Manchester

Manchester is a golf club that has a lot of history, dating all the way back to the early 1880s. Following two changes of location, the club settled on Hopwood Park in 1912, where it remains today.

Like a lot of courses designed and constructed in the 1910s, the great Harry Colt was the brains behind the layout, and it has remained pretty much the same throughout its long history.

Today, the course continues to test golfers of all abilities, playing as a tricky moorland course with plenty of undulating fairways and sloping greens.

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Manchester’s history dates all the way back to 1882, with an original 9-hole course at Manley Park, though the cattle on the land had right of way!

After 16 years, the club made the move over to Trafford Park, with Trafford Hall hosting the clubhouse for the new course. However, it would not be long before the club would be on the move once more.

Shortly before the First World War, Manchester Golf Club moved to its current location in Hopwood Park. The legendary Harry Colt was drafted in to design the golf course, one that has remained relatively the same ever since, bar some lengthening to deal with the technology advancements in balls and clubs.

The course is set out on rugged moorland at Hopwood Park, where the naturally undulating, winding landscape influences the bounce of the ball. The vast landscape (you can see for miles from parts of the course) is broken up by woods of sycamore and birch, and is a real treat for the eyes. The layout of the course is divided into two by a wide ravine that has the Trub Brook winding through the bottom. It is not the longest course you will find in the north, coming in at just shy of 6,500 yards from the tips, but there are plenty of challenges around Manchester...

The start is a relatively generous one – the short par 4 1st offers a downhill tee shot and a short iron approach. At just 330 yards from the back tees, most will fancy their chances of getting off to a fast start. Back-to-back par 5s follow at the 2nd and 3rd. Depending on the wind, big hitters will usually be able to reach one of them with two of their best shots. The former is 540 yards in length, and requires a solid drive in between the two fairway bunkers, one on either side of the short grass. Seven more traps are in view towards the green, so make the choice as to whether you stay short with your second, or you aim to take them on. The 3rd is a similar distance, and if the wind is against you, then try to find the hollow with your second. That is around 60 yards from the green, and gives you the best chance of knocking it on and making a birdie.

Manchester has some fine short holes, and the first of those comes at the 4th. It is 210 yards from the tips, but plays slightly downhill. Glorious pink blooms will catch your eye. They sit behind the green, while four bunkers are in play for those trying to run the ball up the front of the green. 5 is another short par 4, and a great birdie opportunity, so long as you find the fairway. It is only 320 yards, but a 220-yard tee shot is required to get to the top of the brow. The green sits above the fairway, but there is a bank behind for anything slightly overhit. The 6th is a real test of your long game as it not only demands length at well over 400 yards, but accuracy and trust too. Blind from the tee, this is the toughest tee shot of the day with trees right, rough left and out of bounds also looming. A long approach then awaits regardless, although at least a downhill one, which is made even more difficult by a well-defended green. Take a five here any day – it is the Stroke Index 1 for a reason.

From the longest par 4 to one of the shortest, the 7th is only 290 yards and is within reach for the longest of hitters. For most, lay up short of the large cross bunker which is some 40 yards short of the green. From there, knock it close with a flick of a wedge and drain the birdie putt! Although the 8th is only 157 yards, it is much harder than you might originally give it credit. You are at the highest point of the course here, so make sure you know which way the wind is going before deciding what club and shot to hit. Four bunkers protect the green, just to make it more difficult. The front nine at Manchester concludes with another par 5. At 515 yards, and playing downhill all the way, big hitters will comfortably be able to reach. The ideal line is over the corner of the bunker on the right side, finding the downslope and kicking your ball even further down the hole. A stream runs across the hole, providing the perfect reference for those choosing to lay up.

Although the 10th is only 340 yards, it is rather tricky. Out of bounds occupies most of the left side, while the tee shot is also played over water – and though that should not be in play, it is in your mind as you stand over your tee shot. After finding the fairway, the hole turns to the right, with three bunkers by the green. After a dog-leg right, 11 moves the other way. Again, it is not too long at just 350 yards, but with the fairway sloping severely from right to left, make sure to aim down the right side of the fairway. The 12th is one of the more difficult holes on the back nine. This 427-yard par 4 features a tee shot that has water on the left and two fairway bunkers on the right. If you can successfully avoid all that danger, then the green has run-offs on three sides, and two bunkers short right. A par on 12 will gain you shots on the field.

The 13th is the opening par 3 on the back nine, and it is the signature hole at Manchester. There are slopes to the front, left and right of the green, all of which spell danger for an up-and-down if you are to miss the putting surface. A genuine birdie chance if played correctly, the 14th is a sharp dog-leg left that can be attacked by bigger hitters. Cut the corner and you may have as little as a mid-iron for your second, but fairway bunkers and a narrow fairway make things a little more complicated. 15 is a long par 4, and there is a little bit of room down the right for anything pushed off the tee. The green has two tiers, so make sure you work out what distance you need to hit your approach to this tricky surface.

Arguably the finest hole on the course, the 16th is well over 200 yards, meaning it will prove difficult even for the lowest handicappers. Play for the middle of the sloping green and settle for a three every time – while four is no disaster. From there, you make your way back to the clubhouse with two long par 4s. 17 is more than 440 yards from the tips, and plays as a dog-leg to the left. A solitary bunker on the inside corner of the turn must be avoided, but if you can make it on to the green in two, as one of the flatter surfaces on the course, there is a chance of birdie. The closing hole at Manchester offers up a rather generous fairway, while the green slopes from front to back, so you can run an approach down to a back flag here to end your day.

Where is Manchester Golf Club located?

As you might expect, Manchester Golf Club is located near the northern city of Manchester. Is it to the northeast of the city, just ten miles from the city centre. The club sits between the towns of Rochdale and Oldham, while the nearest borough of Manchester is Middleton, just to the south of the venue. Both the M62 and the A627(M) run close by the venue, providing good road links in both directions.

Thanks to its location, Manchester Airport – the biggest and busiest airport in the United Kingdom outside of London – is the nearest international airport to the golf club. The airport sits 20 miles to the south of the golf club. For those getting the train, Castleton is the closest station, sitting two miles north of the club. Services run via Castleton to Blackburn, Rochdale and Clitheroe.

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

Manchester Golf Club is somewhat on its own when it comes to venues on the NCG Top 100s: England list. The trio of Prestbury, Cavendish and Delamere Forest, which all sit to the south of Manchester, are the closest, but they are all more than 25 miles from the golf club. Alwoodley and Moortown – two of Yorkshire’s finest – are 40 miles to the east, while the plethora of stunning golf courses on the North West Coast are around 50 miles west of Manchester Golf Club.

What golf facilities does Manchester Golf Club offer?  

Along with the glorious golf course, Manchester Golf Club also has some sublime practice facilities. The recently opened driving range features both grass and indoor, matted bays, with TrackMan technology in use as well. The club also has a dedicated short game area, and a massive putting green sitting in front of the clubhouse.

What are the green fees at Manchester Golf Club?

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