‘Cheshire’s friendliest club’, is the bold claim asserted in the message to those calling Hartford to book a tee time, so hopes are high as we make our way to the outskirts of Northwich, in Cheshire West. We’re met by a modern and growing complex, with a large Trackman range, 9 hole course, wedding venue and ‘Mad Hatters’ themed 18 hole adventure golf having just opened it’s doors..
The course is initially most notable by their use on gender-neutral tee varieties, with free choice based on ability rather than chromosomes, trailblazing what will surely be the norm in the fullness of time. It also encourages and empowers ‘improving’ golfers to have a decent crack at making birdies and pars, without the indignation of playing off the ‘wrong’ tee.
Tee options aside, our focus is next drawn to how pleasingly short the course is. Even from the green tees (second longest), 2 par 4s at around 250 yards and 2 sub 500 yard par 5s are tantalising prospects. But any designs on an easy round with record scores need to factor in the narrow fairways, cunningly placed hazards, and challenging greens. For a 9 hole pay and play course, it’s in great condition, but the greens deserve special mention. They’re in beautiful condition, anything but flat, with one having 3 tiers to navigate.
Each hole offers something interesting and challenging, with the elevated 7th the pick of the bunch, with 170 yards to a small green rewarding the right club selection and strike, and punishing delinquency in either department. Whether Hartford is indeed Cheshire’s friendlies club, we’re hardly qualified to judge in 90 minutes, but everyone we encounter, on course and in pro shop, was warm and welcoming, and we can’t wait to go back for further ‘research’!
Key Info
Holes: 9
Par: White: 69. Green: 70. Orange: 70. Purple: 66. Blue: 72
Yards: White: 5,443. Green: 5,204. Orange: 4,591. Purple: 3,518. Blue: 2,880.
Slope: White: 126. Green: 124. Orange: 116. Purple / Blue: N/A
Visitor Green Fees: £13 for 9, and £6.50 with Cheshire County Card (only one use per year).
Website: http://www.hartfordgolf.co.uk
Location
Prices correct at time of writing (July 2023).
Find out where this course ranks in the list of toughest courses in Cheshire here, and see our overview of Golfing in Cheshire here.
Where shall we review next? Let us know here.
