Cambridge Golf Tour

Set among the Gog Magog hills with views across the fens of East Anglia, Gog Magog Golf Club features two championship-quality golf courses, although the Old Course (6,367 yards), dating back to 1901, is favoured for championships rather than the longer (6,735 yards), more open Wandlebury. Accuracy is essential on the Old Course and then the undulating greens require a great deal of concentration too. Even the par threes are among the most difficult on the course. A blend of hilltop, heathland and parkland, with surprising elevation changes for a notoriously flat area. The par-three 16th, played from an elevated tee, is memorable, if only for the cross-bunkers that need to be avoided.

There are also two courses at The John O’Gaunt Golf Club both of which are rated highly with well-groomed fairways and fast greens. The Carthagena provides a contrast to the John O’Gaunt with much larger greens. The two courses were designed by Hawtree and although the John O’Gaunt is slightly longer at 6,513 yards compared with the Carthagena’s 5,869 yards, both are a challenge. Set in mature parkland with a wide variety of trees, the river comes into play on several holes and there are some strong holes including the fourth and fifth while the par-three 10th and the par five 17th are also good tests.

Saffron Walden Golf Club is home to one of the finest parkland golf courses in East Anglia. Set in the picturesque surroundings of Audley End’s famous mansion, the club also boasts superb views over the town of Saffron Walden. The course, whilst being average in length, is one that is far superior to average in many other ways. There are numerous changes in elevation, deceptive slopes and many cunningly placed trees. The greens, which look easy, are far from it – just remember a basic rule of thumb: the greens slope towards the Slade at the far end of the course.

The par-5 4th at Trevose Golf & Country Club at sunset. Photo: David Cannon/Getty Images