Fulford

Fulford Golf Club is one of the European Tour’s finest former venues, and famous for both its winners, and an infamous photo. 

Three decades on from its founding, the club moved to its current site in 1935, and by the 1970s, it had become famous for hosting the Benson & Hedges International on the European (now DP World) Tour.  

Some huge names have won at this venue, and you will find yourself walking on the same fairways as many of the greats have. Just try not to end up in the same position as Bernhard Langer did on the 17th...

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The club was founded in the 1900s, before moving to its current location in 1935. Major Charles MacKenzie was the man to design the layout, which remains relatively unchanged to this day. 

The Benson & Hedges International called Fulford its home for almost two decades, with a raft of legendary names begin victorious at the Yorkshire venue. 

Tony Jacklin, Lee Trevino, Tom Weiskopf, Greg Norman and Sandy Lyle are among those who have won at Fulford, while most will remember the image of Bernhard Langer climbing the now world-famous tree on the 17th. 

The Ladies British Open has also been hosted at Fulford – back in 1976 – along with the Murphy’s Cup, European Ladies Team Championship and the R&A Girls U16 Amateur, the latter on two occasions.

Fulford’s notoriety will come from its hosting of the European Tour throughout the 1970s and 1980s, along with the infamous image of Bernhard Langer standing in the tree on the 17th green. The dense population of trees around this heathland course, that was designed by Major Charles Mackenzie, means the noise of the traffic never reaches your ears, but it also shapes the fairways that are guarded by timber at almost every turn. At 6,900 yards from the tips, Fulford is no easy ride! 

The first five holes here run in a straight line away from the clubhouse and all give plenty of opportunity to ease yourself into the round with two long par 4s that will warm up your driver and long irons, while the two par 3s will hone your short game. Play this stretch without a double bogey, regardless of handicap, and you will be playing good golf. To reach the 6th hole you must cross a bridge that traverses the A64, and it is on the other side of this dual carriageway where you will find a great loop of eight holes. 

The 6th is the first par 5 on the card and requires you to be both accurate and long as three bunkers are waiting to collect any wayward shots landing between the 200-260 mark. And all but the biggest of hitters will need three good shots to reach the long narrow green. Two good par 4s follow but it is the par 5 9th that rounds off the front nine with a bang. Eminently reachable in two blows, care must be taken with the drive as the fairway is cut in half by a bank of rough, gorse and bunkers. Avoid these as well as the large bunkers that guard both sides of the green and a birdie is possible. 

Fulford has its own version of Amen Corner – the final four holes of the loop before your cross back over the A64. The 10th is a cracking heathland par 3 that requires you to hit a high shot, since there is no refuge en route, thus avoiding a bunker that protects the front of the green. 11 is one of the most picturesque holes on the course. The tee on this par 5 is set below a heather-covered incline and usually faces into the prevailing wind. Avoiding a large cross bunker from the tee is easier said than done, as is leaving your third shot pin-high, as a valley across the front of a flat green has a foreshortening effect. The 12th is one of the shortest par 4s on the course, but that doesn’t make it easy. The tee is tucked on the left, but if you can hit a draw, then you have a chance of reaching the green with your tee shot. 13 is the most difficult hole on the course, featuring out of bounds tight along the left, gorse, trees, five bunkers and it is often played into a headwind. This is one of the toughest par fours you will ever play. 

Back over the road and you really begin the run for home, and the chance to get a close look at that most famous of Fulford landmarks. Before you get to the famous tree, you have to navigate the tricky par 3 14th and a pair of tough par 4s, where driving the ball straight is at a premium. Anything to the left on either 15 or 16 will be in serious trouble. 

Then, you get to the famous 17th. It is not a particularly difficult hole, playing just 350 yards and not needing the driver from the tee. Anything from a long iron to a fairway wood will do, but that must be up the left side of the hole, as the trees closes in on the right. A good drive will set up a short pitch that must avoid the 'Langer Tree' that has grown in stature considerably since the German shinned his way up it more than three decades earlier. The closing hole is perfectly set up to end the day on a high and should you leave your tee shot in the right area, the green is reachable in two with only one large bunker protecting the right of the green. 

David Walker: A course with three distinct phases – a parkland start before woodland then the moorland/heathland holes which are easily the best on the property

Steve Carroll: The best bits of this former European Tour stalwart are on the far side of the A64

Greg Webber: A good all-round test and enjoyable to play. The holes on the far side of the A64 have more of a heathland feel

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Where is Fulford Golf Club located?  

Fulford Golf Club is located just south of the city of York in Yorkshire. It is around five miles from the city, and close to the A64, which runs from Leeds – around 25 miles to the west - through to York. The course itself winds its way back to the A64 and across the main road, with a loop of eight holes on the southern side of the road.  

The closest train station to Fulford is York Station, which is around six miles to the north. Trains run both north-south and east-west from York, with Leeds, Manchester, Scarborough, London and Edinburgh all serviced via the station. Leeds Bradford Airport – the biggest in Yorkshire – is within an hour from Fulford, as is Humberside Airport on the east coast. Manchester Airport – which is the busiest in the United Kingdom outside of London, is around two hours to the west. 

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

Fulford is one of five Yorkshire venues that is able to claim a place on the NCG Top 100s: England list. Alwoodley and Moortown, both in Leeds, are around 45 minutes from Fulford. Ganton is around an hour east, while Lindrick is within 90 minutes to the south. 

What golf facilities does Fulford Golf Club offer?  

Although there is not a driving range at this championship venue, the club does have three practice hitting nets by the car park, along with a wonderful short game area that includes a couple of bunkers and a practice green. There is a small area to hit wedge shots to the side of the short game area. Between the clubhouse and the 1st tee sits the putting green which is undulating and fast. 

What are the green fees at Fulford Golf Club?  

The price of a green fee at Fulford 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 Fulford Golf Club, visit their website here.