Golf in Norfolk has not necessarily been high on the agenda with the golfing purists or indeed the society golfer, however with the current economic climate things are changing! As the home to some of the UK’s best links courses it is a popular destination for golfers looking to combine golf in one of the most beautiful places in England.
Only a couple of hours from London and Birmingham, with access to great Links or Parkland courses, Norfolk offers a range of accommodation basis, however it is Norwich is where you should stay. Norwich is dominated by its magnificent Cathedral dating back to Norman times, as home to the largest cloisters in England and the second tallest spire in the country those looking for a slightly more cultural golf tour will find some stunning architecture to supplement their holiday. Along with the Cathedral, Norwich also boasts stunning ancient buildings, framed by the city wall make this one of the most complete Medieval Cities in England and possibly Europe. If tranquillity is something you are looking for your are on the doorstep of the famous Norfolk Broads, possibly a good place to wander and ponder the days golf, good or bad.
However it is not all about the history, Norwich as a University City has the great appeal of offering a more bohemian night life with plenty of stylish café bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants, nightclubs, concerts and festivals. There truly is a little bit of everything in this thriving city.
Where To Stay:-
Barnham Broom Golf Resort is a Nestled in 250 acres of beautiful countryside, Barnham Broom is an idyllic 4 star country hotel in Norfolk, where you can relax and unwind. Within the resort, there are two championship golf courses in the Valley and the Hill and offers a great golf resort experience.
Best Western George Hotel is a charming Victorian town house is ideally situated just off the main A11 with easy access to Cambridge, London and the Norfolk Broads National Park. With only a 15 minute walk to the centre of this historical city, the hotel is ideal as a base to explore Norwich, Norfolk and East Anglia. Dine in style at the award winning Arlington Grill and Brasserie located within the hotel.
Best Western Le Strange Arms is situated in the village of Old Hunstanton, overlooking the sea. Standing on the east coast of England it faces west across the Wash. The hotel grounds run down to one of the best sandy beaches in an area famous for its beaches. With views of the sea, the Le Strange restaurant offers both daily table d’hôte and à la carte menus featuring, where possible, fresh local produce.
Where To Golf:-
Barnham Broom is able to carter for every golfer no matter what standard of player. The Hill course offers a slightly easy challenge than the Valley with both courses benefitting from the design skills of ex-England Amateur Champion Frank Pennick. The fairways on the Valley are tighter but those with superb course management can look to take advantage and pick up some shots over the course. With the opening hole a pretty straight forward par 5 most players can look to get their round off to a positive start. The Signature Hole is the Par 3 7th Hole which is in my opinion the best hole on the 36 hole resort. It is a stunning hole that plays 135 yards long but slopes dramatically downhill while offering some great views across the local area. The 9th Hole is a nice tight par 4 with trees lining both sides of the fairway and then a pond to the left of the green, it is target golf and the design ensures golfers need to keep in the correct position off the tee and into the greens.
Royal Norwich Golf Club was founded in 1893 and its Royal patronage was granted in the same year by the Duke of York. The club is rightly proud of its golfing history having produced its own Open Champion, Arthur Havers, and it continues to produce golfers of a high calibre. The course is situated just 3 miles from the centre of the City of Norwich and is rarely closed for play due to its excellent drainage. It is a challenging 18 hole course with stunning views and is fair test for golfers of all abilities. Visitors will always be welcome and accommodated especially with competitive green fees given the championship golf on offer.
Sheringham Golf Club is set on the cliffs in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Sheringham is a challenging course for all golfers at all times of the year and has been the venue for 3 English Ladies’ Championships. It was at Sheringham that Miss Joyce Wethered, later to become Lady Heathcote-Amory won her first championship at the age of 18. The course celebrated its centenary in 1991 and remains one of the most picturesque in the region – the view from the 5th tee is one of the most memorable in golf!
Royal Cromer Golf Club (pictured left) founded and given its Royal status in 1888, is positioned on the cliffs between the seaside resorts of Cromer and Overstrand. It is considered as one of the best golf courses in East Anglia and is a wonderful test for all golfers. Originally designed by golfing great Tom Morris, the course has benefitted from input over the years from the likes of J H Taylor, James Braid as well as Frank Pennick and Donald Steel, with such an illustrious list of architects the course remains a fantastic challenge. Cromer is essentially cliff top in character, with stunning views over the North Norfolk coastline. With a raw links feel to it, the course is based on attributes given to it since its inception, with natural hazards and landscapes using the wealth of sandy hills as well as humps and hollows as well as copious amounts of gorse and bracken. The signature hole, the 14th, has a fully operational lighthouse to the side of the green, this combined with a warm welcome in the clubhouse make Royal Cromer the perfect addition to your next Norfolk Golf Tour.
Hunstanton Golf Club (pictured top left) is one of the most famous courses in the UK. With a reputation built on lightning quick greens and a challenging layout, golfers across the land have heard about the formidable test available at Hunstanton. Located on the beautiful North West Norfolk coast, Hunstanton is a superb championship links course using the natural landscapes to dramatic effect. For more than a century, golfers have walked the rolling fairways nestling in a stunning landscape of dunes and links land grasses. You can play Hunstanton on seven consecutive days and imagine you have played seven different courses – the magic never fades. However four ball play is only permitted on Tuesday’s after 10:30, so factor this in when selecting this as a course for your tour. Having previously played in the Brabazon Trophy at this course (many years ago and I’m fairly sure I came dead last!) it is a course which I remember well and have to say the par-3’s are a great test in particular the 14th and 16th holes where only the best struck iron shots will find the target.
Great Yarmouth & Caister Golf Club, set with in Caister race track offers something fairly unique for golfers, a round of golf one day the races the next! The Course however is a fine example of traditional links golf, laid out on predominantly sandy ground over 100 years ago, and famous for the quality and stability of the greens. While modern irrigation is now used to ensure that the course is in optimal condition all year round, this does not detract from the links feel.
Bawburgh Golf Club is situated on the outskirts of Norwich, the easily accessible family club is an ideal venue for all your social and golfing requirements. Set in more than 130 acres of beautiful undulating Norfolk countryside, the aptly named Glen Lodge stands high above a tree lined valley, and is the focal point of this unique club.
There truly aren’t many better places to play golf, with a combination of Links and Parkland course all within 30 minutes of Norfolk, there is a little bit of something for everybody. For more information on golf in Norfolk and Norwich Golf Tours, simply call Your Golf Travel who will be able to provide you with a host of options 0800 043 6644.
