I’ve lived in South Yorkshire for three years now and for some reason Doncaster Golf Club hasn’t been on my radar until recently. I’ve played nearby Wheatley, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I’d heard good things about Doncaster. It didn’t disappoint…
What can we expect from Doncaster Golf Club?
The course is 6,261 yards at its longest – but don’t let that fool you because a fair but enjoyable test awaits you. Isn’t it nice to hit a decent drive and be rewarded with a mid-to-short iron to the green?
An attractive parkland throughout, be prepared to take your medicine on this tree-lined track if you’re a bit wayward.
There is a lovely mix of holes on both nines, with interesting green complexes that run true throughout – certainly the fastest I’ve played in the area.
Most importantly, for me at least, is that there is a lot of scope to play inventive shots around this golf course, so enjoy yourself. If you want somewhere to grip and rip then attack the pin with your short sticks then this isn’t the place for you.
Away from the course, a welcoming, modern clubhouse is the perfect place to start or finish your round.
What were your favourite holes?
I tend to judge a course by its par 3 holes and Doncaster’s four are about as different as you can get from one another.
The 175-yard 4th is as you see it, with a testing green that slopes dramatically from back to front, while the 6th (below) – my favourite of the four – is the shortest at 137 yards but everything a par 3 should be – a true test of accuracy.
After the turn, the 198-yard 11th (below) is a dramatic downhill shot to a large green that’s well protected at the front and slopes away on the other three sides, and the 152-yard 17th requires a semi-blind uphill tee shot.
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Away from the par 3s is the short par-4 16th, a really fun hole which, at 284 yards off the yellows, will tempt the big hitters but with bunkers either side and plenty of sticks you really do need to fancy your chances. I did. I shouldn’t have.
Tell us about your best bit…
How on earth I missed the huge green at the 2nd with an 8-iron in my hand I’ll never know, but the chip to tap-in range was particularly pleasing.
Also rescuing par from under a tree on 16 put a smile on my face – and a tenner in my wallet.
Will you do anything different next time?
Yes. Hybrid, wedge at 16…
Anything else?
Doncaster moves into No. 1 position of my favourite golf clubs in the borough. I’ll definitely be back.
Finally, where is it?
Doncaster Golf Club is in, well, Doncaster. Nestled just inside the M18 and easily accessible from the M62, A1 and M1, it’s perfectly located. It’s also just down the road from the world renowned racecourse.
It’s also a pitching wedge away from the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, so on a good day you can hear the lions raw as you stand over some putts on the back nine…
You can find more information, including tee times and green fees, on the Doncaster Golf Club website.
Have you played Doncaster Golf Club? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below, or tweet me.
