Cornwall is a picturesque region of Britain, where the sea’s influence is ever-present. St Enodoc Golf Club, located in the sailing town of Rock, exemplifies this beauty with its links course overlooking the Camel Estuary and Padstow harbour. Named after a 13th-century church buried and unearthed in the 19th century, the Church course at St Enodoc was established in 1891 and gained prominence after James Braid’s redesign in 1907. Renowned for its natural terrain, the course features towering sand dunes and varied holes that captivate golfers.
James Braid’s work was followed by further modifications, including a significant redesign in 1922 and adjustments in the 1930s to accommodate more golfers due to the rise of motor cars. This history is detailed by authors John F. Moreton and Iain Cumming in “James Braid and his Four Hundred Golf Courses.”
The course’s quixotic nature is highlighted by the unique 6th hole, where golfers face a blind shot over a massive dune called “Himalayas.” The 10th hole, a favourite of commentator Peter Alliss, requires a precise drive across a valley to a narrow fairway.
The course also carries historical significance as the final resting place of Poet Laureate John Betjeman, who celebrated the course in his poem “Seaside Golf.” Recent improvements include clearing scrub around the 10th fairway and levelling tees on several holes to manage increased summer footfall, based on Tom Doak’s 2017 audit. St Enodoc remains a beloved and natural golfing destination that stirs the soul.
