EAST ENGLAND


Not only does England have great heathland links around London, and links on the north west coast, it also has a huge variety of golf all along the east of England - both on the coast and inland. There aren’t quite the same clusters of courses you will find elsewhere, but there are some real highlights to be found. You will also discover some of the great towns of England, such as York, and villages like Brancaster.

A trip to the east of England may seem a little off the beaten track, but you will be rewarded with some great experiences.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

If you are arriving in London and then working your way up to the north east of the country there are many good options to play en route. Woodhall Spa (ranked 61st in the World) and Ganton (ranked 69) are must-plays, but you could easily fill a week stopping off on the way up. Huntercombe, Hollinwell, Sherwood Forest, Royal Worlington & Newmarket, Hunstanton and Brancaster are all good options. And that’s before you even get to Leeds where you must see Alwoodley and Moortown!

  • WOODHALL SPA

    WOODHALL SPA

    GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 61
    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 16

    Woodhall Spa is one of the very best inland courses in the UK. It’s originally a Harry Vardon layout, but Colt made significant changes. The bunkering at Woodhall Spa is phenomenal, you won’t see deeper bunkers anywhere in the country! The course has benefited from recent work by Tom Doak which has seen vistas opened up across the course which also now has more space to breathe. But have do bout, Woodhall Spa remains one of the sternest tests in England.

  • GANTON

    GANTON

    TOP100.COM WORLD RANKING - 69
    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 34

    Ganton is one of England’s classic courses. Unusually, it can be described as an ‘inland links’. Despite being some way from the coast it is built on a sandy base as this was once where the sea met the land.

    Bunkers may define a lot of the strategy at Ganton, there are over 100 in total and some are absolutely vast. Combine that with an abundance of heather and gorse and you have a course that will test your execution with every shot.

  • ROYAL WEST NORFOLK

    ROYAL WEST NORFOLK

    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 38
    GOLF WORLD MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 41

    Royal West Norfolk (or Brancaster as its known) is a truly unique experience in world golf. For starters, you have to check the tide times to make sure you can actually get to the course over the salt marshes in the first place!

    When you do, you will find a delightful, old-school, out-and-back links. The turf runs fast, the ground game is encouraged and the sleeper-faced bunkers are a visual delight.

  • HOLLINWELL

    HOLLINWELL

    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 40
    GOLF WORLD MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 52

    It may be stretching it slightly to say that Hollinwell is in the east of England, but you are likely to be passing close by if driving up from London. The course is well worth stopping in at on your way.

    There is more undulation and elevation change than at most British courses and some holes almost have an amphitheatre feel to them. The course has a lovely rhythm to it and keeps impressing all the way round.

  • ALWOODLEY

    ALWOODLEY

    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 48
    GOLF WORLD MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 36

    A local doctor designed his first ever golf course at Alwoodley. That doctor was one Alister MacKenzie, and the result is a joy to play. Alwoodley is predominantly a heathland course, with the excellent routing running through a combination of heather and mature trees. The bunkering, although conceived at the beginning of his career, has the hallmarks you would expect from MacKenzie. Recent work on the course has only elevated it further. A must-play when in the area.

  • Moortown

    MOORTOWN

    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 89
    GOLF WORLD MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 81

    Moortown had an interesting start in life. In a fundraising effort, neighbour, Alister MacKenzie, built just one hole - Gibraltar - to give the membership a taste of what he was capable of. They liked it so much they commissioned all 18 holes!

    That hole, the 10th, is probably still the standout on the course, but the rest of this moorland course is more than worth seeing too. This early Ryder Cup venue continues to be pleasingly restored to its prime.

WHERE TO STAY

You are likely to be spending a bit of time on the road on this trip. If you are around Royal West Norfolk, Brancaster itself has some nice local options. Or you ccould consider staying in Newmarket and seeing the nine holes of Royal Worlington & Newmarket at the same time. As you work your way north, Leeds is a city with some good hotel options - and very handy for Alwoodley and Moortown - while historic York is another place to consider.

  • THE JOCKEY CLUB ROOMS

    THE JOCKEY CLUB ROOMS

    Situated in the market town of Newmarket, The Jockey Club Rooms are a lovely spot to stop off at as you journey north from London to East Anglia

  • THE GOLF HOTEL

    THE GOLF HOTEL

    Built in 1880 and set in seven acres of well-kept gardens, lawns and woodlands, the hotel is ideally situated for the golf course, village and surrounding sights.

  • THE GRAND HOTEL

    THE GRAND HOTEL

    The Grand Hotel is York’s luxury hotel. Perfectly situated in the centre of this ancient city, you will be able to explore the historic old town.