Playing golf in Devon and Cornwall
Roadford Lake Lodges is the ideal place to stay if you are looking for a varied golfing holiday in Devon, or perhaps you have come on holiday and brought your sticks with you and fancy a game of golf while you are here. You are simply spoiled for choice regarding playing golf in Devon and Cornwall. To help in your decision-making, the table further down the page summarises the best twenty golfing options within an hour’s drive of Roadford Lake Lodges and in order of distance. Some however may be quicker to reach, despite the longer mileage, if the route involves better main roads.
Golf courses in Devon and Cornwall
The courses vary in maturity, with some being relative newcomers (20-40 yrs old), others established well over 100 years ago and steeped in history. This none more so than the Royal North Devon near Bideford which even has its own golf museum. A few have been designed by some of the greats of the golfing world, like Jack Nicklaus, Harry Vardon, Herbert Fowler, J F Abercromby and James Braid, and several feature in the top 100 courses of the UK with some truly memorable signature holes. It is no exaggeration to say that Devon and Cornwall have some of the most beautiful and varied courses in the country.
Parkland golf courses
The courses located nearest to the lodge are naturally Parkland courses, all of which are set in the heart of lovely farmland and lush green countryside with its woodland, rivers and fields. In fact, water hazards are the norm on these courses, no more so than at Bovey Castle where the River Bovey and its feeder streams come into play on all the first eight holes. Wonderful wildlife can also be appreciated whilst spending time in these tranquil havens. Please note that a few of these courses are 9-hole / 18 tee layouts.
Moorland golf courses
For a slightly different challenge, with fewer trees, there are two unique Moorlands Links courses at Tavistock and Yelverton. Whilst neither is easy, the latter is considerably more punishing should you leave the fairways, so pop a few extra balls in your bag if you book a round here. Both however are in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with sweeping vistas of adjacent Dartmoor, and there is the additional novelty of occasionally having to fashion shots over or through gatherings of ponies, cattle and sheep!
Golf courses by the sea
Slightly further away, one can head for the sea and there are many wonderful Links and clifftop courses on both North and South coasts. All offer stunning views and backdrops and, on a day when the wind is anything more than a breeze, all will test even the best golfers to their limits.
Many have excellent catering facilities and lovely clubhouses, which always enhance the golfing experience of a new course for the visitor. Some are also affiliated with high-end hotels and other recreational facilities such as gyms and spas.
Before you book
Most courses named in the table below do not require visitors to produce a Handicap Certificate but it is always worth enquiring about this when booking in case their rules have changed since this was written. Similarly, most of the clubs state that ‘usual dress standards apply’ (ie. smart casual) and all visitors are assured of a warm welcome. Some clubs also have linked affiliations so, if thinking of playing more than one course, it is worth enquiring about these to ensure the best value for money. If you have a County Card or you are a member of the Armed Forces, then discounts on green fees are often available too.
There are of course many, many other famous and stunning courses more than an hour’s drive from Roadford Lake Lodges, so this golf overview is by no means exhaustive. For more information regarding longer range alternatives please refer to:
Recommended holiday read: Devon Golf Clubs by Ross Salmon (1984). A handbook of twenty-six of Devon’s finest golf courses, some of which are within one hour of Roadford Lake Lodges.
