Top 10 Courses in Cornwall

See New Article Published in July 2023 - 10 of The Best Golf Courses to Play in Cornwall

Following our recent 'best of' series which included '10 of the best in Cornwall' the guys over at Golf South West put together their thoughts on the top 10 courses in Cornwell. 

Golf South West are a specialist golf tour operator providing custom tours and packages in and around the South West so who better to provide the definitive must play in Cornwall.

St Enodoc Golf Course

Regularly ranked inside the World’s top 100 by independent reviewers, St Enodoc is one of the finest courses you are likely to play. This links course, is situated on the Northern Cornish coast with spectacular views overlooking the River Camel, Padstow and outwards into the Atlantic Ocean. St Enodoc is Cornwall’s pride and joy. Each hole feels unique due to the undulating terrain and with the tight fairways, courage and accuracy is a must if players want to make a good score.

There are so many delights it can be hard to narrow down a single highlight at this fantastic course, however the Himalaya bunker adorning the 6^th always sticks in the mind. One of the highest bunkers found on any course in Europe at around 70 ft!

Based in Rock, St Enodoc is easily accessible from Padstow, Newquay, Bude, Truro, Bodmin, Saltash & Launceston. Year round in spectacular condition, St Enodoc is a golfing paradise, one which every golfer should have on their bucket list.

Suggested hotel: Molesworth Arms, Wadebridge

St Mellion (Nicklaus) Golf Course

This is quite comfortably the best inland course in the South West of England. Okay you don’t get those ‘sea views’ that we all love so much, but this golf course does just fine without them!

The first European course personally designed by Jack Nicklaus himself. They’ve played host to major events such as; The Ladies British Open, St Mellion Trophy, Benson & Hedges International Open, and The English Amateur Championship.

St Mellion offers a real test of golf with tight fairways, sloping greens and tactically placed water hazards and bunkers.

The course is located just past Saltash on the A388 not too far from Plymouth, Liskeard and Tavistock.

Suggested hotel: On site 4* Hotel

Trevose (Championship) Golf & Country Course

The Championship Course at Trevose ranks as one of the top links in the British Isles.

Over recent years this great course has hosted many prestigious events such as; The Brabazon Trophy, The McGregor Trophy, and in 2017 it will host the English Men's County Finals.

The course is 7000 yards from the blue tees. It's set out in two loops of 9 holes, which is typical of a Harry Colt designed course.

An intimidating front nine, cuts through the sand dunes. Sounds of the Atlantic Ocean and views stretching for miles will really take your mind off the odd bogey!

The back 9 heads inland, back towards the clubhouse. Watch out if it is windy though, any good scores can be easily ruined on these testing holes!

When your battle with the golf has ceased, make sure to enter the fabulous, newly refurbished clubhouse! The 'Trevose Burger' will certainly top off the day!

Suggested hotel: On site Lodges & Apartments

Perranporth Golf Course

Probably one of the most underrated links courses in the South West. It’s situated just east of Perranporth and its well visited beach. The course delivers fantastic views of the town and Perran Bay.

The course designer James Braid really used all of his imagination when cutting the course into the high sandy dunes. With holes named: The Humpback, The Ridge and This Way and That, you know you’re in for an exciting round of golf! A par 72 only stretching 6300 yards, although if you play in the usual links conditions, you could find it can feel nearer to 7000!

Not far from Newquay, St Agnes and Truro. Perranporth is ideally placed just off from the A30 and easily found upon Budnic Hill.

Suggested hotel: Carnmarth Hotel

West Cornwall Golf Course

The oldest course in the Dutchy, being established in 1889, West Cornwall is surely one of the finest courses Cornwall has to offer. Running along the Atlantic coast there are stunning views across St Ives Bay from nearly every hole. As with many of Cornwall’s fine links, West Cornwall’s sand base makes it playable all year round!

Plays like a links course should with running fairways and lightning fast greens. This course is a challenge at the best of times but really bares its teeth in the wind.

The opening shot is a 200-yard par 3 from the tips setting up a strong front 9. The views get even more spectacular on the back 9 and the golf is a little more forgiving. However, with a few blind shots to contend with, pick the wrong line and you’ll be making numbers you’d rather not.

If you’re heading anywhere South of Newquay on your golf trip, West Cornwall is an unmissable delight and a fine classic links.

