Sheringham GC is a par 70 clifftop course on the North Norfolk Coast. The course was originally founded in 1891 as a 9 holer and later extended in 1889 to 18 holes.Tom Dunn is the credited designer of the original 9 holes but the extension doesn't seem to have been accredited to a specific designer.
The course is 6,251 yards from the white (competition) tees. There are 4 par 3s, 12 par 4s and 2 par 5s. Many of the front 9 holes stretch along the clifftop away from the clubhouse and there is a turn about for the return holes back parallel towards the clubhouse. The last 4 holes are bounded by the North Norfolk Railway; a combination of 2 coach diesel trains and a steam train heritage service. A nice distraction so long as you remember that out of bounds is a real danger to your tee shots for the sliced drive!
The fairways are links style in appearance and behaviour. They are beset with many deep pot bunkers and many of the holes are bounded by heavy gorse style bushes. There is a huge crater on the right hand side of the par 5 second hole; definately within reach for the bigger hitters!
The greens were generally large, well watered and with plenty of borrow and medium to fast pace. The long putts were hard to lag close to the pins and the medium length putts were tricky to read. I personally had 4 birdie putts of between 10 and 20 feet; including a nearest the pin winner, and didn't get a birdie.
My achilles heel however was the difficulties of the pot bunkers. I put 4 approach shots into green side bunkers and ended up with 4 blobs. The sand was either very hard under the ball or their was too much sand piled up. My other blob resulted from a tee shot down the left rolling about 50 yards into a pot bunkers from the left side of the fairway to the right had side.
The difficulties of the course is not just illustrated by my travails! One of my playing partners, a 17 handicapper; opended his round with 4 straight pars scoring 12 points; only to finish on a total of only 17 points; ie 5 points covering the remaining 14 holes.
The course involves numberous changes in elevation but none were too severe; though there are a small number of blind shots
The winning score, by a 16 handicapper was 38 points; a creditable achievement. Seconjd and 3rd were 37 and 36 points respectively.
This is a wonderful golfing challenge/experience. I'm sure that my new found local course knowledge should lead me to shave about 10 shots off my gross score on a future occasion; but you never know with this type of course!
I got to play the course by entering their annual Seniors Open Stableford Competition. The competition entry fee included coffee, 18 holes, half way house refreshments, a two course post match meal, coffee and prizes. Excellent vfm. By comparison their visitor green fees are £85 per day and £65 after 1.30pm, between May and September. Much overpriced on that basis!
The welcome from staff and members was excellent. Food was also of excellent quality.
The only negative about the day was that the pace of play for us afternoon starters was very slow to begin with. Even with a 10 minute interval for a three ball starts; there were serious waits. I put this down to the fact that many of the holes had down slopes and many of the longer hitting golfers waited for greens to clear before making their approach shots; even when they were unlikely to reach.
Date Monday, 18, June 2018
