Sheringham Golf Club Review

Sheringham Golf Club is a venue with a great history that can be traced back to 1891 when Tom Dunn was brought to the cliff top location to start work on a nine-hole course. In July 1895, a pavilion was erected near the site of the present clubhouse and the course was then extended to 18 holes late in 1898. As the years have gone on the course has continued to have minor improvements ensuring that it remains a test, the last of those coming during 2017 with new bunkering.

It's a classic cliff top links course that boasts some of the best seas views golf in Norfolk has to offer. Over time the course has matured in its natural surroundings.

Highly Recommended on Golfshake

Ten of the Best Courses in Norfolk

Pre-Round Thoughts

As you arrive, crossing over the old railway where the steam trains still run, it instantly give you a sense of the history this club is steeped in.

The grand clubhouse, whist having a more modern look to the outside, the bar area is furnished fantastically with old furniture and plenty of historical memorabilia on the walls. The welcome is friendly and a quick meal before the round confirms that the bar food is good and wholesome with traditional British bar snack choices which you can enjoy on the veranda overlooking the 1st tee and 18th green.

With its own grass driving range, chipping green with bunker and two putting greens, the club has all facilities you could possibly need and are immaculately laid out.

Front 9 Overview

A gentle opening hole onto a raised green gets you underway where an iron is a good choice but it doesn't take long to really set the juices flowing.

The 2nd Hole - Town View - is a delightful par five with a stunning view of the quaint town of Sheringham in the distance, giving it somewhat of a St Andrews feel. The new remodeled bunkering down the left hand side of the fairway meaning a tighter feel to the tee shot with OOB right, but a scoring chance you you find the middle.

The 5th and 6th Holes are what golfers come to Sheringham for. Playing from a raised tee at the 458 yard par 4 5th you are met with a fantastic vista of the course laid out before you and the Norfolk coastline stretching for miles to your right. The cliffs are very much in play all the way down the right hand side of the hole. They are only 15 yards from the fairway at some points and a sheer drop of 40-50ft awaits any sliced tee shots. Bunkers and gorse guard the left hand side of the fairway making the 5th the most demanding tee shot on the course. The second shot is no easier with a large mound to the front right of the green and steep banking to the left awaiting any pulled shots.

The 6th follows a similar theme. The hole is long at 210 yards and is played from a raised tee, the hole drops 30-40 ft with the stunning Norfolk coastline stretching off into the distance! The green is generous and inviting as it collects balls to its centre, but miss it left or short in one of the bunkers and a bogey awaits.

A couple of good scoring opportunities come along before the testing finish to the front with the tough 9th Hole.

Back 9 Overview

Whilst there was a gentle opening to the front nine, the same can not be said of the back. 468 yards up the hill into the par 4 10th, with lurking penal bunkers either side, even if the fairway is found you will still have plenty of club in hand for your approach shot.

A couple of scoring opportunities follow at the 11th and 12th followed by the fiddly 13th where keeping it in play is tough off the tee as the hole moves from right to left is the biggest test.

As you get the the 15th tee you start to play adjacent to the train line and with the odd steam train coming past sending plumes of smoke into the air is quite something and really adds to the experience.

The finishing three holes all head back towards the clubhouse and a fairly challenging finish.

The 16th has a large dip in the fairway meaning the second shot is blind into the green with seven pot bunkers waiting patiently to grab anything short and off line.

The 17th feel tight off the tee as the fairway rolls from right to left making you feel you need to aim to the right, but the train line and OOB gets you thinking. Finding the fairway is one thing, getting it onto the putting surface is another with large gorse left and a big drop off right all makes for a fantastic hole.

The finish requires more accuracy from the tee - although more room this time on the left - means you can find the fairway and let your approach roll onto the green and enjoy the last couple of shots.

Post-Round Thoughts

Sheringham is quite simply one of the best. Offering everything that you could ask for.

Depending on the wind direction, some holes can play extremely difficult but higher handicappers should not be put off by this. Just enjoy the experience and a fantastically kept course that will play well all year round.

The greens are right up there with the best, and gvien the type of course, the fairways will run out a lot more during summer months and the bunkers are all well looked after and excellently positioned.

Verdict/Roundup

You could run out of superlatives to use to describe Sheringham. A golfing gem in every sense and one that will leave you wanting more and more.

Overall Rating - 10

Course (Conditions) - 10
Course (Hole Variety/Layout) - 10
Course (Green Condition) - 10
Course (Challenge/Difficulty) - 9
Club facilities & 19th/Clubhouse - 9
Practice Facilities - 9
Friendliness/Hospitality - 9
Pace of Play - 8
Value for Money - 9

Reviewed in June 2018 by Matt Holbrook (Handicap 11).