Perranporth

There are not many championship standard links courses that have remained untouched since they were created. Perranporth is one of those... 

James Braid designed the golf course back in 1927, and the layout has stayed the same ever since, bringing the Cornish coastline into play. 

It is the southwestern most of the 100 courses on our England list, but you can easily mix in a few others in the region to make it a cracking golf trip! 

Visit Perranporth’s website here.

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The golf club was first established in 1927, and it was the great James Braid – five-time winner of the Open Championship – that designed the layout. 

Work began in January of that year, with the course incredibly being ready and open for play within 12 months, opening in December 1927. 

Since then, there have only been improvements to drainage and surfaces. The course layout has remained untouched. 

As it says on their website, Perranporth is “Cornwall’s Raw Natural Links”. Just from that sentence, you know what to expect from this James Braid layout, which has remained unchanged despite its century-long history. It is not the longest course in the world, measuring just shy of 6,300 yards from the Whites, and playing as a Par 72. However, with the winds whipping off the Celtic Sea, Perranporth certainly has its challenges for golfers of all abilities. 

Like the majority of links course, Perranporth is set out in two loops of nine. The opening half of the course is closer to the coast, with the inland nine coming as you make your way for home. It is a relatively gentle opening sequence to get you on your way at this Cornish venue. The 1st and 3rd are par 4s, neither being more than 380 yards, while the par 5 2nd is only 510 yards. Although it plays as a dog-leg left, and the green is hidden behind a mound for those taking it on in two, there are no bunkers in play on the 2nd.  

The first of three par 3s on the course comes at the 4th. It is 196 yards from the tips, but not the longest of the three that you will come to at Perranporth. The shortest hole on the course comes just a few moments later at the 6th, which plays less than 130 yards and on a different angle to the rest of the front nine, playing inwards instead of along the coast. In between those is the par 5 5th. At 530 yards, and arrow straight, this long hole presents the challenge of being able to keep the ball on the straight and narrow. Again, like the 4th, there are no bunkers to speak of, but that doesn’t mean that it will be too easy. Don’t be distracted by the view from the 5th tee, as you can see out over Perranporth Beach and out to the Celtic Sea, an especially beautiful view on a clear, sunny day. 

Three short par 4s bring you to the turn, with the 7th playing as a dog-leg left. The 8th is one of three par 4s to play around the 290-yard mark, and some will be tempted to take out the driver and have a crack.9 brings you back to the clubhouse, and once again, it is another dog-leg left. No bunkers in play on the 9th, along with a generous fairway, make this a good scoring opportunity. The back nine begins with another par 4 in a similar form, and another of around 360 yards, and again (you can sense a theme here) there are no bunkers. 

The 11th is the longest hole on the property, coming in at 565 yards from the tips. It plays as a slight dog-leg right from the tee, and only the very longest of hitters will stand a chance of going for the green in two. For most, it will be a true three-shotter, and one where a par is a good score. Following that are two good scoring holes. 12 is 320 yards, while the 13th is only 290 yards. Both are par 4s, and could be as little as an iron and a wedge for most. You might need to score on those two holes, as the 14th is the hardest hole at Perranporth, the Stroke Index 1. It is not the longest hole, at 390 yards, and again, there are no bunkers. However, there is a narrow landing zone off the tee, and you cannot see the green from the fairway. 

The closing stretch continues with the 15th, where bunkers finally reappear. There are three of them greenside, and that isn’t the only issue you’re going to face throughout the final few holes at Perranporth. 16 is the longest of the par 3s, playing 210 yards from the back tee. It is a wide enough green, but make sure you take enough club. 17 is just shy of 400 yards long, and again, has a generous putting surface, but if you find yourself on the wrong section of it, then a three-putt becomes a real possibility. The closing hole is another short one, at just 289 yards, but with a road dissecting the hole just short of the green, most will choose to play short before a flick of a wedge to the final green. 

Chris Myatt: Great fun from the 1st to 18th. Take your SkyCaddie!

David Walker: Unique, insane, bonkers but amazing – the blind shots add rather than detract

Craig Morrison: An absolute favourite of mine. Not perfect. But perfect joy

Read more about our panellists here.

Where is Perranporth Golf Club located?  

Perranporth Golf Club is actually the southwestern most venue to claim a place on the NCG Top 100s: England list. It sits just outside the town of Perranporth, while both Truro and Newquay are less than ten miles away. The golf club sits on the coastline of Cornwall, with Perranporth Beach running alongside a number of holes on the layout. The A30, which runs from Land’s End all the way through to west London, is just five miles from Perranporth Golf Club. 

Newquay and Truro are also the nearest two train stations to Perranporth. Newquay is at the end of a train line, with services running to and from Par, while Truro is on the line that runs trains to Penzance and Falmouth to the west, and to Plymouth, Cardiff Central and London Paddington to the east. Newquay Airport is just 15 miles from Perranporth Golf Club, with flights from Newquay mainly staying within the United Kingdom. For those travelling further afield, Bristol Airport is within a three-hour drive, while London Heathrow is closer to five hours east. 

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

With Perranporth being the southwestern more venue on the NCG Top 100s: England list, there aren’t too many golf courses that are in the region. St Enodoc and Trevose are the two closest golf courses which also earn a spot on the list, and the only two other golf courses within an hour of Perranporth by road. 

What golf facilities does Perranporth Golf Club offer?  

Along with the championship standard links course, Perranporth is also home to a practice area which runs parallel to the opening hole of the course. Although you have to collect your own golf balls, it gives golfers the opportunity to practice before taking to the course. There is also a putting green by the clubhouse for those finishing touches to your game. 

What are the green fees at Perranporth Golf Club?  

The price of a green fee at Perranporth Golf Club 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 Perranporth visit their website here.