The North of England
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The cities of Leeds and Newcastle are the centres of this ever-evolving golfing region. In a classy corner of West Yorkshire you’ll discover some of the best inland golf in the land: Alister MacKenzie’s Alwoodley; the first official Ryder Cup venue in the UK, Moortown; and Sand Moor are quite literally down the road from one another. Also close by you’ll find magical Moor Allerton, Robert Trent Jones’ first UK course design and a member of our 2-FORE!-1 scheme.
The north of the White Rose county has plenty to offer, too, with gorgeous Ganton – think of Turnberry without the sea – and York’s pride and joy Fulford – a former popular European Tour venue – topping the list. Both are in great condition year-round and in winter you can play Fulford from £30 (from £45 in October). Go East and you can take advantage of the Golf Coast Passport (golfcoastpassport.co.uk) which gives you a great chance to experience the pick of the area’s courses on the cheap – £58 for three rounds, £70 for four & £80 for five during a seven-day period. Participating courses are: Flamborough Head, Filey, Hornsea, Bridlington and Bridlington Links.
And if it’s stunning views you’re seeking, head for unsung South Yorkshire pair Silkstone and Hickleton, near Barnsley and Doncaster respectively. Both provide sensational Pennines panoramas. The north east has been significantly boosted in recent times following the opening of two exciting new resorts (Close House near Newcastle and Rockliffe Hall just outside Darlington), joining the already well-established Slaley Hall.
Also new on the scene is the championship parkland layout at Ramside Hall, named the Cathedral Course after the famous Durham landmark and World Heritage Site. Some great golf is available in Northumberland including Braid coastal classic Goswick plus the lower-profile links of Bamburgh Castle and Dunstanburgh Castle. The Castle courses guarantee fun and inexpensive holiday golf.
The county also boasts England’s oldest nine-hole links at Alnmouth Village. You can enjoy a round at Bamburgh as well as Alnwick Castle and Seahouses as part of a two-night B&B break at the Bamburgh Castle Inn, Seahouses, for £142pp based on two sharing (alnwickgolfbreaks.co.uk).
