Hunstanton Golf Club, founded in 1891, has deep historical roots as the ancestral home of the le Strange family. Hamon le Strange invested £30 to prepare the original nine holes for play, with George Fernie as the architect. Hamon also served as the inaugural president of the club. In 1907, renowned golfer James Braid made significant revisions to the layout, expanding it to 18 holes for a total cost of £25. Further subtle enhancements were made by James Sherlock in the 1920s, and Ken Cotton updated the two closing holes in 1951.
The course itself offers a straightforward out-and-back design, only briefly interrupted by a few short holes that zigzag across the central dunes. Framed by the River Hun and the Wash, this narrow strip of links land offers limited views of the sea from the course. Hunstanton is filled with memorable holes. The members take great pride in the greens, which are known to be fast, hard, and true—though tricky to read. The fairways are tightly mown and gently undulating, enhancing the overall challenge.
One of the most astonishing feats in golf history occurred at Hunstanton in 1974. Amateur golfer Bob Taylor achieved a hole-in-one during a practice round for the Eastern Counties Foursomes. The following day, he replicated this feat in the competition, and astonishingly, he did it again on the third day—each time on the same hole, the 16th, a challenging 191-yard par three!
Hunstanton is a full-blown championship golf links, a premier golfing destination, and a must-play for golf enthusiasts.
