The Wilmslow Golf Club photo tour

[Mark_Rowlinson]

The Wilmslow Golf Club dates back to 1889, making it one of the oldest in Cheshire. Of surviving Cheshire clubs only Royal Liverpool (1869) and Cheadle (1885) are older. For the record, a club was founded at Frodsham in the 1870s but it folded in 1924. Disley and Macclesfield also date from 1889.

A number of the club’s founders were members of Lytham and St Annes Golf Club and they adopted the rules of that club and engaged George Lowe, the Lytham professional, to lay out the ‘Links’, as the course was described. In fact the initial 9-hole course was played over farmland, crossed by a stream and any number of hedges. In 1891 the course was expanded to 18 holes ‘for the winter months’, only 9 holes being played in the summer. Although the routing of the course is no longer known, it was located to the south of Wilmslow with part of the course occupying land that is now Alderley Edge Golf Club.

In March 1903 the club moved into the countryside, to Pownall Brow Farm in Great Warford, and it has remained there ever since. At first the new course was mown farmland, with tees and greens being constructed over the next few years.



This is the first incarnation of the course, vestiges of which can still be found today. Much use was made of the river valley and its steep banks, still a distinguishing feature of the course. The route from the 16th green to 17th tee seems somewhat unfortunate.



When first the club moved to this site crows frequently stole golf balls and a crow doing just that became the club emblem. These 150-yard markers have been attached to appropriate trees throughout the course. There are stone 200-, 150- and 100-yard markers in the fairways, which may be more accurate, but these tree-mounted markers have been retained for nostalgic reasons.



In 1910 Sandy Herd was brought in to redesign the course. His plan for alteration to those holes on the south side of the brook was carried out by the green staff but those holes on the north (clubhouse) side of the brook were ignored and these holes were the responsibility of the Green subcommittee and, for the most part, they are still in play today.



Further alterations were made during the 1920s, as shown above. James Braid was one of those who advised on changes.



Tom Simpson, George Duncan and the firm of Hawtree and Taylor all contributed to changes during the 1930s resulting in the 1937 course shown above which is very similar to the course we play today, with the exception of the 13th hole which was extended to become a par five in the 1980s. The old 13th green is maintained and can be utilized if another green has to be taken out of action for whatever reason. The distinguishing features of this course are the breaking through the deep woodlands to create the all-or-nothing par-3 14th and 17th, the creation of a double green shared between the 3rd and 6th and the satisfactory routing enabling two-tee starting by the clubhouse at the 1st and 10th holes. It will be noted that internal tree planting brought separation to parallel or adjoining fairways, and today the course is a haven for wildlife. Greenkeeping is of the highest order and the team recently won an STRI award for its environmental stewardship. Our new Head Professional, Matthew Gillingham was recently honoured as PGA Professional of the Year, and runner up as PGA Coach of the Year. Our Steward, Simon Ward, won the EGU Steward of the Year in the North-West region. So we members are lucky to play our golf under such pleasant conditions.

The course hosted the Martini International and Greater Manchester Open tour events in the 1980s and more recently did a five year stint of Regional Qualifying for the Open Championship. The front and back nines are of comparable length giving a total yardage of 6,635 playing to a par of 72 and Standard Scratch of 73.



Here is a recent Google aerial of the course.

More to follow

[Mark_Rowlinson]

1.   364 yards par 4



An inviting opening drive across the valley to a fairway curving to the left. Big hitters can run out of fairway if they drive too straight. Lesser hitters can be cut out by the relentless curve of the trees on the left. It is a good strategic hole.



From the ladies’ tee it is apparent that this drive is made across the 18th fairway and green but, happily, it does not seem to cause problems.



The fairway climbs a steep hill to gain the flat ground at the top. Shorter drivers may find themselves playing their second shot from a very awkward stance, one foot much higher than the other.



A good drive might finish here with a little over 100 yards on the run in to the green which slopes away to the rear right. The left hand bunker is set in an all-gathering valley of sin and the bunker front right has been refashioned since this photo was taken.




2.   438 yards par 4



The drive on this, the longest of the par fours, is slightly uphill and very often into the prevailing wind. There is plenty of room on the right, but that line ensures that the second shot will be over 200 yards in length into the wind.



Until recently a pair of bunkers protected the angle of the dogleg in driving distance. They have now been replaced by a single (extensive) bunker further on. It is now out of my driving range, but it will trouble many trying to cut the corner.





