Golf in Yorkshire
A county of championship inland golf, from the great heather and gorse links of Ganton to the Leeds heathland belt where Alister MacKenzie drew his first course, and the Ryder Cup history of Moortown and Lindrick. Some of the best value golf in Britain. The courses that matter, the season, the costs and how to plan a trip.
Photograph: Ganton Golf Club, Yorkshire, via Google
Why golf in Yorkshire
Yorkshire is one of the great inland golf counties of England, a place that punches far above its profile and offers championship golf at a fraction of the cost of the famous coastal links. Its crown jewel is Ganton, near Scarborough, a rare inland links laid out on sandy soil through heather and gorse, formed in 1891 and good enough to have hosted the Ryder Cup, the Walker Cup and the Curtis Cup. It is consistently ranked among the finest inland courses in the British Isles, and on its own would justify a trip north.
The county's other great strength is the heathland belt north of Leeds, where the architect Alister MacKenzie, who would go on to design Augusta National and Royal Melbourne, drew his very first course at Alwoodley in 1907. Alongside it sits Moortown, also a MacKenzie layout and the venue for the first Ryder Cup ever played on British soil in 1929, while down near Sheffield the heathland and moorland of Lindrick hosted the famous 1957 Ryder Cup victory. Add a deep field of fine members' and daily fee courses around York, Harrogate and the Dales, and Yorkshire makes a rewarding, well priced golf trip with the cities, the countryside and the warm welcome to match.
The regions
The Leeds heathland belt
North of Leeds, the sandy heathland of Alwoodley, Moortown and Sand Moor sits close together, MacKenzie country and the historic heart of Yorkshire golf, with the city itself for the lodging and the evenings.
North Yorkshire and the coast
Around York, Harrogate and out to the coast at Scarborough, home to the great inland links of Ganton plus Fulford and Pannal, a region of fine golf framed by the Dales, the moors and historic towns.
South Yorkshire and Sheffield
Around Sheffield, the heathland and moorland of Lindrick, host of the 1957 Ryder Cup, and Hallamshire, gateway courses on the edge of the Peak District for a southern Yorkshire base.
The courses that matter
Ganton
The finest course in the county and one of the best inland tests in Britain, a rare inland links of sandy soil, heather and gorse near Scarborough, host of the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup and Curtis Cup. The headline round of any Yorkshire trip.
Alwoodley
The first golf course ever designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, a classic Leeds heathland layout of springy fairways, eye catching bunkers and subtle, undulating greens, and one of the finest inland courses in the country.
Moortown
The venue for the first Ryder Cup played on British soil in 1929, another MacKenzie design in the Leeds heathland belt, a strong, strategic course that has long tested professionals and amateurs alike.
Lindrick
The course where Great Britain beat the United States to win the 1957 Ryder Cup, a mix of heathland and moorland near Sheffield, lined with birch and gorse and kept in terrific condition, with quick, subtle greens.
Fulford and Pannal
Fulford near York, a fine parkland that hosted European Tour golf for many years, and Pannal at Harrogate, a high, breezy moorland and heathland course, round out the North Yorkshire golf around the historic cities.
Sand Moor and the Leeds clubs
Sand Moor and the cluster of fine Leeds clubs sit minutes from Alwoodley and Moortown, so a group can play two heathland courses in a day, excellent golf and superb value on the same sandy belt.
Designers, formation years and tournament history verified June 2026 from the clubs and leading course databases. The flagship clubs are private with visitor tee times on set days; course profiles are added across the site as the directory grows. Always confirm access and fees directly before booking.
When to go
| Season | Conditions | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| May to September | Warmest, driest, longest days | Prime golf, heathland firm and at its best, book ahead |
| April, October | Cooler, some rain, quieter | Good value shoulder, courses still in fine order |
| November to March | Cold and wet, shorter days | The sandy soil drains well and plays on, lowest rates |
The best Yorkshire courses sit on free draining sandy heathland and inland links soil, so they stay playable far better than heavy parkland through the wetter months. The county is inland and a touch cooler than the south, so pack a layer. Always confirm tee times before you travel.
Indicative costs
| Item | Indicative 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ganton green fee | Around £150 to £200 | The flagship, visitor tee times on set days |
| Alwoodley, Moortown, Lindrick | Around £90 to £150 | By day and season, excellent value for the quality |
| Other fine clubs | Around £40 to £80 | Many superb members' and daily fee courses |
Indicative third party figures for the 2026 season, shown to set expectations only. We are a guide, not an operator, and never quote our own pricing. Yorkshire is among the best value championship golf in Britain. Always confirm directly before booking.
Getting there and around
Yorkshire is easy to reach and easy to tour. Leeds Bradford Airport and the fast East Coast rail line into Leeds and York put the heathland belt and the historic cities within a short drive of arrival, while Manchester Airport is an hour or so to the west for international visitors. A hire car is the way to play a Yorkshire trip, since the great courses are spread between Leeds, Scarborough and Sheffield; the Leeds heathland clubs sit minutes apart, Ganton is around an hour east toward the coast, and Lindrick is south near Sheffield. Build in the drive times and treat the Dales and moors between the rounds as part of the trip.
Where to stay
For the Leeds heathland courses, base in Leeds or the spa town of Harrogate, both full of good hotels and restaurants and within easy reach of Alwoodley, Moortown and Sand Moor. York makes a charming base for Ganton, Fulford and Pannal, and Sheffield or a Peak District inn suits a Lindrick leg. One planner can secure the visitor tee times at the private clubs, the hardest part of a Yorkshire trip to arrange, and match the hotels to your route. Find a Yorkshire base.
Plan your Yorkshire golf trip
Tell us the courses you want and roughly when. One concierge secures the visitor tee times at Ganton and the heathland clubs, matches your base to the route, and replies within one working day, with no obligation.
Yorkshire golf questions
What is the best golf course in Yorkshire?
Ganton, near Scarborough in North Yorkshire, is widely regarded as the finest course in the county and one of the best inland courses in Britain. Formed in 1891, this rare inland links of sandy soil, heather and gorse has hosted the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup and Curtis Cup. Close behind are the great Leeds heathland courses of Alwoodley, the first design by Dr Alister MacKenzie, and Moortown, also by MacKenzie and the venue for the first Ryder Cup on British soil in 1929, with Lindrick near Sheffield, host of the 1957 Ryder Cup, completing the county's top four. Always confirm access and fees directly before booking.
When is the best time to play golf in Yorkshire?
Late spring to early autumn, roughly May to September, is the prime window, with the warmest, driest weather, the longest days and the heathland courses firm and at their best. The shoulder months of April and October are quieter and good value, while the sandy soil of the best Yorkshire courses drains well and keeps them playable through winter, when rates are lowest. The county sits inland and a touch cooler and wetter than the south, so pack a layer. Always confirm tee times before booking.
How much does golf cost in Yorkshire in 2026?
Indicative visitor green fees at the flagship courses run roughly from 90 to 200 pounds, with Ganton at the top and Alwoodley, Moortown and Lindrick a little below, while the county's many fine members' and daily fee clubs cost far less, often 40 to 80 pounds. Yorkshire is excellent value for the quality of its golf compared with the famous links of Scotland and Ireland. Always confirm directly before booking.
Related
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Heathland tee times, UK course access and the trips worth taking. Every other week.