Perranporth Golf Club

The late golfer James Braid is well known and remembered as a five-time winner of the British Open, but he should be equally remembered as one of Britain's leading golf course designers. During his lifetime, Braid designed more than 200 golf courses in Great Britain. Again, while golf historians remember Braid as a member of the golf's original Big Three (alongside Harry Vardon and J.H. Taylor) in the late 1890s and early 1900s, his biggest legacy is not his five British Open victories. Instead, it's the many golf courses that he designed, which gives today's golfers a place to play and enjoy the great game of golf.

While two of Braid's more well-known courses are the King's and Queen's courses at Gleneagles in Scotland, one of his priceless gems, which has stood the test of time, is the Perranporth Golf Club in Perranporth, Cornwall, England, one of the most western courses in Great Britain.

When you visit the website for the Perranporth Golf Club, the statement at the top of the home page says it all: "One of Cornwall's finest links courses."

When you play Perranporth, the views of the surrounding area are memorable, breathtaking, and worthy of a postcard portrait. The sand dunes are golden in color and the hue of the nearby sea will change with the weather, depending on the mix of sun and clouds. And, the views of the course while standing on the 5th and 14th tees are stunning.

Kudos to Braid for recognizing the natural contours of this seaside strip of real estate. Braid took a 'go with the flow' approach when designing this course. He had no choice since he did not have access to bulldozers or any kind of earth-moving machinery. Basically, he had to stick with what Mother Nature provided and She did not disappoint. The course remains as relevant and challenging to play now as it was when the course first opened in 1927. The best defense mechanisms at Perranporth GC are the wind off the nearby Atlantic Ocean and the overall quality of the greens which are quite quick and always true. It is worth mentioning that there are many raised greens at Perranporth, which certainly tests your chipping skills, especially if you miss the greens on the wrong side. Getting 'up & down' in three on a short-sided miss is an accomplishment on some holes.

The Perranporth Golf Club has two sets of tees - one for the men and one for the ladies. From the men's tees, this course measures 6,296 yards and is a par 72. Don't let its relatively short length deceive you. When you play some of the holes into the wind at Perranporth, you may need to add as many as two or three clubs.
"It's a real golf course," said Neil Hodding, who has played the course on many occasions and lives in the nearby town of Carbis Bay.

One aspect of the Perranporth Golf Club, which adds to its mystique and allure, is the fact that each hole has a name. And, the name of each hole appears in two languages - English and the old Cornish language.

You begin play (the 1st) at Vn Nans (Downhill), you make the turn (the 10th) at A-ves (Outward), and you finish (the 18th) at Deweth (Finish). The toughest hole on the course is the par five 14th -- Gwella Braid (Braid's Best). The 9th hole has a very appropriate name - Crib (Half Way) - since it is midway through the round. The holes which have the easiest Cornish names to pronounce are the 3rd, which is Cowan Nuggies (Gremlins), and the 5th, which is Pell Squat (Long Hit). It's worth noting that every par four at Perranporth is less than 400 yards and two of them are less than 300 yards. On a windy day when the wind is at your back, those short par fours become drivable.

One of the best ways to describe the appeal of a golf course is to ask those who have played it. Their responses are eye-opening and worth noting:

"The experience that Perranporth offers to its members and visitors is incredibly unique," states Eamon Sullivan of London. "The fast and firm playing characteristics, the unbelievable views of the coast, and the ever-changing strategies are what I believe what makes Perranporth special."

One of the appealing aspects of playing golf at Perranporth is that it is a 'stay & play' destination. At Perranporth, you can rent accommodations on the golf course -- either one of the ten caravans (which can sleep either six or eight people) or one of the two luxury lodges.

Another 'testimonial' worth noting is from Golfer magazine which has ranked the Perranporth Golf Club as the 14th best course to play where the greens fees are under 50 pounds. Golfer Magazine has listed Perranporth GC as the 53rd best golf course in Great Britain to play, where the greens fees are less than 80 pounds.
The caravans and lodges are located in a secluded area in the middle of this fabulous championship links golf course. They provide a perfect place from which you can enjoy your vacation. It's not too isolated from civilization as there are two footpaths across the golf course which can be used for a 10-minute walk to a three-mile stretch of golden sand dunes and beach. Those same pathways can be used to visit the local shops, restaurants and pubs located in Perranporth.

With the exception of championship golf courses like Sunningdale, St. Andrews, Royal Dornoch, and other great courses in Great Britain, very few offer an actual book about their course, but the Perranporth Golf Club is the exception. Author Tony Mansell has written The Story of the Perranporth Golf Club, which is a story of a "a golf club and its battle against the odds; its efforts to overcome physical obstacles like creating a course out of a windswept, desolate mine dump." Copies of the book can be purchased for less than 10 pounds apiece.

So seize the moment, head for Perranporth, and play a golf course that may have meant as much to James Braid to design as it was for him to see his name etched on the Claret Jug. The pro shop - 01872 572454 - awaits your call and eventual arrival.

More Information:
https://www.perranporthgolfclub.co.uk/