Golf
Golf Course Guide
Golfers of all skill levels can enjoy golf at Highbullen. The course follows a stunning route through wooded parkland with spectacular views across Exmoor and Dartmoor. There's a balance of challenging and rewarding shots to please everyone from confident hitters to complete beginners.
Here's a taste of what you can look forward to….
1st - Par 4
A hole that demands brain not brawn. Flight of shot is important as the dog-leg is only 200 yards from the back tee. The two-tiered green will prove to be a test for any ability and a three putt is odds on with tough pin positions.
2nd - Par 3
This elevated green needs no bunker protection as the putting surface slopes several ways with swales on either side. Tee shots often come up short so an extra club hit easily should allow the ball to reach and release.
3rd - Par 4
Time to open your shoulders! The perfect drive for the right hander is a gentle fade inside the line of the fairway bunker. A long drive with draw will run out of fairway and possibly into a water hazard. A mid iron approach requires accuracy to a green guarded by bunkers.
4th - Par 4
Hardest to reach in regulation. Anything left of the fairway blocks a second shot at the green. Right side of the fairway will give the perfect line into the green which is set diagonally to the rest of the hole. A par is not at all embarrassing on this hole.
5th - Par 4
A short hole within reach for the longest hitters in summer, but beware of the fairway trap which will gather up any drives off line to the right. This will leave you with the hardest shot in golf, a 60 yard bunker shot! Precise putting is required on the two-tiered green.
6th - Par 4
Long and straight will give you a vital advantage here as a bunker, ditches and hedges come into play. A large bunker guards the approach to the green so a loftier shot will prevail but be careful with your distance as this shot can be deceptive.
7th - Par 3
You may want to use a ball with no sentimental value for this tee shot! A large green guarded by water front and left will prove difficult to attack with the usual prevailing south westerly wind. Fluke or not, a par here is priceless.
8th - Par 4
Bunkers left and right of the fairway come into play with the tee shot. Plays longer than you think up the hill from tee to green. Be sure to judge your approach well to avoid the large bunker.
9th - Par 5
An accurate tee shot gives a good opportunity to make par if you play it with 3 shots. Tempted in going for it in 2? Beware! Ditch runs 50 yards short of green so any miss cues will cost you.
10th - Par 4
Sharp dog leg left up the hill. Stray offline to the right and the approach is much harder and longer. Cut too much of the corner off on the left and water awaits over the gorse.
11th - Par 3
Stunning short hole from an elevated tee. A wide shallow green is guarded by water and sand. Take extra care with club selection as wind direction will make a dramatic difference to ball flight.
12th - Par 4
Dog leg right. Avoid straying into woodland in the right rough, because even if you find your ball you will be blocked out to the green. Bunkers short and long with a pond to catch anything too strong. Aim for front right portion of the green to be safe.
13th - Par 4
A classic thread-the-needle hole. This spectacular par 4 has trees tight on either side. In range fairway bunker may catch you out along with the large bunker 20 yards short of green to catch over-ambitious golfers from the tee.
14th - Par 4
Dog leg right played over water from tee. Any approach shot left of elevated green is likely to find the greenside lake.
15th - Par 3
Highbullen's shortest hole. Correct club selection and judgement is critical to hit the green and miss the lake. Any balls with too much spin may also fall victim to the lake. Players with nerves of steel will triumph here.
16th - Par 4
A stunning straight hole. Favour the left side as fairway slopes gently to the right where a natural hazard (large oak) awaits. Again, keep approach shot to the left side of the green and the ball will gather onto the green. Miss right - bunker and trouble will punish you.
17th - Par 3
Another short hole requiring real accuracy on a green that's lightning-quick from back left to front right. Don't allow yourself to be distracted by the breathtaking backdrop of the Mole valley (plenty of time for photos later).
18th - Par 4
The make-or-break hole. Play it safe with mid-iron off the tee or risk it all with a driver and pitch to give yourself a chance for a closing birdie. This hole is the perfect match play decider.
19th Hole
You've made it! Congratulate yourself with suitable refreshments as you look out over the 18th green and a spectacular panoramic view of North Devon.