There’s something particularly satisfying about a golf break in Cornwall. The combination of Atlantic air, varied links, rolling parkland and Britain’s finest coastal scenery makes it an experience to remember.
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When researching the best golf courses in Cornwall, the north coast is an excellent place to begin. From famous links to gentler parkland layouts, the variety of golf Cornwall has on offer means there’s ample reason to bring the clubs on your next break.
St Enodoc Golf Course, Rock, Cornwall
The celebrated James Braid links at Rock, founded in 1890, combine traditional coastal golf with a dramatic landscape. The tiny 13th-century St Enodoc Church beside the 10th green gives the venue its name and adds a memorable feature. The course rolls through towering dunes overlooking the Camel Estuary, with Padstow visible across the water.
At the infamous sixth, the enormous “Himalayas” dune (estimated to be at least 45ft high) creates a blind approach, making accurate positioning from the tee essential. A world-ranked 18-hole championship links, St Enodoc’s is undoubtedly one of the standout Cornish golf courses.
The Point at Polzeath
Only a short distance north of Rock, The Point at Polzeath provides an interesting change of pace. An 18-hole course running through undulating countryside, it looks relatively manageable at first sight. However, stretching just under 6,300 yards from the back tees, the contours and changing character of the holes means it’s more demanding than its yardage suggests.
Alongside the course are a driving range and practice facilities, with equipment and buggy hire available. Dating from 1997, it is one of the newest golf clubs Cornwall has to offer.
Trevose Golf & Country Club, near Padstow
Travel west towards Padstow to discover Trevose, where classic championship links designed by Harry Colt opened in the 1920s. Running alongside a wonderfully exposed stretch of the Atlantic coast; on calm days, it’s simply exhilarating, but when the wind is strong, club selection and ball control become very interesting. Coastal conditions can quickly turn an apparently straightforward hole into a serious test!
From the back tees, the par-72 course stretches more than 7,000 yards. Among the golf courses near Padstow, Cornwall, Trevose is an obvious candidate for a visit. Golfers could easily combine it with St Enodoc and The Point for three very different days.
Bowood Park Golf Club, near Camelford
Bowood Park offers a refreshing inland alternative. Set within 230 acres of historic deer park near Camelford, the course has trees, elevation changes and carefully positioned hazards to replace dunes.
The first nine holes provide opportunities to settle into the round before the course becomes increasingly demanding. One particularly memorable feature is its island green, reached by a covered footbridge. This contrast is precisely what makes the region such an appealing destination, as the north Cornwall golf courses enable golfers to switch between very different playing environments during the same trip.
Bude & North Cornwall Golf Club
Continuing north, you’ll reach Bude & North Cornwall Golf Club, which traces its beginnings to 1891, when golfers played on Summerleaze Downs.
At just over 6,000 yards from the back markers, a golf course doesn’t need enormous length to remain interesting. Its compact setting between the town and coastline gives the layout an unusual character.
The 18-hole Par 71 layout, designed by Tom Dunn, is woven into the town of Bude. Known for an old-school links feel, you will navigate tight fairways, pot bunkers, bumpy ground and numerous blind tee shots. An excellent addition to the selection of golf courses North Cornwall offers, it particularly suits players who appreciate traditional courses where positioning and judgement matter more than distance.
Newquay Golf Club
Heading south west brings you to Newquay, where another historic links overlooks Fistral Beach. Newquay Golf Club dates from 1890, although the present course reflects Harry Colt’s 1908 redesign. Pot bunkers, changing lies and the need for accuracy give it character.
The ground slopes towards Fistral, yet the course doesn’t feel excessively strenuous to walk. It deserves consideration as one of the top golf courses Cornwall has to offer because it’s an enjoyable introduction to links golf for both beginners and experienced players, characterised by its well-kept greens and elevation changes.
Perranporth Golf Club
A little farther along the Atlantic coast lies Perranporth, where James Braid created a wonderfully natural links in 1927. The fairways rise, fall and twist through rugged dunes on high ground above Perran Bay. At 6,252 yards from the back tees and a par of 72, its challenge is not primarily about length, rather the uneven ground and need for imaginative shot-making that keeps golfers alert.
West Cornwall Golf Club, Near Hayle
West Cornwall Golf Club at Lelant, where play began in 1889, is arguably the county’s oldest club. Its coastal setting, near the Hayle Estuary, combines heritage with traditional seaside golf.
Its longevity alone makes it stand out among west Cornwall golf clubs, but the course is also unique featuring undulating fairways, tall sand dunes, blind tee shots and a quirky layout that runs alongside the local railway line.
Carlyon Bay Golf Club
Carlyon Bay’s championship course occupies a spectacular cliff-top setting overlooking St Austell Bay, with manicured fairways and greens complementing the location. Often described as a game of two halves, the opening ten to 13 holes run directly along the cliff edge, while the back stretch transitions into a parkland feel. Measuring around 6,597 yards, it is generally considered forgiving and not too punishing
Planning a golf trip
The choice of golf clubs in Cornwall is truly varied and a week’s break can encompass everything from rugged coastal links to polished championship golf, without ever leaving the county. Public golf courses in Cornwall welcome visitors, although checking tee-time policies and booking ahead is always sensible.