Swaffham Golf Club Review

When I first moved to Norfolk it wasn’t for the golf. I had never considered the county to be a haven for our sport. I could not have been more wrong.

There is a host of magnificent courses. These include classic links layouts such as Sheringham and Cromer and a host of wonderful parkland courses that include Eaton, Barnham Broom, Dunston Hall and Sprowston Manor.

And to that list can be added one of the finest heathland courses I have ever played. Swaffham Golf Club is an absolute gem, an 18-hole course designed for the purist that will be enjoyed by players of all standards.

Originally opened as a nine-hole course in 1922 on a Norfolk Breckland Heath, just two miles from the centre of Swaffham, the club expanded to 18 holes in 2001. 

Some of the new holes were created from an area of mature woodland while others reflect the more open style of The Brecks and they have all matured to blend well with the older part of the course. The land is well drained, minimising the effects of heavy rainfall.

First Impressions

There is ample car parking for members and visitors alike. The clubhouse feels warm and inviting and is well appointed, with a well-stocked bar and a great choice of home-made food, and there is a superb pro shop. It is a course that positively encourages visitors and clearly makes them feel like they belong. On the day we played there was a society following us and they were clearly looking forward to playing the course, having been here before.

The Facilities

The club boasts superb practice facilities. There is a large driving range, a short-game area, practice putting green and nets. 

The Course

Heathland, par 71, 6,473 yards from white tees, 6,158 yards from the yellow tees.

From the yellow tees, the opening hole is a par five measuring 516 yards. It seems innocuous enough but two giant well-placed trees on the right mean you simply have to aim for the left. Like most holes on the course, the second, measuring 391 yards, is well protected by trees. Find the middle and you need to thread your approach to the green while avoiding three greenside bunkers. The third is the first of four magnificent par threes. It measures 190 yards and calls for a towering tee shot that must carry a deep bunker protecting the front of a large green that has many subtle slopes and borrows. The fifth, a par four measuring 372 yards, is stroke index one. The fairway slopes from right to left with a bunker waiting to gobble up anything hit too far left. From the middle of the fairway the next challenge is to avoid the well-placed greenside bunkers - you also don’t want to go long. And that brings you to the next par three, the 194-yard sixth. Take one club more than you think to this slightly elevated and narrow green. Again, there are bunkers to be avoided - and don’t go long. A tricky hole. The seventh measures 352 yards and is a dog-leg from left to right with a bunker waiting to catch any tee-shot that goes too far right. The front nine closes with a 396-yard par four that plays gently uphill. The fairway is pretty generous but you need to be in the middle to go for a green surrounded by sand.

The back nine starts with a real birdie chance, a par four measuring 299 yards. But beware - out of bounds lurks behind the green. The 12th is another beautiful par three. It only measures 162 yards but plays slightly uphill and is another hole where you need to take one club more than you think to carry the bunker short of the putting surface. The 13th is a 501-yard par five. You need to avoid two bunkers on the left and another on the right that is waiting to catch your second shot. You then face an approach to a smallish green protected by four traps. The 16th, 17th and 18th represent a truly wonderful finishing stretch. The 16th may only measure 131 yards but don’t be fooled. It is one tricky par three that demands a well-struck and well-placed tee shot - find the wrong part of the green and you could find yourself facing a monstrous putt. For my money, the 17th hole is the best on the course. An uphill par four, it runs to 372 yards. An accurate drive is vital to give you a shot to a green set in something of a valley and completely surrounded by trees. A potential card wrecker. The final hole is another great par four of 417 yards. There are no fairway bunkers but you need to find a way through the trees that line both sides of the fairway before a second shot to another large green that is guarded by a bunker front right.

The Cost

From October 17 to March 24th, 18 holes will cost £30-£40, rising to £50-£60 during the full season. There are also plenty of deals on offer for societies - before the 24th March a group of eight or more players will pay £48 for a tea/coffee and a bacon roll, 18 holes and a one-course-meal. If you are interested in joining, full seven day membership is £1,227.50, while five-day membership is £1,143.50. There are also reductions for various age groups - for instance, if you are 26-30 you will pay just £805, rising to £1,088 for those in the 31-39 age group.

The Food

The menu is wide and varied and offers tremendous value for money. An all-day breakfast costs just £7.95, a bacon sandwich £4.95 and a sausage sandwich £4.95. Chicken curry with rice or chips and a poppadum is £10.95. There is also a great choice of sandwiches and baguettes from £5.50 to £8.95. A pot of coffee will set you back a paltry £2. And there are gluten and dairy-free options.

Verdict

Woburn is one of my favourite UK golf courses and one of the biggest compliments I can pay Swaffham is that it reminded me of that wonderful layout and has now become my favourite Norfolk golf course. The ball sits up beautifully on the well-manicured fairways. No two holes are same and the nine holes added in 2001 blend seamlessly into the course, like they were always there. The greens are magnificent, well-manicured with plenty of subtle slopes. And the bunkering is perfect - the traps are in exactly the right place. And guess what? They all contain proper sand! The greeting in the clubhouse was warm - we were welcomed with a smile and made to feel wanted. 

Swaffham has around 600 members. This is an area that people choose to retire to and, incredibly, it boasts a 200-string senior section. It is relatively flat so you are not going to be on your knees when you walk off the 18th green.

For more information, please visit Swaffhamgc.co.uk or call 07760 721621.