Today is National Golf Lovers Day
If you are looking to move to a new area, and a good golf course is pretty high on the list of ‘must haves’ then Leeds could be an ideal place to move to. With courses from PGA championship to Ryder Cup hosts, Leeds boasts some of the Uk’s finest and oldest courses designed by some of the world’s best architects.
So… if you are looking to improve your swing and make new friends in the process then becoming a member of a local club could be a great thing to do.
Here are some of the top golf clubs in the area:
Moortown Golf club: Well-known around the World as the host of the first Ryder Cup match on British soil, in 1929, Moortown is regarded by many as one of the Country’s finest inland golf courses. Over the past Century the Club has hosted many professional and amateur tournaments with winners that include Sir Nick Faldo, Bernard Gallagher, Danny Willett and Sir Michael Bonallack, former Captain of the R & A, to name but a few.
Fulneck Golf club: Fulneck Golf Course is a mature nine-hole parkland course which has been in existence now for over 120 years. The first three holes run up and down the hill directly in front of the Clubhouse, the course then follows the valley bottom running alongside of the beck which is out of bounds at all times. After the first five holes we cross the beck and enter what is known in the Club has the new land (not so new anymore), three holes are played in this field and then you arrive at the bottom of the ninth hole. This is a testing par four hole played on an upslope all the way, it is a difficult uphill hole that ruins many a golfer’s card. After the first nine holes you will see that accurate shots are rewarded on this relatively tight course. Now carry on and do it all again and in most cases from different tees.
Sandmoor Golf Club: The Sand Moor Golf Course is an 18-hole Championship course, measuring 6,446 yards, consisting of three par 5’s, eleven par 4’s and four par 3 holes. It was designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie in 1926 – who sat on the very first Greens Committee at the club – and famously went on to design Augusta National. The course is perhaps better known for its four challenging par 3’s – each of which were originally designed by Alister MacKenzie. Each par 3 varies in length, style and offers a different challenge. Sand Moors longest hole is the 556-yard 16th hole, which features a tricky right to left sloping fairway.
Cookridge Hall golf Club: The front nine holes are littered with daunting water hazards and strategic bunkering, culminating in one of many memorable holes the short par 3, 6th. Although only 150 yards off the white tees, golfers must carry the ball all the way to a Mackenzie green to avoid the fateful splash and being caught out by the huge lake. Good golf will be rewarded but beware any loose shots or inaccurate putting will be punished especially on the fast running and undulating greens. The back nine could be classed as more forgiving with two par 5’s and two impressive par 3’s, after negotiating those successfully golfers are faced with a do or die decision on the 18th. Aptly named Temptation, the green can be found in one shot from the tee however standing guard to swallow any errant tee shot is the lake adjacent to the green. A conservative iron shot down the middle of the fairway leaves an awkward and often costly pitch across the lake to an undulating fast green; a par 4 is no guarantee. Be it a social game or in the heat of a match the 18th hole is a spectacle and provides the perfect finish to a most enjoyable round.
Oulton Hall Golf club: They have a team of qualified PGA professionals are dedicated to helping you enjoy better golf. For some of you this will involve reducing your handicap to the lowest it’s ever been, whilst for others it’ll be about giving you the confidence to enjoy your time on the course with friends. Whatever you want from this game, we’re here to help every step of the way. They offer lessons and a custom fittings service, along with a pro shop.
Leeds Golf Club: Interwoven in the history of the Leeds Golf Club is the story of the beginning of golf in Leeds. It was on the Soldiers field at Roundhay that the first golf ball was struck in the Leeds district. In 1890, these players and some others rented the horse pastures which now forms the top nine of the present courses of the Leeds Golf Club, or “Cobble Hall” as it is more affectionately known locally. They played there until 1893 when they left and fashioned a nine-hole course on the low side of the Wetherby Road, forming the Roundhay Club. In 1896 several gentlemen met in the Gipton Wood Inn and decided to form a golf club. They obtained the original lease of the present course from the local at a rent of £25 per annum. After some deliberation, they decided to name the Leeds Golf Club. The old Roundhay Club was merged with the Leeds Golf in 1900.
Howley Hall golf Club: Howley Hall Golf Club is located on the outskirts of Leeds and is easily accessible from the M62 and M1. With an impressive golf course, bar and catering facilities, it’s the ideal location for golf societies and visiting parties. There is always a warm welcome at Howley Hall. More than a great golf course, with arguably the best four finishing holes in Yorkshire, it is the perfect venue for all occasions. The club’s function rooms can be hired for a wide variety of events including Business Meetings and Seminars, Special Events, Celebrations and Wedding Receptions.
Temple Newsham golf Club: Alderman Alf Masser and A. G. (Bert) Baker, the then golf correspondent at the Yorkshire Evening Post newspaper, campaigned long and hard for the introduction of municipal golf in Leeds. Consequently, the first golf course at Temple Newsam, designed by Dr. Alistair Mackenzie (designed Augusta and Alwoodley among others), was opened on 20th July 1923. However, Mr. Baker had already gathered interested parties together and in February of that year, a meeting was convened at the Hotel Metropole in Leeds and the Leeds Municipal Golfers Club was born. Appropriately, A. G. Baker became the first Chairman of the club.
Headingley Colf club: At the turn of the 20th century when the club’s first members set eyes on a piece of heath and farmland alongside the picturesque Norman church at Adel, they had the vision to see a great natural golf course. Over 100 years later the course is still in a completely rural setting, enjoys many wonderful views and boasts many memorable golf holes which make full use of the varied and dramatic terrain. The land has also proved most suitable for year-round golf and much to the members’ approval the “Course Closed” sign is very rarely used. One of the country’s most talented young Head Greenkeepers, Andy Stanger (2010 Toro Greenkeeper of the Year) joined Headingley in 2013 and since then has been overseeing a comprehensive and ambitious Course Improvement Plan ensuring that the course continues to be a venue of choice for discerning golfers.
Alwoodley Golf club: Alwoodley is regarded as one of the finest inland courses in Britain as well as being of great historical significance. Alwoodley’s world-renowned architect, Dr Alister MacKenzie, created a layout of rare subtlety and sophistication on a swathe of moorland to the north of the city of Leeds. It enjoys natural heathland characteristics, with firm, springy fairways lined by heather and occasional outcrops of gorse. Among many distinguishing features are the eye-catching, irregularly shaped and naturalistic-looking bunkers as well as large, often undulating, greens. Dating back to 1907, Alwoodley is a course of subtle angles and great strategic interest. Rarely is driver taken out of the skilled player’s hands, but discretion is often the better part of valour. Wider landing areas are often available at the expense of longer approach shots.
We are pleased that Leeds has so many fantastic courses to shout about, and if you are looking to move to the area, take a look at our website – we have some lovely homes for sale that are really close by.
Happy Golf Lover’s Day – October 4th 2022
If you are looking to sell your home and would like a free market appraisal call 01134 676 400 w:davidphillip.co.uk 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds
Covering Leeds, Bramhope, Cookridge, Adel, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Otley
