Fairhaven was very pleasant. Greens in good condition, everywhere neat and tidy, nice clubhouse, easy to book, 10 minute tee intervals and nice pace of play. Can't think of a flatter course.

Fairways were very hard and running (surprisingly for September) and the course therefore seemed to play shorter than its yardage of 6764; par of 73 with five par 5's seemed generous. Would love for someone to explain to me how the slope rating here can be higher than Saunton.

Not sure how to define the course. Front nine seemed to be link's style, back nine was more heathland (but no heather) whilst holes 13 and 14 seemed to be a couple of infill parkland holes. Biggest feature was the fairway bunkering which was superb and seemed to line nearly every hole, sometimes with 'blind' bunkers hidden from view off the tee; miss those and there is a score to be made. Best stretch of holes was I thought 4 to 9, but I did think after 9 the course just didn't move through the gears to anything better.

Pleased to have played Fairhaven, worth playing and a nice place for a day out … just not sure how long it can hold on to it's top 100 ranking.