Huddersfield - Yorkshire - England

I will preface this review by saying, I'm not sure if this review will be the same following the second playing of the course.

I'm slightly going against the grain for reviews of Huddersfield GC on this site and would say that, in my opinion, it's perhaps slightly overrated. In my view, the courses directly around it in the rankings - Hallamshire and Ilkley are a shade or two better, and a more appropriate rating would see it sandwiched between Woodsome Hall and Moor Allerton.

In terms of the course, the collection of par 3's is strong - I particularly enjoyed the slightly uphill 4th - slotted between the two par 5's early in the front 9, and the 13th - while it feels somewhat out of kilter with the rest of the course, the 200+ yard hole demands accuracy to hit a tiny, yet relatively flat green. The stretch 12 through 15 was probably my favorite, each hole was its own, and it was in stark contrast to the openness of the first 9 holes. After cresting the rise up the hill on 10 and experiencing the 'reveal' through the trees, theres another similar moment when you drop down onto the 12th tee, and its quite refreshing to see a sweeping right to left dogleg par 4, inviting you to take a rip to get it as far down as possible. While it may surprise some, contender for my favorite hole on the course was in fact the 14th, demanding an accurate drive down the left to a fairway that must be impossible to hit in the height of the summer, my approach was played from a hanging lie, ball below the feet, in the right rough - just a yard or so off the fairway. An 8iron from 169, using the lie to aid the cut into the back right pin position, pitching around 15 inches from the hole and settling to 10 feet. concluding with a missed eagle putt!

Some of the things I didn't expect or did not like: the opening 9 in my view is simply too open, I do not particularly know the history as far as only to read on this site that many architects have put their mark on it over the years. For me, the entirety of the front 9, which sits on a fairly generous plot, just feels like it has undergone change, perhaps more than once, and it's like it should be different, or it's not how it originally was. The rationale behind this is none more so than when you've played the first 8 holes and standing on the 9th tee, you can pretty much see everything which you've already played: in the background, with the exception of the huge drop-down of the 18th fairway running into the 18th green, the 1st tee, 10th tee, 8th green and tee, all on the right. Then left, and right in driving distance you have the second green and to the left the third tee, and the sixth fairway immediately left of the tee, then in the middle; the entrance/exit road cuts across, and a public footpath runs all the way down the right. In the tee shot landing area, the fairway is shared with the first hole and beyond this, the 9th green is seemingly just plonked on the right of the first fairway. I'm not particularly a fan of overlapping holes anyway, but there's so much going on that you need to be aware of on the 9th tee, I genuinely felt somewhat of an inconvenience playing the hole as you have to be mindful of the public walking, and driving [cars], play into 18, off the 10th tee, down the 1st, and on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th holes. The hole I had the biggest issue with however was the stroke index 18, 18th. On the card, a 497-yard par 5. A drive of 235 to the crest of the hill, in my case saw the ball trundle down another 120 yards before coming to rest with around 145 downhill to go. The hole was reduced to 3-hybrid and PW, and thankfully this time it did end with an Eagle, 3. I felt somewhat short-changed writing 3 down on the card however as it in some way did not feel like a legitimate eagle. Perhaps on another day, the closing hole plays more severe, or perhaps every day the ball rolls down the hill to leave a flick into the green, I don't know, but I'm not a fan, to close out what is a challenging course with somewhat of a novelty hole seems strange to me.

Referring back to my opening preface, the more I reflect on the course, the more I'm starting to think the next time I play it, I will have a greater appreciation for it, right now I have a hard time seeing past the 9th and 18th.

What a course. I played here in a pro am in December and although the course had a great reputation, it is winter so wasn’t expecting what I got. The course was in fantastic condition. The greens ran true and were in great knick as were the fairways. The holes had real variety and you had to think on every tee shot. The clubhouse was very traditional. The bar staff were friendly as was the lady in the pro shop. Looking forward to going again.

What a treat Fixby turned out to be. I’d always had in mind that it was parkland, but reality is that it has more moorland qualities, with broom in bloom, springy fast running turf and a good portion of the course wide open, both visually and to the elements.

The long driveway in wends its way through bluebell woods and then the vast expanse of what turns out to be holes 1 -9, 10 and 18 can be seen in front of you, with the impressive hall. It reminded me somewhat of the drive into Hollinwell, albeit not on as grand a scale.

As you drive in you get a view of the 6th and 9th holes that cross the driveway and also the cross over between holes 1 and 9. This cross over in particular would not be designed into a modern course and immediately takes you back to a bygone era of golf course design.

