Recommend your "hidden gems" within c.50 miles of Leeds / York

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The Fader

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Looking for some new courses to play in 2025 that would fall under the "hidden gems" heading..

I've got Sickleholme, Market Rasen and Holme Hall on my radar.

I would welcome any of your suggestions for other places I should be considering.

Thanks in advance.
 
Really trying to be non obvious here which excludes all the good North Leeds courses, all the hotel courses, and all the reasonably well known members clubs round York/Harrogate areas.

REALLY low profile? Cheap? Unusual?

Forest of Galtres.
It’s flooded/boggy/unplayable/closed for half of the year and the clubhouse is not even worth going inside so go there for golf not socials, but … if you get on it when it has dried out on an evening rate the price/quality ratio is really good - the greens are excellent for the price point. I’ve been possibly the only person on the whole course on a couple of evenings, and as it’s quiet it features the most abundant wildlife of any course I’ve ever played which is lovely. They like sticking a tree in a fairway here.

Ampleforth.
Strange little 9 holes but 1st and 9th in shadow of Gilling Castle is incredibly scenic and evocative. Goes back and forth across a steep valley so be prepared for hills. Pub just up the road is excellent for food.
 
The Squirrel said:
Really trying to be non obvious here which excludes all the good North Leeds courses, all the hotel courses, and all the reasonably well known members clubs round York/Harrogate areas.

REALLY low profile? Cheap? Unusual?

Forest of Galtres.
It’s flooded/boggy/unplayable/closed for half of the year and the clubhouse is not even worth going inside so go there for golf not socials, but … if you get on it when it has dried out on an evening rate the price/quality ratio is really good - the greens are excellent for the price point. I’ve been possibly the only person on the whole course on a couple of evenings, and as it’s quiet it features the most abundant wildlife of any course I’ve ever played which is lovely. They like sticking a tree in a fairway here.

Ampleforth.
Strange little 9 holes but 1st and 9th in shadow of Gilling Castle is incredibly scenic and evocative. Goes back and forth across a steep valley so be prepared for hills. Pub just up the road is excellent for food.
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Not really as I discovered a few years ago when I went to Scarcroft with Glyn @lincolnQuaker (Ooophs not on here anymore) & the 'Forum Scousers'. Only to discover they'd never played it, though had done all the others in N Leeds.
Other less visited near Leeds would be Ferrybridge (the driest course in the UK), Howley Hall, Selby & Garforth
 
Worksop - opens are £40 (just about 50 miles from Leeds)
Cavendish - opens are £35 (more like 60 miles)

Not played either of them, not extortionate, so these are on my more-than-maybe list. I know several people who have played them say good things.
Both are nearer Leeds than Leicester.
 
Lord Tyrion said:
Richmond
Catterick

I don't know if this is hidden but Ripon is a smashing course

The others I am thinking of would be more obvious.
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Shhhhh.....you can't say anything nice about Ripon or Crazyface will go....well.....crazy. I like Ripon, but the front 9 helps a lot if you have played it before....very quirky on a few holes.
 
The Squirrel said:
Really trying to be non obvious here which excludes all the good North Leeds courses, all the hotel courses, and all the reasonably well known members clubs round York/Harrogate areas.

REALLY low profile? Cheap? Unusual?

Forest of Galtres.
It’s flooded/boggy/unplayable/closed for half of the year and the clubhouse is not even worth going inside so go there for golf not socials, but … if you get on it when it has dried out on an evening rate the price/quality ratio is really good - the greens are excellent for the price point. I’ve been possibly the only person on the whole course on a couple of evenings, and as it’s quiet it features the most abundant wildlife of any course I’ve ever played which is lovely. They like sticking a tree in a fairway here.

Ampleforth.
Strange little 9 holes but 1st and 9th in shadow of Gilling Castle is incredibly scenic and evocative. Goes back and forth across a steep valley so be prepared for hills. Pub just up the road is excellent for food.
Click to expand...
Played there a few years ago in a senior match. I liked it. I could definitely see it being a swamp this time of the year. If it still has the same clubhouse/bar area.....very.....different.
 
The Squirrel said:
Really trying to be non obvious here which excludes all the good North Leeds courses, all the hotel courses, and all the reasonably well known members clubs round York/Harrogate areas.

REALLY low profile? Cheap? Unusual?

Forest of Galtres.
It’s flooded/boggy/unplayable/closed for half of the year and the clubhouse is not even worth going inside so go there for golf not socials, but … if you get on it when it has dried out on an evening rate the price/quality ratio is really good - the greens are excellent for the price point. I’ve been possibly the only person on the whole course on a couple of evenings, and as it’s quiet it features the most abundant wildlife of any course I’ve ever played which is lovely. They like sticking a tree in a fairway here.

Ampleforth.
Strange little 9 holes but 1st and 9th in shadow of Gilling Castle is incredibly scenic and evocative. Goes back and forth across a steep valley so be prepared for hills. Pub just up the road is excellent for food.
Click to expand...

Played FoG many times. Some find it a bit "marmite" but I quite like it apart from the lone big tree on the 10th
 
Voyager EMH said:
Worksop - opens are £40 (just about 50 miles from Leeds)
Cavendish - opens are £35 (more like 60 miles)

Not played either of them, not extortionate, so these are on my more-than-maybe list. I know several people who have played them say good things.
Both are nearer Leeds than Leicester.
Click to expand...
Yes, both worth the trip I'd say though when, from Leeds, I headed off to the latter some years ago I had to pull over as the GPS had me heading west, towards Liverpool, on the M62. Was a case of starting from the wrong place.... based in Leeds that doesn't happen too often.... OK, OK... so there's enough other issues being based in Leeds.... though, rather surprisingly, the locals will take a joke.... up to a point haha
Worsop was a bit, disappointingly, 'scruffy' when I played it some years ago but I am hoping it's been perked up as I intend to be back there this year with the EG seniors & Captains in August
 
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