Golf In Cheshire
Cheshire is situated between North Wales and the Peak District of Derbyshire and it is surprising that for such a small County there are over 100 golf clubs. The Royal Liverpool links at Hoylake is the best known as for many years it has been on the Open Championship rota and first held the event in 1897. Most of the other courses are inland and mainly parkland in design.
Golf Courses
The Royal Liverpool Club has held twelve Open championships the last being in 2014 when Rory Mcllroy beat Sergio Garcia in a thrilling final days play. It’s a course that is often protected by the wind coming in from the sea and requires accuracy off the tea to avoid the sand hills and the well-placed bunkers. When Tiger Woods won the Open there in 2004 he only used his driver once in four rounds as he realised control and placement were more important than distance. As well as the Open Championship it has held numerous other prestigious events such as the Walker Cup, The Curtis Cup and numerous Amateur Championships.
Wallasey Golf Club is another links course where the wind plays a big part in protecting the course. It’s a tough challenge from the back tees which stretch the course to over 6600 yards. There are great views of the River Mersey and the course winds through large sand dunes and its quality has been recognised as it is often used as an Open Qualifying venue.
Delamere Forest is probably the most well known of the other courses in Cheshire. It’s a bit misleading to call it Forest as its really a heathland course that has been renovated over the years to bring it back to the original concept of the architect Herbert Fowler he produced in 1910. It’s not a long course at just over 6000 yards but it offers a great variety of holes that will keep you on your toes.
In contrast, Mottram Hall golf club is a superb parkland design by Dave Thomas that from the very back tees stretches to over 7000 yards. Its hosted the European Seniors Championship and has two contrasting nines with the front nine played on rolling meadow land and the harder back nine winds through woodland.
There are two courses at Carden Park Hotel one of which was designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son Steve and as with all of their courses, a great deal of strategy is required. There are several water hazards and well-placed bunkers to avoid but generally, the fairways offer a reasonably generous target. There are several different teeing grounds to play from so you can make the course as easy or as challenging as you want. The other course called The Cheshire is no less of a challenge and indeed is slightly the longer of the two. The last three holes provide a great finish as they go along the top of a sandstone cliff.
The Macdonald Portal Resort also has two eighteen-hole courses The Championship and The Premier and the nine-hole Arderne course. For those seeking help, it also has one of the largest indoor golf academies in Europe. Donald Steel designed the Championship Course which opened in 1990 and from the back tees its just over 7000 yards with a par five that stretches to 605 yards. Water hazards abound and the greens are protected by well-positioned bunkering. The Premier Course was designed by Andrew Murray and also opened in 1990 and is a par 71 that is around 6500 yards.
The Mere Resort has a James Braid designed course that opened in 1935. The course winds through mature trees and rhododendron bushes and the Lake from which the course takes its name is also made use of to test your golfing abilities.
Where To Stay
Chester is the county town of Cheshire and is a wonderful city with hundreds of years of history to explore. It’s also easily accessible for most of the top golf courses and as a tourist city, it can offer accommodation to suit all tastes.
For those wanting to stay on a Resort with a golf course, you are almost spoilt for choice. There are four excellent golfing venues to choose from. The Carden Park Hotel has two courses including the one designed by Jack Nicklaus. It’s set in 1000 acres of countryside and as well as the golf there is a very good spa and Chester is only twenty minutes away.
Mottram Hall is a modern 4-star hotel within a traditional looking façade. All the rooms have recently been refurbished and the Spa has been improved. There is a championship course on site.
The Macdonald Portal Hotel is quite close to Chester city centre but has two 18-hole courses and a 9 hole course on site. Again, there is an excellent spa and a choice of dining options.
Finally, The Mere Golf Resort is set in the Cheshire countryside and has its own golf course. For the keen golfer, there are excellent practice facilities and a very good Academy to help sort your game out.
Cheshire may not be the first area that comes to mind when looking for a UK break but it’s well worth a second look. The Hotels with golf courses are some of the best in the Country and there are usually exceptional deals to be had there.
Book Your Cheap Golf Break To Cheshire Now
Cheshire is the perfect place to go for a golf break. With so many good golf resorts with Spas to choose from, beautiful countryside and beautiful nearby towns like Chester.
If you are considering Cheshire as the destination for your next golf break, please call us on 01904 406550 for a bespoke quote.
