Golf Courses Near Bude
Who doesn’t love a nice weekend getaway on the coast? If your group enjoys the beach, loves water sports, and being outdoors, you should strongly consider visiting Bude.
Located on the North Cornwall coast, Bude is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK. There’s a good reason for it, with plenty on offer including; cycling, hiking, rock-climbing, fishing and horse riding.
Not interested in the exercise? That’s ok, you can relax on one of the beautiful beaches in the area. In other words, there is something for everyone – including golfers!
The unique location of Bude on the South West coast provides a spectacular setting for golf courses. There’s a number of golf courses in and around Bude with both coastal links and inland options. Below we take you through some of our favourites in the area.
Golf Courses in and around Bude
Take a short break from the family and play 18 holes or bring them along for the round. Here are some great courses in the Bude area.
Bude & North Cornwall Golf Club
Located right in town, Bude & North Cornwall Golf Club offers 18 holes of seaside links style golf. The club was founded in 1891 so it’s very much a mature golf course that is part of the coastline.
The course plays to a par 71 at just over 6,000 yards. You should expect tight lies and undulating fairways that will challenge all players. A great way to spend the afternoon.
Holsworthy Golf Club
Holsworthy Golf Club provides the golfer with an 18-hole parkland style course set further back in the countryside, offering stunning views across the Devon county. All skill levels will enjoy playing Holsworthy after a big project in 2012 was completed to improve the conditions of the course also making it playable all year round.
Ideally situated near Bude, Holsworthy staff pride themselves on being friendly and welcoming to both members and guests.
Launceston Golf Club
Launceston Golf Club caters to both members and out-of-town visitors to the Bude area. Flexible and reasonable green fees are what you should expect when you call for a tee time.
Launceston Golf Club is another course in the area steeped with history. Golf was played at this location starting in 1910 but was suspended during WWI. The course was re-designed and officially opened in 1927. Originally 9 holes, the course was extended to 18 in the early 1970s.
The club is situated more inland and is fairly elevated so offers excellent views over Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor alongside the local town and castle. All golfers are sure to enjoy their experience here.
Bowood Park Hotel & Golf Club
Interested in playing a newer golf course? Boxwood Park Golf Club is one of the younger courses in the area having been built in 1992.
The course plays to a par 72, measuring 6,692 yards for men and 5,700 for ladies. Set in what was once a 13th century deer park with spectacular rolling hills and woodland, the location is unique and the course contains 26 lakes and ponds in total! You will need to build your confidence before you reach the par-4 12th, a 385-yard hole that finishes with an island green.
Alongside the excellent course, Boxwood Park offers 10 covered bays for hitting balls and a large putting green which makes it an ideal place to practice or a great way to introduce the kids in the family to the game.
The club also offers an on site hotel situated in the clubhouse if you are interested in a “stay and play” package.
Trethorne Golf Club
Located close to Launceston Golf Club, Trethorne Golf Club also takes advantage of it’s more elevated inland location to offer breathtaking views across the local area.
The course has been recently extended to 6,375 yards from the championship tees, but there are shorter options if you prefer. There are many memorable holes on the course, but we think the par 3 8th will be the one you tell your golf mates about. It measures 205 yards from the back tee and is protected by a lake that goes right to the front of the green. Make sure you hit a little extra club and use the bank on the back of the green to help the ball collect near the pin!
Over the last 5 years, Trethorne Golf Club has made significant investments to improve their course, investing in drainage, tee refurbishments, and bunker redevelopment making the course playable all year round.
Take advantage of these improvements with a round of golf or a “stay-and-play” package at their hotel.
Golf courses close to Bude (if you’re willing to drive an hour or so)
Not afraid to make a day trip out of it? Although you have some excellent golf courses on your doorstep in Bude there are additional options for golfers if they are willing to take a short drive from the centre of Bude.
Some of these are world class courses that regularly feature in the UK & Ireland Top 100 golf courses, so if you’re in the area for once in a lifetime, be sure to check them out!
St Enodoc Golf Club
In most of the top golf courses in Cornwall guides, you will find St. Enodoc at the top. That’s because… well it’s pretty epic! Not only does it rank number one in Cornwall, it regularly ranks in the top 30 in the UK & Ireland and even in the top 100 golf courses in the world!
I’m not sure there’s much else I need to say to convince you to make the 50 minute drive from Bude, but maybe the fact that you will have your choice of two beautiful links style courses, with stunning sea views will push you over the edge.
The Church course is a James Braid design that holds all the accolades and the justified reputation as one of the finest links courses on the planet. The Church course has hosted several top amateur events, including the English Ladies Amateur Championships in 1993 and 2002 and the English Counties Championship in 1989 and 2005. How do you know it is a challenging layout? Well, the course record is 65 (only 4 under par).
If you’re not quite up for quite a challenging round, the Holywell course is much shorter, measuring 4,082 yards and plays to a par 63. While not as challenging as the Church course, it still offers plenty of excitement to golfers of all skill levels.
Royal North Devon
Another course in the area steeped in history, Royal North Devon was founded in 1864, making it the oldest golf course in the country, earning the nickname “St. Andrews of the South”. The course was originally designed by Old Tom Morris but has undergone renovations in recent years.
However, if you are looking to try classic links golf, then there’s nothing really purer than Royal North Devon and it’s definitely worth the 40 minute drive from Bude.
Saunton Golf Club
At Saunton Golf Club, just an hour away from Bude, you will find not one, but two courses that are both ranked in the top 100 courses in England.
The East course ranks higher and also features in the top 100 courses in the UK & Ireland, whilst the West course comes in slightly lower down the list. However, whilst the East course has long been considered the better track, recent adjustments to the West course have brought it up to a much closer level.
The East course dates back to 1920 and has hosted several Amateur Championships including the 1937 English Amateur and the R&A Boys Amateur in 2019.
Trevose Golf Club
There are three courses located at the Trevose Golf Club, located just an hour away from Bude. The Championship Course, the Headland Course, and the Short Course.
The Championship course at Trevose is considered one of England’s best links style courses, designed by H.S. Colt and the host of many prestigious amateur events.
The Headland course is a 9 hole course that was opened in 1993 by Peter Alliss. It will be less busy than the Championship course but it will still provide a wonderful way to enjoy your afternoon. Finally the Short course is perfect for juniors or beginners looking to play a low stress round.
Map of golf courses near Bude
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