Brandon Rd,
Thetford, Norfolk IP24 3NE
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+44 (0)1842 752 169Pro shop
+44 (0)1842 752 169Website
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Stuart Smith (PGA, Head Golf Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Wooded heathland. Gently undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Woodland (Thetford Forest).
Designer:
Original design by Charles Mayo; subsequent modifications by James Braid and later still by Philip Mackenzie Ross.
52.419051
0.712875
2.5 mi W of Thetford / 31 mi SW of Norwich.
Thetford Golf Club: this classic tree-lined heathland course is quietly tucked-away on the edge of Thetford Forest. Expansively laid out through Scots pine, oak and birch, here you'll find a testing and enjoyable course, which can stretch to 6,800 yards from the tips.
With a layout crafted onto a sandy sub-soil base by James Braid and Philip Mackenzie Ross, the course stays playable throughout the year. Comprising three loops that play out-and-back from the clubhouse area (1 thru' 5, 6 thru' 13, and 14 thru' 18) the layout includes an absorbing mix of straightaway and doglegging holes, some with elevation change, others flatter.
Plenty of fairway-lining heather and gorse underscores Thetford's heathland credentials. Crisp, firm and dry playing conditions are what you can typically expect from this highly-regarded and excellently presented East Anglian gem.
The downhill par-3 1st gives notice that the pleasantly undulating terrain contains plenty of elevation changes, though the course is not tiring to walk. Recently refurbished sharp-edged bunkering lies in wait along the good-width fairways and especially around the greens. And beware the putting surfaces. They might look friendly enough, but contain a wealth of "hidden" slopes and borrows that will take your ball in directions hard to imagine.
Pick of the holes: the par-3 16th is hard to forget ... fronting the green is a "half-doughnut" bunker, which must be cleared to find the safety of the green.
Visitors welcome on weekdays, and weekends (Sat after 1pm; Sun after 11am).
Must book in advance.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2025].
Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire.
Good
The nearby market town of Thetford, with a history dating back to the Iron Age (c.1200-c.550 BC), has long provided an important crossing point on the Little Ouse River. Dating from the 13th century, one of the town's oldest buildings, St Cuthbert's Church, is located on King Street, Thetford's main shopping thoroughfare.
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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