The green is narrow and protected by bunkers front left and right and by run offs into shaved swales.

3.   522 yards par 5



The back tee involves a substantial carry over rough with three fairway bunkers awaiting on the right. Again, this shot is usually played into the wind.



This hole is often played as a 494-yard par 5 from a tee on a different line, which emphasizes the gentle curve to the right of the fairway as it passes those three bunkers.
 


These are the three fairway bunkers and beyond it is a centre-line bunker exactly at the right range for my second shot. For long hitters it is irrelevant.



The long, narrow green is approached between staggered bunkers, left and right. Both have received make overs during this last winter and seem to have taken on a sterner aspect. Fortunately I have not yet been in either since their return to play.



Get under the face of that right hand bunker and escape is not easy. Again, there are tricky run offs into swales on either side of the green. This is a pre-restoration photograph.

4.   395 yards par 4



Position off the tee is key here. What you cannot see are two fairway bunkers just off the centre line to the right. Nor is it apparent just how far that line of trees on the right extends.



These are the bunkers around which the fairway bends. Both are flat floored and as long as you are not under the face you may be able to attempt a shot at the green. More vexing, however, is to find yourself too close to the trees on the right leaving you no shot over or round the trees. From the wide spaces on the left of the fairway there is an open shot at the green, except that you are left with a longer shot.



The green is set on a ledge, with many approach shots nearly good enough but not quite bouncing down onto the low ground to the left.



You are really out in the country here.



The swales surrounding this green present all sorts of problems if the putting surface is not held.



The contours of the putting green are not apparent in any of my pictures, but there is more mischief in this green than any other.

5.   362 yards par 4



The longer the drive, the more a downslope over the second half of the fairway helps in gaining distance. Note how the fairway slopes to the right towards the line of trees separating this fairway from the previous one. As the hole is played into the prevailing wind any directional waywardness is magnified. There is another tee behind and to the left of this one extending the hole to 389 yards. The angle from that tee accentuates the slope down towards the trees.



This cross bunker lurks about 30 yards short of the putting surface and should not be a factor to the good player who will be approaching with a very lofted club. It is very much in range of my second shot, however. The putting surface is straightforward.

6.   198 yards par 3.



This looks an innocuous hole across flat ground. But the teeing ground is sheltered in trees and with the hole being played across the direction of the wind the ball is frequently pushed to the right when it is above the tree line. A bunker awaits on the left of the green and there used to be a deep one front right.



It had to be taken out and converted into another grassy swale as rather too many golfers thinned their bunker shots either onto the road beyond the hedge or into the grounds of the large house beyond.



Once again there are tricky swales around the green. This is the double green shared with the 3rd. With approach shots being played at right angles to each other there is rarely much interference and it is a good spot to catch up with the affairs of other members out playing.

More to follow

[Mark_Rowlinson]

7.   491 yards par 5



This is a realistic eagle hole for the good player. It is played with the wind, the fairway is generously wide and there is nothing to stop the long hitters letting rip.



This bunker awaits on the left edge of the fairway at the length of a good drive, but there is nothing on the straight line. The wayward can tangle with an out-of-bounds hedge on the left or trees planted to separate the 3rd and 7th fairways on the right. But, in truth, it has been a pretty terrible shot which finishes in either.



These shallow cross-bunkers interrupt proceedings about 100 yards short of the green. They affect me because I cannot clear them on my second shot. The good player has driven so far, however, that these are of no consequence. Their flat floors and shallow faces mean that you can often escape directly onto the putting surface.



The run in is guarded by two deepish bunkers on the left and by swales round the sides and back. Sloping down from back to front, there are some tricky pin positions at the rear of the putting surface.

8.   437 yards par 4



The view from the 8th tee reveals a fairway curving gently to the left. The wind is once again behind the player’s back and good distance from the tee is a considerable advantage. The drive needs to be close to, or even over, the wispy tree on the left.



A good drive will take these cross-bunkers set on the diagonal out of play. They are about 100 yards short of the green. They are much deeper than those on the 7th hole and escape is governed by how near the face or rear of the bunker the ball is sitting.



The approach shot is difficult to judge because the base of the flag and the putting surface are not always visible as you play your shot because of the line of cross-bunkers in between. Nor can you make out what happens if you overshoot the green. Although the putting surface is generous it slopes down from front to back and this nasty bunker collects many approaches from the right side of the fairway. Despite its difficulty, this is one of my favourite holes on the course.

