Northcliffe Golf Club

Northcliffe would have a good claim to being recognised as one of the hidden gems of Yorkshire. Overlooking the beautiful Aire Valley and set in some 100 acres of parkland, it is home to some of the most scenic and challenging holes in the county. Founded in 1921 by a small group of golfing enthusiasts who saw merit in a municipal golf course on the Northcliffe Estate in Shipley on the outskirts of Bradford, golf was first played over nine holes on what was then the Moorhead course. A year later, due to the high demand for golf by Shipley residents and through the generosity of Sir Norman Rae, further land was acquired for an extension to the course. In 1922, James Braid and Harry Vardon were commissioned to supervise the design and construction of an additional nine holes. Between 1922 and 1930, the 18-hole course consisted of nine holes on the present site of Northcliffe Park Meadow, while the back nine holes were positioned in their current location, but in a different configuration. Then in 1928 Sir Norman conveyed some 41 acres on the Heaton side of Northcliffe Wood and Braid was again commissioned to construct a new layout of the entire course, which by and large, remains the course as it stands today.

Overlooking the beautiful Aire Valley and set in some 100 acres of parkland, it is home to some of the most scenic and challenging holes in the county.

The course has changed little in its layout since 1930, although, it continues to be developed and improved to ensure it is always kept to the highest standard. It measures 6,113 yards off the white tees – short by modern standards – but plenty long enough to charm all who visit. The charm offensive begins at the 1st, a testing but short par 4over a ravine to a green beyond the woods. It dog-legs to the left, which for the daring means a drive over the trees. The steel footbridge spanning the ravine between the 1st tee and the fairway – which was opened in 1933 – is never forgotten by those who cross her. It also ends with a bang, the 18th being a par 3 played into the same ravine – which is immortalised in the cub's logo – as you drive downwards from an elevated tee to a green guarded by bunkers and a stream. It is a wonderfully scenic hole and recognised as one of the finest closing challenges in the White Rose county. Northcliffe is divided into two sections by a public footpath which runs parallel to the 9th and 10th fairways - although the 1st (and the clubhouse) are on the 'inward half's' side. The front nine offers a fine mixture of holes with the common theme mature trees lining the fairways which lead to true greens. The second nine has some stiff two shooters and no par 5 so a score must be earned by honest ball-striking. Indeed, the climax reads as follows: 427-yard par 4, 437-yard par 4 and 177-yard (over the ravine) par 3. It is an exacting way to end what is always a memorable round. Other courses in West Yorkshire: [course view="list" id=26007][course view="list" id=27022][course view="list" id=24955]