#49 Seacroft

Architects: Willie Fernie & Guy Campbell

Skegness. A place that brings joy to so many. But I reckon not many know about Seacroft Golf Club.

Seacroft sits middle of the pack in Golf World’s Top 100 Courses in England but has recently been voted the top spot in Golf World’s Top 100 Courses for £60 and under in Great Britain and Ireland. We, The Flock, knew this going in but many had no expectations of this East of England links. And I couldn’t be happier that I went into this day blind. Seacroft is brilliant.

So understated. The clubhouse and first tee area has a real 1960s seaside holiday feel and that the course could be an after-thought. But oh no. The course is both devious and playable, just like the best of the other links courses across the British Isles. Its modesty is this courses biggest asset. And its biggest defence is Drummond Road, which runs down the entire length of the front (outward) nine, down the right hand side. The prevailing wind is into for the front nine, and with for the back nine. A slight fade into this skeggy wind was a slice onto Drummond Road. Aim left was the name of the game, but if you pulled off a straight one, a whole world of trouble awaited you down the left-hand side. Gnarly rough, rank lies and deep pot bunkers littered the left. The front nine played tough but our fourball was biting at the bit to get downwind and unleash the big stick. In fact the 6th turns back towards the clubhouse which gave us all a taste of the fun to come. I managed to find the greenside bunker on this 327 yard (yellow tees) par-4. Birdie please.

Downwind was a hell of a ride. 320 yard drives for fun. Just a tip though – aim left of the sight-line markers! Reachable par-4s and accessible par-5s make for satisfying and enjoyable golf. How it should be.

The course was an absolute pleasure. My team (sorry I forgot to mention we were playing a team event – best two stableford scores on every hole apart from the first and the tenth, where all four were recorded) smiled the whole way round and kept on saying we could happily go round again. My team, made up of Chris Conway, Phil Myers and Criag Redston. Now, I introduced Craig to the RACDG and I am so glad I did. @colt45golf on Instagram, Craig is a Harry Colt savant. The man is also happily obsessed with Miura and has recently picked up a forest-green Royal Porthcawl Linksmaster. Needless to say he loves his golf and I am happy he has found others who can match him! Top bloke.

It is a quite a way to go to play a small links in Skegness but I implore you to take the time to travel here and see for yourself. A 36-hole day here would be such fun!