Ilkley

There are not many courses around the country that can say Harry Colt, James Braid and Dr Alister MacKenzie have played a hand in their development.

Ilkley Golf Club in West Yorkshire is one of those very few to be lucky enough to have been graced by the magic touch of all three.

The course winds its way along and across the River Wharfe, with water coming into play on the several holes throughout a round.

Visit Ilkley’s website here. 

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Ilkley Golf Club dates all the way back to 1890, with the first decade of the club’s life being set atop Ilkley Moor on a small 9-hole course.

Shortly before the turn of the 20th Century, the club made the move down to the River Wharfe, where they have remained ever since.

Over the next four decades, Harry Colt, Alister MacKenzie and James Braid were brought in to make alterations to the layout.

MacKenzie is one of several well-known Ilkley members. Ryder Cup captains Colin Montgomerie and Mark James are both honorary life members, while Ryder Cup star Gordon J Brand was also a member at Ilkley through his lifetime.

Throughout you can enjoy views of the Cow and Calf rocks on Ilkley Moor and down the Wharfe Valley towards Skipton and the Dales. It's as pretty as a picture – truly bucolic - and one of the most picturesque golf clubs in the country. However, golfers must not be fooled by its beauty, as the River Wharfe is an ever-present threat for the first seven holes of this tree-lined course. With five par 3s and only two par 5s, Ilkley measures a shade under 6,300 yards and has a par of 69.

The opening par 4 should not be too tricky, but the thought of the River Wharfe running down its left side has pushed plenty of players into finding the trees down the right side with their tee shot. Unusually, after the 1st you don't play another par 4 until the 7th. If you can play the short holes well, especially given that there are three in the first five holes, you are well on your way to a respectable score. Two of those come back-to-back at 2 and 3, both playing onto the river island. The first plays across the river to a large round green. There are no bunkers, but there is water either side. The 3rd is much longer, at 200 yards. An undulating green is in play, along with the river on both sides.

The 4th is the first of the two par 5s at Ilkley, running along the River Wharfe, sweeping round to the right. The green is guarded by two bunkers, sitting front right of the surface just to add to the danger. The 5th is yet another par 3, one of almost 200 yards. The river runs next to the putting surface at 5, but the trees are also tight in on the right, meaning accuracy is key. The par 5 6th has been redesigned in recent years. Two bunkers are in the landing zone off the tee, while the river continues to loom on the left. The green has another bunker to its right, so this might be better off played as a three-shotter. 7 is the last hole on the front stretch to be affected by the River Wharfe. Again, it runs down the entirety of the left side on this 420-yard par 4. Two bunkers sit to the right of the landing zone, while the green has another trap for company. The surface itself is sloping, making putting difficult.

The par 4 8th is a downhill dogleg on two levels, with the ideal tee shot played well to the left to a lovely piece of unspoilt fairway. From there you have a clear view to the green and just a short iron in your hand. Throughout, your only company will be the sheep in the neighbouring fields. The closing hole on the front nine is a 400-yard par 4, one with a bunker on the right of the landing zone. There are more traps by the green, while the trees seem to encroach on all sides. The short par 4 10th provides a good birdie opportunity, at just 310 yards. With a generous fairway, most will take driver to try and get as close to the green as possible. Three bunkers protect the putting surface, one that is not too big. 11 is one of the longest par 4s at 440 yards, usually played with the prevailing wind off the left. The approach has to avoid five bunkers, including three to the right of the surface.

The 12th is then played back into the prevailing wind. Be wary of the bunker on the left side which is often hidden by the shadows of the trees around it. The green is guarded, again, by three traps, and it is a very undulating surface. MacKenzie’s influence then comes into play over the next three holes, starting with the par 3 13th. It is only 150 yards, but with bunkers on either side of the putting surface, one that undulates, it is more difficult than you might originally think. The tee shot on 14 is somewhat the opposite. It is semi-blind over a bank, but the fairway on the other side is generous. OOB is on the left corner so stay short of that before playing your approach to one of the most sloping greens on the course. The 15th is another great par 3. It is only 144 yards, but with two bunkers left and one in front of the surface, your approach to the last of the short holes at Ilkley has to be perfect to find the green.

The 16th at Ilkley has one of the most tempting drives from an elevated tee to a generous fairway below. However, make sure to avoid the pond and ditch short of the fairway, and the out of bounds running down both side of this hole. Two more bunkers guard the putting surface. The 17th is another lengthy par 4, with the road coming in to play on the approach, while there is also more OOB down the left side. The final hole at Ilkley sees you tee off over the River Wharfe for the final time. It is a dog-leg left, 425-yard par 4, with OOB down the left if you are wayward. Two bunkers sit on the inside corner of the fairway, while three more are by the green. It is a wonderful closing hole to a glorious riverside track.

Where is Ilkley Golf Club located?

Ilkley Golf Club is located in West Yorkshire, halfway between Skipton and Otley, sitting just off the A65 which runs between the two. The A65 also runs to Leeds, which is just under 20 miles from the venue. Bradford is slightly closer to Ilkley, while Manchester is also within 50 miles. The club sits on the banks of the River Wharfe, which also runs through to Leeds.

Ilkley Station is a mile from the entrance to the golf club, with services running between Leeds and Bradford Forster Square on a regular basis. Leeds Bradford Airport is only 10 miles from Ilkley, and it is the biggest airport in the county of Yorkshire. For a wider range of flights, international visitors may look at landing at Manchester Airport, which is around 60 miles from Ilkley Golf Club.

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 15 miles from Ilkley Golf Club. Fulford and Lindrick are also within 60 miles of the venue.

What golf facilities does Ilkley Golf Club offer?

Due to its proximity to the River Wharfe, there is not the space for the driving range at Ilkley Golf Club. There are hitting nets to warm up on, along with a short range for wedges. A putting green sits next to the clubhouse.

What are the green fees at Ilkley Golf Club?

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