South Moor (1923) is one of the least heralded of the dozens of unheralded MacKenzie courses in the north of England.
In some respects it is typically MacKenzie, less so in others.
Like every MacK course I have seen the routing is excellent, with uniformly well-chosen green sites on the undulating (steep in places) moorland property.
But the greens themselves, though true, reasonably quick, and possessing plenty of subtle slopes are surprisingly flat for the creator of Sitwell Park and Pasatiempo.
I doubt the rather bland-looking bunkers have much visual affinity with what was built in 1923. I wonder what the budget was – even by the standards of the time it doesn’t look like much earth was moved.
I suspect South Moor would be an interesting course to play with hickories. From the back it’s 6273 yards, par 72.
The approaches to most greens are open, from the correct angle at least, but judgement of the slopes leading up to the putting surface is tricky – and fun.
But with modern equipment even modest players will be hitting high short irons right up to the flag on holes designed for running mid-irons pitched short.
I thoroughly enjoyed South Moor – especially as it may be the cheapest MacK course on the planet at £15 – but wouldn’t give up a round at Colt’s Brancepeth Castle nearby to play it.
Here’s some pics.
The 4th green, below, appeared perhaps the most natural on the course - the runrigs running across the green were much trickier than the picture shows and are just a continuation of the rumpled fairway found on that hole and others to the east of the site.
5th is 317yds uphill and the long narrow green receives only a good shot.
This shot below on the 8th is about as Mackenzian as it got. A sharp dip beyond the flag.
The 15th offered an intimidating tee-shot...
...and the shot to the green is harder than it looks.
South Moor has a tricky finish - it's still a good lash to open up the dogelg 16th so you have a sight of the green...
...and this is the green.
17th tee shot (green is dogleg left)
...and the green
