Step into the cradle of English golf at Royal North Devon, where Old Tom Morris laid out the nation's oldest golf course in 1864 on the windswept Northam Burrows. This is links golf in its purest, most authentic form—treeless, minimalist, and utterly uncompromising. The front nine hugs the dramatic Atlantic coastline with panoramic ocean views that stretch for 270 degrees from the 6th tee, while the back nine ventures inland through common land where sheep and wild horses graze freely (yes, they truly have life membership). Playing here feels like stepping through a portal into golf's earliest days: there are no fancy markings, just simple 150-yard rocks for distance, fairways that blend impossibly with the terrain, and hazards that punish indecision. The famous 4th hole features the Cape bunker—possibly the world's widest—framed by massive railway sleepers that loom like medieval fortifications. Sea rushes, pot bunkers, burns, and mysterious hummocks create a puzzle that demands respect and humility.
Yet beneath the course's austere appearance lies a subtle genius. The greens are immaculate and reward precision, the routing never repeats a direction more than twice, and the endless variety of challenges makes each round feel like a new expedition. From the clubhouse—a treasure trove of golfing artifacts rivaled only by St. Andrews—you can admire memorabilia from legends like J.H. Taylor, who began as a local caddie and went on to win five Open Championships.
This is golf the way it was meant to be played: challenging, humbling, and utterly unforgettable. Groups come away forever changed by the experience, having shared something genuinely rare in modern golf—a connection to the game's authentic soul.
The historic main course, redesigned by Herbert Fowler in 1908, featuring dramatic coastal routing and authentic links hazards.
A modern 2018 addition, this par-21 short course provides a fun warm-up or practice opportunity without compromising the main course experience.