expectations were too high.Reviewer Rating
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Show moreDavid W rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 29 2017
Fantastic Links Course, (Tough)
Rained for the entire round but still bought a smile to my face! Tough course but a great test.(Round played: Jun 2017 - Score: 100 Handicap: 25.1)
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Show moreWilliam S rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Feb 15 2017
Course in good condition for the time of year.
(Round played: Feb 2017 - Score: 94 Handicap: 19.8)
(Round played: Feb 2017 - Score: 94 Handicap: 19.8)
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Show moreDavid W rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Sep 26 2016
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Show moreClive H rated 3 out of 5
Reviewed Sep 6 2016
Really challenging course although some more directions signs could be useful.
(Round played: Sep 2016 - Score: 108 Handicap: 23.1)
(Round played: Sep 2016 - Score: 108 Handicap: 23.1)
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Show moreAndy D rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 28 2016
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Eddie/St A rated 3 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 1 2016
This is an amazing clubhouse which acts more as a museum. The course is on common ground, but in good condition, the greens were the best I played on during a weeks golf, they were true and fast. The problem for this course is the lack of definition on some holes and the marker posts because there is no obvious target. The clubhouse is more memorable than the course.
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Show moreGiless C rated 3 out of 5
Reviewed May 29 2016
Great historical links. Comfortable clubhouse if unattractive as you drive in. Putting green and warm up net close at hand. Easy walk. Extremely wide in places. Fairways respectable despite being common land. Good service by friendly staff.
However, very little definition. Possibly the flattest course I can think of. Too many forgettable holes. Greens 8.8 on my stimp but a little patchy. Stuck in a 100 year old time warp. Range is tatty and a little far away.
Don't want to be too harsh as its not without charm. If they could get permission to build up some of the tees on the flattest holes, even a couple of feet, first time visitors might well enjoy the layout a little more. Rating is about right here.
However, very little definition. Possibly the flattest course I can think of. Too many forgettable holes. Greens 8.8 on my stimp but a little patchy. Stuck in a 100 year old time warp. Range is tatty and a little far away.
Don't want to be too harsh as its not without charm. If they could get permission to build up some of the tees on the flattest holes, even a couple of feet, first time visitors might well enjoy the layout a little more. Rating is about right here.
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Show moreWilliam S rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed May 2 2016
The course and greens in particular were playing well for the time of year, the wind always makes it interesting.
(Round played: May 2016 - Score: 99 Handicap: 19.6)
(Round played: May 2016 - Score: 99 Handicap: 19.6)
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Show moreSam M rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Sep 25 2015
Nice traditional links set out over common ground
(Round played: Sep 2015 - Score: 78 Handicap: 5.5)
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Show moreAidan B rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Sep 16 2015
Really enjoyed this round. Thought that the course would be all about the history but not much else (like Musselborough) however I was pleasantly surprised. The front 9 had some great variation to the holes, the greens ran true and club had some great facilities and plenty of historic documents to check. Also the fish pie in the clubhouse was top notch!
(Round played: Sep 2015 - Score: 88 Handicap: 11.5)
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Show moreWilliam S rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Apr 5 2015
Continuing to enjoy the course. Very windy today and it showed in the score.
(Round played: Apr 2015 - Score: 106 Handicap: 21)
(Round played: Apr 2015 - Score: 106 Handicap: 21)
Reviewer Rating
Steve, Devon rated 2 out of 5
Reviewed Feb 18 2015
Was initially disappointed as the 2-4-1 voucher didn't get half price golf, just £10 off. Certainly didn't say this on their website.
The course is in good condition and the greens are quick and true. Not the most exciting course, no real risk/reward holes. Won't be in a rush to play again, and would be most annoyed if I had paid full whack for a round. Save your pennies up and have a jolly at Saunton instead.
The course is in good condition and the greens are quick and true. Not the most exciting course, no real risk/reward holes. Won't be in a rush to play again, and would be most annoyed if I had paid full whack for a round. Save your pennies up and have a jolly at Saunton instead.
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Show moreWilliam S rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Aug 24 2014
Course in good condition. Greens very fast, maybe too fast.
(Round played: Aug 2014 - Score: 104 Handicap: 20.7)
(Round played: Aug 2014 - Score: 104 Handicap: 20.7)
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Show moreWilliam S rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Oct 12 2013
A very good course with the wind the major challenge. It would be great if it had a driving range.
(Round played: Sep 2013 - Score: 92 Handicap: 24)
(Round played: Sep 2013 - Score: 92 Handicap: 24)
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The golf courses reviews are the personal opinions of members of Golfshake who completed a review after playing the course. These opinions do not necessarily represent the views of Golfshake.com
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Royal North Devon Golf Club Frequently Asked Questions
The following information is subject to change and based on the latest updates and checks on Golfshake from the golf club, golf facility or venue.
Is there a driving range at Royal North Devon Golf Club?
No, we are unaware of a driving range at this venue.
Is there a golf clubhouse at Royal North Devon Golf Club?
Yes there is a golf clubhouse at Royal North Devon Golf Club.
Is there a golf pro shop at Royal North Devon Golf Club?
Yes there is a golf pro shop which you can access prior to your round of golf or visit to the golf club.
Are there changing facilities at Royal North Devon Golf Club?
No, we are unaware of changing facilities at this venue.
No, we are unaware of being able to hire buggies here.
Can you hire golf clubs at Royal North Devon Golf Club?
No, we are unaware of being able to hire golf clubs here.
Is there a bar at Royal North Devon Golf Club?
Yes there is bar.
Is there a restaurant at Royal North Devon Golf Club?
Yes you can order food for dining at Royal North Devon Golf Club
Is there accommodation at Royal North Devon Golf Club?
No, we are unaware of accommodation being available.
Are there functions rooms available to hire at Royal North Devon Golf Club?
Yes there is the option to hire out function or conference rooms. Contact Royal North Devon Golf Club for further details.
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