Beau Desert Golf Club is located in the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Hunstanton is not especially long by modern standards but then it hardly needs to be considering the difficulty of the course and ubiquity of the sea breeze. After a brief glimpse at the rear of the second green, a small river runs beside five, through eight and alongside ten. 
It may also play a part in solving the unfortunate issue modern golf has with blind shots. A good hole should be able to be understood the first time you play it I feel.
Everything you need to know before you go! What a pleasure this golf club was, the golf course was in outstanding condition in winter, the fairways and views where stunning. Although 220 yards, it plays shorter as you can run the ball into the green. Jacques Lglise Trophy,
Atop the right side of the ridge provides the best angle into the green, but also requires a perfectly placed 225-yard shot. Measuring over 464 yards and into the prevailing wind, the real difficulty lies in the green.
Source: https://www.hunstantongolfclub.com/, Hunstanton Golf Club Golf Course Rd, Hunstanton, Norfolk PE36 6JQ United Kingdom, Visit Hunstanton Golf Club social media accounts, https://www.facebook.com/Hunstanton-Golf-Club-159316620763953, https://www.instagram.com/hunstanton_golf_club, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChujQ9B3Ozn904mZTKkoAQQ, Source: https://www.youtube.com/embed/FFJ_KEvYncY. Hunstanton knows who it is and perhaps more importantly, who it wants to be. Overall, worth the drive to play this course.
This is a terrific hole but the next is not as universally loved.
However, you can grasp the answer to the question being asked.
9 at Lahinch employs a very similar strategy. There would be no need for practice rounds before competitions and courses would be quickly boring if there was nothing to work out.
English Women's Amateur,
Then comes the famous 7th, played across a gully and over an enormous, gaping bunker to the green beyond. Main holes of merit would include 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17. On the outskirts of Cannock between Lichfield and Stafford, Hillside Golf Club shares a northern border with Royal Birkdale Golf Club and southern border with Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club.
This is a classic links course that ticks many of the design features of a traditional links challenge. On the eastern side of the course near the 10th green and 11th tee is Seahenge, a prehistoric monument of stones and oak posts. The narrow elevated green sits on top of a dune with run-offs both sides and it feels like you are trying to land the ball on top of a policemans helmet. The 8th has a bridle path and ditch running across it at pretty much driving length so laid up with a 3 iron, and I was asked (this time verbally) one of the two strangest questions I have ever been asked on a golf course !!! Large, well equiped clubhouse. Clearly, the direction of the wind is crucial to deciding how the links must be tackled but presuming the prevailing westerly is in effect, a fast start is not out of the question. Certainly not the easiest looking SI 18 I have seen ! Settled down after that parring the third which was surprisingly stroke index 1 ? Martin Hawtree has spearheaded the clubs overall master plan. Fourteen is a fully blind one shot hole that seems to draw ire from many who are not as understanding as others. Bunkers flank either edge of the fairway. or into the breeze (suddenly the bunker becomes twice the size).
1 person found this review helpful Respond to above review Anyway in 1974 a plaque proclaims a gent from Leicestershire playing in the Midlands Foursomes holed out here, not just on the first day of the comp, but also on the second day..and then also on the third day too !!!
Hunstanton and Royal West Norfolk are always rated close together in today's ranking tables but, when Darwin wrote about Hunstanton in his book, The Golf Courses of the British Isles, things were different: Hunstanton is very amusing golf; it is more than that, for it is for the most part very good golf. For the better player, oblivious to the potential embarrassment of an opening drive struck from a 1st tee yards away from the bay windows of the clubhouse, the approach will be little more than a pitch and the par-5 2nd often plays shorter than would appear likely to judge by the scorecard. Located on the beautiful north west Norfolk coast, Hunstanton is a superb championship links course. What makes it even more interesting is the 100 yards of No Man's Land as a forced carry to a punch bowl green. Other great holes - 5 has a great second shot, 6 is a great short 4 with a table top green, 7 is a lovely par 3, 9 is a gem of a par 5 with another fabulous green complex & so nicely framed, 11 is a brute, such a tight drive, but very fun, 15 is an awesome short par 5 with risk reward a plenty, and 18 is a great finishing hole. Hunstanton on the North Norfolk Wash coastline is a true traditional links. Martin Hawtree led a project to renovate the bunkering in recent years and the club will act on his advice to begin further course improvement works, with the par-5 8th a particular focus, in the coming years. Register Here for access to our Newsletter, Media Centre and Membership details. Dogs on leads are very welcome to accompany their owners while they play.
