Golf used to be something of an elitist pastime - the domain of wealthy retired folk or high flying businessmen cutting million pound deals on the ninth hole, or over a fine malt whiskey in the Clubhouse.

Over time golf has become much more of an everyman sport, partly due to its rise in popularity in the 1980’s when yuppies ruled the world (or at least, thought they did!) and financial vulgarity was seen as a positive trait. During this time, existing golf clubs thrived and new ones were built to meet demand.

Subsequent economic fluctuations, from peaks and troughs to full on crash resulted in many of these golf clubs finding themselves undersubscribed and overpriced. After a degree of levelling, and indeed realism (there were mediocre clubs charging extortionate fees simply because the demand and cash was there), golf has now become a much more affordable and accessible pastime.

Of course there are still golf clubs at the top end of the pricing scale. If you have a spare £55k lying around you could grace the greens at Loch Lomond, rubbing shoulders perhaps with Sean Connery along the way. Queenwood Golf Club in Surrey values its privacy and exclusivity, to the extent that depending upon which website’s speculation you believe, joining fees have been quoted at £55k, £155K and over £200k!! Yet another website claims Michael Douglas and wife Catherine Zeta Jones shelled out £250k each for their memberships.

But leaving aside these and other exclusive private members clubs, you don’t need to look far to find excellent golf, facilities and a course set within glorious surroundings.

Haverhill Golf Club has all these, at a range of prices to allow anyone to enjoy this seemingly gentle but actually challenging sport. Joining and membership fees are at a variety of levels as are day rates for adults and juniors.

Tailor a membership package to suit your lifestyle and you’ll find excellent value for money.

'Ah, you say, but that’s only the half of it. What about the Rupert Bear trousers and diamond patterned Argyle sweaters?' Absolutely not necessary. Haverhill Golf Club has a dress code just like any other reputable Club, but this does not dictate that you come top to toe dressed in Ralph Lauren, Lyle & Scott or Galvin Green. Beach shorts, t-shirts and hoodies are not permitted but any smart trousers, tailored shorts and collared shirts/polo shirts are perfectly acceptable and are likely to already be in your wardrobe.

'But golf clubs, they cost a fortune right?' Well yes they can, but totally don’t have to. For starters at Haverhill Golf Club you can hire clubs (and trolleys) whilst you ‘find your game’ or indeed find out if golf is for you.

Once you get bitten by the bug, you can find good, used clubs at online auction sites and second-hand resellers. Regular players often trade in their clubs, making a used set of good clubs available at a reasonable price, and there is absolutely no need to shell out for a full set of Callaway or Titleist until you’re completely certain you can give Rory McIlory a run for his money! In fact as your game improves you are likely to find you need to adapt your clubs to match your game, so don’t spend a fortune until you’ve passed any steep learning curves.

So if you’ve always fancied trying your hand at golf but thought it was beyond your budget, think again and head to Haverhill Golf Club.

For starters you can learn for FREE on selected dates in July and August 2015. Head to our offers page, where you can find details of the offer, which applies to adult beginners only. Tuition is in mixed groups of up to 20 people and equipment is supplied free of charge.

This is a fun and friendly introduction to golf and an ideal taster day. Being restricted to beginners only means you won’t feel intimidated as a newbie, and you can mingle with other like minded folk whilst enjoying snack and refreshments in the clubhouse afterwards.

And if this truly whets your appetite then on our Offers page you will find details of a One Month Trial Membership for £50.00. This is limited to the first 50 applicants so don’t hang around umming and ahhing!

You can find out much more about Haverhill Golf Club by checking their listing in our Local Businesses Section, which will also give you a link to their website and even more special offers.  Click here for more information.

Haverhill Golf Club is particularly keen to attract younger members to the sport and has an extremely successful Junior Section. Haverhill Golf Club holds the Golfmark Award, meaning it is a safe and fun environment for junior and novice golfers to discover, learn and develop their skills. Haverhill Juniors' most recent success was in the Southwold Open on Saturday 13th June where they emerged as winners!

Both Haverhill Ladies and Haverhill Seniors have been active in competition recently, and the club’s recent Charity Golf Day not only raised over £2,000 for St Nicholas Hospice and the National Autistic Society but saw Haverhill Member, Jake Warner, scoop the main prize when he scored a hole in one to claim a new Vauxhall Corsa, supplied by Drive Vauxhall of Haverhill.

The emphasis at Haverhill Golf Club is very much community based, making for a fun, friendly and sociable atmosphere in simply beautiful surroundings.

So give golf a try - right now it need not cost you a penny!