New kid on the block, George Tunbridge is telling me of his grand plans for St Enodoc Golf Club, the Cornish links gem that has recently climbed into the top-50 in the world rankings.
“We want people to come here and fall in love with St Enodoc, but we also want them to come and explore the incredible courses elsewhere in the region,” he says. George may only have been 26 when he took over as General Manager of St Enodoc in the summer of 2024 but “from day one” has been in talks with his colleagues at Trevose and nearby Perranporth about putting together enticing packages to attract wandering golfers to this stunning corner of England.
And who can blame him? In Trevose and Perranporth, St Enodoc has some wonderful bedfellows, with each featuring highly in recent rankings. Of course, all top-100 lists are subjective, but regardless of that, a three-course, 48-hour trip to play these three beautiful Cornish links was too good to pass on.
St Enodoc Golf Club, Trevose and Perranporth: three of the best
Just 30 miles separate St Enodoc Golf Club in Rock, on the Camel Estuary, from the seaside town of Perranporth and its rugged cliff-top golf course. Trevose Golf and Country Club lies betwixt the two and has a variety of accommodation options to accompany its charming championship course. Geographically it’s a perfect triumvirate for a golf trip with St Enodoc Golf Club’s Church course clearly the jewel. Former poet laureate Sir John Betjeman loved this place so much he wrote a poem in 1953 about a rare birdie on the 13th, and called it Seaside Golf. The final line reads ‘and splendour, splendour everywhere’, neatly summing up a sublime 18 holes.
He is buried in the cemetery attached to the 800-year-old St Enodoc church, which was saved from rising sand dunes in the middle of the 19th century, and the course takes its name from. While the 1st is as archetypal links as you’ll get, with a crumpled fairway flanked to the right by high dunes, the 6th is the standout hole. The cavernous Himalaya bunker dominates the fairway and your thinking off the tee. But while many players aim left and take their chances in the rough, I followed architect James Braid’s vision, which was to play short and leave a blind second over the yellow scar, into a bowl of a green. For once, my execution was perfect and I’d like to think Braid was giving me a nod of approval as I tapped in for par.
Signature Holes at St Enodoc Golf Club
The 10th, which plays towards the church, is the most famous and feared hole at St Enodoc Golf Club. A precise tee shot over a ravine is required to hit a wafer-thin fairway. The second must then be worked in off the line of the church, which lies to the right of the green. Anything left is wet and lost. After meandering through the dunes on the front nine, the 10th marks the start of a more heathland hinterland, before emerging back out on the coast for the trio of holes that take you back to a bright and airy clubhouse for those all-important post-round deliberations.
Five-time Open champion Braid also put his name to Perranporth. It could not be more different. It’s eccentric. It’s golf in its rawest form. And I walked off the 18th with a smile as wide as the bay the course overlooks. There are blind tee shots, blind second shots, driveable par-fours. Should you plot your way round, or just grip it and rip it? It’s a non-stop rollercoaster of fun. The 3rd is a delightful par-four, playing down into a valley off the tee with your second up to an elevated green. The next is a largely blind par-3, with just a black and white pole to aim at. The direction off the par-5 5th tee is also guided by a pole as you send your drive over a dune and cross your fingers. For a first-timer it could be unsettling. I found it freed up my game.
The greens on the par-4 12th and 13th holes could be chased by the longer hitters, with a more sensible option being to lay up and trust your short game. The 14th is called ‘Braid’s Best’ and is a terrific two-shotter, playing to another elevated green with a false front. Such is the topography of the land that Braid’s original design had zero bunkers. A handful have been added over the years to collect errant shots but Nathan Gilpin, who took over as general manager in 2023, is questioning their future.
Trevose a perfect base for Cornwall golf trip
Like Tunbridge at St Enodoc, Gilpin is a forward-thinking GM who knows the importance of the tourist to coastal courses but has to balance that with looking after his members as he ponders course alterations. And like Braid was one of the great triumvirate of players alongside Harry Vardon and JH Taylor, Cornish golf have a tourism trio in Gilpin, Tunbridge and Trevose’s Nick Gammon. The Gammon family have run Trevose for 70 of its 100-year existence, with Nick being in situ for the past 23 of them and like St Enodoc and Perranporth, it had a wonderfully welcoming feel to it. Trevose has recently undergone some significant changes to Harry Colt’s original layout, although his two distinctive nines – the first hugging the coast, the second winding back inland towards the clubhouse – have remained. And while the championship course benefits from wide fairways and short rough to keep the pace of play high, don’t be fooled into thinking this is easy holiday golf.
