Reason for a Hillsborough Golf Club review
My first visit to Hillsborough was for a winter knock with my dad seeing as it was only 10 minutes from my house and I’d never been.
I’ve since become a member and try to play there at least once a week.
Where is Hillsborough Golf Club?
Hillsborough Golf Club is located a few miles outside Sheffield City Centre and just up the road from the football stadium.
It’s actually located closer to the village of Worrall and is right on the edge of the Peak District.
What to expect at Hillsborough Golf Club
It was difficult to imagine how a golf course could have been crafted in this location as it’s basically halfway up one of Sheffield’s famous seven hills.
The hills aren’t famous but Sheffield is a city built on seven hills, if you didn’t already know.
So expect a tough uphill start before reaching some truly spectacular views out across the Loxley Valley as you reach the 4th and 5th.
These two holes have a moorland feel while the rest of the course is a nice mix of tree-lined and parkland holes.
The course seems to play a little longer than the yardage suggests as there are a couple of tough uphill holes on the back nine but at the same time, you can keep driver usage to a minimum and still score well.
Every hole presents a tricky challenge and it’s more important to be in the right position than just as far down the fairway as you can get.
There are fantastic views at numerous points during the round.
Favourite hole
Always difficult choosing between the best hole and your favourite hole.
The 3rd is arguably the best as I’ve still not figured out how to play it properly. It has trees all down the left and fairway slopes away on the right.
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There’s a small section of trees which also cut in on the right making it appear even tighter from the tee box.
If you can drive the ball straight then that should be your play as you’re taking out some of the trouble.
If you can’t rely on the driver then just hit the longest club you have which you can reliably hit it straight with!
As I said, I’m yet to figure it out and despite being only 360 yards it never seems to play the same twice.
My best bit
My favourite hole is the 4th as there’s a fairly wide fairway which dog-legs to the left so you can try and cut a bit of the corner off for a shorter second.
From either side of the fairway, the approach is spectacular allowing you to fly it all the way or run it off the slope on the right.
Take your time here as the views are as good as on any other course in the county.
What to look out for at Hillsborough Golf Club
There are a couple of short par-4s (7 and 17) which can be tempting to have a go at with the driver.
But I’ve rarely seen this approach rewarded.
Take a mid-iron off the tee to leave yourself wedge in for the second and these two holes should at least represent a chance for a stress-free par.
When I go back
I’ll be trying to plot my way around carefully, not getting too greedy, trying to take advantage of the easier holes and avoiding double bogeys on the more difficult ones.
You have to stay patient when playing at Hillsborough. If you’ve got a good score going through the front nine it can easily unravel over the next few holes.
If you can get through holes 11-15 without any major disasters then you should be looking at a respectable score.
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My aim for 2018 will be to break 80 off the white tees.
Played by NCG: Bingley St Ives Golf Club
Played by NCG: Swinley Forest
Played by NCG: Purdis Heath
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