Alister Mackenzie
The UK is home to golf courses designed by some of the most renowned course architects in the world – including Alister Mackenzie. Teeofftimes offers numerous options for you to enjoy outstanding layouts and challenges – and many of them may be right outside your door!
Alister Mackenzie was a British golf course architect whose designs span across all four continents. Born in 1870 in Normanton, Mackenzie originally trained as a surgeon and served as a civilian doctor with the British army during the Boer War. During the first world war, Mackenzie made his own significant contributions to military camouflage, where he recognized the close relationship between this field and golf course design. In total, Mackenzie has designed more than 50 golf courses, including three that are listed among the top 10 course in the world as of 2016.
Cleckheaton and District
Cleckheaton and District Golf Club, founded in 1900, is the UK’s most accessible golf course and often has visitors come from across all lengths of the country all year round. Designed by renowned architect Alister Mackenzie, Cleckheaton Golf Club is a private club with an active membership, welcoming and friendly clubhouse and an extremely solid junior section. Visitors are always made to feel nothing short of welcome at this 18 hole, 6077-yard, par-70 parkland course, which offers a true challenge for golfers of all abilities. Best of all, Cleckheaton is just a 40-minute drive or so from Manchester, York, and Sheffield, making it an easy day trip and a close-to-home golf destination.
Pitreavie
The 18-hole course has a parkland nature, but it does have some holes that have links-type turf to hit off, and a crisp strike imparts some much-needed control at these points. At just over 6000 yards off the medal tees, the course provides a good test of golf, without being beyond the means of the ‘average’ club golfer. A par 71 gives everyone a fair chance of playing to their handicap on every outing. The diversity of terrain ensures that anyone who doesn’t think their shots through properly will suffer, and without being able to see the bottom of the pin on many holes, the golfer has to be sure in his or her mind before committing to the shot!
Stanley Park
Stanley Park Golf Course offers golfers the chance to play a top-class course – one which is intricate, challenging and dotted with a mixture of natural hazards. Stanley Park is one of the greatest tests for golfers of all levels, with a variety of long and short par 4s and some tricky par 3s also. Stanley Park Golf Course has something for everyone – a testing golf course steeped in rich history!
Bingley St Ives
Situated within the historic St. Ives estate on the edge of Bingley, West Yorkshire, Bingley St. Ives offers a truly enjoyable and testing golf experience to players of all standards. Dating back to 1931, today’s course layout offers an 18-hole, par 71, championship standard test which ranks among the best in Yorkshire. Many of Mackenzie’s trademark influences can still be seen as integral elements of the course today! The unusual single loop course layout takes golfers from parkland, to woodland, to moorland and back again. Enjoy stunning views along the Aire Valley towards Bradford and Leeds, across the famous Bronte moorlands to the west and the imposing Rombalds Moor in the direction of Ilkley and the north.
Bury
Bury Golf Club welcomes golfers at all levels and offers a friendly atmosphere in which to enjoy a course containing some classic holes, including 3 designed with the famous Mackenzie two-tier greens. This fantastic course requires accuracy (more than length) in order to score well.
Cavendish
Cavendish Golf Club, which opened in 1925, was designed by Alister MacKenzie, and unlike many early courses has not been altered in response to today’s pressures. At 5721 yards off the medal tees, the course remains shorter than many, yet still fulfils MacKenzie’s belief that length has nothing to do with the quality of a hole!
Horsforth
Formed in 1906, Horsforth Golf Club features a lovely 18 hole Parkland course, two practice grounds, an extensive putting green, and a classically styled clubhouse. Totalling 6,583 yards, Horsforth Golf Club is certainly no walk in the park. With several cracking holes, there are many chances for birdies. However, do not be fooled into thinking you are home and dry too early, as the testing finishing stretch of 16, 17 and 18 has ruined many a scorecard with two par 5s and a tricky par 4!
Low Laithes
Enjoy the relaxed and friendly atmosphere at Low Laithes Golf Club. This course is a par 72 and measures in at 6445 yards from the white tees. It is quite undulating without being hilly, and offers a variety of outstanding features which make every hole different. Tight tree lined fairways and well-placed bunkers are designed to really test a players positioning and club selection. Although the par 3s are not excessively long, they are very demanding, as is the final par 5, a true test for the most accomplished golfer!
Scarborough South Cliff
Scarborough South Cliff is a fantastic course of two parts – divided by the main road from Scarborough to Filey. On the seaward side of the road, lie the 4th to 10th holes. On the land side, the first three holes and the last eight are laid out along the bottom of the rolling valley stretching southwards into the hills and on the slope of the ridge to the East. The greatest charm of the course is the glorious situation of the holes on the cliff, looking down on the South Bay and Scarborough Town on the one side and along the bold and rugged coastline towards Filey on the other!
Morecambe Golf Club
Morecambe has long been recognised as the gateway to the English Lake District. The views are simply glorious with the Lakeland mountains and fells stretching out beyond the magnificent bay and providing the best possible backdrop for a relaxing round on this challenging course. For many, Morecambe is one of Alister Mackenzie’s masterpieces and whilst there are no par 5s there are sufficient long par 4s to test the very best of golfers!
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