Golf clubs

Established in 1884, Aldeburgh Golf Club has two courses, the 18 hole Championship Course and the River Course, a delightful 9 holes more suitable for beginners and high handicap golfers.

The Championship Course, ranked 31st in England by Golf World, is built on maritime heathland and is characterised by gorse-lined fairways and far reaching views of the River Alde and the North Sea. Fast-draining, sandy soil ensures that it plays well throughout the year; in winter the greens and fairways are in excellent condition with no need for preferred lies, temporary greens or tees. It is a great course, described by agronomist and R&A adviser Alistair Beggs as "having amongst the best playing surfaces in the land".

Aldeburgh, in association with Thorpeness Golf Club, was chosen by the English Golf Union to host the 2012 English Amateur Seniors Championship. This event was judged by both competitors and organisers to be an outstanding success. In the past the club has staged a number of English Ladies Close Championships, the Oxford and Cambridge University Match and numerous Suffolk County Championships.

Aldeburgh is a two-ball course, and promotes foursomes (alternate shot) regarded by many as the finest form of the game. A foursome usually takes no more than 3 hours, so a round of singles and a foursome can easily be played in a day, even at weekends. There is a green fee specifically for foursomes players.

Visitors are welcome to play the Championship Course on weekdays and weekends throughout the year, subject to sight of a handicap certificate and availability of tee times.

The club's 9 hole River Course is open to all players regardless of handicap.