Its no lottery - you simply need to execute a good shot in the absence of seeing the flag. Respond to above review The schedule for the day was England vs Tonga in the Rugby World Cup followed by a 2:30 tee time at Hunstanton. 0 people found this review helpful Natural sand dunes scattered all around the green.
The greens in amazing condition and for the time of year the course was running firm and fast, Respond to above review Hunstanton Golf Club is in a unique situation in that its coastline is expanding as opposed to eroding like many other links. 0 people found this review helpful The very next day in the same competition, he once more holed in one.
Hunstanton is the ancestral home of the le Strange family; Hamon le Strange invested 30 to get the original nine holes ready for play; George Fernie was the architect. Hunstanton or Brancaster? This is a full-blown championship golf links; an absolute must-play for serious golfers. See other reviews from Kevin Henley. There is also a card available in the pro shop which gives the pin positions for the day according to the colour displayed on the board adjacent to the entrance.
Its a traditionalist's dream - a classic out and back layout, wind assisted for half the round and playing into a stiff breeze on the way back. An all-round great links test, ok value for money. By an act of geographical curiosity, this small town on the Wash is the only resort on Britains east coast to be west-facing. You can see how the land would have looked prior to the course being laid out - and laid out is the appropriate word - there is little sculpting done, the holes apart from the greens simply run over the dunes. See other reviews from tamas.
The second is a relatively straight forward par 5 which, again downwind, wasnt too problematic (unless you dogged one OB left into the green-keepers compound like I did). Whilst short, having not played it before, my second shot with a short iron looked awesome, a few feet from the pin on the raised green. - back to back par 5s at hole 8 and 9, test your game as you play 8 with the wind and 9th back into it. Holes One through Eight are routed to the South of the dominant ridge. The course finishes brilliantly though 12 is a risk and reward drive, 13 is just a cracking hole, hit long and you have a shorter, but blind approach, hit short and you can see the green but you have a longer approach. Might I suggest you do the same if you're ever thinking about playing Lahinch or Cruden Bay. Alternative tees are provided to allow play in all conditions.
Coming home, the 14th is the only quirky hole, a long par three playing over the dune ridge it is completely blind from the tee with only a tall pole beyond the green as your target.
The 10th is called memory Lane and I wish to forget it, attractive hole into the far corner of the course, slightly raised green and having missed the green with second I developed a bad dose of the shanks so didnt get to putt on this green ! 17 and 18 are a glorious finish playing to the backdrop of the clubhouse with beach huts down the right hand side of 18 which has a deviously elevated green.
Nothing else. Three bunkers dominate the right side of the fairway at driving distance, so a long iron off the tee feels sensible. Described as one of the countrys hidden gems, you can play Hunstanton on seven consecutive days and imagine you have played seven different courses the magic never fades. Contact in advance. Having a drink of Gunners afterwards, reflecting on a class afternoon, and chatting with the members, this was how golf was meant to be. Arriving late on the tee and not yet having skycaddie turned on did NOT help with what doesnt look the most welcoming of opening holes, with the tee virtually on the patio. Again visually beautiful. The half set movement is inherently linked to the growing subculture of retro, millennial, minimalist golf We introduce you to it here. 18 is a great finish right up to the clubhouse. Tees and fairways were great, the rough was mainly good. Respond to above review Im sure its common to see golfers chipping backwards and forwards over this green. The Club has a distinguished golfing history and is proud *Please note these prices are based on travel during the High Season May to October, Clerks Court, 18-20 Farringdon Lane, London EC1R 3AU. With a world-class architect advising and a capable green-keeping team that is adept at making the evolutionary changes, the future is bright Hunstanton Golf Club. 0 people found this review helpful
The prominent dune ridge is used as a backbone to the course with most of the holes running parallel to it. Overall, a right to left shot shape would appear to gain the advantage on many of the holes out and back. Perhaps it is a little unfairly overshadowed in public estimation by its near neighbour Brancaster, which is altogether on a rather bigger and grander scale. Nevertheless, Hunstanton is a connoisseurs golf course, jammed full of memorable quality golf holes. Yet the layout is subtle enough to confound anyone expecting to score well in one direction and struggle relentlessly in the other. In 1971 and 2002-4, new bunkering was introduced on 8 of the holes, making Hunstanton, from the back tees and with the usual breezes, a tough but exhilarating test of golfing skill. Boys Amateur, Indeed, when the Brabazon was played here in 2003 some of the worlds finest amateurs struggled to come close to matching par.