Suggested hotel: Tregenna Castle Resort, St Ives

Mullion Golf Course

The UK’s most Southerly golf course situated on the Lizard at the tip of Cornwall. This cliff top links course is the highlight of many a golfing holiday. Presented in traditional links fashion with fast fairways, slick greens and the ever presence of a breeze. Even when the going gets tough (and at Mullion it can) most golfers can take a step back and admire their location, atop the cliffs surrounded by spectacular views of dramatic coastal scenery.

Hardly a bad hole resides at Mullion, but holes worth a mention are the 6^th, a short by slippery downhill par 4 hole where the tee shot must be aimed to the left of the green to allow for a sloping fairway, and the 12^th, a dog leg par 4 to a “Augusta” like two tiered green.

With delightful holes at every tee, golfers rarely come away from Mullion with anything but a smile… despite what score your card may hold!

Suggested hotel: Mullion Cove Hotel, Mullion

Carlyon Bay Golf Course

Carlyon is a testing and lengthy Championship cliff top course located at the luxury resort of Carlyon Bay. 2016 saw Carlyon Bay become the 3^rd venue for the prestigious Cornish Festival and both on and off the course it’s easy to see why.

Overlooking St Austell Bay, Carlyon is blessed with phenomenal coastal views, quick and undulating greens and plenty of well-placed hazards. The opening 9/10 holes play right out along the cliff top whilst the rest of the course is played more inland with plenty of tree lined holes to contend with. The unusual mix of parkland and links golf make this a truly unique challenge.

Carlyon Bay is so much more than just a resort/holiday course. Measuring over 6500 yards with a par of 72 and a regular host to a stiff sea breeze this course is absolutely no push over. When the rough is cut down there can be a bit of forgiveness from the tees making the course suitable for any competent golfer. However, get the wind up and there won’t be too many bringing home 36 points!

The hotel also should have a mention. The 4* resort boasts luxury throughout and has great restaurants, spa and rooms. The service is also second to none.

Suggested hotel: On site 4* Hotel

Newquay Golf Course

Lying in the heart of Cornwall’s party town, Newquay Golf Club is a scenic course with wonderful views that overlook the Atlantic Ocean. Built behind the famous surf haven of Fistral beach this established links course is a joy to play and more than holds its own in this top 10. The greens are top quality, but miss them and there is more than likely a pot bunker ready for you and a tough up and down to contend with.

The course does have a few hidden fairway bunkers so a course planner may be a good idea the first time or some of your drives may be swallowed up.

Measuring just over 6100 from the tips this par 69 is challenging yet rewarding of good golf. Wispy, links rough acts as a barrier between holes, so keep the ball in the fairway!

Due to its location Newquay generally offers golfers quality all year round. There is no shortage of accommodation options within walking distance of the course and it is situated just a short stroll from the main town.

If we are away with the golf group in Cornwall, you can bet Newquay will be on the list.

Suggested hotel: Carnmarth Hotel, Newquay

Bowood Park Golf Course

A beautiful parkland layout which has been awarded Golf Monthly Magazines Gold Course Award, and with good reason. The course meanders through woodland and 26 lakes and ponds. Some wonderful highlights adorn the course as you work your way round this incredibly well designed track. Take on the 600 yard 7th before eventually finding the signature 12th, “Azalea”. This par 4 requires accuracy to the fairway with water running all the way down your right hand side, before a targeted approach will find a small and protected island green.

From the tips the par 72 runs 6,735 yards and is certainly no push over. The high spec USGA greens means the course is rarely forced to close its doors or even to utilise temporary greens and tees.

The 18th second shot gives you a view of the clubhouse allowing for a fantastic atmosphere, as you watch groups finish their round before retiring to the clubhouse bar.

Suggested hotel: On site 3* Hotel

Tehidy Park Golf Course

A mixture of holes awaits you with panoramic views over the Cornish countryside. This parkland course offers a challenge for all abilities. The front nine starts 'soft' with some shorter and more open holes, before gradually becoming more and more tree lined. By the time you've made it to the back nine you're already just trying to keep the ball in the fairway!

As they should be on every golf course, the greens are the highlight. Rolling true and at good pace.

Tehidy Park regularly holds county fixtures throughout the year, which proves its quality and is a fantastic parkland alternative to the high number of links courses neighboring this venue.

Easily accessed via the A30 just past Redruth. Tehidy sits on the border of the Godrevy National Trust.

Suggested hotel: Tyacks Hotel, Camborne

For more information on Golf South West and to organise your custom tour visit: www.golfsouthwest.co.uk