Currently, there are eight 18-hole golf courses, with some having historical legacies dating back to 1896. Notably, the renowned Dr. Alister MacKenzie played a role in designing some of these courses. With a population exceeding half a million, Bradford stands as the second-largest city in West Yorkshire. Encompassing an expansive area of over 40 miles, the city exhibits a diverse landscape, featuring a blend of industrial and rural areas. Despite its size, traversing from one end to the other is relatively straightforward.
What adds to the allure of these golf courses is their picturesque surroundings. Whether nestled in heritage sites like Saltaire or framed by the impressive backdrop of a Victorian railway viaduct, the Bradford district and its collection of 18-hole courses provide enchanting settings for golf enthusiasts to relish.
1. Bradford Golf Club
The Moorland Links Championship Course, crafted by Herbert Fowler with a par of 71/73 and redesigned in 1923, stands as one of the most ancient golf courses in Yorkshire. Offering a genuine challenge, it caters to golfers of diverse handicaps.
https://bradfordgolfclub.co.uk/
2. NorthCliffe Golf Club
Nestled in the core of West Yorkshire, just beyond the World Heritage Site of Saltaire, Northcliffe boasts a panoramic view of the picturesque Aire Valley. Spanning 100 acres of captivating parkland, this challenging 18-hole course features some of the most scenic and demanding holes across Yorkshire and the northern region of England.
https://www.northcliffegc.org.uk/
3. The Manor
The Manor boasts a meticulously kept 18-hole Championship golf course, characterized by its challenging par 71 undulating parkland layout. Encircled by tree-lined fairways and woodland, the course offers breathtaking views over Tong and the Cockersdale Valley.
Spanning 6,406 yards from the white tees and 5,997 yards from the yellow tees, the Championship course provides a diverse experience on each hole, catering to golfers of all skill levels. Notably, the course showcases six picturesque lakes that wind their way through, introducing distinctive water hazards for an added dimension to the challenge.
4. West Bradford Golf Club
West Bradford stands as an exclusive members-only golf club, positioned approximately three miles northwest of Bradford city center, a mere six miles from Haworth, renowned as the Bronte sisters’ home, 14 miles from Leeds city center, and 21 miles from Harrogate.
Established in 1900, the club was originally formed by a group of affluent Bradford textile magnates. The inaugural course design was conceived by James Young, and the construction was delegated to James Carter & Co. of London, notable for their work on the Old Course at Sunningdale Golf Club a few years prior.
5. Cleckheaton Golf Club
Established in 1900, the present course, crafted a century ago by the renowned golf course architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie, was officially unveiled on July 29, 1922. Cleckheaton Golf Club encompasses an 18-hole, 6155-yard parkland course, offering four tee color options. It stands as a genuine test for golfers of all skill levels.
Conveniently situated just a 40-minute drive from Manchester, York, and Sheffield, Cleckheaton holds the distinction of being the most accessible golf course in the UK. Positioned adjacent to Junction 26 of the M62, south of Bradford, it regularly extends a warm welcome to visitors from other golf courses in Yorkshire and beyond.
https://cleckheatongolfclub.co.uk/
6. Bingley St.Ives Golf Club
Bingley St. Ives Golf Course follows a singular loop configuration, leading players from the clubhouse through a scenic journey of parkland, woodland, and moorland before circling back to the clubhouse to complete the 18-hole course.
The brilliance of MacKenzie’s design and the natural beauty of the surroundings have harmonized to create a golf course that stands shoulder to shoulder with the best in the region. Yet, we acknowledge that an ideal golf day encompasses more than just fairways, greens, drives, and putts – it includes the enchanting woods and heather.
With a longstanding reputation for hospitality, Bingley St. Ives Golf Club, under the stewardship of its members, has dedicated considerable thought and effort over the years to offer off-course facilities that match the excellence of the playing experience.
https://www.bingleystivesgc.com/
7. Hollins Hall Hotel & Country Club
Designed by Ross McMurray of European Golf Design, the Hollins Hall course, boasting Championship standards, was inaugurated in 1999. This layout is a captivating fusion of two distinct nines, featuring USGA specification summer greens accessible year-round. The elevated front nine offers breathtaking views of the Aire Valley and the Baildon Moors, commencing with a serene tree-lined par four on the right-hand side. The course unfolds to reveal several holes with unforgettable panoramic vistas.
A standout on the front nine is the par four 19th hole, marked by a sweeping fairway from left to right leading to a green situated 50 feet below. Transitioning to the back nine, nestled in a picturesque valley, brings forth more remarkable holes, including the par four 14th hole where undulating greens reside in the shadow of a splendid Victorian railway viaduct.
8. Baildon Golf Club
Established in 1896, Baildon Golf Club boasts an impressive Par 70 moorland golf course featuring stunning views and excellent facilities. Conveniently located near Bradford, the club offers easy accessibility while still being nestled in a picturesque countryside setting.
From the elevated moorland, breathtaking views extend over the Aire Gap, showcasing the Yorkshire hillscapes in the foreground and distant purple moors blending into expansive horizons. Notably, the 2nd hole at Baildon Golf Club is renowned as one of the finest Par 3 holes in the country.
