Hallamshire

With the Peak District on one side, and the city of Sheffield, Hallamshire almost marks the dividing point between the two very different backgrounds.

The course offers up incredible vistas of the Peak District, and has two distinct halves. There is the flat, heathland section which starts and ends the course, while the layout becomes much hillier through its run around the turn.

The great Harry Colt had a hand in the design at Hallamshire, visiting the Yorkshire venue several times over his years, while Herbert Fowler is also part of the design entourage.

Visit the Hallamshire website here.

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The history of Hallamshire dates back to the late 19th Century. The course, the brainchild of local newspaper proprietor Christopher Leng, officially opened in 1897.

Within a decade, the course had been rated highly enough to host the annual Yorkshire Championships, with Harry Colt then coming to Hallamshire in 1912 to redesign and change the layout to what we know today.

Shortly before the Second World War, Colt then brought his incredible design talents to Hallamshire once more, introducing the signature 6th hole among several other changes, working alongside partners Alison and Morrison.

It is a course of two halves – almost like a traditional links. The greens are outstanding – firm, fast and true – and the quintet of short holes lives long in the memory. From the 1st tee you can see the valley through which the wind is generally channelled – pretty much straight towards you. The Peak District sits in front of you in that view, while the industrial works of the ‘Steel City’ are at your back. Pushing past 6,500 yards, it will feel much longer at times as you play into the wind.

The first four holes, collectively, must rank as hard as any in Yorkshire. They measure, respectively, 468, 196, 428 and 460 yards, and play more or less straight into the wind. The opener is one of the finest opening holes in Yorkshire. Prevailing westerlies make it very difficult to reach in two. A five here certainly feels like a par. The 2nd is the first of five glorious short holes at Hallamshire. At a smidge under 200 yards, it will require a long iron, if not more, and is played to a small green. If you can avoid the solitary bunker on the left side of the 3rd fairway, then you’re in with a shout of par. However, at 460 yards, the 4th requires a long drive to put yourself in reach of the green. This is another hole where a 5 might feel like a par depending on the wind direction.

The 5th is the opening par 5, and plays slightly uphill. It is only 480 yards but it does feel slightly longer. The longer hitters will take it on, even with the long approach having to be hit over a ravine and a bunker to find the tricky putting surface which slopes from back to front. The 6th is the showpiece hole at Hallamshire, a hole with a magnificent setting, thanks to the heather-clad Peak District moors in the background. Anything missing the green from an elevated tee on this 190-yard par 3 leaves a tough uphill chip. The 7th is a cracking par 4, and one where length is not necessarily the best play off the tee. The fairway gets narrow at around the 200 yard mark, while anything slightly right of centre will be sent even further right due to the contours of the land. The green is large, but anything long will be in trouble.

Around the turn, there are plenty of undulation changes, beginning with the uphill par 4 8th. It is 400 yards from the tips, but it plays more like 440 or 450, especially if the wind is hurting you. Not only will you need to take at least a club more, but the green is also difficult to putt on thanks to its slopes. The last hole on the front nine is a short par 4 of only 150 yards. However, the green slopes severely from back to front, and has two bunkers guarding it. The 10th is one of the more difficult holes on the back nine, as it has a blind tee shot before the approach is then fired over water and back uphill to the green. Although it is more than 410 yards, most will take less than driver off the tee. 11 is another testing par 4, running in the opposite direction to the 10th. That means you play back up the slope with your approach, with three bunkers and plenty of gorse surrounding the putting surface.

The 12th proves that length is not required when making a par 3 difficult. It is less than 130 yards from the tips, but the green is guarded by four bunkers, and if you find the wrong part of the putting surface, then you could be looking at a three-putt. The 13th requires thoughtful shot-making. The tee shot has to carry a brook, yet many players select an iron to avoid bunkers. It is a short shot to a large, elevated green but watch out if the pin is at the back. The 14th is a great par 5, one with OOB running down the entirety of its right side. Most will lay up short of the left bunker some 70 yards from the green before knocking a wedge on to the surface.

15 makes it back-to-back par 5s with the longest hole on the property. Playing at more than 580 yards from the tips, this is a true three-shotter. It is another hole where aiming your second at the fairway bunker is the key, as the approach is easier from the left side. The Stroke Index 2 comes at the 16th. A long par 4 of some 430 yards, and often played back into the wind, this can easily play as a par 5 for some. The 17th is the last of the par 3s and another stunning short hole. Five bunkers sit in front of the putting surface, which is only 135 yards away from you. Add in the rock face on the right side and you have a tricky penultimate challenge. The last hole is a gentle par 5 of only 485 yards, but there are two fairway bunkers and plenty of gorse down the left side of the fairway. The green sits slightly above the fairway, and sits in front of the clubhouse, so don’t three putt with everyone watching on.

Where is Hallamshire located?

Hallamshire Golf Club is just a few miles to the west of the city of Sheffield, while the edge of the Peak District is only a couple of miles further on. The A57, which runs from Liverpool to Lincoln via Sheffield and Manchester, is just a mile north of the golf club. Along with Sheffield, the likes of Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham are all within 40 miles of Hallamshire.

Sheffield Station is only four miles from the golf club, with a wide range of services and destinations. Trains run from Sheffield through to Manchester Piccadilly, Leeds, Hull, Scarborough and even Plymouth. Thanks to its proximity to both cities, Hallamshire is within 90 minutes of both Leeds Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport. The latter is the largest airport in the United Kingdom outside of London.

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

With Hallamshire being situated in the south of Yorkshire, there are plenty of venues on the NCG Top 100s: England within close order. The likes of Lindrick, Cavendish, Prestbury, Sherwood Forest and Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell) are all within a 40-mile drive.

What golf facilities does Hallamshire offer?

Along with the fantastic golf course, Hallamshire also has a recently renovated practice area. Although there is no driving range, there are two brand new hitting nets on the walk from the clubhouse to the first tee, along with a putting green as well. The short game area sits on the other side of the 18th hole and features a two chipping greens and a pair of practice bunkers.

What are the green fees at Hallamshire?

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