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English Golf Articles - Golf in York

AS one of the biggest counties in the north of England you would expect a glut of fine golf courses to choose from – and that is very much the case.

Yorkshire has often been a focal point for golfers who like to pick and choose from well over 100 or so courses. There are plenty of big names in this corner of the north which, appropriately, is known as the ‘county of broad acres’. Sifting the list of courses can be taxing - but that’s where we come in.

In this neck of the woods, you can cherry pick from some genuinely top-class layouts whilst also favouring an afternoon at some lesser-known gems. Now, considering our position as the leading authority on club golf matters in England, it would be unfair to focus solely on the big venues such as Ganton, Moortown and Lindrick.

No, we’re focusing on the golf courses you might or might not have heard of; the venues that provide a perfect afternoon’s golf minus the weighty green fee.A perfect example of that is Teesside. One of the oldest courses in the region, it has   been improved over the years    to USGA standards.

Laid out on luscious parkland, the course has been played by some of golf’s top players through the years and is more than worthy of your attention. Small plateau greens characterise the short but  mighty test that awaits at Wilton, in Redcar, Cleveland. Now, it might not be the longest golf course in Yorkshire, but it is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable.

The Wakefield area is also well off in terms of providing good golf. Lofthouse Hill, which is set between Leeds and Wakefield, is a busy venue and boasts two quite distinct nines, with the back nine housing more narrow fairways compared to the outward stretch.

Just five miles north of Leeds lies Moor Allerton. Here, there are three loops of nine to choose from – Lakes, Blackmoor and High – all of which were designed by Robert Trent Jones, the influential American designer responsible for venues such as Peachtree, Firestone and Spyglass. Another top Wakefield venue is Woolley Park, which happily opens its doors to large groups and societies in turn for a relatively modest green fee.

Bondhay, set in the heart of the Dukeries and part of the Chatsworth Estate, is a popular venue with visitors. The course is known as a superb test of golf where good bunker play is essential.

So, get to it and explore the ‘county of broad acres’. We guarantee you’ll be left itching  for more…

Top golfing trivia
Cleveland is the oldest links golf course in Yorkshire Ilkley is where Monty used to play his golf Gary Player once said Ganton was the only inland course in the UK worthy of hosting the Open Dr Alister Mackenzie, who designed Augusta National in Georgia, was born in Yorkshire in 1870.

The first official Ryder Cup to be staged in the UK took place at Moortown in 1929
Other sporting events York Racecourse hosts the annual Ebor meeting Headingley is the home of the Yorkshire County Cricket Ground Football enthusiasts can choose from popular football venues such as Elland Road, Hillsborough or Bramhall Lane. Ice hockey is played at Sheffield Arena, home of the Sheffield Steelers Rugby League is hugely popular in Yorkshire, with Leeds and Bradford two of the biggest teams.