Enthusiastic golfer NICK IVE is seduced by two breathtaking courses – complete with luxurious accommodation and food – in South Devon

AUTHOR Mark Twain once once described golf as “a good walk spoiled”. Either he was as useful with a club as me, or he had never had the fortune to play in South Devon.

The county is blessed with some wonderful courses that would test the most proficient of golfers, and Dartmouth Golf and Country Club and Thurlestone most definitely fall into that category.

The country club is just a few minutes from the historic and picturesque coastal town of Dartmouth and is the perfect base for golfers and non-golfers.

The hotel offers superb facilities in luxurious surroundings, without being pretentious or in any way intimidating. The relaxed atmosphere makes it the perfect place to enjoy a drink and food and take in the panoramic views of rolling countryside.

Dartmouth Golf and Country Club also prides itself on the quality of its food, whether it’s light bites or fine dining from the extensive a la carte menu in the restaurant.

All the food is locally sourced and prepared perfectly by head chef Robert Walsh and his dedicated team. Not surprisingly being so close to the sea the fish dishes are a must.

As a maximum handicapper it’s fair to say that even a mini-golf course can test me to the limits. I could never get it through the windmill!

However, what I lack in ability I more than make up for in enthusiasm.

Dartmouth offers two impressive courses. The 7,200 yard, par 72 Championship Course was selected by the highly respected Golf Monthly magazine as one of the top 80 courses in Britain and Ireland.

It will test the best golfer with its strategic positioning of trees, streams, water features and undulating greens that will frustrate and intrigue in equal measure.

The par 3 176-yard third hole is stunning, playing down into a valley with a green that is guarded by a lake that I predictably landed in.

There is also a 2,252-yard par 33 nine hole course, which although, not quite as intimidating as its sister course, still offers more than enough challenges, and once again is immaculately maintained.

But Dartmouth Golf and Country Club isn’t just aimed at golfers. The health spa boasts a superb leisure suite with indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spa, beauty treatments, fully-equipped gym and sunbeds.

A short drive from the country club is Thurlestone Golf Club, a stunning cliff-top course running alongside Bigbury Bay, set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

There are few courses that could rival Thurlestone for such exhilarating views. Golf oracle Peter Alliss even likened it to the world-famous Pebble Beach.

You cannot visit this area of the country without spending time in Dartmouth, the ‘Jewel of the South Hams’ with historic townhouses, narrow cobbled streets, gourmet restaurants, village pubs, quaint cafes and colourful stalls.

The harbour town also runs deep sea fishing trips and one that comes highly recommended is a trip on the African Queen, a 50ft vessel originally built for the Navy.

Owned by husband and wife team Alan and Hilary Helmsley, originally from Oxford (who much to my delight were both avid Spurs fans), and who are also fully qualified skippers with more than 20 years’ experience, the trips are a must for even those who prefer solid ground.

Trips can vary in time, but you can fish for the plentiful mackerel or even a shark, while dolphins and seals are also visitors to the South Coast.

There are a host of different trips from £17.50 for individual inshore fishing for half a day, to £350 to hire the whole boat for a maximum of 12 people.

There is an array of amazing restaurants and eateries in Dartmouth and one place definitely worth visiting is the award-winning Annabelles Kitchen, which won Silver at the Taste of the West Restaurant awards 2011 as well as receiving a prestigious recommendation by Michelin and has been added to their guide for 2012 and 2013.

Dartmouth Golf and Country Club, Blackawton, Nr Dartmouth, Devon, TQ9 7DE. Call 0800 043 3669 or click on dgcc.co.uk
Thurlestone Golf Club, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 3NZ. Call 01548 560405 or click on thurlestonegolfclub.co.uk