Suffolk Course to visit

mikepops

mikepops

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I am visiting Aldeburgh in Suffolk on Friday morning, and will have the afternoon to myself.

The weather is looking ok, so hoping to get out for a game. Does anyone have any recommendations of courses around that part of the world? I'll be heading to Ipswich in the evening, so anywhere in that direction would be fine too.
 
Thorpeness is supposed to be a good course and Ufford Park who I follow on Twitter have been tweeting that they have been open on a full course (no temps) but not sure what that's like.
 
I have played Aldeburgh and Thorpeness. Aldeburgh is a tough but superb heathland course.Play there if you can, but is probably a bit more to play than its neighbour Thorpeness which again is a quality heathland course.Ufford Park might be a bit wet. Never played Woodbridge or Purdis Heath but again nice heathland course so should by ok underfoot and greens in good nick and likely to be around same price as Aldeburgh.
 
If you're at Aldeburgh, go and play Thorpeness. I haven't played it, but a lot of people I know rave about it. I have played Aldeburgh and don't rate it whatsoever. Not sure you would have time to play Purdis or Woodbridge by the time you got there with light etc...but both are quality tracks
 
I am Suffolk born and bred and there are some good courses to visit that are very good winter tracks.

For where you are going to be the best options are Aldeburgh, Thorpeness, Woodbridge and Purdis (Ipswich Golf Club). Aldeburgh is excellent but 2 balls or foursomes only. Thorpeness is a nice course but personally I think Woodbridge and Purdis are better. If I was choosing I would probably go with Woodbridge, it's heathland so deals with all this rain excellently (although all 4 hold up to bad weather well). I actually played Woodbridge about 3 weeks ago and for the time of year was in really good condition.

I wouldn't bother with Ufford, it's ok and has an excellent range if you want a bit of practice and American golf brows, but isn't a patch on the 4 courses I mentioned above.
 
ColchesterFC said:
Thorpeness is supposed to be a good course and Ufford Park who I follow on Twitter have been tweeting that they have been open on a full course (no temps) but not sure what that's like.
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Ufford Park always seems to escape the adverse weather, must have a very good drainage system.Again just off the A12 and close to Woodbridge GC.
 
Purdis has been closed recently due to the amount of rain in this area so make sure you check first before comiting. I wouldnt bother with Ufford as an earlier poster advised.

No one has mentioned Felixstowe, which normally drains very well, Thorpeness can also get very wet on the lower parts of the course but has some excellent holes.

I would advise ringing first before you do make your decision as we have had loads of rain (as has a lot of the country). Enjoy yourself whichever course you choose :)
 
Haven't played the others, but have played Thorpeness quite a bit. Absolutely love it. It's a good challenge, but being heathland, will do your head in on a bad day. You will roll under every gorse bush and bounce off the fairway into the heather when all is not going to plan. Just be straight and long and you will be fine........;)
 
Our society runs from October to April and only play at courses around Suffolk due to the superb drainage of the land around the county. Last course we played was Waldringfield, on January 18th and believe me when I say this, the course was BONE DRY! Not a bad little course either and they do some cracking deal on winter green fee's.

As others have already said, Purdis Heath is the best in that area, Ufford park, whilst dry and a half decent course is only a hotel course and is a bit rough around the edges at the moment (played it a couple months ago)....I can also highly recommend Felixstowe Ferry, lovely track and well worth a visit.
 
Swanny you played my track and didn't tell me!!!!!! :mad: :(

If I were you play Woodbridge. Felixstowe is a trek from Aldeburgh but a great course. Purdis is rated as the best but I know a lot of people who prefer Woodbridge.

have fun :)
 
Thanks for the suggestions folks.

The weather forecast seems to be getting worse every day, with heavy rain coming in on thursday night now, and some more on Friday morning.

I suspect that I'm going to struggle to get a game anywhere, but I visit that part of the world quite a lot, so will definitely make a visit to one or two of them at some point.

Interesting that Ufford Park got a few no votes. Think Thorpeness would be my preference, but one thing is for sure - golf isn't cheap around there!
 
Tiger said:
Swanny you played my track and didn't tell me!!!!!! :mad: :(

If I were you play Woodbridge. Felixstowe is a trek from Aldeburgh but a great course. Purdis is rated as the best but I know a lot of people who prefer Woodbridge.

have fun :)
Click to expand...

Count me as one of them. Purdis is good, but Woodbridge for me is a better test, has better greens and drains better in winter (except for the 2nd hole which).

Forgot about Felixstowe in my original post on this thread. Really nice course and 2 very different beasts depending on weather. If it's calm it's fairly straight forward, particularly this time of year when its a bit softer. If the wind gets up though it's a really good test.
 
Mike,

There is nothing really wrong with Ufford, it's a decent hotel course, with excellent practice facilities (best range I've ever used), and it plays fairly well all year round. Just when comparing with Aldeburgh, Woodbridge, Purdis, Felixstowe and Thorpeness, there really is no comparison in the quality of the courses. To be expected given the difference in ages of them though.
 
Good to know Jay, thanks.

If, as anticipated, the weather isn't kind, I think I'll head there and practice for a few hours, before heading back to Ipswich to warm up with a few Adnams ales!
 
Played Felixstowe yesterday. Apart from a bit of mud/water in front of the 1st tee block, the place is in excellent condition for the time of year, barely any mud on my trousers at all. Weather was bang on the money yesterday, shot +3 on the back 9! Really enjoyed it and very much looking forward to returning next year. Well worth a visit.
 
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