By eck, if we’re not Yorkshire-bound, for our latest golfing adventure, and to the outskirts of Huddersfield. It’s a town perhaps best known for Sir Patrick Stewart, Last of the Summer Wine, or until December at least, the train station’s ‘Senior Pest Controller’, Felix the cat. The latter, an internet sensation who patrolled the platforms donning a name badge and high-vis vest, raised quarter of a million pounds for charity, before his demise in December aged 12, following an unspecified illness.
On a cheerier note, our trip gets off to a positive start, with a journey that takes us through the spectacular scenery of the Peak District. Those travelling from the west should seriously consider the more convoluted cross-country route, than the rather dull (house in the middle aside, of course) M62. For us, the route heads up Greenfield Road and through the twists and turns of the moorland pass, that would be more fitting at the wheel of an Aston Martin, than our more modest vehicle!
Woodsome Hall can trace its roots back to 1921, when a group of local men negotiated the lease of 134 acres of land, and outbuildings, from the 6th Earl of Dartmouth, with the £467 annual cost, plus resident pro at £162, covered by offering life memberships, at around £53 for men, and £32 for ladies. Clearly not folks to mess around, just 4 months on from the inception of their mission, 13 holes were playable, with the remaining 5 added within another year.
A century later, and we’re promised a ‘place of history, elegance and joy’. The first two claims are swiftly ratified, with the sweeping driveway leading to the imposing grandeur of the Grade 1 listed Tudor clubhouse. Inside, there’s a rabbit warren of dimly lit corridors, with the uninitiated having a lucky dip on finding the bar, function rooms, or kitchens! Pro tip: bring breadcrumbs! Pre-round drills are well accommodated, with a putting green, short game practice area, nets, and a driving range all nice and close by.
Opening tee shots are made from the lawn in front of house, with some of the promised joy soon delivered, with a downhill drive that should frequently flatter. From there, it’s a pleasant meander up hill and down dale, with a nicely varied sequence of holes that offer a robust test of accuracy off the tee, in approach shots, and with the short stick alike. The course is in great shape, with members rightly proud of the Colt / Braid design, and immaculate greens, with Peter Alliss declaring it a ‘gem of a course’.
After a tough opening six holes, there’s a little respite with a simple par 3, and a glimpse at the club’s ‘Dormy House’; an 8 bedroom annexe that’s an enticing prospect for a more leisurely return visit with pals. But for now, we’re next faced with a hole claimed to be one of the longest par 4s in Yorkshire. If 464 yards off the tips wasn’t daunting enough, then surely a dogleg (fringed by OB), camber, pond, ditch, bunkers, oak trees or two-tiered green will be sufficiently testing? Just put us down for an 8!
Those who skipped ‘leg day’, or preparing for a trip to Kilimanjaro will be glad of the hike up the 12th fairway, with an incline that almost warrants crampons! The par 3 that follows should be an innocuous affair, but instead gives a taste of life as a biathlete, with ‘shooting’ straight seemingly impossible, directly following the cross-country ski… or in our case, climb. But we’re not complaining… it all counts towards our weekly quota for cardio, and eeh by gum, them views from t’summit are reet grand!
From there, there’s a chance to catch our breaths and savour the rugged beauty of the drystone walls, moody skies and rolling hills… that could only feel more Yorkshire with a 28 piece brass band marching alongside. With 18 holes duly despatched, it’s back to the clubhouse’s quaint little courtyard for post-round refreshments. And what better way to test the advertised ‘fine hospitality’, than with a tremendous bowl of hand cooked chips?! Ecky thump!
Key Info
Holes: 18
Par: White / Yellow: 70. Red: 74
Yards: White: 6,141. Yellow: 5,812. Red: 5,629
Slope: White: 127. Yellow: 125. Red: 134
Visitor Green Fees: £50-60 depending on number in group
Website: https://www.woodsome.co.uk/
Location
Prices correct at time of writing (July 2024).
Where shall we review next? Let us know here.
