Best Golf Courses in Yorkshire

Yorkshire is England’s largest county, and it takes its golf seriously. It has heathland at Ganton, moorland around Leeds, parkland in the Dales and cliffs on the coast. In addition, it has hosted the Ryder Cup three times. As a result, few counties can match its golf history.

This guide covers the best courses across Yorkshire, from famous names to quieter clubs. You can browse the directory’s North Yorkshire courses and West Yorkshire courses, or every course we list in England.

Why Yorkshire golf deserves your attention

Yorkshire’s golf is often overshadowed by its dales, moors, cities and cricket. Yet the county has a rich spread of courses. Since many clubs welcome visitors, it is a fine place for a golf break.

Ganton Golf Club

Ganton sits in the Vale of Pickering, inland from Scarborough. It is a heathland-style course with gorse and sandy soil. Its list of events is long: it hosted the 1949 Ryder Cup, the 2000 Curtis Cup and the 2003 Walker Cup. It has also staged the Amateur Championship three times.

Visitors can play on set days, although booking ahead is wise. For the wider style, read our heathland golf guide.

Moortown Golf Club, Leeds

Moortown sits on the northern edge of Leeds. Alister MacKenzie designed the course on open moorland. In 1929, it hosted the Ryder Cup, the first played in Great Britain. Great Britain won the match 7–5, so it holds a special place in the event’s history.

Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds

Alwoodley sits next to Moortown. It was founded in 1907, and its course was the first MacKenzie ever designed. He later laid out Augusta National and Cypress Point. Heather and gorse frame the fairways, while the greens reward a careful approach. Visitor access is limited, so contact the club first.

Our guide to the best parkland golf courses covers Alwoodley alongside other inland classics. The directory also lists golf courses near Leeds.

Lindrick Golf Club

Lindrick sits on the Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire border near Worksop. It hosted the 1957 Ryder Cup, when Great Britain and Ireland won. Today, it is a fine heathland course with sandy soil and heather rough. Our directory lists golf courses near Sheffield for that corner of the county.

Ilkley Golf Club

Ilkley sits in the Wharfe valley, with Ilkley Moor rising above. The course plays like parkland, while the moor gives it a dramatic backdrop.

The Yorkshire coast

Scarborough North Cliff sits high above the town, with views over the North Sea. The wind changes the course from day to day, so it rewards a second visit.

Filey lies south of Scarborough, with views across Filey Bay. Filey town is quieter than Scarborough, so it suits a relaxed break. For more seaside golf, read our guide to coastal golf in the UK.

Harrogate and York

Harrogate is one of the most attractive towns in the north. Several good clubs sit close by, including Pannal on the southern edge of the town. Rudding Park also has a resort course with a hotel. As a result, Harrogate suits a full golf break.

York makes a good base too, since it has fast rail links and plenty of hotels. The directory lists golf courses near York.

Public golf in Yorkshire

Yorkshire has a strong tradition of council golf. For example, Temple Newsam in Leeds has two courses in the grounds of a historic house. Our guide to municipal golf courses explains how council golf works. In addition, our pay and play guide covers privately run courses that need no membership.

Green fees

Yorkshire is often good value compared with the south of England. Still, prices vary widely, from council courses to Ganton and the Leeds clubs. Since prices change each year, check each club’s own website before you book.

Combining Yorkshire with nearby regions

Yorkshire sits between two strong golf regions. To the west, our page on golf courses near Manchester covers the Pennine and Cheshire clubs. To the north, our page on golf courses near Newcastle covers Northumberland’s coast and the Tyne Valley.

Plan a Yorkshire golf trip

A good trip might pair Moortown and Alwoodley with a day at Ganton. Our UK golf breaks guide helps you plan rooms and travel. For a national view, read our guide to golf courses in England.

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