The pines standing behind the green and hut help frame the hole beautifully. That is not the play. I mention this as it leaves a good feeling of the place before you even get their. Hunstanton doesnt have the quirk and charm of nearby Brancaster, but we found it in better condition, and I think it offers a superior technical challenge, and is certainly a tougher examination of your driving.
I will start with 17, this is one of the best par 4s Ive ever played. I was off and on my way to the golf course at 0805. A woman on a horse, who I was waiting to cross, stopped and asked me if her horse could look at my trolley.. was he looking for a new one himself I wondered, but no, he was apparently a bit nervous of them in the distance and she wanted him to see one close up and see it wasnt that much of a threat ! More recently, in 1972, Hunstanton hosted the Ladies British Amateur Championship, when Mickey Walker went on to win, beating Claudine Rubin of France. Royalty and aristocracy are regulars at one of the most Lost your password?
The standout holes on the front 9 for me were 3, 6, the lovely par 3 7th, 8 and 9.
Anyway, back to the par 5 8th, you cant see where you are going for your second so I just knocked a 7 iron over but once over the path etc there is plenty of room and it is a nice par 5. This is the best course I have personally played. united kingdom. 0 people found this review helpful Click an icon to view the entire set.
If you reach the crest of the hill, you can see the green on the second shot. Hunstanton Golf Club was founded in 1891 and Hamon became the inaugural club president.
16 is a stunning one-shot hole surrounded by six pots.
However the threat of heavy rain in the late afternoon meant a call to the course pro shop who told us to get there for 12 and they will get us off, meant the rugby was missed.
I felt chuffed to be putting for eagle here. From there, a really interesting approach shot presents itself to an ultra-narrow green perched on a ledge with a severe run-off flanking the whole right side which leaves a high tariff recovery.
0 people found this review helpful Like many classic links, the course finishes with two demanding long par fours into the prevailing wind. Perhaps the two most controversial holes come next. Re: BB, cant even see the green let alone the flag! 
Beautiful clubhouse too. Welcome to NCG Top 100s - the home of golf course rankings, NCG Top 100s Great Britain and Ireland: Methodology, Buying Guide: Most comfortable golf shoes. The second is a 530 yard par 5, but we found it reachable downwind in firm conditions however to achieve this requires you to carefully thread your drive between 4 fairway bunkers and a further two bunkers at lay up distance. This course features in these collections. English Men's Amateur, Once down the bottom you need to raise the ball vertically of tightly mown grass and stop it short of the awaiting bunkers the far side onto a narrow green. To be fair the back nine continued as the first, good, different, challenging but playable holes, of which a few deserve special mention. The 13th and 15th were my favourite holes. The pro was incredibly friendly and helpful to us as visitors, somehwat different from the approach taken by Royal West, and the members all wanted to chat whilst sharing a pint after the round.
An absolute gem, and a beast. Promise. Was this review helpful?
With a naturally high ball flight, keeping the ball low and playing for the wind effect was a challenge throughout the back 9 and i did spend some time in the rough right of the holes 9, 11, 15, 17 and 18!
With a public path 100 yards in front of the green, it was nice to have 'spectators', stiff the approach close and receive applause. Was this review helpful?
Four ball play is permitted only on Tuesdays from 10.30 am. See other reviews from Steve Caldwell.
11 is a rare bunker-less gem. Going back to my question about the normal prevailing wind, the 15th at stroke index 18 made me take a second look. Condition of the course for November was very good, unfortunately despite the greens being a little slow, they were nice & I can only blame the 38 putts I had on myself!! Hunstanton delivers it in bucket loads. I think the course is in the right position in the list, maybe could be a bit higher. 14 - the par 3 that is blind, is absolutely dreadful. Par was delivered.
The course embraces the past but has forged ahead with improvements that will keep it true to its identity: a proper test. Not aggressive enough to reach the plateau and the second shot is blind. Recognised as one of the top 50 UK courses, Hunstanton links is a classic 'out and back' design, on either side of a central spine or dune ridge. From here onwards you are taken on a brilliant Golfing adventure that weaves along, in and around some sublime coastal ridges and dunes in many different directions. Internally there are options which can be used to lengthen holes to keep pace with technology.
