Delamere Forest

Delamere Forest is one of Cheshire's finest golfing venues, with the layout running through heathland and tree-lined fairways, all while being within an hour from both Liverpool and Manchester.

Designed by the great Herbert Fowler - one of several incredible British designs in his portfolio - the course plays hard but fair, and rewards golfers for good shots, as long as you put the ball in the right position off the tee. 

 
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1910 saw the opening of the golf course at Delamere Forest, and it was Herbert Fowler - of The Berkshire and Walton Heath fame - that designed the original layout.

James Braid, Sandy Herd, Ted Ray and James Arundel were the men to open the course with an inauguration match that same year.

Over its 115-year history, not much has changed to the layout at Delamere Forest, but the off-course facilities, including the driving range and short game areas have been improved in recent times to make it a more well-rounded venue for golf.

 

There is a great selection of golf holes in Fowler's design at Delamere Forest. There are long par 5s, short par 4s and some intricate par 3s as well. In total, the course plays just shy of 6,600 yards from the tips, and as a Par 72, and it will test those of all abilities.

The first two holes are where the majority of the difference in distance comes from between the Blues and the Greens. If you are off the very backs, then the opener is a par 4 of just shy of 500 yards. The 2nd is shorter, but plays as a Par 5, so the inevitable dropped shot from the first can be gotten back straight away. The 3rd is another tricky par 4, before you come to the opening short hole on the property, the 4th.

4 is a 208 yards from the back tees, and the longest of the four on the course. The 5th is then the hardest hole on the front nine, and one that requires two very good shots. Once you have negotiated your tee shot it really doesn’t get any easier. If you miss the green slightly right with your approach you are looking at a lost ball, miss left and your ball will be wet. You then come to the picturesque 6th hole. This short par 3 is played with a large water hazard on its left side, but it should be far enough away that it does not come too much into play.

The 7th is perhaps the easiest of the four par 5s, at just 475 yards. There are 11 bunkers on the hole, but if you can avoid all those, it is a great birdie chance. 8 is another lengthy par 4 of more than 440 yards, before you come to the short 9th. The final hole on the front nine at Delamere plays as a dog-leg left, and one where attempting to cut the trees might not be your best idea.

After a medium-length par 4, the back nine properly gets underway at the 11th - the hardest hole on the property. It is also the longest at 540 from the tips, and with three fairway bunkers in the landing zone, four more by the green and a fairway that narrows as you get further into the hole, this is a very tricky test. The 12th is only 145 yards, and it begins a run of slightly easier holes, with 13 and 14 both offering up birdie chances if you can find the fairway from the tee. 

The closing stretch begins with the dog-leg left 15th. At 310 yards, some might be tempted to try and hit a slinging draw around the trees to take it on, but most will play towards the solitary fairway bunker, before then aiming at the green with their second shot. 16 is the last short hole at Delamere, playing just over 200 yards and across the corner of a water hazard. The penultimate hole is a gentle par 4, with the closing hole being a tough par 5, and a proper end to your round. Driver can be taken without care on the last, thanks to its wide fairway, and if you get one down there, reaching the green is possible with your second.

 

Where is Delamere Forest Golf Club located?
Delamere Forest Golf Club is located in the heart of Cheshire, south of both Liverpool and Manchester. The centre of both cities are within an hour from Delamere. The forest itself is just to the northwest of the venue, with the A54 and A556 both running around a mile south of the club.

Delamere Station is less than half of mile from the entrance to the golf club, and the station sits on the Manchester-Chester line. Trains run hourly in both directions. For those coming from further afield, both Manchester and Liverpool John Lennon Airports are within an hour's drive from Delamere Forest Golf Club. The former is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom outside of London.

 

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?  
The northwest of England is blessed with a number of incredible golfing layouts. Both Prestbury and Cavendish are within 40 miles to the east of Delamere Forest, while the likes of Wallasey, Royal Liverpool, Formby, Formby Ladies, Southport & Ainsdale, Hillside and Royal Birkdale are all within the same distance along the North West Coast.

What golf facilities does Delamere Forest offer?  
To the northwestern side of the 18-hole layout, Delamere Forest has its own driving range, with both matted and grass tees available, depending on the conditions. There is also a large putting green by the 1st tee, to allow golfers to practice those crucial putts they might face out on the course. 
 

What are the green fees at Delamere Forest?
The price of a green fee at Delamere Forest 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 Delamere Forest, visit their website here. 

 

Visit Delamere Forest's website here.
Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.