Ipswich (Purdis Heath)

100 years on from moving to its current site, the Ipswich Golf Club is home to two courses, with the Purdis Heath named after the area of Ipswich it sits in. 

The club was founded in 1895, before moving to its current location just over three decades later. 

The James Braid-designed Purdis Heath Course plays as a proper heathland course should, with narrow, tree-lined fairways, and plenty of the bunkering that we have come to know from the incredible golf course architect.

Visit the Ipswich (Purdis Heath) website here.

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The original Ipswich Golf Club was founded at the end of the 19th Century. That site, at Rushmere Heath, now hosts Rushmere Golf Club. 

Ipswich Golf Club moved to its current site at Purdis Heath in the mid-1920s, with five-time Open Champion, and legendary golf course architect James Braid being the man to design the Purdis Heath Course.  

The Purdis Heath Course opened in 1928, with an exhibition match featuring some of the day’s greats. Braid, J.H. Taylor and Henry Cotton all played in the match. Ipswich Golf Club and Rushmere Golf Club play for the Queensland Cup on an annual basis, with the two clubs just a mere mile apart. 

You might not expect to find a classic James Braid heathland course as you navigate your way round the eastern outskirts of Ipswich after coming off the A14. Some golf courses get you right in the mood before you have even turned the engine off and Purdis Heath, or Ipswich Golf Club to use its Sunday name, certainly falls into the category. Turn down the driveway and it’s like entering a new world. You can smell the pines that line many of the fairways at this attractive heathland where changes of elevation add welcome variety and inspire some sensational green complexes. 

At 6,431 yards and playing to a par of 71, Purdis Heath is not going to defeat you by length alone. And when you bear in mind that the fairways are almost invariably firm and fast then you can appreciate that this is a course of angles and precision. There are birdie chances throughout the round, starting with the opening hole which is just 325 yards long. Miss the fairway bunkers with your opening tee shot and you certainly have a chance of putting a circle on your card early on. 

The 2nd is the longest hole on the property at 540 yards, but again with a good drive, there is a birdie to be had. The 11th and 17th are the other two par 5s on the Purdis Heath, with the penultimate hole coming in at just shy of 490 yards from the tips. There is some classic Braid bunkering on 17, with no fewer than eight traps trying to catch you out. Again, avoid them, and there is a late birdie chance for you. 

The 3rd is the first of the four par 4s on offer on the Purdis Heath. It is 160 yards from the tips, and played to a pear-shaped green, with the narrow section at the front. Four bunkers guard the green, but it is the first of a quartet of stunning short holes on the property. The 6th is the longest of those at 190 yards, and with plenty of sand around the putting surface, while the back nine also begins with a par 3. 10 has a round green, but with five greenside bunkers in play, it is another hole that requires an accurate approach. The last short hole comes at the 15th, and it is the shortest of the lot at just 138 yards. It also plays slightly downhill, and to a relatively large green. No surprise it is the easiest hole on the course... 

There are some quirky holes on the Purdis Heath as well, with the blind approach shot to the 4th coming under that category. If you find the fairway, you won’t be able to see the green, so you have to trust your instincts and hit the right shot. 4 begins a tough stretch of holes, with the 5th and 7th being the two hardest holes on the front nine. 5 is the Stroke Index 1 on the course, and a long dog-leg left par 4, while the 7th is arrow straight, but has plenty of sand traps in play, both on the fairway and greenside, to catch you out. 

For the longer hitters, both the 9th and the 16th could be seen as drivable. The two holes are both only a smidge over the 300-yard mark. However, the closing hole on the front side narrows up the further you get down there, so taking a long iron or hybrid of the tee for safety might be the best play. 16 can only be driven if you can draw the ball with your driver, as it plays as a dog-leg left around some thick trees. It also has a narrow putting surface, which makes it difficult to find with anything longer than a short iron in hand. 

There are some cracking par 4s on the back nine on the Purdis Heath Course, including the run between holes 12, 13 and 14. The 12th and 13th both play as dog-leg lefts, while the 14th turns the other way slightly and requires an accurate drive to find the fairway. The green is less guarded than some on the property, but that doesn’t mean it is necessarily any easier to hit. The closing hole on the Purdis Heath is another beauty. At 412 yards from, and with fairway traps on either side, it is another hole that require accuracy. The green is guarded by three bunkers, trees and the out of bounds line on the right thanks to the club’s car park seemingly encroaching on the territory. Make a par on 18 and you’ll come off the course a happy camper.  

Greg Webber: A delightful heathland course which is pleasing to the eye, beautifully conditioned and poses different challenges as you plot your way around

Peter Rudd: A course that continues to improve, year by year

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Where is Ipswich (Purdis Heath) located? 

Ipswich Golf Club is located in Purdis Heath (hence the name of the 18-hole course). It sits to the southeast of the city of Ipswich, only around 5 miles from the city centre. It is close to the junction of the A14 and A12, two of the major roads in the area. The southeast coastline of England and the two of Felixstowe are just ten miles away, offering an easy way of travelling to the region for those from northern Europe by car as well.  

Derby Road, which sits on the line running between Ipswich and Felixstowe, is the closest train station to Ipswich Golf Club. It is around two miles by car from the golf club. Meanwhile, Ipswich Station, which services the city, is just over three miles to the west. For international visitors who don’t fancy getting the car ferry to Felixstowe, London Stansted Airport is just an hour to the west of Ipswich Golf Club. London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London Luton are all within around a two-hour drive from the golf club as well.  

What golf facilities does Ipswich (Purdis Heath) offer?  

Along with the Purdis Heath Course, Ipswich Golf Club is also home to the 9-hole Bixley Course. The Bixley provides a great starting ground for those first getting into the game, measuring in at less than 2,000 yards, with five par 3s and four par 4s on the layout – which sits in the southwest corner of the property. 

Away from the two golf courses, Ipswich Golf Club has a driving range at the southern side of the property, next to the 18th hole. There are sheltered bays to allow practice in all weathers. The club also has a putting green and short game area by the clubhouse, to allow golfers to hone their skill before taking to either of the two courses on site.  

What are the green fees at Ipswich (Purdis Heath)?  

The price of a green fee at Ipswich (Purdis Heath) changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. 

For more information on current green fees at Ipswich (Purdis Heath), visit their website here.