Dartmouth Golf & Country Club

Dartmouth Golf & Country Club is one of the South-West's most comprehensive golf resorts, boasting two tremendous courses, both of which are constructed according to USGA technical principles to ensure their good condition throughout the year. Dartmouth has recently been included in Golf Monthly's list of Great Britain and Ireland's best 80 courses.

Championship Course - The par-72 Championship Course has hosted the West Region PGA Championships on no less than six occasions. The 7,200 yard layout is set up to provide a stern test for even the most skilled players, with strategically positioned tees making for difficult driving. No less than 12 water hazards are integrated into the course to guard the undulating greens and fairways.

Dartmouth Course - The par-66 Dartmouth Course is a more relaxing and manageable test than its neighbour, but is built and maintained to equally high standards. With water threatening on a number of occasions, the Dartmouth is no walk in the park, but is great for larger groups as it is suitable for all golfers.

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Elfordleigh Hotel, Golf & Leisure

Extensive redevelopment work has recently been completed on Elfordleigh's golf course, mostly focused on sharpening up the condition of the layout.

The tee boxes have been tastefully demarcated with new carved stonework, while much of the bunkering has been reshaped. The greatest change can be seen however around the turn, where the treacherous lakes that infringe upon the 11th and 12th holes have been extended to pose an even greater threat.

The 5,690 yard parkland course is delightfully scenic, and will undoubtedly be enjoyed by all those who make the journey South-West for a golf break at Elfordleigh.

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Woodbury Park Hotel, Golf & Country Club 4*

Woodbury Park has an excellent championship layout and an enjoyable nine-hole course, both set within 350 acres of Devon's luscious countryside and surrounded by towering mature woodland.

Oaks Course - The championship Oaks Course measures a mighty 7,314 yards at its fullest, and has established an enviable reputation as one of the best in the South-West. J. Hamilton-Stutt's layout is carved through the wonderful oaks that characterise the estate itself, and will present a considerable test for even the most talented golfers. The putting surfaces are guarded by expanses of sand, and are constructed to European Tour standards. The quality of the Oaks was underlined in 2003 when the course was selected to host a Seniors Tour championship.

Acorns Course - The nine-hole Acorns Course provides the perfect opportunity for a relaxing round if the lengthy Oaks seems too daunting, and is also ideal for those still learning the game. The joy of the Acorns is that its greens are maintained to the same high standard as its neighbour, while the views over the Exe Valley are truly memorable.

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Bovey Castle 5*

Since its official inauguration in 1926, Bovey Castle's Old Course has been consistently regarded as one of the best inland challenges in the South-West and beyond. The course is set within the beautiful parkland of the Dartmoor National Park, and was originally conceived by the revered J.F. Abercromby as a sister course to the world-renowned Gleneagles and Turnberry, but has since been revised by designers Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie.

Although it has always been a course of considerable repute, Bovey Castle has greatly benefited from recent investment to improve both its condition and appearance; the drainage and irrigation systems have been completely overhauled, new tee boxes added and many of the bunkers and greens have been reworked.

The resultant 6,303 yard championship layout befits the grandeur of the estate, and is a real gem of a course.

Against the backdrop of the Bovey and Bowden Rivers, which golfers must negotiate frequently, Bovey Castle has been restored to its former glory and is among England's most luxurious destinations for a golf break.

The warm and welcoming clubhouse stands above the opening hole at Bovey Castle, and is the perfect place to enjoy breakfast and lunch, or to analyse the day's golf with friends over a well-earned drink.

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Saunton Sands Hotel & Golf Club

The tremendous hotel is on the doorstep of Saunton Golf Club, home to two of England's best links courses. It has been asserted by many that if the Royal & Ancient was to add to the Open Championship rotation, Saunton would feature high on a list of potential venues.

East Course - Herbert Fowler's East Course is ranked just outside England's top ten, and at 6,700 yards it provides a stern test to even the most skilled golfers. The rugged sand dunes of Braunton Burrows are the setting for this fine golfing destination, a site that has been designated as being of international importance by UNESCO. The real challenge of the East comes in the shape of the tough par-4s, eight of which measure over 400 yards, while the charm of the course is accentuated by the feeling that every hole is cut distinctly through the dunes.

West Course - The West Course was originally opened in the 1930s, but was used as a training field during the Second World War and subsequently lay dormant for some 40 years until the esteemed Frank Pennink revived it in 1975. The West may be shorter than the more prestigious East Course, but it remains a considerable test, with a network of burns and streams interspersed through the dunes.

Both courses are reputed to boast some of the finest putting surfaces in England, and together they represent a truly terrific links golf destination.