9.   146 yards par 3



The outward half ends with a charming little one-shotter down to a green sloping significantly down from back to front just on the far side of the brook. It is well attended by bunkers.



Because the putting surface is aligned on the diagonal to the line of approach the attendant bunkers see a great deal of action!



As seen from the ladies’ 1st tee.



A picture taken maybe twenty years ago when the bunker configuration was different.


10.   367 yards par 4



For most of us the strategy of this hole is much like the 4th: drive down the left hand side to open up a view of the green beyond the trees on the right. For longer hitters the distant pylon makes a good line and for very long hitters you might be tempted to drive straight over those right hand trees. I have seen it done, but not in competition.



Many drives are collected in this low ground beyond a ridge. But there is a sight of the green perched on raised ground.



The putting surface is angled from right to left across the line of approach. It presents a very narrow target.

11.   320 yards par 4



The green is beyond the gap in the trees on the left. It can be driven, but there a lot of problems if you fall short.



A line of bunkers on the diagonal, plus strategically placed trees await the imperfect attempt to drive the green, and the rough short and left of the green is ball swallowing.



The putting surface is long and narrow. It is not a green to overshoot, for just through the back is part of the car park, and just what do you say to the Ferrari owner who has chosen to park exactly there when you hit his car!

12.   411 yards par 4



There is plenty of room on this fairway, although in recent years the rough only just off the fairway has been particularly grasping. What you cannot see here is a fairway bunker on the right around which the fairway curves.


Its presence is sufficient to force many of us out to the left, making the hole play much longer and risking loss of a ball in the rough if we err too far left.



Cross-bunkers decide the outcome of this hole over its later stages. The one in the middle of the fairway is barely visible until you find yourself in it. Those further on are some distance in front of the putting surface.



Like so many cross-bunkers at Wilmslow they are arranged on the diagonal.



The putting surface is the longest on the course.
 More to follow

[Mark_Rowlinson]

13.   503 yards par 5



The view from the back tee used to be pretty intimidating. But the overhanging branches and some of the trees have been taken out and the drive is now altogether more welcoming.



The drive is made over a series of ponds to a gently rising fairway. Clear the ridge and there is helpful downhill roll on the far side. Those trees on the left indicate where the out-of-bounds hedge runs.



Bunkers on the right of the fairway catch those who are afraid to drive too close to the out-of-bounds. Big hitters may drive as far as the cross-bunkers visible beyond them. They are to be avoided on my second shot.



These cross-bunkers were part of the defences of the old 13th green which lies just beyond the player on the right.




This green is quite unlike any other at Wilmslow. It was constructed to USGA specifications and features a big slope down from the back of the green with a touch of MacKenzie step in it. When this hole was extended to a par five the fairway bent left past a big lone tree. Almost immediately it died and fell down. So, until its replacement reaches maturity in 100 years’ time, golfers have plenty of room to attack the green. There is a serious bunker front right and some difficult undulations off the putting surface to the left. Through the back of the green is only for those with a deft hand at the lob wedge.

14.   180 yards par 3.



This is the hardest of the short holes, requiring a full carry across the abyss and absolutely no roll forward if you fail to make it onto the putting surface.



And this is it from behind. The green slopes down from back to front and long or cross-slope putts are tricky. Fortunately a lot of tree felling and branch clearance has taken some of the claustrophobia away. Much light has been let into this formerly dark hole and air circulation much improved.



There are some treacherous lies on the slope up to the green!

15.   423 yards par 4



I have discovered that I do not have an adequate photograph of the view from the 15th tee, largely because it plays directly into the sun in the evening. Since this photograph was taken there has been a serious tree and branch clear out and the view from the back tee is no longer quite so frightening! But it is still one of the more difficult drives, for if you drive to the left the fairway slopes sufficiently to direct the ball towards a fairway bunker or, worse, into the rough which can be deep here. A drive favouring the right can easily end up in a fairway bunker or you can find yourself cut out by trees.




Yet again cross bunkers interrupt the fairway about 100 yards from the green – just my length!



And there are plenty of bunkers near the green and some more testing swales.



16.   400 yards par 4




On this hole the drive needs sufficient length to open up a sight of the green round to the right of the dog leg. Big hitters need to curb their ambitions for it is all too easy to run out of fairway as it turns right. We shorter hitters must avoid any temptation to cut the dog-leg. We will be thwarted by trees and a pond on our second shots.



