What Is the Oldest Golf Course in England?

Pinpointing the absolute oldest golf course in England stirs up a spirited debate, but one legendary club stands out with the most widely accepted claim. This journey into golf's past is more than a history lesson, it's a look at the very foundation of the game we play today. We'll explore the course that holds the title, investigate another historically significant club with a claim of its own, and give you practical advice on how to tackle these timeless layouts.

The Official Claimant: Royal North Devon Golf Club

When you ask which course is England’s oldest, the answer you'll hear most often is Royal North Devon Golf Club, located in the coastal town of Westward Ho! Established in 1864, it holds the distinction of being the oldest golf course in the country that still exists on its original links land. Playing here isn't just a round of golf, it's a round through living history, a direct connection to the game's pioneers.

The club was founded by a group of enthusiastic army officers and local gentlemen, led by General Henry Charlesbrew, inspired by the growth of golf south of the Scottish border. They found the perfect stretch of common land, known as the Northam Burrows, a windswept, sandy paradise ideal for an authentic links test. To craft this challenge, they hired none other than the "Grand Old Man of Golf" himself, Old Tom Morris, who laid out the initial course.

Royal North Devon, or "RND" as it's affectionately known, is a pure links in every sense of the word. It's a raw, untamed, and profoundly authentic golfing experience.

What It's Like to Play at RND

From the moment you arrive, you realize this place is different. The modest, welcoming clubhouse is filled with priceless golfing memorabilia, including ancient clubs and portraits that chronicle centuries of the sport. It feels less like a modern country club and more like a museum where you can leave your bag in the hall.

Out on the course, two features immediately capture your attention:

• The Famous Grazing Sheep: RND is still situated on common land, which means sheep and sometimes even horses have the right of way. These "mobile hazards" add a unique charm and challenge to your round. There's a local rule for relief from their hoof-prints, and you’ll spend your day navigating around these woolly spectators.
• The Towering Rushes: Forget manicured flower beds. The defining hazards at RND are the formidable sea rushes. These tough, wiry bundles of grass can be up to three feet tall and swallow a golf ball whole. They line fairways and guard greens, demanding accuracy and a smart strategy. A shot into the rushes is often a lesson in taking your medicine and punching out sideways.

The course unfolds over natural, rolling terrain with few, if any, man-made features. Renowned golf writer Bernard Darwin perfectly described it as "...laid out by nature and kept in order by sheep for no one can say how many centuries." The wind coming off the Bristol Channel is your constant companion, forcing you to think about ball flight and shaping shots on almost every swing. It's a place that asks you to play the game on the ground as much as through the air, rewarding creativity and smart course management over raw power.

More Than Just a Date: Other Historic English Courses

The question "what is the oldest" isn't always simple. Do you mean the oldest club, the oldest course on its original land, or the oldest continuous site of play? This is where the debate gets interesting, bringing another historic club into the conversation.

A Tale of a Club: The Royal Blackheath Story

While Royal North Devon claims the oldest course, Royal Blackheath Golf Club proudly holds the title of the oldest golf club in England, with an origin story going back to 1608. This was before the official Royal North Devon course was even a thought.

The story goes that when King James VI of Scotland ascended to the English throne as James I, he brought his court - and his love of golf - south to London. His followers began playing on the open expanse of Blackheath, making it the first known site of golf in England. The club they formed was a society of players, not managers of a specific course.

For centuries, golf was played over this public common land. The club itself has a rich and continuous history from those early days. However, the 'course' has changed. In 1923, Royal Blackheath relocated and merged with Eltham Golf Club, moving to its current parkland location. Therefore, while its legacy as a society of golfers is unparalleled in England, the course they play on today is not the original heathland where it all began. This technicality is why RND is considered the oldest course, as it has remained on its founding links land since day one.

Playing the Classics: Lessons from an Old Tom Morris Design

As a coach, taking students to a historic course like Royal North Devon is an incredible teaching opportunity. It strips the game back to its essentials and forces you to use skills you might not need on a modern, manicured parkland course. The lessons you learn from an Old Tom Morris design are timeless and will improve your game anywhere.

Tip 1: Embrace the Ground Game

Modern golf is often about hitting the ball high and stopping it quickly ("target golf"). On a firm, windy links course, that strategy can fail you. The key is to see the ground as your friend. Learning to play a low, running "bump-and-run" shot is not just useful here, it’s essential.

• When to Use It: When you have a clear, relatively flat path between you and the hole, playing the ball low allows the ground's contours to guide it toward the pin. It's often safer and more predictable than a high-lofted pitch into the wind.
• How to Play It: Select a lower-lofted club like an 8-iron or 9-iron. Stand a little closer to the ball, with it positioned back in your stance. Your swing should feel like a putting stroke - a simple rocking of the shoulders with very little wrist action. The goal is to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.

Tip 2: Get Creative with Your Shot-Making

Classic courses aren't about stock yardages. Old Tom Morris and designers from his era were masters at using natural bumps, hollows, and slopes to defend a green. You have to use your imagination.

Don’t just ask, "How far is the pin?" Instead, ask:

• "Where is the best place to land the ball to let it feed toward the hole?"
• "Can I use that slope on the left as a backboard?"
• "What will the ball do once it hits the firm ground?"

Playing at a place like RND rewards feel and creativity. You’ll find yourself hitting shots you never thought to try, and that's one of the greatest joys of links golf.

Tip 3: Become a Master of the Wind

On a coastal links, the wind is a fundamental part of the challenge. Fighting it with brute force is a losing battle.

• "When it's breezy, swing it easy." This is an old but true saying. Trying to hit the ball harder puts more spin on it, causing it to balloon up into the wind and go nowhere. A smooth, balanced swing will produce a more penetrating flight.
• Club Up, Swing Softer: If your 150-yard club is a 7-iron, grab a 6-iron or even a 5-iron and make a three-quarter swing. This naturally takes loft off the clubface, keeping the ball down and out of the strongest gusts.
• Play with the Crosswinds: Instead of aiming directly at the flag in a crosswind, let the wind be your ally. Aim to the side of the target and let the breeze drift the ball back toward your destination.

Planning Your Historical Golf Trip

Walking the fairways of England’s oldest course is a pilgrimage that every dedicated golfer should consider making. The great news is that both Royal North Devon and Royal Blackheath are welcoming to visitors who want to experience their history firsthand.

If you're planning a trip, here are a few simple tips:

1. Book in Advance: These are active members' clubs. Always check their websites or call ahead in advance to find out their visitor policies and book a tee time.
2. Respect the Dress Code: Historic clubs often maintain traditional dress codes.
3. Embrace the Experience: Slow down and soak it all in. Arrive early to walk through the clubhouse, read the memorabilia on the walls, and maybe chat with a member about the club's history. This is more than just another round.

Playing these courses is a powerful reminder that while technology and playing styles have evolved, the soul of golf - the personal battle against the elements and the course - remains unchanged.

Final Thoughts

So, while Royal Blackheath holds the venerable title for the oldest golf club in England, it is Royal North Devon that gives golfers the chance to play on the country's oldest course, an authentic links that has tested players for over a century and a half. Stepping onto these hallowed grounds offers a unique connection to the origins of the game and a pure test of your golfing skills.

Navigating a historic links course like Royal North Devon, with its blind shots, tricky pot bunkers, and howling winds, can be a daunting task. This is where I find having an expert in your pocket helps. When you're standing over a tough lie in the rushes or unsure how to play a windswept par 4, our tool, Caddie AI, offers instant strategic advice. You can take a photo of your ball, and it will analyze the lie to give you a clear plan, helping you tackle these timeless challenges with newfound confidence.