Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club

What Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club does

Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club is a private members' golf club founded in 1880 in Felixstowe, Suffolk, operating a 27-hole estate comprising the 18-hole Martello Championship Course and the 9-hole Kingsfleet Course. It is described as the only true links course in Suffolk and one of approximately 246 true links courses worldwide, a geographically scarce category of coastal golf land. The club holds England Golf Championship Venue of the Year (2017) status and is a designated 2026 England Golf Championship Venue, and is accredited under Safegolf and as an HSBC Grass Roots Centre.

The business model combines recurring member subscriptions with multiple transactional revenue lines: green fees (£70-£120 per round), society and corporate golf days (£63-£101 per player, 12-player minimum), weddings and events (£6,500-£10,500 per package), driving range membership (£250 per annum), a pro shop with lessons delivered by a PGA professional, and an on-site food and beverage operation anchored by the new clubhouse and Cafe 1880. The club maintains a documented ladies section of approximately 100 members, a society-day function led by a dedicated organiser, and ~20+ tee sponsors. Recent commercial moves include a real estate partnership with Balfour Place bundling two years of membership with new home purchases, and a tee-booking partnership with Intelligent Golf.

Day-to-day operations are run by a small core team: a General Manager (Ben Tawell), PGA Professional (Andrew Robinson), Head of Food and Beverage (Catherine Swan), Head Green Keeper (Glenn Rayfield) and Society Organiser (Donna Grant). The club is member-owned, with no external equity funding disclosed, and operates from a fixed coastal links site that constrains physical expansion but supports premium pricing on the unique-links positioning.

Name

Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club

Legal name

Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club

Website

https://felixstowegolf.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1880

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club is a private members' club founded in 1880 in Suffolk operating a 27-hole true links estate. It serves members, society golfers, wedding clients and visitors through green fees, events, F&B, pro shop and range revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Golf Club & Course Services

NAICS

Golf Courses and Country Clubs (713910)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Courses & Golf Facilities (MPAKAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Golf Clubs & Tournament-Host Clubs (Professional/Elite Golf Clubs) (MPAKABAE)

Keywords

• Links golf course
• Golf club membership
• Golf society packages
• Wedding venue hire
• Golf coaching lessons

Headquarters

HQ city

Felixstowe

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual memberships providing access to both the Martello 18-hole championship course and Kingsfleet 9-hole course, clubhouse facilities, and range membership options.
2. Green Fees: Pay-per-play green fees for visitors on both Martello (18 holes, £50-£120 depending on day/time) and Kingsfleet (9 holes, £17.50-£35) courses.
3. Society Packages: Pre-packaged society golf days including catering and golf (The Fernie £63pp, The Tomline £74pp, The Balfour £80pp, The Elcho £101pp) with minimum 12 players.
4. Wedding Packages: Three tiered wedding packages (Kingsfleet £6,500, Deben £8,500, Martello £10,500) with catering, venue hire, and optional upgrades.
5. Food & Beverage: Clubhouse bar and restaurant, afternoon tea service (£15pp), Sunday lunches, and new Café 1880 opening.
6. Pro Shop & Lessons: Professional Golf Shop open 7 days a week selling equipment, with PGA Professional Andrew Robinson offering individual and group coaching lessons.
7. Driving Range: Range membership at £250 per annum plus token-based access for visitors. State-of-the-art covered and outdoor practice bays.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club operates two golf courses on the Suffolk coast: the 18-hole Martello Championship links course (one of only 246 true links courses in the world) and the 9-hole Kingsfleet pay-and-play course. The club sells annual memberships, visitor green fees, society day packages, wedding and event venue hire, driving range access, professional golf coaching, and clubhouse food and beverage services including afternoon tea.

