Yelverton

Yelverton Golf Club is the leading golfing venue near Plymouth, playing across both sides of the A386 in the western part of Devon. 

It is one of several venues in the region to be designed by Herbert Fowler, with Yelverton also having James Braid come in as part of a redesign to the course in the 1930s. 

The course sits on either side of the A386, and incorporates the typical Fowler quirks, with a sprinkling of Braid’s genius.

Visit Yelverton’s website here.

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Yelverton Golf Club was founded in 1904, originally just being a 9-hole course. It was extended to 18 holes in 1911, but the First World Ward saw the course return to its original agricultural use. 

Herbert Fowler, who had designed the original layout, was brought in following the conclusion of the Great War, with the course officially being opened in the early 1920s. The clubhouse, which remains to this day, was built a few years later. 

Between 1934 and 1936 James Braid redesigned a few holes on the back nine, complementing Fowler’s initial design, and the course has matured and developed since then. 

In recent years, the course has played host to the EGU Men’s Senior Amateur Championships and the Devon Men's and Ladies Amateur Championship. 

With incredible views across Devon and Cornwall, members and guests alike will enjoy a round at Yelverton. Fowler, followed by Braid, left some of the old mine workings as part of the course, using them as natural hazards. At times, the course is heavily tree-lined, while at others, there are wide open spaces to enjoy. It is a course that has a little bit of everything, and at 6,300 yards, it is also not the longest for a par 71. 

The course begins with just the one hole on the western side of the A386, and the course starts with a par 3, unlike most others. It is a long one though, pushing past the 200-yard mark. Three bunkers guard the putting surface, before you cross the road to play the rest of the course. The 2nd is a long par 4, but once you get through that, you are rewarded with two very good birdie chances. The 3rd is drivable for some at just 280 yards, but with four bunkers around 40 yards short of the green, most will lay up short and then just have a flick of a wedge to the green. 4 is not much longer and has a wide fairway to find. Driver might be the play here, and then you’ll have the same flick to the surface. 

The 5th is the opening par 5 at Yelverton, and has another wide fairway that you can attack with driver. There is a ditch than runs across the fairway close to the green, so if you are trying to take it on with your second shot, make sure you have enough club. 6 is the shortest hole on the course, at just 150 yards. It plays slightly downhill to a round green, one guarded by clumps of gorse on the left and a bunker on the right. The tough 7th hole, with thick gorse sitting behind the green, leads you to the longest hole on the property – the 568-yard par 5 8th. Although pretty straight, there is plenty of trouble to watch out for. A ditch running across the fairway might see some people lay up short, turning it into a proper three-shotter. The green has no bunkers guarding it, but anything long will be in trouble in thick gorse. 

The 9th is another short par 4, and at just 285 yards, it is drivable. However, with three bunkers and a stream in front of the putting surface, is it worth the risk? The back nine begins with a tough par 4, with that same stream cutting across early, running down the left side and then cutting back across the fairway close to the green. 11 is the last of the par 5s at Yelverton, and barring the trees on either side, this is a great birdie chance. Six bunkers guard the 12th green, the first of two par 3s on the back nine, with the 13th having a huge fairway to attack, which helps considering this par 4 is more than 440 yards in length. 

The closing stretch at Yelverton begins with a pair of relatively short par 4s. 14 is a dog-leg left, with your tee shot having to cross gorse and trees to find the fairway. The 15th is somewhat similar with the carry, but it plays arrow straight. The green is large, with three bunkers guarding it. 16 is a long par 4, one with a split fairway which then requires a lengthy second shot approach. The penultimate hole at the Devon venue is a long par 3, but there is no sand to see. Yelverton ends with a tricky par 4, one with a bunker to the right of the fairway. The green has two bunkers in front, along with some gorse that must be avoided. Find the surface and make a birdie putt to finish? 

Michael Verity: Superb moorland layout bursting with interest, intrigue and cool landforms

Sean Arble: Merely playing the 16th and taking in the views is more than fair compensation for the green fee.  If the opportunity arises, grab Yelverton with both hands

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Where is Yelverton Golf Club located?  

Yelverton Golf Club is one of the southwestern most golfing venues on the NCG Top 100s: England list, situated in the county of Devon. The club is less than ten miles north of Plymouth, while the Dartmoor National Park is just to the east of the venue. The A386, which runs north from Plymouth through to Bideford in north Devon, also runs alongside Yelverton Golf Club.  

Plymouth is not the closest train station to Yelverton, but it is the train station with the widest array of services in the area, and with it being in the city centre, it is around ten miles from the golf club. Trains run from Plymouth to London, Glasgow, Cardiff and Penzance, among many other stations. The nearest major international airport to Yelverton is more than 100 miles away. That is Bristol Airport, while London Heathrow and London Gatwick – the two busiest airports in the United Kingdom – are both around 230 miles away to the east.

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

Yelverton Golf Club is the only venue on the NCG Top 100s: England list around Plymouth, but there are a number of other clubs located in the southwest of the country. East Devon, Perranporth, Trevose, St Enodoc, Bude & North Cornwall, Royal North Devon, Burnham & Berrow, and the East and West Courses at Saunton are all within a 90-minute drive from Yelverton.

What golf facilities does Yelverton Golf Club offer?  

Along with the 18-hole golf course, Yelverton Golf Club is also home to a driving range, which is available for use for both members and guests. It sits to the north of the opening hole, on the west of the A386. There is also a short game area and a putting green, so you can work on every part of your game.

What are the green fees at Yelverton Golf Club?  

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