Thetford Golf Club

2nd day of Oiks tour (14/9/11), and so on to Thetford. The course is a fine example of heath and heather terrain bordered by Scots Pine and Oak trees. There are many fine holes and the closing three holes (pars 3, 5 and 4) which are oustanding reminded me of Ganton. Some of the fairways were incredibly dry (even for heathland) and the soil was crumbly. The greenkeeping staff were hollow tining them to try to rejuvinate them. This aside the day was excellent and finished off with some very good value meals in the modern clubhouse.

No booking system seems to operate so ring before you visit to get feel for how busy it is likely to be. It is a really pretty course meandering among pine and deciduous forest. If you wander off line you will be punished and compiling a score takes patience. Greens were a letdown, quite slow and bumpy(the pro said they had work recently done on them)but the rest of the layout was first class. Good staff and facilities rounded off a really good day even at £38 per round.

Super course set in Thetford Forest, very much reminds me of Woburn, except that the fairways are wider. A great test of golf. I was staying at Center Parcs just up the road, so decided to ring up Thetford to book a tee-time. They don't have a tee-time booking system, just turn up and hope for the best. I went on a Wednesday, and Vicky (I think) was very helpful, saying that should be ok, as no matches or societies were on that day, apparently it can get busy. Be aware, they also request that you have a handicap certificate, luckily I had mine on me. Anyway met up with a couple of members on the 1st tee, and had 18 great holes of golf, with great company. Greens had been worked on recently, but were still true (I even holed a 30footer!!!) If you are in that area, give it a go. Bit pricey at £35 compared to others in the area but if you know, or meet a member before paying, they can get you in for half price.

Played here with a group of mates on the way home from a golf weekend last June. They accomodated us with a lasy minute booking when we phoned on the Sunday morning because our booked round elsewhere had to be cancelled due to weather problems. Having welcomed eight lads in a minibus at short notice, I was a bit worried what they might think as we piled in and asked for sandwiches and beers but it was sorted out quickly and we dashed onto the first tee and set ourselves up for a treat. And what a treat. This a a real challenge, a course I wish we had booked up as a first choice. Carved out of Thetford forest, with tree, gorse and heather lined fairways, the setting was superb. Unfortunately, our golf didn't quite meet the standard of the course but that may have had something to do with a couple of late nights beforehand. The whole set up and quality of the place was top rate. If you know that magnificent private course in Surrey, The New Zealand, this put me very much in mind of it, and I can give no higher praise than that. The only difference was the club house, Thetford being much less stuffy!

How come this lovely course hasn't been reviewed for so long? It is a lovely course set in Thetford Forest, there are trees everywhere, it undulates beautifully and there is no shortage of heather and tangled rough. If you are passing you should play here, if you live in the area you should join!

March 2000 and the course is in superb condition. A lot of work has been done through the winter to improve bunkers and generally tidy up the course. Must be one of the best courses in Norfolk. Not to be missed - a great test of golf. Set on the edge of Thetford Forest it is a very attractive course and has great appeal.