The Alwoodley Golf Club
Leeds
Set amongst the beautiful heathland countryside on the northern outskirts of Leeds, The Alwoodley Golf Club is one of England's most prestigious championship golfing destinations. Surrounded by heather-covered landscapes, mature woodland and gently rolling fairways, this historic course combines outstanding natural beauty with an exceptional golfing heritage. Located in the heart of West Yorkshire, Alwoodley offers a fantastic opportunity to experience classic British heathland golf, making it a must-play destination for anyone planning a golf holiday in Yorkshire.
Founded in 1907, Alwoodley holds a special place in golfing history as the first course designed by legendary architect Dr Alister MacKenzie, who later created some of the world's most famous layouts, including Augusta National, Cypress Point and Royal Melbourne. The 18-hole, par-71 championship course stretches over 6,900 yards from the back tees and remains remarkably faithful to MacKenzie's original design. Its distinctive combination of natural contours, strategic bunkering and beautifully undulating greens provides a challenging but rewarding experience for golfers of varying abilities.
The course is renowned for its traditional heathland character, with springy fairways winding through colourful heather, gorse and natural vegetation. Deep, carefully positioned bunkers and expansive greens demand accurate approach shots and thoughtful course management, while the prevailing winds add an extra dimension to the challenge. The traditional out-and-back layout means golfers often face tougher conditions on the inward nine, creating a memorable test of skill and patience.
One of the standout holes is the spectacular par-five 10th, which is believed to have inspired the famous 13th hole at Augusta National. Featuring a sweeping dogleg from right to left and a dramatically contoured green, it rewards confident driving and intelligent shot selection. The challenging par-four 18th provides a fitting finale, demanding accuracy and precision before golfers return to the impressive clubhouse.
Alwoodley also boasts a distinguished championship pedigree, having hosted numerous prestigious amateur events, including the Brabazon Trophy in 2019 and The R&A Girls' Amateur Championship in 2024. Its rich history and outstanding course design have established it among Britain's most respected heathland golfing venues.
Away from the fairways, golfers can enjoy excellent practice facilities, including a grass driving range, short-game practice areas and a modern indoor TrackMan Performance Studio. Professional PGA coaching and custom club fitting are available, while the welcoming clubhouse provides a wonderful setting for a post-round drink or meal. The attractive veranda overlooks the opening tee and final green, offering beautiful views across the course.
Alwoodley's location also makes it an excellent addition to a wider Yorkshire golf itinerary. The vibrant city of Leeds offers stylish hotels, excellent restaurants, traditional pubs and lively nightlife, while the surrounding Yorkshire countryside provides plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and relaxation between rounds.
At Hashtag Golf Travel, we highly recommend The Alwoodley Golf Club for couples, friends and golf groups seeking an exceptional championship golf holiday in Yorkshire. With its magnificent Alister MacKenzie design, rich golfing heritage and beautiful heathland surroundings, it's a fantastic destination for combining memorable golf with the culture, countryside and warm hospitality of northern England.
Leeds Bradford Airport
9km
England’s best golf tour operator 2026 winner
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Time Zone:
GMT+0
Currency:
£ (British Pound)
Temperature:
1°C - 22°C
Cost of a Beer:
£5.00
Cost of a 3-Course Meal:
£65
Hashtag Guide
About The Area
Wakefield is a strong Yorkshire golf-break base, especially for golfers who want proper local courses, easy motorway access and a surprisingly good arts-and-heritage scene. It works well for societies, couples or groups who want more to do than simply play golf and head straight back to the hotel.
The main local option is Wakefield Golf Club at Sandal. The club describes its course as a challenging par 72, designed by Sandy Herd and bunkered by Dr Alister MacKenzie, with two loops of nine that both start and finish at the clubhouse. It is also popular with visitors and societies, which makes it a good fit for short-break golf. Waterton Park Golf Club is another strong nearby choice, offering an 18-hole championship course in the historic grounds of what it describes as the world’s first nature reserve.
Away from the course, Wakefield has loads to add into a trip. The Hepworth Wakefield gives the city a major contemporary art attraction, while Yorkshire Sculpture Park is only around seven miles from Wakefield and makes an excellent half-day option between rounds. For something more hands-on, the National Coal Mining Museum tells 180 years of mining history, with underground tours going 140 metres underground when operating.
For Hashtag Golf Travel customers, Wakefield works best as a Yorkshire society trip, a golf-and-culture weekend, or a base for combining parkland golf with sculpture, mining heritage, city restaurants and nearby Leeds.
