Thetford

Thetford Golf Club is one of several glorious golf courses in the county of Norfolk, and arguably the best inland 18-hole the county has to offer.

Designed by Charles Mayo in 1912, the likes of James Braid and Donald Steel have also put their hands to this course over its century-long history.

Originally a heathland course, Thetford has evolved into a woodland track thanks to the planting of pine trees following the First World War. It remains a truly gorgeous golf course and a great experience.

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Charles Mayo designed the original layout at Thetford, which opened in 1912. Philip Ross-MacKenzie and James Braid would soon come to make changes to the course.

Following the First World War, pine trees were planted in the area, which is now known as Thetford Forest. That changed the course from being a heathland to becoming a woodland-style layout.

Cameron Sinclair and Donald Steel designed five holes in the mid-1980s, with the run between the 7th and 11th replacing the holes that were lost due to the construction of the bypass.

The modern course at Thetford winds its way through pine, oak and birch, and between heather, gorse and broom. Using the natural land, and respecting its SSSI status, it's a course in harmony with its forest and heathland surroundings. It visually challenges and stimulates, while delivering a fair golfing test for all. The par 72 course, at 6,849 yards, is made very playable thanks to crisp, firm and dry playing conditions. It means the course is open and playable almost every day of the year and is particularly popular in autumn and winter.

There are two par 3s in the first three holes at Thetford, on what it the opening five-hole loop. It starts with a challenging 180-yard, par 3 that features a two-tiered green. It is a daunting shot, especially considering it is your first of the day. The other short hole is at the 3rd, which has a large green. However, anything long on this 156-yard hole will find itself bouncing away off the back and perhaps into trouble. In between sits the 2nd – a slight dog-leg left par 4. Your decision off the tee will impact your approach. If you are brave and play it down the left, then your second shot will be much shorter than if your tee shot runs down the right side.

The 4th is a great par 4. At 410 yards, it requires a solid drive, but with a bunker sat plum in the middle of the fairway, you have to be accurate on either side if you are going to try and take it on. Instead, the play may well be to lay up short of it, before then having a slightly longer second – although the approach does play downhill. The 5th is played from an elevated tee to a well-bunkered fairway, with the tee shot being played through a funnel of trees. The second shot is one that must finish below the hole. OOB down the right side of this hole makes it that bit more daunting. The 6th is the first of the four par 5s at Thetford. The ideal tee shot on this 492-yard hole is a fade for the right-handers. That will see the ball skipping down the centre of the fairway. The length of the 6th means that for some, it will be a two-shotter, and the green is inviting – even with a fairway wood.

The newest section of the course comes through the turn. Three strong par 4s finish off the back nine. A solitary bunker on the right side of the fairway on the 413-yard 7th is the key to avoid with your tee shot. At 450 yards, the 8th is a brutal hole, with longer hitters needing the thread the needle between the bunker on the left side and the trees down the right. The second shot is downhill so it might play a club shorter, to make it ever so slightly easier. The 9th brings the front nine to a close with the hardest hole on the course. The Stroke Index 1 is 420 yards from the tips, but plays much longer due to its uphill nature. The fairway is contoured from right to left, which will keep your tee shot away from the two bunkers down the right side. There is also a false front to this green, just to add to the distance.

The longest hole on the course comes at the 10th. It is more than 550 yards, and plays as a dog-leg left. The aim is down the left side of the fairway to try and take as much distance off your second shot, but even then, you will still be laying up. The green is guarded by three bunkers left and one short right, so the approach must be accurate. 208 yards is the length of the par 3 11th – the last of Steel and Sinclair’s holes at Thetford. Middle of the green is the aim here, especially with a long iron or fairway wood in hand. From the 12th you are back on the original layout where the holes bear comparison with Surrey heathland courses. Avoid the crater on the right on 12, as that will leave a very deceptive approach shot. The second of the par 3s on the back nine features a tee shot through a funnel of trees, but it then opens up to a wide fairway, allowing you to swing freely. Individual trees down the right side might get in the way of anything leaking off the fairway, while the putting surface has runoffs on three sides, and bunkers down the right.

The last five holes are truly special, and a great finish to Thetford’s layout. 14 is a demanding, long par 4 of 425 yards. The fairway cambers to the right, towards the two fairway traps, while there are four more bunkers by the green – one which is small and round. Avoid the bunker on the right side on 15 and this is a birdie chance, as long as you find the right section of the putting surface. The last par 3 comes at the 16th, and it features an island-style green behind heather and sand. It is only 152 yards – the shortest hole on the property – but danger looms. 17 is another good chance, a par of only 505 yards and with a generous fairway to find, while the 18th is a fitting home hole on any course; at 475 yards it requires position and power. The fairway cambers from right to left, while the hole itself moves from left to right. OOB is in play for anything pulled with your approach, so be careful with your final full swing of the day!

Where is Thetford Golf Club located?

Thetford Golf Club is set in the heart of Thetford Forest – the lowest-lying forest in the United Kingdom. The course is at the southernmost point of the county of Norfolk, and sits just to the west of the town of Thetford. Norwich and Ipswich are both within 40 miles of the venue, which is right next to the A11 – the road that runs from the east of London across to Norwich.

The town of Thetford has its own train station, with services running to Norwich on a regular basis, along with trains to Cambridge, Manchester and London Stansted Airport. Norwich Airport is only 35 miles from the golf club, but for those looking for a wider range of flights and destinations, London Stansted Airport is the nearest, around 60 miles from Thetford. London Luton and London City Airports are also both within 80 miles of the golf club.

Are there any NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?

East Anglia is home to several high-class venues on the NCG Top 100s: England list. Royal Worlington and Newmarket is just 15 miles away, while the big four of Norfolk – Royal West Norfolk, Royal Cromer, Sheringham and Hunstanton – and the big four on the Suffolk coast – Aldeburgh, Thorpeness, Woodbridge (Heath) and the Purdis Heath Course at Ipswich – are all in and around a 50-mile drive from Thetford.

What golf facilities does Thetford Golf Club offer?

There is simply no excuse for not being warmed up and ready to go by the time you get to the opening tee box at Thetford. There is a full-length driving range with both grass and matted tees, as well as a stunning short game area with target greens at 70, 95 and 120 yards. Another chipping green, along with two putting greens, just add to the level of the practice facilities at Thetford Golf Club.

What are the green fees at Thetford Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at Thetford Golf Club 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 Thetford, visit their website here.