This bunker lurks on the outside of the dog leg waiting to thwart the over cautious tee shot. The flag can just be made out in the distance between the trees.



There is the green at the end of a downhill run in.



A bunker guards the front left of the green and there can be all sorts of fun and games in the swales off to either side of the green.



17.   169 yards par 3




Another all-carry short hole with a narrow entrance between green-front bunkers and tricky downhill putts if you finish beyond the flag.



A very old colour slide picture looking back from behind the tee.

18.   509 yards par 5



The final drive is made towards two big bunkers on the right of the fairway just as it starts to move to the left. Those intent on reaching the green in two will drive well beyond these. It is important not to drive too far left for the ball will be thrown down to the left into thick rough or, worse, trees.



The fairway continues at a high level before plunging down the hill to the lower level, the green and the brook. Big hitters will be playing their second shots from this sort of distance and can easily reach the green. I aspire to having reached this spot in two shots. But the intermediate player is faced with a problem on their second shot after a good but not outstanding drive. Does he lay up with a short club to here, effectively wasting a good drive? Or does he play a long shot over the end of the high ground, down into the valley? The problem is that a shot of that kind can, all too easily, come to grief, either bouncing strongly left into damp ground or even the woods or his ball land on the right hand bank and stay there.



The raised green slopes up towards the back and is well bunkered.



A shot taken during the Wilmslow Junior Open about ten years ago.

[Jason Topp]

These are the three fairway bunkers and beyond it is a centre-line bunker exactly at the right range for my second shot. For long hitters it is irrelevant.

Thanks for the tour Mark.  I like some hazards that are irrelevant for the good player but make the game more interesting for the rest of us.

I recently played a course where I couldn't reach any of the fairway bunkers from the tees we played.  It was enjoyable for one round but I suspect I would move up a set if I played the course every day. 
 

[Duncan Cheslett]

Thanks for that, Mark. I've really enjoyed my two visits to Wilmslow as your guest, but it's nice to see what the course looks like when it's not raining!

I particularly like the 1st, the 9th, and the 18th. Those who say that the 18th is 'unfair' because it has no landing area for a long but not prodigious second shot fail to understand that golf is a tactical, not just a technical game IMO.

Looking forward to tomorrow at RV with you and Bert.

[Bill_McBride]

Mark, I wish we had played there after the 2006 Buda Cup, looks very challenging and fun.

Hopefully this can be posted in the "In My Opinion" section as a "My Home Course" profile.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Thanks Mark for the pictures.  I fondly remember playing with your son Giles at Wimslow.  It is a very stern test with interesting terrain and testing shots into the green. I look forward to testing my game against it again.

[James Boon]

Excellent stuff Mark, I agree with Bill that its deserving of a My Home Course slot!

Cheers,

James

[Mark_Rowlinson]

The convenient thing for overseas visitors is that the course is only a few miles, say ten or fifteen minutes, from Manchester Airport. Happily, few planes fly over the course.

[John Mayhugh]

Thanks for the tour, Mark. Seems like a nice club to call home.

I really like the looks of many of the green sites, especially the 4th & 16th.  Hope to see the course for myself one of these trips.

[Sean_A]

mark

Thanks for the tour, you are my favourite guide.  I like how some holes are dead flat and others quite hilly.  Is the course on somewhat sandy ground?

Ciao

[Niall C]

Mark

Many thanks for the tour. I really liked the bunkering in that old photo of the 10th (?). What replaces it seems a poor substitute IMHO. Looks a really nice course though.

Niall

[Sean_A]

This past weekend I was given the royal treatment by that most gentlemanly of gentlemen, Mark Rowlinson - he even provided for a steamer day which required the application of sun block.  

A few observations:

1. Wilmslow has a interesting mix of holes, most especially the par 4s.  Many of the two-shotters are made interesting because of the bunker placement, but some holes such as #s 1, 4 & 10 do work over interesting ground.  For me, the par 4s are the highlight of the course.  

2. In general, the fairways struck me as a bit narrow, but the rough was for the most part not overly punishing.  On a related note, trees do not overly restrict recovery options.  

3. The greens are generally flat with a few surprises here and there.  There are, however, a handful of greens which have tucked sections where flag hunting can be dangerous business.  

