The course is a par 69 on the men's card (SS70) and for the ladies it is a slightly more generous par 74 (SS72). With trees, heather, gorse and strategically placed bunkers you need to hit the right shots to score well.

Built on sandy soil, the course drains very well and is therefore playable all year round. In summer the sprinkler system ensures ideal conditions

Thorpeness hosted the European Seniors Mixed Open in May 2001, the Suffolk Ladies' County Championships in May 2002 and the South Eastern Seniors’ Championship in September 2004.

There is no doubt that the only way to fully appreciate Thorpeness is to come and play. However to give you a flavour of the course, here is a description and narrative of 4 holes selected and described by our Professional:-

This is Thorpeness' Signature Hole, 394 yards from the back tees. It is a sweeping dog-leg to the left, round the Meare and past a well-bunkered approach to a severely sloping green. A good tee shot is required, just left of centre to leave the best angle to the green. The men's tees are right outside the Clubhouse restaurant adding extra pressure - a truly dangerous hole.

A pretty, short hole of 175 yards. The tee shot is across a lily-covered lake to a small well-guarded green. A straight tee shot is required, taking care not to miss the green on the left.

A picturesque driving hole measuring 370 yards. It has a generous fairway, lined by silver birch, gorse and heather, playing to a slightly crowned green. The challenge is selecting the right club for the second shot; under-clubbing is the danger.

A 434 yard par 4 and a great finishing hole. Two good shots are required to get home to a green similar in design to the Road Hole at St Andrews. With the backdrop of Thorpeness' famous ‘House in the Clouds’ and windmill, this is a memorable finish to the round.