2024 Sheringham Golf Club Review

If you are a golfer who has ever played a links course you will understand why so many of us love them. They are different from inland courses in almost every respect - there are the fabulous sea views, the dunes, the humps and bumps in the fairways, the fast greens and, of course, the wind.

Now when you think about links courses it is only natural that you will have courses such as Birkdale, Troon, Muirfield, St George’s, Lytham and St Andrews in mind and that is only natural as they are all fabulous tracks that have hosted The Open - and have introduced countless people to the wonders of our glorious sport.

You may not consider Norfolk as a county that is home to some of the country’s best links courses - you should think again. Royal West Norfolk, Hunstanton and Cromer are three of the finest links courses you will ever come across.

And then there is Sheringham. I recently had the pleasure of tackling this outstanding course and I have to tell you that it turned out to be one of the best golfing experiences of my life.

The Welcome

You will know that, for me, the welcome you get at any course is hugely important. It tells you everything you need to know about the course you are about to play. And I am delighted to tell you that we were given the warmest of welcomes in the pro shop at Sheringham. We were given a quick run-through about the course and I was asked to come back after we played to give my overall impression of the course.

The Facilities

The car park, which was extremely busy, is huge so you don’t have to worry about finding a space. There is a fabulous practice area, which was in full use when we arrived, and two practice putting greens. There is a superb locker-room. You need a code to gain entry to both the locker-room and clubhouse and, helpfully, the codes are printed on your scorecard. We will come back to the clubhouse later.

The Course

Most of the front nine runs along the clifftop, offering spectacular views in every direction. And every so often steam trains from the North Norfolk Railway gently puff by. It is like walking back in time. The legendary Henry Cotton once said of Sheringham: "It has a charm that belongs to itself and is one of the best kept secrets in golf. Sheringham’s golf course is special." It most certainly is.

Originally a nine-hole course, it first opened in 1892 and six years later was expanded to 18 holes. It is a course that has undergone many changes during the past 70 years, including the construction of a fabulous new green at the 17th hole. In the 1970s the third hole was taken out of play because it was too close to the cliff-top - and posed a real threat to members of the public on cliff-top walks.

At the back of each tee engraved stone markers display the hole number and name.

Among the celebrities who have enjoyed a round here are snooker player Steve Davis, comedian Jasper Carrott, football legend Bobby Robson and actors Hugh Grant and Nigel Havers. Captain Robert Falcon Scott (better known as Scott of the Antarctic) was once a member here.

So what about the course?

It is not especially long but this is a links and that means you will almost always have to contend with wind, and all the challenges that brings with it. Sheringham plays MUCH longer than its actual length.

The first is a relatively gentle opening hole, a par four measuring 314 yards. Avoid the three fairway bunkers and you are left with an approach to an elevated green protected by three bunkers and a run-off area. The second is a downhill par five of some 514 yards with a fairway that slopes from left to right - trust me, you do not want to go right. Your second shot needs to avoid some well-placed bunkers. With the wind behind, this green can be reached in two. Again, avoid the green side bunkers. The fourth may only measure 281 yards but the fairway slopes from right to left and on the left is a pot bunker that you have to steer clear of. A semi-blind approach is played to a well-protected raised green with a run-off area. The fifth is great par four, measuring 440 yards. It boasts the highest tee on the course and you really should take a moment to drink it all in. Your drive simply has to be straight. The approach is to a long green guarded by a huge bank to the right and drop-offs to the left and back. The eighth is a terrific 150-yard par three that heads back towards the clubhouse. Played slightly uphill to a green well-guarded by deep bunkers, club selection is the key. Your drive at the 326-yard ninth is a blind one. There is plenty of room on the left but be careful because the fairway slopes from right to left. The green is guarded by sand left and right.

The back nine opens with a 404-yard par four. You drive downhill over a valley and then head gently uphill. The second shot is played to a tricky two-tier green. The 11th is a wonderful par three. It may only measure 137 yards but the breeze means club selection is everything. You play to a long green that slopes steeply from back to front and is well guarded by bunkers and steep runoffs. For me, the best hole on the course is the 12th, a 361-yard par four played from an elevated tee that, once again, offers wondrous views. It is a dogleg. Find the middle of the fairway and you have an approach to a tricky and well-protected putting surface. The 14th measures 336 yards featuring a semi-blind drive. Find the left side of the fairway and you have an approach to a long green with bunkers on either side. The 15th is a 161-yard par three played to a narrow green, with the railway to your right. The 16th may only measure 267 yards but it is played sharply uphill with an approach to a sloping green and yes, it is well guarded by sand. The 17th is a stunning par four of 337 yards with a LOT of sand. The fairway slopes from right to left. Find the middle and you have an approach to a raised green that nestles into the hillside. It slopes from back to front. Your round closes with another great par four. The 18th is 356 yards and the tee-shot is blind. Do not go right - there is a cavernous bunker that must be avoided.

Clubhouse & Food

I loved the clubhouse. It simply reeks of history and tradition and is dominated by a series of fabulous trophy cabinets.  Again, we were warmly welcomed by friendly bar staff. 

Our drinks were competitively priced - a pint of beer and large Coke cost £7.50. And then there is the food…this is a golf club where you can ordered locally-caught crab and lobster, as well as locally reared lamb, beef, venison, pork and poultry. If you fancy a snack I can recommend the delicious home-made sausage rolls.

Verdict

If you enjoy links golf (and who doesn’t?) then you simply have to find the time to check out this wonderful course. And I repeat - the card may tell you that it only measures 6,259 yards from the white tees and just 5,667 yards from the yellows but this layout will test any golfer.