Whatever your standard we’re certain that a golf lesson in Suffolk with either professional will leave you motivated and ready to tackle the difficult coastal course.

The tutors:

Frank Hill is a playing professional on the European Seniors’ Tour and a very experienced teacher. His approach is not to reconstruct your wing, but to make small, effective changes that will allow you to develop and build on your natural game.

Christopher Oldrey is the other half of the Thorpeness Gold Academy and Pro-Shop team. Christopher has become a member of the PGA to undertake his training and become a qualified professional.

Thorpeness Golf Club offers Suffolk golf breaks that include intensive and detailed golf lessons. These cover all aspects of your game from bunker play to putting. With the added bonus of video teaching and the analysis facility at the Thorpeness Golf Academy, you can impress your fellow golfers with your improved game.

Round off your day with a relaxed dinner, talking about your lesson, your experiences on the Suffolk golf course or just the gorgeous surroundings of wonderful Suffolk coast.

For young enthusiasts there is junior coaching and also competitions to test their skill and progress. Suffolk golf events are organised throughout the year and more information can be obtained by either calling the golf office on 01728 454351 or visiting the website.

The Thorpeness Golf Club course is a par 69 on the men’s card (SS70) and for the ladies it is a slightly more generous par 74 (SS72). With trees, heather, gorse and strategically placed bunkers you need to hit the right shots to score well.

Built on sandy soil, the course drains very well and is therefore playable all year round. In summer the sprinkler system ensures ideal conditions.

Thorpeness hosted the European Seniors Mixed Open in May 2001, the Suffolk Ladies’ County Championships in May 2002 and the South Eastern Seniors’ Championship in September 2004.

There is no doubt that the only way to fully appreciate Thorpeness is to go and play. However, to give you a flavour of the course, here is a description and narrative of 4 holes selected and described by our Professionals: -

3rd Hole:

This is Thorpeness’ Signature Hole, 394 yards from the back tees. It is a sweeping dog-leg to the left, round the Meare and past a well-bunkered approach to a severely sloping green. A good tee shot is required, just left of centre to leave the best angle to the green. The men’s tees are right outside the Clubhouse restaurant adding extra pressure – a truly dangerous hole.

7th Hole:

A pretty, short hole of 175 yards. The tee shot is across a lily-covered lake to a small well-guarded green. A straight tee shot is required, taking care not to miss the green on the left.

12th Hole:

A picturesque driving hole measuring 370 yards. It has a generous fairway, lined by silver birch, gorse and heather, playing to a slightly crowned green. The challenge is selecting the right club for the second shot; under-clubbing is the danger.

18th Hole:

A 434 yard par 4 and a great finishing hole. Two good shots are required to get home to a green similar in design to the Road Hole at St Andrews. With the backdrop of Thorpeness’ famous ‘House in the Clouds’ and windmill, this is a memorable finish to the round.