Heacham Manor Golf Course Review

Heacham Manor is a family owned resort featuring an 18-hole American-style links course and a historic 16th century boutique hotel supported by a modern Wellness Centre. Having recently made a significant investment in a stunning new clubhouse facility known as 'The Pavilion' - the resort now has a much wider array of dining and accommodation options for visiting golfers. Golfshake dispatched Ambassador Rob Treanor to find out if this was now the best destination in Norfolk for a golf break.

The Heacham Manor estate is located just a stone’s throw from the North Norfolk coast on the fringe of Hunstanton. With the history of the Manor House extending back to the 16th century, the much more recently constructed championship golf course is maturing well and settling into the coastal landscape on which it sits.

The new Pavilion clubhouse is a true statement building and is the hub of all golfing activities. Featuring the pro shop, locker rooms and a sports bar on the ground floor, everything has been fitted out with extremely high quality materials, characterised by the timber sleepers which give the building’s facade a rustic and inviting look.

Pre-Round Thoughts

Heacham Manor has over 50 bedrooms and so has all of the accessory features for an extremely comfortable non-golfing experience. If time allows, a cup of coffee enjoyed on the first floor balcony of The Pavilion which overlooks the putting green, the 18th hole and out across the course towards the Norfolk coastline is an experience worth savoring.

The flat, sandy terrain makes for easy walking and the course is playable year round. As is customary for links courses, the par 72 course at Heacham Manor will feel all of its 6,788 yards from the championship tees when played on a blustery day. 

Front 9 Overview

The course opens with a welcoming par four played with the prevailing wind. Light bunkering on the fairway should be avoided to ensure an equally welcoming score is achieved. The course makes a proper introduction on the excellent par five 2nd. Played back towards the coastline, the tee shot needs to navigate a corridor of trees and shrubs to find the inviting fairway before the hole meanders to the right. A brook intercepts the fairway further along, forcing a judgement call on whether to lay-up, or attempt to carry the danger on the way to the green. This decision will be easier for those who managed to find the fairway from the tee and benefitted from the firm and fast turf. At 529 yards, this represents a significant but very enjoyable first major test.

The heart-in-mouth par three 7th is played over a large expanse of water. The intimidating tee shot must carry the lake to reach a wide and shallow green. Sleepers raised from the water’s edge disguise a false front to the green, making it seem an even smaller target from the tee box. The hole packs a punch for the excitement and anticipation it delivers, as players wait in suspense to find out if they have struck the ball well enough to carry the body of water. A very enjoyable hole.

Back 9 Overview

The par five 11th is a thing of beauty. Teeing off to avoid the gauze on either side, the fairway then wriggles left around a lake which protects the right hand side for the remainder of the hole. The fairway pinches and expands at various junctures to prevent a straightforward lay-up, ensuring the danger of the lake remains in focus for almost the entirety of the hole. A strong bunker adds extra protection for front left of the not overly generous green… there are few who will be brave enough to take aim from distance! A very strong hole.

Finally, buckle up for the 18th which finishes the round off in style in front of the glorious new Pavilion. A creek splits the fairway a third of the way to the green and with a tail wind, it is possible to carry the water which will significantly shorten the hole. After clearing the creek, the fairway turns left and tightens on the approach to the green. Mounding frames the right hand side of the hole, with the creek for company all the way down the left hand side. A finishing hole which can really make or break a round, it now has the added element of a stadium finish in front of first floor terrace bar at The Pavilion. Win, lose or draw, the terrace is a fantastic place to grab a cold drink and watch others put the finishing touches to their rounds.

Post-Round Thoughts

The course has interesting features from start to finish. There is a good variety of difficulty with the course offering opportunities to play more aggressively at a range of junctures. These openings require the individual to decide when to be aggressive to carry a feature or when to play more conservatively. It is a good matchplay course.

The club has been making iterative upgrades including the excellent on course signage fitted to huge rustic sleepers. These features tie back to the materials used in the Pavilion, giving a consistency of feel and quality throughout the on and off course experience.

Although the 7th lays claim to the title of signature hole, this is challenged by the par 5s at 11 and 18. The memorable finish at the 18th is now somewhat akin to finishing in front of a grand stand. The view from the first floor balcony must be seen to be believed and there cannot be many better locations to enjoy a post round drink after a thoroughly enjoyable round.

Verdict

The spectacular Pavilion facility really does finish this venue off with all of the off course services a golfer could desire. The Sports Bar serves food all day, from hearty breakfasts to post round classics including burgers, fish and chips and chicken wings. The ambience and backdrop in the Pavilion is such that you may not want to leave, though the hotel also boasts a smart restaurant called The Mulberry which offers a more upmarket option and a nice change of scenery for longer breaks.

We came to answer the question of whether Heacham Manor was now the best destination in Norfolk for a golf break. Given the addition of the magnificent new Pavilion clubhouse, we can confirm, definitively, that it is.

Overall Rating - 10

Course (Conditions) - 9

Course (Hole Variety/Layout) - 10

Course (Green Condition) - 10

Course (Challenge/Difficulty) - 10

Club Facilities & Clubhouse - 10

Practice Facilities - 10

Friendliness/Hospitality - 10

Pace of Play - 10

Value For Money - 10