James Braid
You are most likely to find your ball on the right-hand side of the fairway. Respond to above review The angle into the green is best from the left-hand side of the fairway. - the 2 finishing holes are strong and these 2 combined with the par 3 16th make a wonderful finish to the round.
architectural analysis of the the 13th hole, Kevin Murray's Hunstanton Golf Club photography, Sean Arble's tour of Hunstanton Golf Club, WATCH KEVIN MURRAY'S HUNSTANTON PROMO VIDEO, Built and maintained to be a championship test. Almost every hole features fairway bunkers at driving distance which ask you to make a decision on the tee: driver is always an option but this means threading the ball through narrowing gaps. They combine to create a fitting finish, and are worthy of deciding any match. Twilight & winter discount rates applied by the club.
A feat of incalculable odds also occurred at Hunstanton. Well worth its place in any ranking list and definitely a classic links. Two holes two balls. I hit a reasonable shot in (or so I thought) right half of the green, which took an alarming 90 degree right kick. What is Golf Course Architecture?
A protective, broad ridge separates the sea from the golf course as a whole. I can completely understand why the golf club is in the top 100 and can honestly say I will being booking another hotel and playing here very soon.
Beautifully true running greens. The 8th is an interesting par 5 out from the clubhouse and 9 is another par 5 that turns back alongside it so whichever way the wind blows you will cop it in one of them.
Micro contours are seen and welcome especially on the first eight fairways. Most of the inward holes are routed to the North of the dominant ridge. Handicap certificate required. Was this review helpful?
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Plans are afoot to reinstate the river and its meandering through the course.
On one side is the River Hun and the other the Wash. A spine of duneland runs the entire length. See other reviews from Nicholas Kjelgaard.
12 and 14 are both blind. I had always thought that checking the position of the flag on greens still to be played was part of good course management as indeed is a bit of research beforehand. As you walk down 4 you see an interesting looking raised green, but get no indication of the horror that lays ahead ! - playing back into the cross wind really tested my game. Some holes criss-cross over it using it to its full potential. See other reviews from Greg Watson. And while the obvious time to arrange such a trip would be the summer, do bear in mind that Hunstanton in particular is a sensationally good option in the winter too.
Hit the green or go long. played to the wrong green here !
In 1907, James Braid revised the existing layout and extended the course to 18 holes, alterations which cost a total of 25. Martin Hawtree recently produced a course master plan for the club and much of this work has completed, including re-bunkering of the par fives and improvements to the 1st, 7th, 10th and 18th. Hunstanton Golf Club is located in the seaside town of Hunstanton in West Norfolk, England. - the par 3 16th surrounded by 7 pot bunkers is a delight.
Located on the north west coast of Norfolk, Hunstanton is a fine example of a British championship links course.
17 is the hardest hole on the course with the fairway sloping left to right and playing into the wind, the low sun and with the run you get on links courses it was nearly impossible to keep it on the fairway. Blade or cavity back irons which should you be gaming?
The 10th is a great driving hole, a drive down the left offers a better angle into the green, but a water filled ditch guards the left hand side of the fairway and cuts in further up, and a couple of bunkers lurk on the right side to catch out the bail out tee shot.
Go left and you will find thick rough while anything fading away will run off and down, leaving a chip few will relish.
Play was normal to fast, the turf was mainly good, with some stress and some sward variability within the greens. 1 person found this review helpful I liked the back to back parallel par fives at 8 and 9, depending on the wind one will be tough and one will offer a birdie chance. At the 1st, the tee shot over reintroduced scrubland provides extra drama and visual appeal. Holes like this do split golfing opinion but on the basis that a solid shot will invariably find the 14th green while a poor one will assuredly not, it is hard to be entirely critical.
The 8th green is furthest point from the clubhouse, and here you turn and make the long journey for home. - the par 3 7th plays from one high dune to another, protected by a large bunker centre. It is a simple hole that uses the ground and topography available to perfection.
Generally, the prevailing wind will favour you on the outward half but the locals say that in a freezing easterly scoring well here is even more of a challenge. site by sears Davies. I dont like par 5s where you cant hit driver, therefore I dont particularly care for the 8th although it has another great green complex. Nice if unexpected touch. Purchase Kevin Murray's Hunstanton Golf Club photography.
