Welcome to UK-GolfGuide's page which contains feedback from site users who have played at Saunton Golf Club.

Whilst UK-GolfGuide.com attempts to turf out the more unhelpful or just plain daft contributions, some may slip through. If you have played the course or hold a different opinion to those of the contributors, feel free to use the Add your Comments icon to provide a broader spread of views. If you have a gripe with the club then take it up with them directly - please don't use this facility for airing grievances!.

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James Gray (England) 30/06/08

I recently visited the area and decided to take the opportunity to play the East course. I am pleased to say it was a fantastic experience. The course is set up beautifully with a good mix of par 3's,4's & 5's. The stroke index was a true reflection on the hole difficulty. I also was fortunate enough to meet one of the members who kindly asked me to join him for a game. He gave me a good insight into each hole and was a credit to the course. I thought the twilight rate of 35 pounds was excellant value and the staff throughout were wonderfully helpful. I can honestly say this was one of my best golfing experiences in the U.K. and i shall most definately be visiting the course again.

Value for Money	9
Challenge	10
Off Course	10

'Young P' (England) 27/10/07

West Course

If anyone comes to do the East and doesn't take in the West while they’re in town it's frankly their loss.

There's no doubt (as a previous ranking in Golf World's Top 100 Courses in UK & Ire testifies), this is a very good course in its own right.

No it's not as hard as the East. But in places it's tighter and some of the greens are more sloping. In short, it's more than difficult enough.

When it comes to 36 holes of golf, I don't think there are more than half four or five places in the entire country that beat Saunton.

8.5/10

'Young P' (h/c 9)

Value for Money	7
Challenge	7
Off Course	8

Richard Davies (England) 08/08/07

August 2007, played West course in the morning and East in the afternoon. Firstly £85 for a days golf is not cheap, though it did include a basic lunch, but then to have to pay £3 for a course planner for each course seemed a trifle mean.

These are exceptional courses, but they are both also extremely difficult. The fairways are narrow, the rough thick and lush, and if you are more then a yard or two off the fairway dont bother looking for your ball. Of the two the East is superior, but the West would be a magnificent course anywhere.

These are courses for good players and if its fun seaside golf you are looking for, save your cash and all your balls and head elsewhere. But if you are playing at the top of your game and your handicap is less than 16 these two course will prove the most demanding test I have so far encountered. Are they enjoyable? I leave it to each person to decide what makes a great golf course. Im glad I played them, but would hesitate to return.

Value for Money	2
Challenge	9
Off Course	7

A Golfer (England) 21/09/06

Played the West Course in the Morning and then the East after lunch.

The welcome at the pro shop was extremely professional, and warm - exactly what you would expect at such a venue - congratulatioins to the staff.

The West course has quick greens, some blind shots, and is a good links course in it's own right.

The West Course is simply stunning, with the best greens I have ever putted on. Each hole is a delight, and the 17th hole par 3 must be one of the best holes I've ever seen.

Lunch is included, and is also very good.

You must go and play this golf course!!!

Value for Money	9
Challenge	10
Off Course	9

marcus newcombe (England) 02/04/06

what a great golf course,you have no error for judgement,the greens are quick and true,off the back tees it is real test and you really need to be hitting your driver well,the first hole just sets the course up and you think what is out there,the last 4 holes are a great finish.

Value for Money	7
Challenge	10
Off Course	0

Young P (England) 09/06/05

Saunton (East Course)

The East is the Championship Course at Saunton and is pure links golf that kept me gripped from start to finish. Set a mile or so in from the sea, in the lee of the unique Braunton Burrows, it presents a serious challenge but without 'beating you up' like some monster links layouts. Instead, Saunton is a course that entices and plays with you - while simultaneously putting the squeeze on all aspects of your game.

Standing high up on the first tee, you're presented with a stunning vista of the links. The psychopathic first hole (470 yard par 4) would keep Nick Faldo happy, with his "fail to prepare, prepare to fail" philosophy and stated dislike of 'ease-yourself-into-the-round' openers.

The tough opening continues over the next three holes. The third (367 yards), in particular, is an absolutely superb par four where both the tee shot and approach are semi-blind, the latter deceptively played over 'dead' ground which can easily fool you into underclubbing.

At only 113 yards, the fifth is one of the shortest par 3s (at this level at least) that you'll come across but is symptomatic of Herbert Fowler's brilliant design skills (which also extended to Royal Lytham, Walton Heath and The Berkshire). After the almost inevitable struggles of the first four holes, the temptation is to really 'go' for it. And, with the prevailing wind almost unknowingly assisting you on this hole, before you know it you're over the back and facing a bogey at best. Anything short, left or right is also in big trouble.

From here on, the course is set as much amongst the natural grasses as the towering sand dunes. Relatively speaking, the holes around the turn are where your score needs to be made. But there are still any number of challenges to overcome, including a big dune which lurks unerringly close to the tee boxes on the par 4 eighth, appropriately called 'Sandhill' (357 yards).

The tenth is typical of how Fowler loved to exploit the landscape's natural opportunities for both raised tees and raised greens, in a way that's very reminiscent of The Berkshire.

I didn't like the 11th, which borders a field for the second half, but that's followed by another tough par 4 (396 yards) and then a stunning par 3 (138 yards), which inevitably plays longer than its yardage and where the green almost floats above the surrounding sand grasses.

The finishing holes are a fitting climax to the round and even tougher than the start. The sixteenth is an amazing par 4 (406 yards) with a blind drive and a fairway that just keeps arcing around to the left. Bernard Darwin included it in his composite best 18 holes - say no more.

The seventeenth (186 yards) is a par 3 which plays straight into the prevailing wind, I imagine making it usually around 210 yards. Then the eighteenth (387) yards is a very challenging uphill par four with a difficult blind drive and green suitably poised in front of the clubhouse.

Among the downsides, the range is small and limited to irons only, although there is a good short game practice area. For a links course, we also found the greens relatively slow. But the biggest shame of all is that, IMHO, the East Course is too short and, in places, too quirky to host The Open.

However, for any serious golfer this is an absolute classic that cannot be missed (and at £35 for a twilight rate is also an unbelievable bargain!)

9.6/10

'Young P'

Value for Money	10
Challenge	9
Off Course	8