Royal West Norfolk Golf Club

Beach Road,

Brancaster, nr Hunstanton, Norfolk PE31 8AX

  • Office

    +44 (0)1485 210 223
  • Pro shop

    +44 (0)1485 210 616
  • Fax

    +44 (0)1475 210 087
  • Golf pro

    Andrew Collison (PGA Club Professional).

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Seaside links. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk.

  • Surroundings:

    Coastal duneland.

  • Designer:

    Holcombe Ingleby

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
6427
6371
5882
Par
71
71
75
SSS or slope
71
71
75

Location

Latitude:

52.974232

Longitude:

0.636429

How to get there:

7 mi E of Hunstanton / 23 mi N of King's Lynn / 40 mi NW of Norwich.

As you enter Brancaster from Hunstanton on the A149 turn left into Broad Lane at the Church. Follow signs for Beach. Course is 1 mi after leaving A149. [Course not accessible by road during high tides].

Royal West Norfolk Golf Club (Brancaster)

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.

Est. 1892

Royal West Norfolk Golf Club (Brancaster): Separated from the sea by a single ridge of sand dunes, and from the land by a tidal saltmarsh, 'Brancaster' is a true 'links', and an absolute gem. Just ask anyone who has ever played here, and they'll have a story to tell. Even if the wind is blowing across the course, you can't help but enjoy this immensely natural and scenic links layout.

Occupying a sandy ridge, and surrounded on all sides by water and saltmarsh, this natural links course has delighted visiting golfers for well over a hundred years. The out-and-back layout meanders its way towards Mow Creek, before turning for home at the well-bunkered par-3 10th. Wooden-sleepered bunkers are an early feature on the layout, so to the ever-present views over the wide tidal marshes.

For first-time visitors the short par-5 8th and par-4 9th holes may induce a moment's head scratching; both holes require the marsh to be crossed, not once but twice. Record par (or better) at this tricky duo, and you'll be set-up for a good inward nine, where accuracy should prevail over wayward big-hitting.

Many golfers readily include Brancaster in their list of top ten courses ever played. Only the swish of the fescues and sound of birdsong breaks the tranquility of the wonderfully atmospheric setting. If you play early in the morning or on a still summer's evening - the natural lighting here can be surreal, which might explain why so many landscape painters are attracted to this stretch of the Norfolk coast.

List of courses: England - East

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays; more restricted on weekends.

Must book in advance. Handicap required.

Green fees

Contact club for green fee details.

Other information

Brancaster is a two ball course for singles and foursome play only. This is a walking course. Golf carts (buggies) are available for hire but only on medical grounds, and need to be booked in advance.

Practice facilities

Limited

Did you know?

Royal West Norfolk's clubhouse is not accessible by car at high tide, and both the 8th and 9th holes can be affected by the tides. It's worth checking any possible tidal restrictions when you book.

Queen Victoria conferred the Royal prefix on the club in its founding year (1892), based on the patronage of her son Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VII). By royal prerogative, 19 English golf clubs use the "Royal" title, namely: Ascot, Ashdown Forest, Birkdale, Blackheath, Cinque Ports, Cromer, Eastbourne, Epping Forest, Household (Windsor Castle), Liverpool (Hoylake), Lytham & St Annes, Mid-Surrey, North Devon (Westward Ho!), Norwich, St George's, West Norfolk (Brancaster), Wimbledon, Winchester, Worlington & Newmarket.

Published ranking

England's 17th best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 41st best course (Golf World, 2022).
World's 65th best public access course (Golf World, 2023).

Where2Stay

  • Le Strange Arms3-star

    Golf Course Rd, Hunstanton, Norfolk PE36 6JJ.

    +44 (0)1485 534 411

    Visit website

    The Best Western Le Strange Hotel sits quietly in the north Norfolk village of Old Hunstanton and enjoys an unrivalled seashore setting, with lawns sweeping down to the dunes and sandy beach. Although the hotel is on England's east coast, it faces west across the Wash, which is famous for its sunsets and wildlife!

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Hunstanton

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Royal West Norfolk (Brancaster); King's Lynn.

  • Titchwell Manor

    Titchwell, nr Brancaster, Norfolk PE31 8BB.

    +44 (0)1485 210 221

    Visit website

    Titchwell Manor is a boutique 27-bedroom country retreat offering destination fine dining. The elegant former Victorian farmhouse combines traditional values with contemporary accommodation.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Royal West Norfolk

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Hunstanton; King's Lynn.

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