Clitheroe

Immortalised by the famous artist L.S. Lowry, the Lancashire town of Clitheroe is situated close to the beautiful Forest of Bowland. To the north lies Skipton, the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. Beware of Pendle Hill, especially during Halloween; the Pendle witches come from here.

The Clitheroe Golf Club was originally founded in 1891 and, in those days, golf was played on farmland at Horrocksford. A much better parcel of land was found in the heart of the Ribble Valley at Barrow Gardens and, in 1932, James Braid was commissioned to fashion a new 18-hole course. Slowly but surely the new Clitheroe came of age and, in 1937, the American Ryder Cup Captain Walter Hagen played here in an exhibition match.

Peter commented on our article as follows: “Re: ‘Clitheroe is no championship test’ comment – In the 2010 British Open Championship Regional Qualifying event now held at Clitheroe, only one of the professionals and scratch or better amateurs broke par on a pleasant June day.”

Measuring 6,504 yards from the tips, against a par of 71, Clitheroe is no championship test, but it does represent a strategic challenge for golfers of all levels. Accuracy from the tee is all-important because there are trees aplenty waiting to stymie anything hit slightly off line. The course itself is routed in the same fashion as Muirfield. The outward nine holes run clockwise around the edge of the course and the inward nine run anti-clockwise, sitting inside the outward nine. This cunning routing configuration ensures that when the weather rolls in from Pendle Hill the wind hits you from all directions.

Undeniably, Clitheroe is one of the best inland courses in Lancashire and there are some fine holes to be played here. Arguably the best, and considered the signature hole, is the memorable par three 17th. Despite measuring a mere 150 yards from the back tees, this hole is no pushover. The sloping green is viciously protected by a stream, which runs across the front of the green and to the left. Additionally, numerous bunkers lie in wait. A par here will feel like a birdie.

Combine a game at nearby Pleasington with a round at Clitheroe and you will have played two cracking inland courses.