Thurlestone Golf Course

The course sits right on the edge of the South Hams, with views across the coast that'll distract you from your scorecard. Thurlestone Golf Course is a proper links-style layout near Kingsbridge - the sort of place where you're as likely to spot a buzzard as you are your golf ball in the rough.

It's eighteen holes of genuine challenge, especially if the wind picks up off the water. The back nine in particular demands respect. Golfers who like a bit of grit will find this more rewarding than the manicured perfection you get at some courses - it feels like it belongs to the landscape rather than the other way round.

You'll need to be a member or secure an invite from one, which is typical for links courses of this calibre. That said, the location makes it worth investigating if you're staying nearby. South Devon Camping at Lower Terawhiti Farm is barely a mile away, and Karrageen Caravan Park sits just two and a half miles off - both brilliant bases if you're planning a golfing trip to the area. Hidden Hill's glamping with hot tubs is further out at six miles, but still within reasonable striking distance.

Allow a full afternoon for eighteen holes, longer if the wind's up. Spring and autumn typically offer the best conditions - summer can get busy with tourists, winter occasionally waterlogged. Check ahead on membership requirements and green fees before you make the journey from Kingsbridge.