The best 20 golfing options within an hour’s drive of
Roadford Lake Lodges
| Course | Description | Location | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trethorne Hotel & GC | 18 holes Parkland | Kennards Hse, Cornwall. PL15 8QE | 11 miles (~ 14 mins) | |
| Launceston GC | 18 holes Parkland | St Stevens, Cornwall. PL15 8HF | 11 miles (~ 18 mins) | Views of Dartmoor & Bodmin Moor |
| Ashbury Hotel & Golf Complex | 4 x 18 holes 18 hole Par 3 & 9 hole Academy | Nr Okehampton, Devon. EX20 4NA | 12 miles (~ 18 mins) | UK’s largest golf resort with views of Dartmoor |
| Holsworthy GC | 18 holes Parkland | Nr Holsworthy, Devon. EX22 6LP | 14 miles (~ 30 mins) | |
| Okehampton GC | 18 holes Parkland | Nr Okehampton, Devon. EX20 1EF | 15 miles (~ 20 mins) | Convenient and fun. Recommended |
| Tavistock GC | 18 holes Moorland Links | Tavistock, Devon. PL19 9AQ | 15 miles (~ 30 mins) | H’cap cert required |
| St Mellion Golf Resort | 2 x 18 holes Parkland | Nr Saltash, Cornwall. PL12 6SD | 21 miles (~ 35 mins) | Des - Nicklaus. Recommended |
| Yelverton GC | 18 holes Moorland Links | Yelverton, Devon. PL20 6BN | 21 miles (~ 40 mins) | H’cap cert preferred. Des - Herbert Fowler |
| Bude & N Cornwall GC | 18 holes Links | Bude, Cornwall. EX23 8DA | 22 miles (~ 42 mins) | North Coast. Log car reg on arrival |
| Great Torrington GC | 9 holes, 18 tees. Parkland | Nr Gt Torrington, Devon. EX38 7EZ | 24 miles (~ 48 mins) | |
| Bowood Park Hotel | 18 holes Parkland | Lanteglos, Cornwall. PL32 9RF | 26 miles (~ 38 mins) | |
| Bovey Castle Hotel | 18 holes Parkland | Nr Moretonhampstead, Devon. TQ13 8RE | 30 miles (~ 45 mins) | Des: J F Abercromby Recommended |
| Royal North Devon GC | 18 holes Links | Nr Bideford, Devon. EX39 1HD | 31 miles (~ 60 mins) | N Coast. ‘St Andrews of the South’. A must |
| Lanhydrock Hotel & GC | 18 holes Parkland | Nr Bodmin, Cornwall. PL30 5AQ | 32 miles (~ 40 mins) | In sheltered, wooded valley |
| Bovey Tracey Centre | 9 holes, 18 tees. Parkland | Nr Bovey Tracy. TQ13 9NG | 34 miles (~ 50 mins) | |
| Gillyflower GC | 9 holes, 18 tees. Eco-theme Parkland | Nr Lostwithiel, Cornwall. PL22 0HQ | 35 miles (~ 45 mins) | Jun - Oct only. Quirky |
| Libbaton GC | 18 holes. Parkland | Nr Umberleigh, Devon. EX37 9BS | 35 miles (~ 50 mins) | |
| Whitsand Bay GC | 18 holes. Cliff Top | Portwrinkle, Cornwall. PL11 3BU | 35 miles (~ 60 mins) | South Coast. Stunning backdrops |
| Looe GC | 18 holes. Parkland & Heath | Nr No Man’s Land, Cornwall. PL13 1PQ | 36 miles (~ 53 mins) | South Coast. Des: Harry Vardon |
| St Enodoc GC | 2 x 18 holes. Links | Rock, Cornwall. PL27 6LD | 39 miles (~ 60 mins) | N Coast. Camel Est. Des: James Braid |
Plan your adventures
A lodge holiday at
Roadford Lake
Explore the trails and cycle routes around the 250 acres of Roadford Lake in the Wolf Valley, with breathtaking views across the trees and open fields surrounding our Devon lake lodge. The ideal retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
An Unforgettable Escape. An Unbeatable Location.
Open all year round, our lodges are your gateway to the best of Devon and Cornwall. From the wild beauty of Dartmoor National Park (10 mins) to the golden sands of Bude (40 mins), it’s all on your doorstep.
Pricing Weekly stays for up to 6 guests start from just £874. That's less than £21 per person, per night for a luxury lodge experience.
Heron, Hornbeam and Snowdrop Lodges
Roadford Lake Lodges
Broadwoodwidger
Lifton
Devon
PL16 0RL
Contact Info
Book Your Stay Today