Halifax

One of West Yorkshire’s finest layouts, Halifax Golf Club sits underneath the Pennines, and requires accurate and solid golf.

Founded in 1895, before moving to its current location in 1901, Halifax has had the greats – James Braid and Alister MacKenzie – have a had in its design over the years.

If you want glorious surroundings, your senses heightened, and some genuinely remarkable golf course architecture, slip on some spikes and take on the challenge. You won’t regret it.

Visit the Halifax website here. 

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The history of Halifax dates back to the late 19th Century, with the club being founded in 1895. Halifax Golf Club spent five years at its original location in Lightcliffe, before moving to Ogden.

The new 9-hole layout was opened at Ogden in 1901, with alterations being made by James Braid just a few years later.

The great Dr Alister MacKenzie – who would go on to design the iconic Augusta National – was drafted in to Halifax in 1912, and constructed the glorious par 3 2nd hole.

Nothing about Halifax comes easy, and nor should it. You arrive at the club, perched underneath the soaring Pennines, through a narrow road and you’d better take a good look at that high ground around you because you’re going to be climbing it. You’ll feel like you require oxygen at several points as you traverse the layout and if you arrive on an inclement day, well, watch out. The weather can batter you just as much as the inclines. But for the adventurous, this should feel like a challenge to be savoured and assaulting golf’s version of Everest brings plenty of rewards. The routing is clever, yet honest, the turf excellent, and the views are worth the admission price alone. This par 70 may only be 6,300 yards, but it plays much more than that at times.

Halifax sets out its stall from the first tee box. Try that opening hole from the championship markers, found feet from the windows of the clubhouse and demanding a fearsome, and long, carry over a cavernous drop on a par 5 measuring more than 570 yards. Then it comes to trying to sink a putt on a winding green that will simply befuddle you. The 2nd, an absolute belter of a MacKenzie par 3, might only be a wedge, but just gaze at that putting surface – raised, mounded on all sides, and demanding precision. The experience doesn't dip. From there, you’ll criss-cross fairways, weave through streams, hit between hills and become one with the bracken.

3 and 4 are dog-leg par 4s, the former to the right, before the 4th winds to the left. Both are more than 400 yards, and this tricky start to your round continues with the 5th coming in as the Stroke Index 1. It requires a lay up short of two ditches, before a lengthy, uphill approach which may well be longer than your tee shot. Aim down the right side of the fairway on the 6th, as the fairway shrinks down its left side if you go too far. The 7th is another cracking short hole. At only 140 yards, it won’t be too much club, but the green is tricky to deal with if your approach lands in the wrong part of it.

The quartet of par 4s around the turn are all less than 400 yards, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you will score well through this run. 8 is a dog-leg right par 4, one where a tee shot down the right side will shorten the hole somewhat. No bunkers allow for a slightly wayward approach, but don’t be too far away from the green! The 9th fairway is narrow, and there are two traps in front of the putting surface that will be in the way of any approach coming from the left side. The 10th begins the back nine, and it is the shortest of these four par 4s around the turn. Streams on either side of the fairway make it feel narrower than it actually is, but at just 320 yards, accuracy is better than distance off the tee. 11 features a split fairway, so make sure to stay short of the ditch that runs across the hole. The green sits slightly above the level of the fairway, so account for that with your approach.

The 12th, which thrills from the back as a par 4 and is almost as difficult as a par 3 from the forward tees, makes you consider an almost blind tee shot to a low lying green. There’s something delicious about hitting a well struck shot and not knowing just how good it is until you’re only yards away. 13 allows you to free your arms, as one of two par 5s in a three-hole stretch on the back side at Halifax. Both 13 and 15 are only just over 500 yards, offering up good birdie opportunities. In between lies the 14th, the last of the par 3s. At 190 yards, this might well be a fairway wood for some, played to a narrow green guarded by two sand traps.

The tee shot on the 16th, cut back from the fairway, is impressive but this slight dogleg is elevated further when you reach the green and gaze out at an outstanding Yorkshire panorama. The signature hole is the almost preposterous par 3 17th. The green sits more than 60 feet below the tee box, meaning it plays nowhere near its yardage. However, still take one more club than you think, as being long is better than finding yourself in the ditch that lies short of the putting surface. The closing hole brings you back to the clubhouse, and plays as a dog-leg to the left. If you can find the left side of what is a relatively wide fairway, it will make the hole much shorter than a drive finding the right side. The last green is guarded by three large bunkers, all sitting on the right side of the putting surface.

Where is Halifax Golf Club located?

Halifax Golf Club is located in Ogden, a couple of miles north of the town of Halifax. The course sits next to Odgen Reservoir and Ogden Water Country Park, while the A629 runs close to the eastern boundary of the property, which runs from Halifax, north to Skipton. Bradford is less than 10 miles to the east, while Leeds is 20 miles away. Manchester is only 35 miles from Halifax Golf Club to the southwest.

Halifax Station is just five miles from the golf club, with regular trains running east towards Bradford, Leeds, York and Hull; and west towards Huddersfield and Manchester Piccadilly. Leeds Bradford Airport is the closest international airport to Halifax Golf Club, sitting 15 miles to the northeast of the venue. Manchester Airport, the busiest airport outside of London in the United Kingdom, is 40 miles to the southwest.

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

Two of Yorkshire’s finest – Alwoodley and Moortown – are located in the north of Leeds. Those two venues are around 25 miles from Halifax Golf Club. Fulford, Prestbury, Cavendish and Lindrick are also within 60 miles of the venue.

What golf facilities does Halifax Golf Club offer?

Along with the 18-hole layout, Halifax Golf Club also has some great practice facilities. There is a full-length driving range which has covered bays, along with a large putting green that also doubles up for chipping practice as well.

What are the green fees at Halifax Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at Halifax 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 Halifax, visit their website here.