Teddy Bear's Picnic: Thetford GC

The opening hole at Thetford GC

If you go down to the woods today you might be a little bit miffed, if you go down to the woods today just don't miss it right or left. 'Cos every tree that ever there was, will block your path to the green because, today's the day we decided to play at Thetford!

The picture opposite kind of sums up Thetford GC: a stunning course carved out of Breckland Forest with undulating fairways, tricky greens and lovely soft, sandy bunkers. Without doubt the most enjoyable course I have ever played. A really stern examination with a number of long par 4s that will really test your mettle.

But there is a lot of fun to be had and apart from brief interludes where you cross the road (twice) or the local RAF base launch an aircraft, the tranquillity is absorbing. You feel lost amongst nature and will only cross the paths of fellow golfers on a few occasions as you are immersed in a world that wouldn't be out of place in a Disney remake of Bambi. Hares, squirrels, muntjac deer are just some of the wildlife that will peer inquisitively at you from the woodland.

Starting off a memorable round

There are some very challenging holes most notably the long par 4 18th that is in my opinion one of the toughest holes on the course yet has a measly stroke index of just 6. There are attractive and deceptive holes like the par 3 16th that resembles an island on a stormy day. The sea transplanted by thick rough and gorse, leading up to a beach in the shape of a curved stepped bunker, with the emerald island of green awaiting accurate hitters. 

It is important to spend some quality time on the practice putting green before your round as the greens pose a tough challenge with speed markedly affected by the grain. 

My favourite hole on the day was the 8th. Everyone likes to hit a long drive, and the sweeping, downhill, slight dog leg right will give almost every golfer's ego a therapeutic massage. A fantastic course that I will most certainly be visiting again!