The East Course

Saunton Golf Club occupies the Braunton Burrows — an extensive dune system on the North Devon coast that forms one of the most significant sand dune habitats in England and provides the foundation for 36 holes of genuine dune links golf. The East Course is the flagship: a layout of significant quality that stretches to over 6,700 yards and plays to a par of 71, winding through the burrows with holes that use the natural terrain with intelligence and economy.

The fairways are firm and fast in summer — the ball runs considerably further than the yardage suggests, and approach shots that are not precisely judged for the slope and speed of the ground will bounce through greens that sit on elevated platforms surrounded by deep rough. The East Course rewards golfers who understand how to manage a links and penalises those who apply inland assumptions to the shot-making decisions. It is a proper test and an entirely honest one.

The West Course

The West Course, shorter than the East at around 6,300 yards, is a well-designed complement that provides an excellent second day’s golf for those staying in the area. Less dramatic in its use of the terrain, the West is more accessible for higher handicappers and provides a welcome contrast in character to the more demanding East. Together, 36 holes at Saunton represents as good a two-day links golf experience as the South West offers.

Saunton Sands Hotel

The Saunton Sands Hotel sits adjacent to the golf club on the cliff above the beach — a large, well-run leisure hotel with pool, spa facilities and direct access to both courses. While it does not match the more intimate luxury of Boringdon Hall or a Cornish country house, the combination of location, golf access and leisure facilities makes it the most practical Stay · Play · Recover base for a Saunton golf break.