Moortown

Moortown Golf Club | NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Courses

Rankings

3rd

37th

85th

Moortown is one of the very best courses in Yorkshire, and is situated to the north of Leeds within a couple of miles of the likes of Alwoodley and Sand Moor.

Designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, the man who was responsible for Augusta National, Cypress Point and Royal Melbourne, Moortown is set in 175 acres of moorland and heathland.

Moortown was the venue of the 1929 Ryder Cup, which was the first edition of the competition to be held in England. The Americans were led by the legendary Walter Hagen.

Play on the NCG Top 100s Tour!

Book your spot to play at Moortown on the NCG Top 100s Tour in 2026 here.

You can also play at Moortown as part of our Yorkshire Swing.

Visit Moortown's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.

A Brief History of Moortown Golf Club

Moortown Golf Club was founded in 1909, with the clubhouse added six years later. The stylish building stands today and is one of the great clubhouses in which to enjoy a post-round drink.

Dr Alister MacKenzie was responsible for the design after the founders of the club – Frederick Lawson-Brown, J R Greenhalgh, H Leach and J H Mountain – had indentified a suitable piece of moorland for a golf course to sit on.

Two of the Great Triumvirate, James Braid and Harry Vardon, with 11 Claret Jugs between them, were invited to play an exhibition match in 1910 to open the course to the world.

Twenty years after being founded, Moortown was thrust into the golfing spotlight, as it hosted the first Ryder Cup to be played on European soil. Percy Alliss, Sir Henry Cotton, Gene Sarazen, Walter Hagen and Al Watrous were among those competing for GB&I and the USA, as the home team won the match 7-5.

There have been plenty of other prestigious tournaments played at Moortown over the years. The Senior Open Championship has been held here twice, while the English Amateur Championship and Brabazon Trophy have also graced Moortown, as have Men's, Ladies' and Boys' Home Internationals.

Moortown Golf Club Review | NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Courses

Moortown stretches to over 7,000 yards from the Championship tees and is one of the country’s best inland venues. Trees line some of the fairways, though less than they previously did, with heather and bunkers adding to the challenge at this par 71 course.

The course opens up with a 486-yard par 5 and an early birdie opportunity. Then follow two par 4s of over 400 yards in length, before a 181-yard par 3. The 5th provides another birdie opportunity, and some respite after a tough run of holes. At just 380 yards, and shorter if you taken on the carry over the bunkers and a stream, you could have as little as a pitch for your approach.

The 6th is rated the hardest hole on the course, measuring in at 446 yards. A bogey is not a disaster here. The second par 5 on the front side follows, before a long par 3. The opening half comes to a close with a 473-yard par 4, the longest on the property.

Moortown’s second nine starts with the trademark 10th, Gibraltar, a stylish par 3 of 170 yards, before a 365-yard par 4. The 12th is the longest hole on the course, at 556 yards, but as a par 5, it might be reachable for the big hitters to set up a possible eagle attempt.

Four par 4s, three of which measure over 400 yards, follow through the middle part of the back nine, as the layout starts to make its way home. The last par 3 is the penultimate hole on the course, and measures 183 yards from the back tees. The closing hole at Moortown is a 436-yard par 4, and provides one final chance for glory as you make your way back towards the prominent clubhouse.

Our Panellists Notes for 2025

Sean Arble: Without a dud in the pack, there are many standout holes spread throughout a very handsome property

Dan Murphy: Wonderful ongoing work from Clyde Johnson is peeling back the layers and restoring the grandeur

Steve Carroll: Go for the famous Gibraltar, stay for a moorland treasure that has risen from its former tree-covered shell

David Walker: Classic Alister McKenzie course now benefiting from a long-term strategy of reducing tree coverage and encouraging heather. The club’s foresight is being rewarded with a course of more open views, firmer turf and vibrant heather

Read more about our panellists here.

FAQs about Moortown Golf Club

Where is Moortown Golf Club located?

Moortown Golf Club is situated to the north of Leeds, in the suburb of Alwoodley. The city centre of Leeds is only five miles from the entrance to the golf club. The venue sits off the A61, which runs through the city centre of Leeds between Derby and Thirsk.

For those travelling by train, Leeds Station is also the closest station to Moortown, with alternative transport required to make the journey from Leeds. For international visitors, Leeds Bradford Airport is the nearest international airport, located just seven miles to the west. Manchester Airport provides more international flights daily, and is approximately 90 minutes from Moortown.

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

Alwoodley is one of several incredible golf courses in the county of Yorkshire that claim a place on the NCG Top 100s: England list. Alwoodley is another, which is just half a mile down the road. Fulford is 25 miles to the east, while Ganton is 55 miles away. Lindrick is about the same distance to the south.

What golf facilities does Moortown Golf Club offer?

There is a practice ground to the left of the opening hole with a long row of astroturf mats to hit from, along with a short-game area on the same part of the property. There is also a putting green that sits beside the glorious clubhouse building.

What are the green fees at Moortown Golf Club?

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

Play on the NCG Top 100s Tour!

Book your spot to play at Moortown on the NCG Top 100s Tour in 2026 here.

You can also play at Moortown as part of our Yorkshire Swing.

Visit Moortown's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.

Website

http://www.moortown-gc.co.uk/

secretary@moortown-gc.co.uk

Phone

+44 (0) 113 268 6521

Address

Harrogate Rd, Alwoodley, Leeds LS17 7DB