Back in June, I was fortunate enough to have a few days free to explore a bit of Yorkshire. Today being Yorkshire Day gave me the nudge needed to post a few photos from the trip.
I disregarded good advice and parked in York for a brief look around. This view of the river Ouse was a nice place to start.
Near the river is about all that is left of York Castle - Clifford’s Tower. Great views of the city from on top.
A short walk along cobbled streets took me to the York Minster, a spectacular Gothic cathedral.
Outside of the Minster is this statue of Constantine, who became Roman Emperor whilst in York.
As lovely a city as York was, I really needed some golf in my system. With a visit to Ganton coming up, I figured a bit of practice somewhere the day before would be a good idea. I started reading a number of GCA threads, and came across a reference Mark Rowlinson made to Flamborough Head.
Flamborough Head Golf Links was built in 1931, and overlooks the North Sea. Though it would not play like a links, I figured some great views and sea air would be a good way to keep awake on my first day in the country. I dawdled a bit too much in York, and by the time I got to Flamborough Head it was about 6:30 at night. I was able to pay the bartender and had the course pretty much to myself.
The fairways were a little shaggy and the greens were both soft and slow. A shame things weren’t a bit firmer, as the course has some good holes. The third is a par 3 of about 160 yards with the green partially hidden from the tee. Nice contour on the green. This photo from the left side of the green shows the reason behind the hole’s name, Block House.
Quite a few of the holes take advantage of high teeing grounds, lower fairways, then elevated greens. The fourth is a prime example. This green features a significant false front, just begging for firmer conditions. From the right side of the green.
The lighthouse is known as the Old Beacon, and was built in 1674.
Perhaps the most scenic spot on the course is standing on the 10th tee. The hole is around 150 yards and plays downhill to a green surrounded by bunkers in the front and an each side.
Imagine this green playing firm. I really wanted to use the slope as a backstop, but the ball just stopped. The club’s website mentions the hole being sometimes located on the top tier!
After the 10th, you walk back up near the 10th tee to play the 11th. This is the first par 5, and it plays along the North Sea.
The hazard on the right is pretty obvious, though from the side of this old WWII pillbox (out of play on the hole), you can see that the cliffs aren’t a straight drop down.
The small greens would present some challenge if firmer. Note the way the 11th is built up in front.
From the rear of the green, note the subtle contours.
Standing on the 13th tee, you can look across the 11th fairway at the North Sea. This hole is named Paul Jones. At Flamborough Head in 1779, John Paul Jones and his ships defeated the British Navy in a famous battle. This was the occasion where he supposedly uttered the phrase “I have not yet begun to fight.”
The 14th a long par 4 that doglegs left. Due to safety reasons, there is an internal out of bounds to protect players on the 13th (and 12th) holes. I’ve never seen this before, but the OOB is defined by a ditch that I guess keeps some errant balls from making it onto the 13th hole.
Flamborough Head probably wouldn’t make anyone’s top courses list, but there is still much to like. The routing is necessarily intricate, since the course (including practice range, clubhouse, & parking) takes up under 90 acres. There are a few too many back and forth holes, but the green sites vary enough to keep it interesting. Flamborough Head is only 6185 yards, but it features three par 4s that are 420 or longer, as well as three more that are 320 or shorter. It was a fun course, and well worth the £15 twilight fee that I paid. The views alone were worth that. You even have two lighthouses to choose from.
