Ipswich (Purdis Heath)

Suffolk

4.6

207 reviews

4.6(207 Google reviews)

About Ipswich (Purdis Heath)

Ipswich at Purdis Heath is the standout heathland course of East Anglia, a James Braid design from 1926 where heather, gorse and pine create a setting of genuine distinction on the Suffolk plateau east of Ipswich.

The club was founded in 1895 but relocated to its current home at Purdis Heath in 1926, commissioning five-time Open champion James Braid to design the course that would become the finest in East Anglia. Braid's layout makes elegant use of the naturally undulating heathland terrain, routing holes through heather and gorse with the kind of strategic intelligence that distinguishes his best work, where the correct line from the tee opens the approach and the incorrect one creates compounding difficulty. The result is a course of consistent challenge, immaculate conditioning and a quiet authority that places it firmly among the best inland courses in the east of England.

Ipswich (Purdis Heath)

Purdis Heath, Bucklesham Rd, Warren Heath, Ipswich IP3 8UQ, UK

01473 728941

ipswichgolfclub.com/

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Purdis Heath has the unhurried authority of a course that has been doing things properly for a very long time. Braid's routing on this Suffolk heathland is a model of intelligent design: holes that play in multiple directions to ensure the wind never favours one half of the round more than the other, approaches that demand careful club selection across a range of distances, and greens that are well-contoured without being contrived. The heather rough is genuine and demands respect, and the Scots pines that line many fairways create a sense of enclosure and drama without making the course feel claustrophobic.

East Anglia is not a region that features prominently in most golf travel planning, but Purdis Heath makes a compelling case for rethinking that oversight. The course sits in a network of quality golf in the Suffolk and Norfolk region: Hunstanton and Royal West Norfolk are within reasonable driving distance along the coast, and Aldeburgh is a particularly natural companion for a Suffolk golf trip, offering a contrasting links experience on the same county's coastline.

The conditioning at Ipswich is consistently high, a reflection of the care the club takes in presenting the course at its best throughout the year. The sandy soil at Purdis Heath ensures that drainage is good and the turf plays firm even after periods of rain, producing the kind of running conditions that suit Braid's ground-game design philosophy. For any golfer with an interest in the best of British heathland, this is a course that fully justifies the journey into Suffolk. Visitor information is available at ipswichgolfclub.co.uk.

Opening Hours

Monday7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday7:00 AM – 9:00 PM

What Golfers Say About Ipswich (Purdis Heath)

A selection of recent visitor reviews from Google.

Kevin Jenkins
7 months ago
A warm welcome to our visiting 4 ball from the Pro shop on arrival, some maintenance work taking place meant hot water was unavailable on the day but this didn't affect our visit. Course in excellent condition, fast greens and a wonderful layout. One of the best golf courses in Suffolk, close to Ipswich. Some issues with heavy traffic on exit as roadworks on the Orwell Bridge caused long delays. Green fees are quite expensive, but it's worth it for a great course. One year later and another great golfing experience Great brunch in the Clubhouse, friendly service and a warm welcome from the members. The course was dry and firm, fairways running fast. Greens excellent. Very hot day but a nice breeze and shade from the trees. Traffic problems continue still. Such a classy golf course. Looking forward to playing here again.

Brad Spires
5 months ago
First time at this course. Played with my Grandpa. The course is a nice mix of technical and seeming simple. Was a nice course to challenge my skills as a lower level golfer, but not too much as too much as to knock my confidence. Was very enjoyable and a great location to improve my skills while having a good game. Staff were great and friendly and members were friendly and welcoming. 👍 Looking forward to my next visit.

Haakon Rønning Kvam
8 years ago
Great course, fun to play and nice conditions even in the end of October. Great practice facility and pro shop. Even has a nice 9 hole course that’s absolutely worth a visit if you’ve got the time for it. Would love to play this course again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Ipswich Golf Club at Purdis Heath?

Ipswich Golf Club is located at Purdis Heath on the eastern edge of Ipswich in Suffolk, England. It is easily reached from the A12 and A14 road corridors and sits a short drive from Ipswich town centre.

Who designed the Purdis Heath course?

The course was designed by James Braid, five-time Open champion and one of the most respected and prolific golf course architects of the twentieth century. Braid laid out the course in 1926 when the club moved to Purdis Heath from its original site.

What events has Ipswich Golf Club hosted?

Ipswich Golf Club at Purdis Heath has hosted the English Amateur championship and a range of county and regional championships, reflecting its quality as a venue capable of presenting a serious examination to competitive golfers.

Can visitors play at Purdis Heath?

Ipswich is primarily a private members' club but welcomes visitors on certain days and can accommodate society groups. Advance booking is necessary and the club should be contacted directly to confirm visiting arrangements and day availability.

Does the club have more than one course?

The club's main course at Purdis Heath is the eighteen-hole championship layout designed by Braid. The club also has a nine-hole course on the same site, which is useful for shorter visits or for golfers wishing to play a supplementary round.