Appleby

Appleby Golf Club might be one of the shortest layouts across the NCG Top 100s lists, but it is one of the more challenging.

That is, in part, thanks to its location – atop Brackenber Moor in Cumbria. Due to its elevation, the wind will play a factor with every shot.

Open Champion Willie Fernie was the man to design the course, which makes the most of the contours across the moors.

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Appleby’s history as a golfing venue dates back to the late 19th Century. The club was founded in 1894, and first called Minsceugh Moor home.  

Around a decade later, the club moved to its current home at Brackenber, and Willie Fernie – winner of the Open Championship in 1883 – was the man brought in to design the golf course.  

Ten years later, Appleby played host to the Cumbria County Championship for the first time, and it has gone on to host the event, along with several other important amateur tournaments, throughout its history. 

Appleby is the definition of a moorland golf course, and it is one where some of the greenkeeping is carried out by the sheep who call the course their home. The greens are roped off to keep the grazing livestock away and the turf is a delight to hit from. The minimalist design, courtesy of Willie Fernie, has just a handful of bunkers, all of them greenside. The real defences here come with the contours of the land and the ever-present breeze up on Brackenber Moor. At a fraction under 6,000 yards, Appleby is not long but with no par 5s, it plays longer than you might anticipate. 

At just 336 yards, the opening hole is a gentle one at Appleby, and one that could get you on your way with a birdie. A slight dog-leg left, the play is down the right side of the fairway, to keep the two greenside bunkers as much out of play as possible. The 2nd has a narrow fairway, one pinched in by two grass bunkers on either side of the short stuff. Gorse – something you might not expect to see at a course like this – features on the left of the 3rd, before you come to the first of the quartet of short holes at Appleby. 

The 4th is a downhill par 3 played to a green shaped like a bowl. Long or left is not your friend on this 170-yard approach. Although on 307 yards from the tips, the 5th is more difficult than you might think due to a blind tee shot. The green is long and narrow with two bunkers on its left. 6 is the opposite, with an elevated tee allowing to see the entirety of the hole. It is one of the longer holes on the course at 420 yards, and it plays as a slight dog-leg right, but a good drive will put you in position to reach the green. You start at the foot of the hill on 7 and must drive on to a plateau that you can’t clearly see, one in between two roads that cut across the fairway. From there, it takes a really good iron shot to flight it up to the next level where the green is. It is the Stroke Index 1 for a reason. 

The interesting holes continue around the turn. 8 is a short par 4, one that the longer hitters might fancy taking on at just 305 yards. Then you come to the 9th – the Stroke Index 3. A long and narrow fairway ends with a long and narrow green. The opening hole on the back nine is the first of three par 3s you will play on your way home. 180 yards, to a green protected by sand on both sides, your approach has to be accurate. The 11th is the Stroke Index 2, and although it is arrow straight, its length – pushing 450 yards from the tips – is its danger. Named ‘Bungalow’ after the property that is behind the green, a par is a very good score on the 11th. 

At just 255 yards, most will fancy their chances at 12. Although the green is protected, if you’re down there for just one shot, it’s worth a go! The 13th is another birdie opportunity at just 310 yards, before you come to the tough 14th. At more than 430 yards, it is a change in tact, and it plays as a slight dog-leg left. Although the two-tiered green has not bunkers around it, there is still danger around. Appleby’s highlight is the par 3 15th, which reminds one of the famous Dell – the 5th at Irish links Lahinch. In much the same way, the green is concealed from the tee, hidden in a fold between two hills. This hole, though, is much longer and there is also out of bounds to contend with. There is a stick to guide you and the smart play is to aim a little left of it, from where the contours will take your ball down on to the green. 

That incredible short hole begins the closing stretch at Appleby, with the 445-yard par 4 16th to follow. Playing slightly uphill, and almost always into the breeze, it will take two mighty blows to reach this green in just two shots. 17 is the last of the par 3s, and another tricky hole at 180 yards. There is a large putting surface to aim at, but four bunkers surround it. The finale has gorse on its right, along with a row of trees, and thick rough on its left, so finding the fairway is imperative. The green is long, but wide enough for those coming in with a long iron or hybrid. It is a cracking end to this great course.  

Where is Appleby Golf Club located?  

Appleby Golf Club is situated in Appleby-in-Westmorland in the north of England. The club sits just of the A66, the main road that runs from Penrith in the west (M6) to Scotch Corner in the east (M1). It is in the county of Cumbria, and just south of the North Pennines National Landscape. The nearest cities to Appleby are Carlisle and Middlesbrough. The latter is just over an hour to the east, while Carlisle is slightly closer, to the northwest. 

Appleby Train Station sits less than three miles from the entrance to the golf club, and is on the train line that operates services between Carlisle and Leeds. Trains run in both directions on an irregular basis, with a number of services each day. The nearest major international airport is Newcastle Airport, which is around 65 miles to the northeast of Appleby. Manchester Airport – the busiest airport in the United Kingdom outside of London – is just over 100 miles south, down the M6.  

Are there any NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?  

Appleby is very much on its own in the centre of the country, with the majority of courses north of Manchester all being by the coastline. Silloth on Solway is the closest venue to Appleby, but is still some 50 miles away to the northeast. Seascale and Seaton Carew, on opposite sides of the country, are within 70 miles.  

What golf facilities does Appleby Golf Club offer?  

Along with the glorious 18-hole golf course on Brackenber Moor, Appleby is also the home to a practice area for members and guests alike to work on their games before taking to the course. There is a driving range, short game area and a putting green, the latter being by the clubhouse and 1st tee.

What are the green fees at Appleby Golf Club?  

The price of a green fee at Appleby Golf Club changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Appleby, visit their website here.