Silverdale, Lancashire

[Mark_Rowlinson]

I took my wife birdwatching at Leighton Moss today, and to my great surprise I saw part of a golf course less than a mile away. It looked interesting, what little I could see from the road, with paths crossing farm tracks and greens in some devilishly sited spots, as far as I could tell. Does anybody know anything about it? Is it something that Sean ought to visit?

[Thomas Dai]

I've heard mention of Silverdale GC and believe a native of Cumbria currently shaping in the Southern Hemisphere may have some knowledge of the course, and one somewhat quirky unlucky-number hole in particular.
atb

[Duncan Cheslett]

Silverdale was being discussed recently on a Facebook group devoted to golf which I occasionally browse. Several Cumbrian golfers spoke very highly of it and prompted me to look it up.


http://www.silverdalegolfclub.co.uk/

I'm surprised it has never crossed your radar, Mark!

[Mark Pearce]

The pictures on the website suggest that the original 9 (1, 11-18) is rather more interesting than the new 9.  Looks well worth a visit, though!

[Clyde Johnson]

I've heard mention of Silverdale GC and believe a native of Cumbria currently shaping in the Southern Hemisphere may have some knowledge of the course, and one somewhat quirky unlucky-number hole in particular.
atb

I've actually never played Silverdale, David. The club played in the same junior league as Kendal, though I somehow always managed to avoid the away fixture. It was the 'farmers field' new holes that you would see on the drive past, so hardly much incentive to make a stop to a course that was seemingly dismissed.


Anyway, I did walk-off a pub lunch one dreary afternoon last Christmas time, around the original nine compact and sporty holes. I will leave this teaser of the 13th...




[That 'x' is the marker for a semi-blind drive over the crest of a hill, and the green/flag perched high on the limestone outcropping.]


...I'll be back with clubs for a quick nine one day!

[Matt Dawson]

Clyde that photo of the approach to 13th looks unbelievable!


Doesn't look as if you could run one in there....

[Peter Flory]

Wow.  Looks like they knocked down a castle and put a green there instead.  What a knoll hole that is. 

[Niall C]

When I lived in Cumbria, admittedly at the other of the county, I never heard of Silverdale. I wonder if it is another example of a really terrific nine holer turned into a humdrum 18 holer ?

Niall

[Thomas Dai]

Here it is - https://www.google.com/maps/@54.1716022,-2.8041408,16z/data=!3m1!1e3
Atb

[Duncan Cheslett]

I’m working in the Lancaster area for a few days and took the opportunity this evening of playing Silverdale.


This is one the truly great 9-hole courses! It is just a pity that the club saw fit recently to build another 9 holes across the road from the original 1906 course.


The old nine plays over the most exhilarating sporty ground. The 13th which Clyde pictured above is typical - there another 5 or 6 holes in a similar vein.


Sadly, the new nine doesn’t bear comparison. Farmers field golf at its most mundane.


The pro told me that a lot of visitors ask to play the old nine twice rather than cross the road. He is happy to oblige if the course is not too busy.


On this basis I would definitely recommend a stop off at Silverdale if travelling up the M6.


I’ll post some pics when I get home on Friday.

[Niall C]

Thanks Duncan, I look forward to seeing them.

Niall