HRC99
Journeyman Pro
I had the opportunity to play Fulford Golf Club last week.
I'd played it once before, extremely badly, and in less than pleasant conditions which certainly (and wrongly) influenced my opinion of the course, to the point, where I almost did not go back.
Boy, am I glad I did. I don't know what I'd been thinking.
It was a wonderful day. 22 degrees, barely a cloud in the sky or a breath of wind. It was also the perfect time of year with blossom on the gorse and trees. I don't think the course could have looked any better.
Fulford has hosted numerous tour events over the years but none for some time. I think, at 6800 odd yards, it probably isn't long enough now for the tour. It is probably most famous for Bernhard Langer playing out of a tree on the 17th.
When you arrive at the 17th and see the tree, you realise that this famous photo doesn't do justice to how high up he was. I doubt that I could even get up there and, certainly, wouldn't want to be swinging a club out of a tree that high!
The course itself is a very mature heathland/woodland one with tree lined fairways on every hole. If you are wayward off the tee, you will be severely punished, be warned. But, the course isn't unfair, by any stretch of the imagination, just demanding.
Each of the holes is named after a past winner and one look at the card shows you the quality of the golfers who have trod the fairways before you: Norman, Jacklin, Weiskopf, Torrance, Lyle, Langer, Trevino to name a few.
It was also in fantastic condition with quick, true and receptive greens. The last bit was a shock to the system. Having been used to allowing for the ball to run out, it was something of a surprise to see my ball rip back about 8 feet on the first to leave me with a 60 foot putt!
As it was an open, we played the course off the white tees which I always like to do to see how a course should really be played.
Quality hole follows quality hole. The par 3s were extremely tricky, the par 5s were relatively easy with birdie opportunities for longer hitters but the par 4s are where the course stands out.
Holes like the 2nd, 13th and 17th will live long in the memory.
It really is a wonderful test of golf with it's tree-lined fairways, well-placed fairway bunkers and superb greens.
The open competition was extremely well organised and a lovely clubhouse too. The club captain acted as the starter and was very welcoming and utterly charming. At £27.50 per person (against a green fee of £47.50) it is great value too. We booked and paid for next year already!
We had a fantastic day and, if you're in the area, it is well worth a visit.
I'd played it once before, extremely badly, and in less than pleasant conditions which certainly (and wrongly) influenced my opinion of the course, to the point, where I almost did not go back.
Boy, am I glad I did. I don't know what I'd been thinking.
It was a wonderful day. 22 degrees, barely a cloud in the sky or a breath of wind. It was also the perfect time of year with blossom on the gorse and trees. I don't think the course could have looked any better.
Fulford has hosted numerous tour events over the years but none for some time. I think, at 6800 odd yards, it probably isn't long enough now for the tour. It is probably most famous for Bernhard Langer playing out of a tree on the 17th.
When you arrive at the 17th and see the tree, you realise that this famous photo doesn't do justice to how high up he was. I doubt that I could even get up there and, certainly, wouldn't want to be swinging a club out of a tree that high!
The course itself is a very mature heathland/woodland one with tree lined fairways on every hole. If you are wayward off the tee, you will be severely punished, be warned. But, the course isn't unfair, by any stretch of the imagination, just demanding.
Each of the holes is named after a past winner and one look at the card shows you the quality of the golfers who have trod the fairways before you: Norman, Jacklin, Weiskopf, Torrance, Lyle, Langer, Trevino to name a few.
It was also in fantastic condition with quick, true and receptive greens. The last bit was a shock to the system. Having been used to allowing for the ball to run out, it was something of a surprise to see my ball rip back about 8 feet on the first to leave me with a 60 foot putt!
As it was an open, we played the course off the white tees which I always like to do to see how a course should really be played.
Quality hole follows quality hole. The par 3s were extremely tricky, the par 5s were relatively easy with birdie opportunities for longer hitters but the par 4s are where the course stands out.
Holes like the 2nd, 13th and 17th will live long in the memory.
It really is a wonderful test of golf with it's tree-lined fairways, well-placed fairway bunkers and superb greens.
The open competition was extremely well organised and a lovely clubhouse too. The club captain acted as the starter and was very welcoming and utterly charming. At £27.50 per person (against a green fee of £47.50) it is great value too. We booked and paid for next year already!
We had a fantastic day and, if you're in the area, it is well worth a visit.
