There are a few very special venues that offer not one but two top 100 courses on the same property. Think of the likes of St Andrews, Gleneagles, Sunningdale, Saunton, The Berkshire and Walton Heath.
But it really isn’t often that you can play two completely separate courses of such stature where the clubhouses are just half a mile apart. You can do exactly that with a mini golf trip to Yorkshire…
That is what is on offer in Leeds at Alwoodley and Moortown, where the two Alister MacKenzie-designed courses, both well over a century old, are separated by a distance that could be covered by a couple of medium-length par 4s.
For those unfamiliar with the area, the north of Leeds has its very own mini sand belt, which is home to the city’s two pre-eminent courses.
Alwoodley dates back to 1907, when it became the very first course to be designed by Alister MacKenzie. The club insisted that Harry Colt should have sight of MacKenzie’s drawings to ensure the budding architect was on the right track. Colt duly approved of the younger man’s work and the rest is history.
Occupying a tract of moorland and heathland, Alwoodley is a serene spot to enjoy a round. The course is rarely busy and the pace of play is pleasingly brisk. The course is fundamentally unchanged from what MacKenzie bequeathed, apart from tees being added over the years to retain the level of challenge.
You can expect firm surfaces, large and imaginatively contoured greens and some stunningly attractive, if penal, bunkering. Many of the fairways are lined by heather and good scores are invariably made on the front nine, before turning back into the prevailing wind.
No score is safe until the closing hole has been navigated. This long par 4 is played from an elevated tee towards the elegant clubhouse in the distance.
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Round the corner and across the road is Moortown, the host venue of the 1929 Ryder Cup, when the American team was led by the legendary Walter Hagen, a four-time Open champion.
Having established his architectural credentials at Alwoodley, MacKenzie then proved his mettle to the gentlemen of Moortown by designing one hole for them initially. They were so impressed by what is now the 10th, Gibraltar, that they happily clubbed together to provide MacKenzie with the means to continue his work.
Play this quintessentially English par 3, its sloping green ringed by heather-clad bunkers, and you will immediately know why.
This begins what is arguably Moortown’s most impressive stretch of holes on more open land with a heathland feel.
The locals have long debated – generally in amicable fashion with a pint of hand-pulled Yorkshire ale in front of them – the relative merits of each course.
What is striking is the consistently high level of the holes on both sides of the road. Golfers are in for a treat at both, as countless top 100 rankings lists which invariably feature both will testify.
It is hard to credit as you play either course that the centre of Leeds could be less than five miles away. But Leeds is a very compact city. In between here and both courses is the bustling suburb of Headingley, where the famous cricket ground can be found as well as an array of pubs, cafes and restaurants.
For more upmarket dining, as well as an excellent choice of bars, the centre of Leeds is the place to head. But for many relaxed golfers, Headingley offers more than enough entertainment to cater for their needs, with the added bonus of being within five minutes of the golf.
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All told, it is hard to imagine a better destination for a short break – given the guarantee of two top-rate courses, countless enjoyable ways to pass your evenings and all within easy reach of a major city and its motorway network.
Book your mini golf trip to Yorkshire now!
Alwoodley and Moortown offer a stay-and-play package and are able to book your tee times at both courses as well as your accommodation in a Headingley hotel. Learn more and book your place by sending an email or by calling 0113 268 6521.
Now have your say
Have you ever been fortunate enough to play at either Alwoodley or Moortown, or even both on a golf trip to Yorkshire? Let us know your thoughts on the two courses with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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