Golf Courses in Cornwall
Golf Courses in Cornwall: Introduction
Cornwall is probably viewed as more of a holiday destination than one with a great golfing heritage. However, there are plenty of top courses to satiate the golfing appetites.
From top-quality links at Trevose and St Enodoc to inland courses such as Truro and Bowood Park. The latter was briefly featured in an episode of Doc Martin.
The Cornish county golf union currently has 29 affiliated clubs.
Courses Reviewed
I’ve not played that many courses in Cornwall, it was always too far for a day trip! Hopefully, now that I live “next door” in Devon I’ll be able to visit plenty more.
Bude & North Cornwall. An old-fashioned seaside links. A few too many rights of way for my liking!
Launceston. A pleasant well maintained parkland track.
Trethorne. Hilly but interesting parkland course with a hotel. Great value twilight golf.
Point at Polzeath. A few interesting holes but nothing to really write home about!
St. Mellion – Nicklaus Course. Played it a couple of times around 25 years ago and thought it was just as difficult as it seemed on TV in the 90s! It was home to the Benson & Hedges International on the European Tour.
Bowood Park Hotel & Golf Club. Most of the good holes come early in the front nine.
Newquay Golf Club. Traditional links designed by H.S.Colt. Beautiful location overlooking Fistral Beach.
St Enodoc. There are two courses here although the better one by far is the Church course. Arguably the best course in the county.
Courses Played
I was never much of one for taking photographs of courses so I’ll have to revisit this before I do a review on this site.
Carlyon Bay. I remember an enjoyable clifftop course although I had slept in the car due to not managing to find any accommodation!
Courses I haven’t Played Yet
Budock Vean, Cape Cornwall, China Fleet, Falmouth, Isles of Scilly, Lanhydrock, Looe, Merlin, Mullion, Perranporth, Porthpean, Radnor, St Austell, St Kew, Tehidy Park, Treloy, Trevose, Truro, West Cornwall, Whitsand Bay.
Public Golf Courses in Cornwall
Unlike certain parts of the country, there don’t appear to be any municipal facilities in Cornwall. However, there are a few pay-and-play venues and fortunately, almost all private courses in the UK will accept green fee visitors even if they might be a bit pricey.
How many golf courses are there in Cornwall?
There are currently 29 courses affiliated with the Cornish county golf union (as of June 2022).
Three of them are 36-hole facilities, Trevose, St. Enodoc and St. Mellion.
There are also 5 par-3 courses not affiliated with the county.
What are the best golf courses in Cornwall?
The Cornish courses that usually feature near the top of best-of lists include St. Enodoc (Church), Trevose (Championship), Perranporth, St. Mellion (Nicklaus) and West Cornwall.
Trevose is a favorite of former European Tour player Peter Baker who is now the Director of Golf at South Staffs G.C.
Is Cornwall good for golf?
Cornwall is a great place for a golfing holiday. There are great links courses at St. Enodoc and Trevose. Challenging former tour venues like St. Mellion and plenty of members courses to keep you going.
What is the oldest golf club in Cornwall?
West Cornwall is the oldest Cornish golf club. Founded in 1899 the club overlooks St. Ives Bay. One of the club’s former members is ‘Long’ Jim Barnes who managed to win 4 majors during the Great War and Second World War.
How hard is St. Mellion?
The obvious difficulty is off the tee. If you tend to be a bit wayward, you may be reloading quite a bit. There is also a bit of water here and there to catch you out.
The majority of the greens are surrounded by humps and bumps with run-off areas making chipping difficult particularly as there is quite thick rough a few paces from the putting surface.
Have any Cornish golf courses closed recently?
Newton St. Cyres has permanently closed and the land is now for sale for £700,000 ($856,000).
Ivyleaf par-3 course closed in 2021.
Killiow Golf Club near Truro closed in March 2020.
