Cookridge Hall Golf Club

The terrain around the edge of the ring road on the northern edge of Leeds is some of the most fertile inland ground in England... as far as golf courses are concerned anyway. Just off the A61 lies Moortown – host of the first official Ryder Cup to be held in Britain – as well as The Alwoodley, one of the very finest heathland courses in England. But while the area can be very proud of these superstar courses, it should perhaps be even more pleased with itself about the support cast to Moortown and The Alwoodley. Sand Moor, Moor Allerton, Cobble Hall, Horsforth and Headingley are all terrific parkland courses and they are joined by an impressive relative newcomer, Cookridge Hall. Part of a first-class leisure complex, the course is a proper championship challenge of nearly 6,800 yards to a par of 72. It was designed and built by key members of Karl Litten's design team, which also built The Emirates Club in Dubai.  Given the American design influence it is hardly surprising what awaits at Cookridge; a target-golf style course where long, straight hitting is required to set up birdie chances on the large greens.

The front nine holes are littered with daunting water hazards and strategic bunkering, culminating in one of many memorable holes – the short par-3 6th.

The course gently winds its way through the countryside of north Leeds, offering spectacular views of the Yorkshire Dales.  The front nine holes are littered with daunting water hazards and strategic bunkering, culminating in one of many memorable holes – the short par-3 6th.  Although only 150 yards off the daily tees, golfers have to carry the ball all the way to avoid the  huge lake and find a tricky Mackenzie-style green (very apt, considering Dr Alister Mackenzie was a Leeds doctor who began his career by laying out The Alwoodley and Moortown).  Most would consider the back nine as the more forgiving of the halves, with two par 5s and two impressive par 3s.  And it certainly ends on a high, the 18th a classic risk-reward hole which is the perfect climax to a matchplay contest. Strong player will be tempted to try to feather a fairway wood from the elevated tee onto the green of this spectacular par 4 - but of course they run the risk of finding water to the left of the green. Instead, most hit a safe iron shot down the middle of the fairway... but even then that leaves an awkward pitch across the lake, which can still easily claim a ball if the shot is misjudged.  Adding to its overall splendour is the clubhouse dating back to the 1820âs. Previously used as a coach house and full of character, its position overlooks the 18th green where players can sit on the patio, relax over a drink and watch fellow golfers negotiate the demanding shot over water.  It provides a perfect setting to compliment a great day's golf. Inside the clubhouse, the bar offers a varied selection of beers, lagers and soft drinks complimented immensely by home-cooked food which is rated so highly locally that many non golfers choose to eat here. As with the driving range and golf course, the clubhouse is also open to the public seven days a week.  If you are a regular golfer looking for a new challenge, or society group organiser, Cookridge Hall genuinely does have everything you could ever wish for in a golf facility.