Renowned architects McKenzie & Ebert were charged with reshaping bunkers and tinkering with green surrounds. The signature 4th hole, which finishes almost on the sandy shore of Booby’s Bay, had the biggest upheaval with new tees, bunkers and an undulating green sculpted out of the landscape. There is also a short nine-hole Headland course and a par-3 course should the short game require a tune-up.
Trevose can accommodate 130 people spread across a variety of self-catering dormy flats, lodges and cottages, while the clubhouse offers both informal and more formal dining. Padstow, renowned for celebrity chef Rick Stein’s seafood restaurant, and its bustling pubs, is a short drive away. An on-site swimming pool, tennis and padel courts offer sporting variety, further cementing Trevose as an ideal base for a 48-hour three-course getaway. I was contemplating all this as I watched the sun slowly sink in the evening sky from the patio outside the clubhouse, before retiring to my flat for one last look at the views stretching out towards Trevose Head and the Quies Rocks in the Atlantic Ocean. The ‘prize’ for winning the singles was to organise the next trip. I think I know where I might be heading should I emerge as this year’s champion.
*Peter Scrivener was staying as a guest at Trevose Golf and Country Club.
*For more information or to book visit St Enodoc, Trevose or Perranporth Golf Club.
Golf Courses in Cornwall Map
St Enodoc Golf Club scorecard
Perranporth Golf Club Scorecard
Key Facts: St Enodoc Golf Club and Cornwall links
Why Cornwall for Golf?
Cornwall offers some of the UK’s most spectacular links courses, blending dramatic coastal landscapes with world-class designs. From the dunes of St Enodoc Golf Club, the raw beauty of Perranporth and the resort feel of Trevose, the region is a true golfing destination.
St Enodoc Golf Club
Location
Rock, on the Camel Estuary in North Cornwall
Courses
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The Church Course – A world top-50 links, historic and breathtaking
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The Holywell Course – A shorter, more forgiving layout perfect for all abilities
Signature Holes
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6th Hole – Himalaya Bunker: Iconic par 4 with one of golf’s largest bunkers
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10th Hole – St Enodoc Church: A thrilling approach to a green overlooked by the ancient church
Visitor Information
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Green Fees: £100–£150 (seasonal)
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Access: Open to visitors all year, with online tee booking
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Facilities: Clubhouse with estuary views, dining, practice areas, pro shop
Other Must-Play Courses in Cornwall
Perranporth Golf Club
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James Braid design, wild and rugged with blind shots and exhilarating elevation changes
Trevose Golf & Country Club
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Harry Colt masterpiece with resort facilities, accommodation, and stunning coastal holes
Why Play Cornwall’s Golf Trail?
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Three world-class links within 30 miles
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Mix of history, challenge, and scenic beauty
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Ideal for golf society trips and short breaks
St Enodoc Golf Club & Cornwall Golf: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is St Enodoc Golf Club located?
St Enodoc Golf Club sits in the village of Rock, overlooking the Camel Estuary in North Cornwall. It offers stunning views across the water to Padstow and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
Is St Enodoc Golf Club open to visitors?
Yes. Visitors are welcome year-round, with tee times available to book online via the club’s official website. Advance booking is highly recommended, especially in summer.
What is the green fee at St Enodoc Golf Club?
Green fees typically range from £100–£150, depending on the season. Discounts may apply for county card holders and reciprocal arrangements.
What makes the Church Course at St Enodoc so special?
The Church Course is ranked among the world’s top 50 links. It’s famous for its dramatic dunes, the legendary Himalaya bunker, and the historic St Enodoc Church, which sits beside the 10th green.
Are there other golf courses to play nearby?
Yes. Within 30 miles, you can play Perranporth Golf Club, known for its wild and rugged charm, and Trevose Golf & Country Club, a Harry Colt design with on-site accommodation and resort facilities.
Can I stay near St Enodoc Golf Club?
Trevose also offers a hige variety of on-site lodges, making it an ideal base for a Cornish golf break.
When is the best time to play golf in Cornwall?
Spring through early autumn (April–October) offers the best weather, but Cornwall’s links courses are playable year-round thanks to their sandy turf and excellent drainage.
Why is Cornwall a great golf destination?
Cornwall combines world-class links golf with breathtaking coastal scenery, rich history, and excellent food – making it a must-visit region for golfers seeking a unique experience.
