Thetford Golf Club Review

SET in the heart of East Anglia, Thetford Golf Club is one of the premier heathland courses in the region.

Sitting proudly within the Breckland Forest, this James Braid & Philip MacKenzie Ross shaped course utilises the natural surroundings including the large pines and oaks and troublesome yet delightful heather.

Originally founded in 1912, the course has developed and matured over the years, with part of the original layout sitting on the other side of, what is now, the busy A11 road. In fact, the old clubhouse is still standing today and is used as a veterinary practice.

A challenging par 72, measuring 6,850 yards from the white markers, Thetford's free draining nature makes it a great place to play golf 12 months a year, with excellent putting surfaces and well-placed bunkering throughout providing a stern test for golfers of all abilities.

Pre-round thoughts

As you drive towards the course, you get a glimpse on both sides of the road, to tease you with the pending experience. Once you've been into the pro shop and checked in there is a nice array of warm-up/practice facilities available.

Close to the pro shop and clubhouse/changing rooms, there is a large putting green, chipping green and a couple of nets. There is also a second putting green around the other side of the building. Set adjacent to the first hole is an excellent short game/pitching area with three greens at 75/90 and 120 yards to hone those wedges, as well as another chipping green accompanied by a practice bunker. There is also a range available with 270 yards of hitting space with grass tees available.

So, everything you want and need to be ready for one for the more tougher opening holes...

Front nine

Is there a tougher opening hole than a 185 yard par 3 into a long, but narrow green that slopes from back to front? Not to mention the bunkers on either side ready to trap anything off target? As tough as it may play, the 1st at Thetford is a beauty, and from a slightly elevated tee box, a real eye pleasing hole too. Not for the faint hearted, but a lassy start to the course.

Thetford really kicks on at holes four and five.

The 4th is a long straight hole, with the tall trees either side all the way down from a fairly new tee box, you would be forgiven for thinking that you could be stood on a tee at somewhere like Woburn - which isn't a bad comparison. While the green is pretty air in size, it will take two good shots to find it.

Depending on the tee of choice, the 5th can play as two completely different holes.

Turning right from the 4th green to the yellow and red tee boxes offers up a straight tee shot, but hazard right and large fairway bunkers on the left will get you thinking. The hole plays down from the tee and back up to the green, giving the illusion that carrying the bunkers in the fairway is easier than it looks.

If you prefer the longer white tees, from the left of the previous green, the tee shot is even more challenging as the hole moves from right to left, through a narrow gap in the trees. No problem if you are able to hit a draw. Laying up short of the bunkers is the safest play, but will leave a longer, tougher second shot into another well protected green.

The green is one of the more undulating on the course, meaning if you make a four here it may well feel like better. A great hole.

Another superb hole comes at the 8th, from an elevated tee, the fairway bunker on the left hand side is a great line for a little cut, as the hole moves from left to right. It is a challenging tee shot, as anything that moves too far to the right will either end up in the trees, or slightly blocked out.

The approach plays downhill a bit more, another long but narrow putting surface really has no miss. One long bunker protects the right side of the green, 2 nasty pit bunkers the left and anything long will kick off the back of the green into the trees, my advice here would be to play to the heart of the green, regardless of pin position.

Back nine

A fantastic start to the back nine with a long par five that moves right to left all the way down, but the fairway here - mainly out of sight from the tee - kicks severely from right to left. The temptation is to hit your tee shot as far left as you can to allow for the slope, but going too far will leave you chipping out from the trees - a shot that may also run all the way through the fairway due to the slope. If you are able to find the fairway, a long tough second will still need to be precise in order to give yourself a shot into the green and a potential birdie opportunity.

After the long par 3 11th, the 12th hole has a little spot of interest on the right hand side. What can only be described as a large crater.comes into play.

The course seems to offer up a bit of respite on the 13th. While this par five does have a bit of length, the fairway is probably one of the wider on the course so you may want to open the shoulders a bit to give yourself a chance at a four. A straight second shot can run up onto the green, but anything offline will end up in the bunkers protecting the green either side.

A classic short par four awaits at the 14th. The tee shot is tight, with bunkers aplenty, the fairway narrows the longer you go too. A precise approach is needed to a green that feels very secluded by the surrounding trees, it's also one of those holes where as you walk off, turn and give it a look back from behind the green. Stunning.

The signature hole follows too, a 150 yard par three to a green that sits in a bowl, so the bottom of the pin is unsighted. The beauty of this hole is the heather that sits between the tee and green, When in full bloom it is nothing short of spectacular. A U-shaped bunker runs all the way around the front of the green.

The 18th is a brute of a finish. A 470-yard par four sloping down from the tee and moving left to right, the one well placed bunker on the corner on the right hand side is a popular spot. But laying short of that from the tee will leave an approach shot of some distance. The green is a fair size, and chasing onto the green is a great play given how far back you may be, but walking off with a four here will be a fitting end to a great round of golf.

Post Round Thoughts

Thetford is a classic. It's a tough but fair course, and depending on the conditions on the day, would play even tougher.

Whilst it is tough, it's also fair. You will work hard to avoid bunkers during the round, but they are well maintained. More often than not you may need to take some medicine in the fairway bunkers.

Some of the greens are large and undulating, meaning finding them may be the easier part but again, in excellent condition all year round.

The course should be enjoyed by golfers of all abilities. Selecting the tees based on your ability will only add to your enjoyment but still giving you the test you may desire.

It's a great course for year-round play. If you get it on a sunny day, make sure you sit outside overlooking the 18th green with a cold drink watching how other golfers fare playing the last as the sun slowly goes down. A fitting end to the day.

Verdict/Roundup

In summary, Thetford is a classic heathland course offering a fair but tough test for golfers of all ages and abilities. It offers everything a member or visitor could ask for and it is easy to see why visitors rate it so highly and often features in some of Golfshake 'must play' lists.

As the course continues to grow and develop, some of the plans to restore some more natural features including the heather development will only make it better in years to come and I look forward to visiting again very soon.

Overall Rating: 9

Course Conditions: 9

Course Layout: 9

Course Greens: 9

Course Challenge: 9

Club Facilities/Clubhouse: 9

Practice Facilities: 9

Friendliness/Hospitality: 9

Pace of Play: 9

Value for Money: 9