Prestbury

Prestbury Golf Club is one of the finest golfing venues in Cheshire, located just 20 miles to the south of Manchester. 

The course, designed by Harry Colt and fully opening in 1924, runs through the Cheshire hills, with three-lined fairways and plenty of bunkers to avoid. 

The likes of Fred Hawtree, and more recently MacKenzie & Ebert, have been drafted in over the years to help maintain the standard of the course.

Visit Prestbury’s website here.

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1920 saw the founding of Prestbury Golf Club, and it was the great Harry Colt that was brought in to design the golf course. 

Nine holes were ready by Easter of 1921, with the full 18-hole golf course opening three years later. Colt continued to give advice to the club on any changes for the next decade. 

In more recent years, MacKenzie & Ebert have been drafted in with the intention of making subtle improvements to the layout at Prestbury.  

To thrive at Prestbury requires character, skill, and no little imagination. For those prepared to invest, they’ll uncover one of England’s finest inland courses – an undulating journey through the Cheshire countryside and Harry Colt’s mind. That Prestbury can do this despite being a little on the cramped side - it’s just over 6,300 yards from the tips - is even more impressive and its testing character is only underlined by its regular hosting of county and national events. 

An opening par 5 might lull some into a false sense of security, as it is a gentle start to your round. It is less than 500 yards from the tips, and a good drive can find its way rolling down the hill. Although the green is above you, for most, they will fancy their chances of reaching the green in two. The 2nd is a long par 4, followed by the dog-leg left 3rd hole, where deciding on how much to cut the corner if key. The first of the four short holes comes at the 4th. At 174 yards, it is not too long, but the green sits diagonally on the angle, and with two bunkers in front and two bunkers behind, club selection is crucial. 

Prestbury’s true nature is fully unveiled at the 5th – a short par 4 that’s genuinely exhilarating. Yes, a par is on offer for those who take the sensible approach but those who take on all 320 yards of it had better be accurate. A sloping green perched on a steep ledge, with trees and trouble both left and right, provides plenty of calamity. Even those who lay up have the trickiest of short approaches, with danger lurking at every angle for those who don’t know their yardages. The 6th is the longest hole on the property, but even then, it is just a click over 500 yards. The 7th is an exquisite par 3, followed by another short 4 that dog-legs to the extreme. It almost has a 90-dgeree turn to the left, to make things even more difficult at the southern side of the property. The 9th uses the contours of the land sumptuously. The landing area is semi-blind off the tee and, even if you hit the short stuff, the hole rises significantly to a long three-tiered green that can catch you out with its speed. Almost every danger you can think of, save water, is on this hole – the hardest at Prestbury. 

This battle of wits continues through the back nine. Although the 10th is the shortest hole on the course, it is not without its challenges. Four bunkers surround the green to make it trickier than its yardage might seem. 11 is the last par 5, and dog-legs sharply to the right after the tee shot. How close dare you get to the ditch guarding the putting surface on the 12th? Those little brooks weave their way through the layout waiting to catch out the unwary or unwise, and bear in mind that anything pulled off the tee might end up near the 2nd green as well... 

13 is a straight away par 4, but at 430 yards from the tips, it is the hardest hole on the back nine. The 14th is one of the narrowest holes, with trees lining the left side. Both that and the 15th are in the region of 340 yards, while 16, another sharp dog-leg to the left, is more towards the 400 mark. Once you reach the end of the fairway, you play to a very narrow green, and although there are no bunkers, that doesn’t mean you have it easy with this approach. The penultimate hole, the par 3 17th, takes no prisoners if treated without respect. An uphill tee shot is fired over a ravine to a green that’s well bunkered – with a steep bank behind – and a green that stands on two tiers. Prestbury closes with the 401-yard par 4 18th, which plays downhill off the tee and then back uphill towards the final green. A par is a good score at the last! 

David Walker: Excellently routed by Colt over falling terrain to produce holes of great interest – and sublime views of the surrounding countryside. Excellent par 3s and a significant investment in bunkering improvement

Sean Arble: There are so many compelling holes – such as 3, 5, 7, 9, 14 & 16. I have a lot of time for Prestbury and anybody traveling through the area should give it a go

Read more about our panellists here.

Where is Prestbury Golf Club located?  

Prestbury Golf Club is located in the northwest English county of Cheshire, with the club sitting just outside the town of Macclesfield. The centre of Manchester is just 20 miles to the north of Prestbury, with Stockport sitting around halfway between the two. The club is just inside the junction of the A537 and A523, and just over 10 miles from the M6.  

Prestbury Station is just over a mile from the golf club, and sits on the train line that runs between Manchester Piccadilly and Stoke-on-Trent, with trains running regularly both north and south. Manchester Airport – the busiest and biggest international airport in the United Kingdom outside of London, is only a 10-mile drive from Prestbury, making it the perfect place for international travellers to land. 

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

Despite its locality to Manchester, there are not too many venues close by that also have a place on the NCG Top 100s: England list. Cavendish is the closest – around half an hour from Prestbury – while the likes of Delamere Forest and the JCB Golf & Country Club are slightly further away.  

What golf facilities does Prestbury Golf Club offer?  

Along with the glorious golf course, Prestbury Golf Club also has its own practice area at the southwest of the property. Although there is not a full driving range, there is space to hit wedges and irons, along with a short game area with three bunkers to practice from. Next to the clubhouse and the 1st tee is the putting green. 

What are the green fees at Prestbury Golf Club?  

The price of a green fee at Prestbury 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 Prestbury Golf Club, visit their website here.