Bowood Park Hotel & Golf Club

Set in the heart of North Cornwall in 230 acres of rolling hills and woodland – in a designated area of Special Landscape Value – the Bowood Park Hotel and Golf Club once formed part of a 13th-century deer park owned by Edward, the Black Prince. Now home to a luxury 31-room, three-star hotel with an award-winning restaurant, Bowood is arguably the finest of all Cornish  resorts and home to a well-manicured, 18-hole parkland course. The par-72 layout measures 6,735-yards from the back sticks and is set up in a way which will maximise enjoyment for all standards of golfer.  It features superb greens, all built to USGA standards, and its excellent drainage system means the course rarely falls foul of even the most extreme weather conditions – the proper greens and tees are in full use even during the winter months. As many as 26 ponds as well as plenty of sand make Bowood a fantastic course for stronger player as well as being playable off tees further forward for the beginner or higher handicapper.  The 600-yard 7th certainly needs three of your best hits to reach the green and the signature 12th, The Azalea, is a challenging par 4 with an island green, reached by a characterful, covered wooden footbridge.  When you reach the 18th you are presented with a commanding view of the clubhouse, which is the perfect watering hole to look back upon what is sure to have been an enjoyable round. Sunny Cornwall is a popular tourist spot and with resorts such as this it is very easy to understand why. It is ideally situated for lots of nearby activities, including watersports, cycling and sightseeing – so Bowood Park should be top of your list when planning your next trip away.

Bowood features superb greens, all built to USGA standards, and its excellent drainage system means the course rarely falls foul of even the most extreme weather conditions.

Top Holes by Dan Murphy, editor

7th 643 yards, par 5 This is a par 5 to test both your brawn and brain. Hit your drive to favour the middle-left and direct your second to the right side of the fairway to open up the green for your third. A par 5 is always a good score here. 12th 385 yards, par 4 The signature hole requires two excellent shots to make the green. Play your first up the left for the best line to the putting green. The second has to be well struck to carry the water and, if in doubt, it is better to lay up and pitch on rather than risk getting wet.