Royal West Norfolk (Brancaster)

[EaseNgrace]

I've been working near Brancaster for the past few weeks, I've read a lot of reviews and opinions on the course and it has become one of my golfing ambitions to play there. I catch a sneaky glimpse of the course from a distance as we drive past the adjacent marshes everyday before work and although you can't generally see much it just makes me yearn for the working week to end and to get out on the golf course (any course), only yesterday the tantalising view was somewhat different. The tide was in at around 7.30am and on a beautiful, crisp, still Autumn morning against the backdrop of the sea with the marshes in the foreground, it was as pretty as a picture. I didn't know there was a 'real' golf course like this an hours drive from me. Im going to be dreaming of this image until the day I get to stand on that first tee.
Has anyone played RWN, If so how far in advance did you have to book? I've heard it can take a while to get a tee time.

 

[Putting_Green_Pro]

only yesterday the tantalising view was somewhat different. The tide was in at around 7.30am and on a beautiful, crisp, still Autumn morning against the backdrop of the sea with the marshes in the foreground, it was as pretty as a picture. I didn't know there was a 'real' golf course like this an hours drive from me. Im going to be dreaming of this image until the day I get to stand on that first tee.

I think im going to shred a tear haha

 

[Smiffy]

Played it a few years ago with some mates during a week long golfing trip to the area.
Didn't rate it at all.
Nice layout but the condition was crap with a capital C.
Because the tide comes in and covers the course we found every shot was like hitting from a bunker with sand everywhere. Dangerous bloody bunkers as well...timber faced and if you thinned a shot you were in danger of taking your head off by a "rebound"....
Wouldn't rush to play it again, although the clubhouse is worth a visit.
Would much rather play Hunstanton if I was back up that way. Now that is a track to die for

 

[EaseNgrace]

I guess it's one for the purists then
I've heard nothing but praise until now, If I get a chance to play it I dont expect it to be in pristine condition, I just like the thought of the tranquility of the location or on the other hand it could be a case of being out there in the elements which (call me crazy) quite appeals to me.
I haven't played a links course before and I thought the rough and readyness would be a good honest introduction.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Wasn't there a piece in GM a few months back (might have been Golf World) where a respected golf writer went back there for his final round having started there some decades before. I think its a course Jezz has played a few times

 

[MikeH]

The artcile Homer refers to was in Golf Monthly (September issue) adn was written by the late, great, Dai Davies the ertswhile guardian golf corespondent

If you like manicured fairways and home comforts then Brancaster probably wont float your boat. However if you want to play a true natutal links that offers year round playability, some very tough holes, tranquility, great views and a very old school clubhouse then you will love it. It is however foursomes or singles only (slow play is very frowned on) and they dont go out of their way to publicise the course to vistors although you will be made to feel very welcome there by members and staff alike once you're there

Luke our old staff writer is a member there and he took the GM team up there a few times and we're going up there in November for our OOM grand final and can't wait

With regard to Smiffy's point about the course flooding, as far as I'm aware unless there was a really freak tide the water wont go on to the 'fairways' but it certainly does cover the lower lying marshsland that cuts into bits the course. This makes it trully specatcualr to play during thrse high spring tides with shots over expanses of water - as I understand it this water is deemed casual. When the water retreats you just play the ball as it lies and you canget some pretty funky lies!

With all courses I foirmaly belive beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this is a place you'll either love or probably want to give a miss.

be interested to hear what you think easngrace once you play it

 

[Smiffy]

With regard to Smiffy's point about the course flooding, as far as I'm aware unless there was a really freak tide the water wont go on to the 'fairways' but it certainly does cover the lower lying marshsland that cuts into bits the course.

Apologies if I got that wrong Mike....but I just found the course very sandy, and unless you were picking the ball up as clean as a whistle you got no distance with your shots at all.

 

[MikeH]

Smiffy, no apology needed! I'm prety sure the tidal water doesn't come right up and over on to the fairwway otherwise the grass would be dead arther than than just very fine as the indigenous linsk grasses are
The subsoil is very sandy there (not suprising as 50-100 yards for the beach!) and I agree if you dont pick your irons well then its very easy to fat it. As I say its a no frills natural links and you will draw some interesting lies but it's an experience that's for sure

 

[Dodger]

I did question the tide coming on and covering the course as it happened 15 years back at our track and killed a good few greens in the process......wouldny fancy the Greenies job there if that happened frequently!