4. For the most part the bunker placement is thought provoking and attractive.  Essentially, the bunkering is the key to the design in terms of working around the course and the strategic elements are well covered; sand can be found in all sorts of configurations.  

5. The 3s and 5s with a few exceptions are not up to the standard of the par 4s.  There is nothing greatly amiss, more likely it is the holes just didn't fit my eye.  

I won't do a full tour because Mark's does the job well, I will, however, post some pix which may highlight different aspects of the course.  

#1 is a boomerang hole to the left playing over #s 9 & 18 on the low ground ; its easy to run out of space right and is a tough opening drive. The green may be my favourite on the course.  It generally moves away from the player and especially so near the back right.  

#2 also turns left around a pair of bunkers and trees.  There is much more room than apparent on the tee out to the right - which is where the drive needs to be to approach the green.  

#3 is a terrific par 5 whose full length can be seen from the tee.  The bunkering is obvious, yet well-placed.  Perhaps the best aspect of the hole is the terrific run-away double green.  There is a rise at the front of the green which is just high enough to create doubt in yardage distance.


The right flag is #3 green.


The next may be my favourite hole.  The hole legs right to a green perched on a 10 foot ledge.  Interestingly, the green is set some 20 yards back of the crest.


#5 is a good shortish par 4.  The first 230 yards are flatish before descending to a perfectly placed centreline bunker some 50 yards shy of the green.  In firm conditions I suspect the best play is to get as close to the bunker off the tee as one can.  Trying to hit even a wedge between the bunker and the green is a tough shot.  


The par 3 sixth plays back to the double green shared with #3.  The 7th features some harsh cross bunkers which take some effort to carry in two even in a summer headwind.  

#8 turns left and once again features cross bunkers, but these also obscure the nature of the second shot.  


For those long enough off the tee there is full disclosure.


The drop shot 9th plays to the base of the first tee.  A short walk takes the player the 10th, a pretty hole turning right around mature trees and over a dip in the fairway.  As mentioned earlier, some greens are harder to access after playing a safer line - here is a good example.



The 11th turns back on #10.  It is drivable for flat bellies who can carry the ball 270ish, but as to be expected, there is trouble about.



A very strong par 4, the 12th uses sand to perfection in challenging the golfer.



The par 5 13th isn't a bad hole, but it doesn't really do much for me.  I spose the same could be said for the tough 14th, a very narrow par 3 to a plateau green.  The two-shot 15th gets things moving in a positive direction.  The dogleg is severe enough to require a very well directed tee shot and sand protects the right side of the green very well.

Back onto the the theme of narrow fairways, the 16th is a modest length par 4 turning hard right against the lay of the land.  In truth, this is probably a lay-up for most as the fairway is not well defined from the tee nor is it an inviting tee shot.  Once again, the hole can be tucked.


The short 17th crosses the same ravine as did the 14th.  The two holes are cut from the same cloth, but the penultimate hole is more forgiving - and all the better for it.


The final hole is a rollicking three-shotter diving downhill and to the left.  The entire slope of the fairway feeds left as well.  I liked the hole, but I can see where the blind nature combined with the severe slope can lead to frustrating searches for balls thought to be hit down the middle.  


Wilmslow is a fine course which compliments the other architectural gems of the area such as Reddish Vale, Delamere Forest, Prestbury etc. It is well worth stopping by for a game if in the area of if you are lucky enough to be invited.  Though I will say that folks shouldn't expect a pushover.  The course plays fairly difficult for its 6600 yards, but it certainly won't cause any undue grief.  

Mark - thanks for the invite.  I would definitely make the journey for a future game - unsubtle hint.  If you need pix to update your profile please ask and I will forward them.

Ciao

[John Mayhugh]

Thanks for the additional pics and commentary, Sean.

Would love to see you and Mark collaborate on a book.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

I am always very happy to introduce (and play with) GCA visitors.

John, I'm afraid golf books (apart from the kiss and tell variety) are very hard to sell these days.

[Jim Eder]

Mark,

Thanks once again to opening my eyes to another course I have fallen in love with. Without this tour I would never have played here and I would be less of a golfer because of my ignorance. I absolutely fell in love with the course and found a challenging, strategic and fun golf course that was in fantastic condition. Combine that with great company and one can have the perfect day. Every shot is interesting and thought provoking and the setting is fantastic. I am already looking forward to my next visit, it cannot come soon enough for me. Thanks again Mark for everything!!