Product overview

Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club operates as a traditional members' golf club offering a portfolio of golf-related products and hospitality services. The core offering comprises two golf courses: the 18-hole Martello Championship Course (a true links course and one of only 246 in the world) and the 9-hole Kingsfleet pay-and-play course. Supporting facilities include a driving range with practice areas, a professional golf shop, and a new clubhouse with bar, restaurant, and function spaces. The club provides hospitality services including afternoon tea, wedding packages (Martello, Deben, and Kingsfleet tiers), society day packages, and buggy hire. Golf development programmes include junior coaching, learn-to-play groups, and individual lessons by PGA Professional. Membership options are available for various categories. The club was founded in 1880 and is recognized as an England Golf Championship Venue.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Martello Championship Course An 18-hole championship links golf course, the only true links course in Suffolk and one of only 246 in the world, featuring panoramic views over the River Deben and Bawdsey Manor. Open to visitors via online tee booking and to members.
• Kingsfleet 9-Hole Course A 9-hole pay-and-play course ideal for beginners and those honing their skills, offering full-length holes. Open to visitors and members on a pay-per-play basis.
• Driving Range & Practice Facilities Undercover and outdoor practice bays with grass practice area, putting and chipping greens, and bunker practice. Range membership available at £250 per annum plus token-based access for visitors.
• Professional Golf Shop A fully stocked Professional Golf Shop open 7 days a week, offering retail goods and individual or group coaching lessons by PGA Professional Andrew Robinson.
• Membership Options Annual memberships providing access to both the Martello 18-hole and Kingsfleet 9-hole courses, clubhouse facilities, range membership options, and competitive golf opportunities.
• Golf Society Packages Pre-packaged society golf days including catering and golf with four tier options: The Fernie (£63pp), The Tomline (£74pp), The Balfour (£80pp), and The Elcho (£101pp). Minimum 12 players, £100 deposit.
• Wedding Packages Three tiered wedding packages including Kingsfleet (£6,500), Deben (£8,500), and Martello (£10,500) with catering, venue hire, and optional upgrades. Capacity up to 120 guests with exclusive venue hire.
• Clubhouse & Events Venue New architect-designed clubhouse featuring the Bawdsey Suite, bar and restaurant, function rooms, and Café 1880. Available for private events, corporate gatherings, wakes, and celebrations up to 120 guests.
• Junior Golf Programme Junior section offering coaching, competitions, inter-club matches, GolfSixes, and HSBC Grass Roots Centre accreditation. Includes a 4-hole academy course and pathway to county-level play with Safegolf accreditation.
• Learn to Play Golf Group beginner classes for juniors, ladies, men, and mixed groups, plus private individual tuition by PGA Professional Andrew Robinson using GC Quad launch monitor technology.
• Afternoon Tea Afternoon tea service overlooking coastal views featuring sandwiches, homemade sultana scones with local strawberry jam and clotted cream, and a selection of homemade cakes at £15 per person.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked as hidden gem by Top 100 Courses.com
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Birketts LLPminorOthersLegal firm sponsoring the 1st Tee (Yellow & Red Tees) and Martello Course scorecards.
• Grange ShippingminorOthersShipping company sponsoring the 1st Tee (Black & White Tees).
• Woodward MarkwellminorOthersProfessional services firm sponsoring the 2nd Tee (Black Tee).
• George Baker ShippingminorOthersShipping company sponsoring the 3rd Tee (All Tees).
• BeatonsminorOthersCompany sponsoring the 4th Tee (All Tees).
• Magnum GroupminorOthersCompany sponsoring the 5th Tee (All Tees).
• 3PLminorOthersCompany sponsoring the 6th Tee (White & Yellow Tees).
• Anglia ReclinersminorOthersCompany sponsoring the 6th Tee (Black Tees).
• Boast InternationalminorOthersCompany sponsoring the 7th Tee (Black, White & Yellow Tees).
• Aquabridge LawminorOthersLaw firm sponsoring the 8th Tee (White & Yellow Tees).
• Elite UniversalminorOthersCompany sponsoring the 9th Tee (White, Yellow & Red Tees).
• SPR Trailer ServicesminorOthersCompany sponsoring the 9th Tee (Black Tee).
• PrologicminorOthersCompany sponsoring the 10th Tee (Black, White & Yellow Tee).
• RTJ TrailersminorOthersCompany sponsoring the 11th Tee (White, Yellow & Red Tee).
• Marketing ForceminorOthersCompany sponsoring the 12th Tee (All Tees).
• Fargo SystemsminorOthersCompany sponsoring the 14th Tee (Black, White & Yellow Tees).
• Felixstowe Beach Holiday ParkminorOthersHoliday park sponsoring the 14th Tee (Red Tee).
• Goldstar TransportminorOthersTransport company sponsoring the 16th Tee (All Tees).
• Macintyre TransportminorOthersTransport company sponsoring the 17th and 18th Tees (All Tees).
