The biggest and arguably the best

Yorkshire is home to some truly fabulous golf courses - here is a selection of our favourite ones

AS the largest county in England, it should come as no surprise whatsoever that Yorkshire is home to a fantastic collection of courses. Indeed, there is somewhere in the region of 200 different layouts in this beautiful part of northern England, making it just perfect for a short break with either friends or family.

Of course, the downside - if there is such a thing - of such choice is that it is often hard to know where to start when it comes to choosing the courses to play. Luckily, that’s where we come in. We’ve picked a selection of the leading layouts in Yorkshire we think might appeal to you.

Fulford Golf Club is home to one such example. Situated in an idyllic location just a mile from the centre of York, its course is one of the best inland tracks in Britain. It has a great championship pedigree, too. Over 20 consecutive European Tour events in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s firmly put Fulford on the global golfing map and saw its fairways walked by many of the game’s greats. Those with a good memory might recall Bernhard Langer playing a shot of a tree there during the 1981 Benson & Hedges tournament.

Cleckheaton & District Golf Club is also worth a visit. Its course was designed by Dr Alister Mackenzie, the same man who co-designed Augusta National. Whilst not especially long, it is a fine challenge based on course management rather than just brute force. Keep something in the tank for the closing stretch, too, beginning with the lengthy par-3 15th. That hole, in particular, has been the undoing of many good scores.

CLASSIC

Another Mackenzie design awaits visitors to Sitwell Park. A tough but fair challenge, it has one of the most highly-respected finishes in the area. The holes snake their way across picturesque parkland, offering a diverse challenge for pro and amateur alike, and then there are the classic, trademark Mackenzie greens, which are fast, with some tricky reads.

Like Cleckheaton & District and Sitwell Park, the course at Dewsbury District has also been touched by the hands of many golf greats down the years. Originally designed by Old Tom Morris in the late 19th century, the nine-hole course was extended to 18 holes by Ted Ray from Ganton in 1906 and further alterations were overseen by Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas in 1972.

Today, the hillside course offers a great challenge complemented by stunning panoramic views of the countryside.

A very under-rated experience awaits visitors to Renishaw Park Golf Club. Its charming course meanders through some lush, undulating parkland for its opening nine holes before the back nine unfolds over altogether flatter and more open terrain. Watch out for the par-3 17th. Only 123 yards from the white tees, you play to a raised green with bunkers on both sides and only a narrow gap to aim at through the trees. It’s a potential card-wrecker.

Last but by no means least, why not pay The Bradford Golf Club a visit. A friendly club just ten miles from Leeds and only eight from Bradford, its course was originally designed at the end of the 19th century but recently underwent a £1m improvement to ensure it remains pristine and playable no matter the weather.

Home to the prestigious Hawksworth Trophy, The Bradford is well-conditioned and a frankly fantastic test.

These are just some of the many great courses to enjoy in Yorkshire, which is little more than a short drive over the Border. Next time you think about going on a golf break, make sure it’s at the top of your list.

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