The purpose-made holiday resort of thorpeness was designed by g. stuart ogilvie and constructed between 1910 and 1930. The first ten holes at thorpeness golf club were laid out by james braid in 1922, and eight more holes were added the following year when the club was established.

The course is set out on mainly sandy soil and is a natural maritime heathland course with crisp turf, heather, gorse, and seaside winds, close to nearby aldeburgh. Since thorpeness is just 400 yards from the north sea, predict a tough challenge when the wind picks up.

Despite its small length – just over 6,500 yards from the back tees – thorpeness golf club has hosted numerous county and community tournaments over the years and is considered a tough challenge by many golfers.

The round begins with a gentle par four, but the true fun begins on the second hole, a lovely par three that demands an precise iron shot to a heavily bunkered and narrow green. The 3rd hole is the club's trademark hole. The pit snakes its way around a tributary of the thorpeness meare, an artificial lake with fishing and boating facilities and a refuge for wildfowl. The meare is off limits, so don't go too far to the left!