Royal Cromer - Norfolk - England
145 Overstrand Road,
Cromer,
Norfolk,
NR 27 0JH,
England
+44 (0) 1263 512884
1 mile SE of Cromer
Welcome - Contact in advance
Jonathan Moore
Tom Morris, J H Taylor, James Braid, Frank Pennink and Donald Steel
Lee Patterson
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Royal Cromer is the second oldest golf club in Norfolk, predated only by Great Yarmouth & Caister, which was inaugurated six years earlier. “The Club owes much in its origins and early days of difficulty to the Harbord family, led by successive Lords Suffield.” Wrote Sir Peter Allen in The Sunley Book of Royal Golf. “At the time of the formation of the Club in 1888, thanks to the efforts of Henry Broadhurst MP, Lord Suffield became the Club’s first President. As he was a friend and sometimes host to the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, HRH was asked and agreed to become the Club’s first Patron and grant the royal title.” “Cromer, like Felixstowe, makes me feel a very old golfer,” wrote Bernard Darwin, “because, when I first played there, there was a little ladies’ course along the edge of the cliff, which has many, many years since toppled peacefully into the German Ocean. Later on, I saw an excellent seventeenth hole share the same fate, and the poor old first hole has for practical purposes gone the same way.”
Originally designed by Old Tom Morris, the cliff top Royal Cromer has had to make significant changes over the years due to coastal erosion, with architects JH Taylor, James Braid, Frank Pennink and Donald Steel involved in keeping eighteen holes in play. The 14th is Royal Cromer’s signature hole, which heads to the lighthouse. The North Sea lurks ominously to the right and prickly gorse to the left. Take aim at the lighthouse if you’re feeling brave, but don’t go through the green with your approach shot as it’s out of bounds beyond the dance floor. “The greatest claim to fame for Royal Cromer is without doubt its organisation of the first international golf match ever played – that of the ladies of Great Britain against America as a preliminary to the British Ladies’ Championship in 1905.” Wrote Sir Peter Allen. “Matches between the ladies of England, Scotland and Ireland had been played before, but this was the first outside national boundaries… As a result of this match, the Curtis sisters presented the now famous Curtis Cup… In 1988 the two Curtis Cup teams played a match at Cromer in period dress.” |
Reviews for Royal Cromer
Super course great fun to play brilliant condition friendly clubhouse. Yet again another great Norfolk course that is not rammed with players. Played at a good pace still with time to savour the panoramic views. Not a true links nor a true parkland course Cromer is definitely hard to bracket but that matters not , can't wait to play it again and have a drink in the very friendly bar
A group of 12 played the course and enjoyed it. It was in very good condition with great views. A real joy to play and we hope to visit again.
Played here last week, for me it is an excellent course, with only one 'average' hole, the 16th, my overall sense of this course was fun, it wasn't overly long, although I believe there is plans to lengthen in places, it simply rewards good shoots, and punishes bad ones, it continues to question your club selection, with choices off most tees, so that you have to think before you hit, rather than pull the driver every time.
Well worth a visit, and i'd like to go back myself
Played Royal Cromer this last weekend as a visitor at their reduced twilight rate from 3pm. We received a warm welcome and the shop manager couldn't do enough for us explaining the course and ensuring we were all set.
The course was a delight. Beautiful holes, particularly the stretch around the light house. The condition of the course was excellent, the bunkers and greens you could see were being looked after extremely well.
We also played Sheringham the next day which was also very good and worth playing. We found Cromer the harder course and in better condition in terms of the greens and bunkers. Cromer edged it for me.
Royal Cromer, founded in 1888, was originally designed by Old Tom Morris and has recently been recognised as one of the Top 100 Golf Courses in England.
With over 125 years of rich history The Club was given its Royal status from the very beginning through the patronage of the then, Prince of Wales, who would later become more commonly known as King Edward VII.
Royal Cromer is a venue that has been on my radar for some time so I was delighted to eventually play here in April 2016.
As you might expect of this clifftop course spectacular views can be found from many parts of the property and there’s a really good mix of fun and challenging holes to tackle along the way. It boasts many features that you would expect to find on a coastal layout with sandy hills, grassy valleys and an abundance of gorse.
However, ultimately the nature of the turf and types of grasses don’t favour the ground game - it therefore essentially plays as an inland course high above the sea. The par-72 layout will test most aspects of your game though.
Accuracy is important early on in the round, with quite a claustrophobic feel to the opening few holes, before the course begins to open up as it heads towards the coast where bigger hitting is called for.
The final six holes at Cromer is undoubtedly the best third as we now embark upon the highest section of the course. The signature 14th heads towards the lighthouse where, after a semi-blind drive, the fairway sweeps to the left and for the first time we see some low level ground movement in the terrain reminiscent of true links golf. The next is a superb hole too and is played through a vast valley that ultimately climbs to a sloping green - a visually stunning hole. The next is much more subtle with a hog’s back fairway acting as the main defence whilst the penultimate hole is a delightful 120-yarder where it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that there’s no future in missing the green left. And the 18th is a fitting climax with an elevated drive before you must attempt to find a well-bunkered, two-level green as the round finishes strongly.
Royal Cromer is a course that adds to the wealth of variety and quality on offer along the North Norfolk Coast. From the championship links of Hunstanton to the charisma of Brancaster and the drama of Sheringham this is a venue that will provide you with a memorable experience and a pleasant contrast to the others.
Ed is the founder of Golf Empire – click the link to read his full review.
This is a comprehensive and accurate review but 3 balls?
Great course! Great reception! I will come back to play again. The course should be rated higher in Top 100.
Played in their Poppyland Trophy for the first time this year, will not be my last. Everyone from the Captain (great blazer) onwards was very welcoming and friendly. EXcellent and varied course in good condition. Very up and down hill so carrying might be a problem for some.
!st. is an excellent par 4 start to a good front nine, 3,6 & 7 strong par 4's and 9 a tricky par 3. Pick of the back nine are 14 & 15 (probably best hole on the course) would hate to play 13 into a strong wind off the N.Sea and missing 17 on the left is into no mans land, an excellent short par 3.
A pint or two of Lancaster Bomber at the 19th. rounded off a great day for me.
Played here with my Brother and Dad on the 30/7/16. Everybody from the booking team to the Pro shop couldn't be more helpful
The course was an absolute pleasure. With my Dad being 81 we hired a buggy which id recommend if you're not used to hilly courses. Having said that the views of the coast and the fantastic weather made it and I will definitely be returning. Being a beginner at Golf I have not got a huge knowledge of other courses, however, it is currently the best yet for me
Enjoyed the day - delightful course in good condition - back 9 full of character
Played Cromer over the May Bank Holiday weekend, as part of a double-header with Sheringham. Both great courses, providing an enjoyable good test of golf and both well worth a visit but on balance, Cromer just edges it in my opinion - but only just! Whilst not as dramatic as Sheringham's famous cliff top holes, Cromer offers some more eye catching scenery, a great start and a very demanding finish. The first three holes in particular are very enjoyable and each offers a different challenge, but it is the finish from the 14th that will test the very best. 17 offers some respite but play the last 5 to your handicap and you will have earned your pint in the bar! The course was in tip top condition too with lovely greens. The Club was very welcoming, with the Pro and Bar Staff most friendly.