Recommendations for golf in Beccles, Suffolk area?

[Paul_31]

Hello everyone - this is my first post (or possibly second, as the first effort seemed to disappear once I clicked the 'submit' button ).
I've been living in France for the last 10 years but am moving back to the UK in January/February and relocating to Beccles. I'm looking for a good place for an 18 handicap (me) and a 22 handicap (my wife) to play golf. I will be living VERY close to Rookery Park GC near Beccles, also about 15 minutes from Bungay and Waveney and about 10 minutes from Beccles GC (only 9 holes). Because of its proximity to our new house I'm hoping that Rookery Park could be a contender.
We will be new to the area and don't know anybody so we're looking for a club that has a good social side, is friendly and welcomes new members. I'd be grateful for any advice, tips or recommendations.
Thanks for listening, Paul.

 

[Deleted member 15717]

I've never played Rookery, however, the club pro there used to be the pro where I play. Apparently can get a little wet, but isn't too bad a knock. Think there is a driving range just down the road as well.

 

[ColchesterFC]

I live in Worlingham which is part of Beccles. Do you know what bit of town you're moving to?

I'm currently a member at Dunston Hall through the De Vere club but won't be renewing.

I'm looking at joining Great Yarmouth and Caister. Bit further away than the ones you mentioned but a decent enough links course and in the past they have done a 3 month winter membership for £90 if you wanted to try it out. And they have no temporary/winter greens, it's either fully open or closed. The only time I've known it to be closed was due to snow. Can be a pain to get to as you have to go past Great Yarmouth and at rush hour or school run times can add 20 minutes to the journey.

I found Rookery Park not to be very welcoming when I went up to enquire about joining. Never played the course so can't comment on that side of things.

Bungay is a nice enough course, quite short (par 68/69?) tight in places but not overly difficult.

Wouldn't join Beccles GC as it is common land and so has dog walkers all over it and a massive rabbit problem - it's possible to lose a ball in the middle of what they optimistically call fairway.

Caldecott Hall is another to look at which is only 20 minutes away. Not a great course but it's ok. Haleswotth is 20 minutes in the other direction and is also an ok course.

Would be happy to play a few of them with you if you wanted some local knowledge. I'm an 18 handicapper so similar level to the two of you.

 

[Paul_31]

Thanks for the feedback,
@ColchesterFC: We'll be living in Barnby, so Rookery Park is on its doorstep, hence the interest - but not if it's not welcoming. Once we're back I'll take a trip there and see what our experience is - but it sounds like I shouldn't be expecting the red carpet treatment . I think we'll test-flight a few before committing to any particular one, but will probably concentrate on the ones that are within 20 minutes drive time.
Once we're back in the UK, I'll post back with my findings and fix up a game - thanks :thup:

 

[NorfolkShaun]

Hi Paul, welcome along.

I have not played Rookery but have heard it is a good well kept course and is somewhere I want to play as i'm from Oulton Broad.

I have been to the club house for a meal before before with my mum and dad, my dad is a non golfer and got told off for wearing a hat, however i do understand the rule. I have heard about the course getting wet. I know someone who was a member for years, we were chatting the other day and he mentioned about the course being closed due to the rain.

One that has not been mentioned is Gorelsoton, I have heard this is very nice and cliff top so should be dry, however you would have to drive through Oulton Broad or St Olives to get there so may be a little of a drive but maybe only ten miles.

I have no idea about Bungay, but have heard it is a good track.

 

[ColchesterFC]

It was 3 or 4 years ago that I went to Rookery so it might have all changed by now and be more welcoming so I wouldn't rule it out just based on that. It was in the main office where I encountered the less than friendly welcome but maybe the people I met have moved on by now. Still go up there every couple of months to take my boy on the nine hole Par 3 course they've got there and they're always ok in the pro shop when we sign in.