• Clayden FinancialminorOthersFinancial services firm sponsoring the 9th Tee of Kingsfleet (All Tees).
• Suffolk Golf UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose links with Suffolk Golf Union's boys and girls' county organisers for junior development and advancement to county level. Club is training facility for Suffolk Girls' squad.
• England GolfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated club with Safegolf accreditation and HSBC Grass Roots Centre status. England Golf backed body supporting junior golf development.
• Golf FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSBC Grass Roots Centre providing access to Golf Foundation support, resources, and junior development programmes.
• Bushfire PhotographyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended wedding photography supplier. Two-photographer team offering relaxed, creative approach to wedding coverage.
• Luca's CakesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAward-winning bespoke wedding cake supplier recommended to couples.
• Emma's FloristminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended wedding florist with 15+ years experience in wedding arrangements.
• Suffolk Flower GardenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended wedding florist founded by Melanie Thomas, known for romantic garden-inspired florals and over 100 5-star reviews.
• Vintage Dreams Wedding CarsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended wedding car supplier with 300+ five-star reviews, offering classic Rolls-Royces and vintage vehicles across Essex and Suffolk.
• Check-TwelveminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended wedding DJ service providing high-energy professional entertainment.
• My Big Fat Wedding DiscominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIpswich-based wedding DJ and disco service with custom playlists and decorative options.
• Casper ClarkeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLive vocal entertainer and former Universal Records recording artist offering wedding entertainment.
• ExtravOrganzaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWedding chair cover and venue décor specialist operating across Suffolk, Norfolk and North Essex.
• Intelligent GolfcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of online tee booking system for visitor and member tee time reservations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Saunton Golf Club: Championship links club in Devon with East/West courses and clubhouse hospitality. Equivalent profile as a UK members links destination with championship heritage and visitor green-fee revenue.
• Thorpeness Golf Club: Suffolk heathland club and country club with 18-hole course plus accommodation and hotel. Comparable heritage East Anglia positioning with adjacent lodging and F&B offering that complements golf.
• Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club: Championship links course in Kent, England, with similar Open Championship pedigree, members-club structure, and visitor pay-and-play model. Directly comparable as a UK championship links destination club.
• Woodbridge Golf Club: Suffolk-based members golf club on the River Deben estuary with 18-hole course, clubhouse, and society packages. Same regional market, same members-club structure, similar coastal/Suffolk heritage positioning.
• Hillside Golf Club: Championship links course in Southport, England, hosting major amateur and professional events. Comparable championship-venue positioning and members-club operating model.
• Aldeburgh Golf Club: Fellow Suffolk members golf club founded in 1884 offering 18-hole heathland/parkland course and clubhouse hospitality. Closest geographic peer operating under the same members-club model serving the East Anglia catchment.
• Royal West Norfolk Golf Club: Traditional English members links club on the Norfolk coast with championship pedigree, restrictive access, and visitor days. Closest analog to FFGC's heritage-rich, exclusive coastal members-club positioning.
• Burnham & Berrow Golf Club: Championship links club in Somerset, England, with similar championship venue status, members-club structure, and visitor/society revenue model serving regional UK golfers.

Broad incumbents

• The Wisley Golf Club: Premium Surrey members club with three courses, extensive practice facilities, and high-end clubhouse. Broader incumbent in the UK premium members-golf space with significantly greater scale and amenity depth.

Regional players

• Seckford Golf Club: Suffolk 18-hole pay-and-play course with clubhouse and function suite. Regional competitor for green-fee, society, and wedding business within the same East Anglia catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@felixstowegolf
• Instagraminstagram.com/felixstowegolf
• TikToktiktok.com/@felixstowegolf
• Xx.com/felixstoweferry
• Facebookfacebook.com/felixstoweferrygolfclub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/felixstowe-ferry-golf-club

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club