Royal West Norfolk (Brancaster)

Overview: Royal West Norfolk, usually called Brancaster, is an 18-hole links in Brancaster, Norfolk, set between the North Sea and salt marshes. Its low dunes, natural ridges, sleepered bunkers and exposed corridors create a course where wind and tide can change the character of a hole. The largely out-and-back routing rewards imagination, especially where blind shots and marsh crossings make a modest yardage feel more demanding.

History: The club and course were established in 1892, with Holcombe Ingleby laying out the links. The club's royal identity dates from the beginning: the Prince of Wales accepted an invitation to become patron in 1892. More than a century later, the course still retains much of its old-school character, while the clubhouse and coastal approaches continue to reflect its unusual setting.

Did You Know? The 8th and 9th can play very differently when the tide is high, because water may need to be crossed between the fairway and green. That is one reason Brancaster is a rare course where the coastline is part of the playing strategy, not just the scenery.