Gainsborough and Constable, the two courses at Stoke by Nayland golf club, all date from the 1970s, and the championship Gainsborough course has the upper hand over its sister layout. The Gainsborough, which first opened for play in 1972, has developed into one of the region's finest golf courses, running along the fringe of the picturesque Dedham Vale, which has been listed as an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Golf at Stoke by Nayland was the product of the Peake family's (a 60-year-old farming family) daring foray into the unknown, as they gambled on diversification and used their gently undulating land to establish a fine golfing destination.

The Gainsborough course is a respectable 7,000 yards long, and the course's varied layout keeps golfers of all levels occupied and engaged before the last putt is made. Large and short courses, doglegs in both directions, uphill and downhill, difficult holes under par, and a few good birdie chances abound. The 10th and 11th holes are two of the best on the course. The 10th hole is a beauty, a 418-yard par four that involves a drive over a lake to a location about 150 yards from the tee, with the same lake awaiting the approach shot. The 11th is a well-designed, uphill par three that measures more than 200 yards and features an daunting tee shot through a tree-lined lane.

The Stoke by Nayland club expanded in 1999 to include a luxurious hotel, fitness club, and conference center. They won a europro tour event in 2003, and the three-day tournament has been held at the club every year since. The club held the first european seniors tour event in 2006, with sam torrance defending his title from the previous year. Carl Mason of england won both the 2007 and 2008 championships, which were held at Stoke by Nayland.