REGION GUIDE
Golf in Yorkshire
Yorkshire is where Alister MacKenzie, the architect of Augusta National, learned his craft. The Leeds area is full of his work, and the county also has some of England’s finest heathland and moorland golf.
Add the historic city of York, the spa town of Harrogate, the Dales and a warm Yorkshire welcome, and it makes a superb golf trip.
Top 10 must-play courses
- Ganton Golf Club: Inland golf that plays like a links, and a former Ryder Cup venue.
- Alwoodley Golf Club: Alister MacKenzie’s first course, near Leeds.
- Moortown Golf Club: The venue of the first Ryder Cup played in Britain, in 1929.
- Lindrick Golf Club: Where Great Britain and Ireland won the Ryder Cup in 1957.
- Fulford Golf Club: Parkland golf on the edge of the historic city of York.
- Ilkley Golf Club: Holes beside the River Wharfe in the Yorkshire Dales.
- Cleveland Golf Club: Yorkshire’s only true links, at Redcar.
- Sand Moor Golf Club: An Alister MacKenzie design close to Alwoodley and Moortown.
- York Golf Club: J.H. Taylor heathland at Strensall, just outside the city.
- Hallamshire Golf Club: Harry Colt moorland on the edge of Sheffield and the Peak District.
The top 10 at a glance
| Course | Type | Par | Yards | Architect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ganton Golf Club | Heathland | 71 | 7,055 | Tom Dunn, later Harry Colt |
| Alwoodley Golf Club | Heathland | 71 | 6,914 | Alister MacKenzie |
| Moortown Golf Club | Moorland | 72 | 6,995 | Alister MacKenzie |
| Lindrick Golf Club | Heathland | 71 | 6,725 | – |
| Fulford Golf Club | Parkland | 72 | 6,925 | Charles MacKenzie, later Mackenzie & Ebert |
| Ilkley Golf Club | Parkland | 69 | 6,271 | Harry Colt and Alister MacKenzie |
| Cleveland Golf Club | Links | 72 | 6,921 | Old Tom Morris, later Harry Colt |
| Sand Moor Golf Club | Heathland | 71 | 6,360 | Alister MacKenzie, later Henry Cotton |
| York Golf Club | Parkland | 70 | 6,367 | J.H. Taylor |
| Hallamshire Golf Club | Moorland | 71 | 6,559 | Harry Colt |
Getting there
Leeds Bradford is the main airport, and Manchester is about an hour from Leeds by road or rail. York is under two hours from London by train.
Where to stay
Oulton Hall near Leeds has golf on site, and Forest Pines is a good base for South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. York and Harrogate also have plenty of characterful hotels.
When to go
May to September is ideal, with long days and the moors at their best. The heathland courses drain well, so spring and autumn golf is good too.
Golf courses in Yorkshire
Golf tours in Yorkshire
Where to stay in Yorkshire
Frequently asked questions
What are the best golf courses in Yorkshire?
Ganton, Alwoodley, Moortown, Lindrick, Fulford and Sand Moor are among the best.
Which courses did Alister MacKenzie design in Yorkshire?
Alwoodley was his first course, and he also worked on Moortown, Sand Moor and other courses around Leeds.
Is York a good base for a golf trip?
Yes. York has great hotels and restaurants, and courses such as Fulford and York are close by.
Ready to plan your trip?
Tell us where and when you would like to play, and we will put you in touch with a trusted tour operator.