Minehead & West Somerset

Minehead & West Somerset Golf Club is the oldest golfing venue in the county of Somerset, and has remained on its original layout throughout its history.

The club dates back to 1882, and is situated on the Somerset coastline, with incredible views out to sea.

For the most part, M&WS is a links course, but the layout also has parkland characteristics, making it a great day out for golfers of all abilities.

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Minehead & West Somerset Golf Club is the oldest golf club in the county of Somerset, having been founded back in 1882.

To this day, more than 140 years on, members and guests at Minehead & West Somerset are still playing on the same course.

The course has played host to several big amateur competitions throughout its history, including the Somerset County Championship on many occasions.

Minehead & West Somerset is predominantly a links course, but there are some parkland characteristics to this layout as well. At 6,230 yards, and playing as a par 72, Minehead & West Somerset is not the longest course, but it is a great test of golf, and surrounded by the glorious views of the Brendon Hills and out to sea as well.

It begins with a gentle par 4, one of only 250 yards, and a cracking birdie opportunity to get you on your way. Some will take it on, but considering it will be your first swing in anger of the day, the safe play might well be to lay up to the right of the fairway bunker before knocking it on to the long and narrow putting surface. 2 and 3 are longer par 4s, but both still shy of the 390-yard mark. They play in opposite directions, with the 2nd taking you towards the coast, before the 3rd brings you back inland. Both have generous fairways, allowing you to hit driver with all your might. The 2nd has three greenside bunkers, while the putting surface on the 3rd is very narrow, and difficult to find from distance.

The 4th is the first of four par 3s. It is 185 yards, and plays over a stream but that should not be in play. The green is guarded by three bunkers, while there are also trees and the boundary of the property behind the surface. The 5th is the first par 5, and at just 465 yards from the tips, this is a good scoring chance. Keep your drive out to the left to avoid the handful of trees down the right, and then take your chance at the green. Two bunkers sit in front of the surface, but there is the space between them to run your approach up. The 6th is only 305 yards, and at this point, you are into the parkland section of the course. A bunker on either side of the green is the only real danger on 6, as you have the chance to add another circle to your card. The 7th is the longest hole on the property, at 530 yards. This par 5 is tricky, and anything too far right off the tee will see you reaching into your bag for another ball. Two bunkers are in the centre of the fairway in the lay up zone, while there are four more bunkers to the left of the green.

A pair of testing par 4s bring you to the turn, with both 8 and 9 having out of bounds down their right side. The 8th fairway is generous, so aim down the left if you are worried about pushing your tee shot. Behind the green, there is a stream, so make sure you know your distances. The 9th is the Stroke Index 1 at Minehead & West Somerset, and measures more than 410 yards. Again, keep it left off the tee, before trying to avoid the three traps protecting the putting surface. The 10th is a great par 3. It is only 160 yards, and features four large bunkers in front of the green. Distance control is crucial on your approach. From there, you play the majority of the back nine along the coastline. The 11th is the first par 5 on the back side, and at less than 500 yards, it could be reachable in two depending on the wind direction. Anything right will find itself on the beach, but a stream also comes into play down the left in the latter half of the 11th.

12 is one of the toughest holes at M&WS, pushing past 420 yards. Again, right is sandy, so keep your tee shot down the left side of the fairway. The green, which sits right next to the 7th green, is well protected by bunkers. 13 sees you move slightly back inland, and as long as you can avoid the three bunkers that sit across the fairway. The 14th is the shortest hole on the course. Although only 150 yards, thanks to the six bunkers in proximity of the putting surface, this is a tricky prospect. 15 takes you back down to the coast ahead of the final three holes. A slight dog-leg par 4, at only 308 yards, it is the Stroke Index 18. Left of the fairway is fine, while right there are two fairway traps to avoid. Four more bunkers are by the green, while you have the backdrop of the coastline behind this surface.

As it was at 11 and 12, throughout the final three, anything right off the tee will spell trouble. However, to the left, there are six fairway bunkers dotted down the 16th. The green is right by the coastline, and two more traps guard it. At 515 yards, the 16th will be a three-shotter for most. 17 is a good scoring opportunity at just 330 yards, and the penultimate hole features a very generous fairway. Driver might not necessarily be needed, especially if the wind is behind. The closing hole at Minehead & West Somerset is the longest of the par 3s, at 213 yards from the tips. It is played with the beach and bay to your right, while the green itself is long and wide. Be wary, as the clubhouse sits to the back left of this green, with everyone watching on for your final few shots.

Where is Minehead & West Somerset located?

As the name suggests, Minehead & West Somerset Golf Club is located in the county of Somerset, in the southwest of England. It sits on the coastline of the country, with Minehead Beach along its northern side. The town of Minehead is less than a mile from the entrance to the club. Bristol and Exeter are the two nearest cities, but both are at least 90 minutes from M&WS. The A39 and A396 both run to Minehead, with the former running east to the M5.

Both Bristol and Exeter have their own airports, with the former being the biggest airport in the southwest of England. Bristol Airport is 50 miles from Minehead & West Somerset, while the country’s busiest airport – London Heathrow – is some 165 miles away via the M4. The nearest train station to M&WS is in Taunton, which is 25 miles away.

Are there any NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?

Minehead & West Somerset is at least an hours’ drive for the closest venue on the NCG Top 100s: England list. Burnham & Berrow is the nearest to the east, while both Royal North Devon and Saunton’s East and West Courses are around a 90-minute drive to the west. East Devon is a similar drive to the south.

What golf facilities does Minehead & West Somerset offer?

Due to its proximity to the coastline, Minehead & West Somerset does not have the space for its own driving range. Instead, there are hitting nets to allow you to warm up prior to a round. There is a short game area as well, along with a putting green.

What are the green fees at Minehead & West Somerset?

The price of a green fee at Minehead & West Somerset changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Minehead & West Somerset, visit their website here.