Felixstowe Ferry

This makes it a highly desirable venue for a number of golfers, visitors especially, who seek out all-year round play on fast draining, running ground.

The view from the clubhouse is one of the loveliest and far-reaching I have come across. The entire course and coastline stretches out before you. The opening tee shot is one of the most inviting you will play.

The course makes a promising start with the first three holes heading away from the clubhouse, each with excellent green complexes, and there is a stirring finish with five of the last six holes showcasing the best of links golf.

The Club and course has seen many changes over the decades since it was founded in 1880. Sadly a number of holes have been lost to both the sea and war over the years; if they were all up to the very high standard of those that remain, from 13 through to 17 especially, I can imagine this at one time would have been a sensational links.

As it stands today there is still more than enough to warrant a visit to this open and exposed piece of linksland that is set hard against the sea and a pebbly beach for the final third. However, there is no denying that the holes on the inland side of the course, divided by a road, lack the sparkle, charm and character of the others.

Holes four through to 12 are greener and lusher. The bunkering is more parkland in nature and the land much flatter than the tight, sandy, rumpled turf to be found towards the end of the round. Don’t be fooled though, there are still some testing holes on this middle section with three par fives and some stout two-shotters. There is also a burn to contend with on several holes.

However, the holes played close to and around the Martello tower, that the layout is named after, are quite superb. The green settings are imaginative, the fairways contain lovely humps and bumps, the bunkering is strategic whilst the putting surfaces have more movement in them than the rest of the greens. Over these five holes you will enjoy all the thrills and spills of high quality links golf.

It should be noted that The Club also has an adjacent nine-hole course - The Kingsfleet - although I didn’t get to see this on my visit.