Northamptonshire County

Any course that bears the names of first Harry Colt and then James Braid among its designers is to be respected and that is certainly the case with Northamptonshire County, more popularly known as Northants County.

Opened in 1910, and the brainchild of Harry Colt originally, before alterations from James Braid and additions from Cameron Sinclair, Northants County has been a great spot for more than a century.

It is a course that is tight and tricky, and at 6,700 from the tips, long as well. Enjoy the surroundings, and try to avoid the railway line on 11!

Visit the Northamptonshire County website here. 

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Dating back to the late 1900s, Northamptonshire County’s original layout was designed by none other than the great Harry Colt.

Five-time Open Champion James Braid made alterations to the course shortly after the Second World War, with the biggest of those seeing the 18th green be moved to its current position.

Northants County has 21 holes in total, with Cameron Sinclair adding an extra three holes in 2004. This provides golfers with the option to make their way back in after six holes of the original course, using those three new holes to make a 9-hole loop.

Plenty of big amateur events have been held at Northants County over the years. The English Schools National Championship, British Girls Open Tournament and Carris Trophy have all visited the venue. 

If the absence, by and large, of heather precludes us from describing Northants County as a heathland, it remains a fact that the fairways are delightfully firm and often lined by gorse. The fact that these bouncy fairways frequently slope from one side to the other makes driving particularly challenging; and at over 6,700 yards it is not the kind of course where you can leave your driver in the bag with any degree of comfort. That said, you will struggle to find more appealing turf to strike long irons and fairways from.

Seven of the par 4s at Northants County are more than 400 yards, with some of those pushing 450. Add another four to that and you get the distance of the opening hole. Throw in a 550-yard par 5 for the next, and there is very little chance to ease yourself into a round here. If you manage to get through those relatively unscathed, you come to the opening par 3 on the course. The 3rd is 180 yards and plays to a large green, but it is one that is protected by three bunkers. Although the tee shot on the 4th is flat, it is blind because of the gorse that sits between you and the fairway. Although only 353 yards from the tips, this is a continuation of the tricky start.

The Stroke Index 1 hole – the 5th – comes next. Playing uphill, it is a club or two more than its carded 449 yards. Four fairway bunkers and a fairway that narrows the further you get, make this hole even trickier. Throw in a 230-yard par 3 just for that extra bite! Why not? From the tips, this is the longest par 3 on the course, and it is played to a small green. 7 is another 430+ yard par 4 before you get to some respite on the 8th. It is still a hole you need to think about though. With out of bounds left, it is a difficult shot if you are going to try and cut the corner. Find the fairway with an iron and have a wedge in hand for your second, that’s the safe play! The front nine comes to a close with another tricky par 4. Not the longest, but one that has out of bounds left, trees on the right, and a water hazard running across the hole about 70 yards from the green.

The 10th has one of the trickiest and fastest greens on the course, so make sure you are putting uphill. A railway line running down the right side of the 11th comes into play, and as you would expect, it is very much out of bounds! Avoid that, and the thick trees lining both sides, to have a chance at just a par on 11. At just 135 yards, the 12th is easily the shortest challenge on the course. However, the green is some 35 yards long and very wide, so make sure to find the right section.

Most will not be able to reach the fairway bunkers on 13, meaning it is time to fire that driver up once more. Contrast that to the 14th, which has two recently added pot bunkers in the landing zone. These must be avoided if you are to have a chance of finding the green with your second shot. The 15th is arguably the signature hole on the property. A long-ish par 3 of 185 yards, the river runs across the hole and down the right side of the putting surface. The green runs off towards the water hazard as well, so the play is for the left side of the dance floor.

Northants County is notable for its closing stretch, its very own Green Mile. The last three holes measure 451, 460 and 504 yards respectively, all heading in the same direction back towards the handsome clubhouse. The 16th is the hardest hole on the back nine according to the Stroke Index, and with severe undulations on the green, two-putting is not necessarily that easy. A large fairway bunker is in play for some off the back tee on 17, while for others, this might be a three-shotter. The final hole at Northants County is a par 5 – one of only two on the layout. At just 506 yards, some might see this as reachable in two. The hole has been narrowed in recent years to make it even more difficult, and it is a great finish to a stunning course.

For those playing nine holes, you will be treated to Cameron Sinclair’s three additional holes, which were added in 2004. 7a is a tree-lined par 4, and although it is only 360 yards, its tightness is its danger. 8a is a short hole, with a putting surface located on the side of a small hill. Anything to the right of the green will either find the bunker or leave you facing a difficult up and down from below the level of the green. 9a is a short par 5, at 487 yards from the tips, but again, it is very narrow. The green is just ten yards from the out of bounds looming on the left side.

Dan Murphy: Significant course investment is rewarded with a significant rise for one of the East Midlands’ leading venues.

David Elliott: A beautiful, peaceful heathland with a championship layout

Greg Webber: A consistently good and challenging golf course throughout. It is benefitting from the new irrigation systems and ongoing woodland management work

Read more about our panellists here.

Where is Northamptonshire County located?

As the name suggests, Northants County is located in the county of Northamptonshire. The course is in the village of Church Brampton, and sits around five miles north of the city of Northampton itself. Birmingham is around 50 miles to the northwest of the venue, with the M1 also running close by to provide road links both north and south.

Due to its proximity to the city, the nearest train station to the golf club is at Northampton. Services run via Northampton between London Euston and Birmingham New Street on a regular basis. Thanks to its location, Northants County is within reach of several airports for international travellers to the region. Birmingham International Airport, East Midlands Airport and London Luton Airport are all within 50 miles from the golf club.

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

Compared to venues on the NCG Top 100s: England list, Northants County is somewhat in its own little world. Luffenham Heath is the closest course, but that is still some 35 miles away. The Centurion Club is the only other venue to be within an hour’s reach from Northants County.

What golf facilities does Northamptonshire County offer?

Along with the glorious 18-holer, Northants County also has the 6-hole Colt Course. This par 3 layout, with holes measuring between 75 and 100 yards, is the perfect place to work on your wedge game. There is also a full-length driving range, and both a short game area and putting green as well.

What are the green fees at Northamptonshire County?

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