A Golfing holiday booking has inspired me to find out more…
UPDATED WITH MORE CLUBS JUNE 2020
Having taken a recent booking at Keep Cottage for a golfing holiday, made by a group of four chaps who are staying for a 3 night mid week break to play the local courses, I thought it would be wise to do some research.
We are lucky in Orford to have three courses, which appear to have different features and are suitable for differing levels of skill. It seems that the weekends are tricky to play, so a call to the Club to find out if it is possible. Early morning starts also seem popular?
It would appear that we are spoilt for choice I suggest you have a look on the websites to find the one that will suit you (or your ability!) best.
Established in 1884, the Club has two courses, the 18 hole Championship Course ranked 31st in England and the River Course, apparently a delightful 9 holes suitable for beginners and high handicap golfers.
Aldeburgh is a two-ball course, and promotes a four ball. Check the website for prices.
Visitors are welcome to play the Championship Course on weekdays and weekends throughout the year, subject to sight of a handicap certificate and availability of tee times. To book please contact the Secretary on 01728 452890 or email the Club info@aldeburghgolfclub.co.uk.
The club’s 9 hole River Course is open to all players regardless of handicap.
Day ticket during the week from 1 November to 31 March is £55 and at weekends its £65
This heathland course was designed by five-time Open Champion and legendary golf course architect James Braid.
Thorpeness sounds interesting as its just a stones throw from the sea on the Suffolk coast, allegedly its a course that will test golfers of all abilities.
Visitors are welcome at Thorpeness Golf Course and golfers can book tee times from 11.30am onwards. Earlier tee times may be available out of peak season. For more details about the current Green Fees and general enquiries call the Pro Shop on 01728 454 926 for availability.
Day ticket during the week is £66, they are various prices for 1, 2 and 3 ball single rounds. the price for weekends is £70
This course is the nearest to Keep Cottage, and one of our previous guests had a couple of lessons with the pro and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Its a traditional, friendly members club with 2 classic Suffolk heathland courses. The Heath Course is a serious golfer’s challenge all year round, while the full length 9-hole Forest course, is suitable for all standards. The club is situated in a Suffolk Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that bursts into colour throughout the year. Golf has been played here for more than 120 years.
Visitors are welcome to play during the week (green fees for the heath course £55 for 18 holes or £80 for the day, Juniors under 18 £27 or why not look at the forest course where fees are lower) contact Club Secretary to see if a weekend round is available.
Remember to check out the websites for dress code, booking and of course the food, Also check out their offers as during winter they have deals and include breakfast/lunch.
Keep Cottage has plenty of space in the lobby by the side door for kit and caboodle, and has an outside tap to clean off your shoes.
For our golfing guests I will be offering beer in our welcome hamper rather than Prosecco, with some Christmas cheer in the shape of cake.
I will ask for feedback on the course they enjoyed the most… and hopefully will have a couple of pictures too.
Here is the promised picture, the next event has already been booked in for December 2016, so the golfers clearly enjoyed themselves.
Kingfishers/Cretingham Golf Course
Is a traditional golf club founded in 1884 its one of the oldest golf clubs in Suffolk, with a challenging 9 hole heathland layout.
The course is about 5 minutes from the town centre.
Spread across 120 acres – this 18 hole course has a selection of shorter technical and longer holes to test your skill.