This natural course is a simple out and back affair, interrupted only briefly in the middle of the outward and inward nines by a few short holes that zigzag at right angles across the central dunes. Read an architectural analysis of the the 13th hole. - loved the 13th, a blind tee shot but your approach to the green is wonderful. Take Sean Arble's tour of Hunstanton Golf Club. They are gaining land as opposed to losing it.
The first is a short par four, with an opening drive in front of the clubhouse over a dune ridge and sandy waste area. The 12th, 13th and 14th holes play across this ridge. The green sits on the side of a dune, an approach from the right has to carry a bunker with the green angled across you but an approach from the left gives you the full length of the green to aim at.
The 18th is a little shorter but plays up to a well protected elevated green in front of the clubhouse and makes a superb finishing hole.
Upon arrival at the green you find a huge hollow, almost like a small random fairway about 30 feet below the surface of a narrow steeply sloping green than truly resembles a car bonnet even falling away down over the wheel arches to the right !!! See other reviews from Michael Verity.
Evidence further of a club not swayed by sentiment nor unwilling to make changes that they feel will keep the course the championship test it is meant to be. A famous hole in Golfing folklore, Robert Taylor of Leicestershire made 3 holes in one on 3 successive days in the Eastern Counties Foursomes event held at the course in 1974! Then the 16th is a 180ish yard par 3, back out from the clubhouse but with several bunkers and from a slightly raised tee which must make it a lot harder into the wind. The current phase of development has now been completed with the redesign of the 1st and 18th holes. Two par fives end the front nine, and since they play in opposite directions, it is often the case that a five on the one is more worthy than a four at the other. 17 is a brilliant long par 4 - an inviting tee shot to a fairway that cambers hard from left to right.
All three share Swinley Forest Golf Club is one of the most exclusive yet unpretentious golf clubs in the world. It does not need the protection of a single bunker.
Removed are the sleepers from the single bunker gaping before the green. Having not made hay whilst the wind helped I was nervous. Respond to above review We usually play 36 when visiting a new course - the first 18 providing a sighter for the afternoon round.
- the par 3 14th, whilst 220 yards and played into a stiff wind is straight forward enough and a well hit shot should be rewarded with a ball on the green. This hole is class. Visit Website. After a slightly pedestrian opening five holes, Hunstanton really bursts into life with the approach shot into the short par-4 6th.
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It was downwind and as it turned out it wasnt as bad as it looked and as long as you clear the scrub-land and bunkers and dont go too far right (like I did ending up on OB on the practice ground!)
What are the odds ?!
From there you work your way into the dunes to the picturesque one-shotter that is the unofficial 'signature' hole, the 7th.
The course is open and playable almost every day of the year thanks to its excellent draining system and first-class greens staff.
Golf Tourism England all rights reserved. Green size is governed by the length of the approach. All Content Copyright
It is tucked against the spine of dunes and is little more than a ledge especially when viewed from 200 yards or more away.
The chip from the right side as intimidating as it is, if the pin is left, you can play it well past the hole and use the slope to bring it back. Hunstanton Golf Club is and will be a championship course moving forward.
Stand on the 11th tee and not only can you survey a par four of genuine championship stature, you will also be able to see the clubhouse in the distance. 2 people found this review helpful Situated in the Holes Dunes and facing The Wash, it is one of the few places in the East of England where the sun sets over the sea!
The 'best golfing experience' in Norfolk. Nothing not to like about this course.
Please enter your email address. Some of the holes really stand out from the others here. It involves an oscillating markerpost, a completely blind long iron or wood and the hope of a favourable downhill bounce to take you on to the large green. Eight to play and you can see you are miles from home and the stiff breeze is in your face.
With speed of play a particular issue of pride in these parts, you will be most likely be back in the cosy clubhouse within three hours.
Putting greens must be well guarded, often by dykes, directly in front of greens.
Two of the worlds best lady golfers have played and won here at Hunstanton. Join The Social Golfer and then Write your review. The Gordons weren't the greatest of archit Hunstanton Golf Club is a connoisseurs golf course, jammed full of memorable quality golf holes.
The short 16th is a vintage par 3, and also the scene of a quite remarkable feat back in the 1970s.
0 people found this review helpful It is a fine hole.
However, on walking up the dune to the green you realise that there was no wide green to aim at - it's narrow and long and my ball, like countless others, had ran off into a valley some 25 feet below the hole.
This course underwent a true transformation.
Good hitting is essential to prosper on holes like the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and especially 11th but clear thinking and touch are more important at the 6th and 13th.