The course played on almost 3 distinct parts - the 1st 9 holes, play away from the Hall and into what is a quite an open part of the course. Yes, there are trees lining the par 5 3rd and par 5 5th, the 6th and down the left of the 7th, but the overall feeling is of a somewhat open space. The crossover from the 9th as you are about to tee off on the 1st does take you by surprise, as do the members of the public on the public footpath, but its a good sequence of 9 holes. The hardest without doubt is the dog leg, uphill par 5 5th. Add wind against and it plays very long and hard indeed.

The front 9 has 2 par 3’s - all the par 3’s on the course were class, all strong, with excellent bunkering catching any shots that just come up shy.

The back 9 starts with a climb up one side of a hill, in front of the clubhouse and this forms part of the 2nd distinct part of the course - holes 10-11, 14-18, which play up, down, around the hill that’s provides stunning views across the Yorkshire countryside. The best views are from the green at the 10th and also on the ridge of the 18th.

The par 3 11th is a particularly attractive hole, played downhill (not downwind) 175 yards. This is the 2nd shortest hole as all par 3’s are 150 yards and longer.

The other standout hole in this segment is the 15th, played uphill, with a green standing above you, a Mckenzie style green protected by bunkers front and riight and surrounded by Broom in full yellow colour.

The 18th finishing hole is a blind tee shot up and over the ridge mentioned previously - not the best tee shot to be fair but playing down the other side to the narrow, well protected green and taking in the views across the property make this a good finishing hole from the 2nd shot!

The 3rd distinct segment is holes 12-13. These dont feel like they are attached to the rest of the course which is a shame because they are strong holes. The 12th plays a gentle sweeping hole right to left, around the edge of what may have been a quarried area in times gone by, to an uphill green and at 421 yards is a stiff test.

The 13th is a par 3, playing directly back below the 12th and at 205 yards is almost a short par 4 with the wind blowing! All the trouble is right - lost ball territory, so aim your shot to the left side of the green, minding the bunkers. The saving grace is should you find the green it is relatively flat. The hole pays better than it looks.

I can see why this course is so highly ranked in Yorkshire. it sits in the same quality as Hallamshire and Sandmoor - similar qualities to them in terms of moorland characteristics but certainly a step down from Lindrick, Moortown, Alwoodley and Ganton.

I loved the course and will certainly play it again. The overall feeling as you arrive on the property cannot be under estimated, the course doesn’t disappoint and the clubhouse, like nearby Woodsome Hall, is an impressive centuries old building which adds to the overall impression you take away from your visit.

Plenty of interesting holes with elevation changes and doglegs, with some punishing rough and long par 3's make Huddersfield thoroughly enjoyable if your game is on, and frustrating if you are having an off day.

The club has spent a fortune over the last couple of years replacing and redesigning all of the bunkers, so the bunkering is perfect and the quality of the bunkers consistent around the entire course.

Some of the views around the course, down onto the magnificent Fixby Hall clubhouse, and across Huddersfield are spectacular. Nowhere beats the beautiful views on a still summer's evening.

Three 200+ yard par 3 holes makes for a testing day's work - but well worth the effort for anyone who wants to try out a great course that under-promises but definitely over-delivers.

This is my home club, and it continues to delight - playing plenty of other tracks just makes me appreciate the beauty, quality and challenge of Huddersfield. Definitely one you should try.

Huddersfield Golf Club is probably not given the sufficient coverage it deserves on a national scale. It's a very, very fine golf course.

As a regular host to the Yorkshire County Championship, former venue of a European Seniors Tour event and lauded by locals it is well respected within the White Rose County of Yorkshire. But ask golfers further afield and the majority don't know about 'Fixby'.

The club has teetered on the edge of the various English 'top 100' golf course rankings in the past but has never managed to establish a foothold within them. It's a shame because this course is well worthy of inclusion and certainly the effort to pay a visit.

It has an excellent location in terms of access; close to the M62 and just over t'hill from Lancashire but it lacks support in numbers from other quality clubs around it that other venues, in say North Leeds, may benefit from. The course also has a beautiful setting, glorious grounds and a magnificent clubhouse located in the centre of the large estate which is reached thanks to an enticing drive through part of the course. From a playing perspective this can however disrupt play at the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth holes!

The fast-running and well-draining moorland-esque course draped over a big property will test every element of your game and a good score here is always well deserved. At times, when the rough is thick and the wind is up, it can perhaps become a bit too difficult but it always remains fair.

The greens, re-laid at the turn of the millennium, have improved the putting surfaces and surrounds immensely. If you miss a green there is always a number of ways in which you can play your recovery shot and the condition of them in the winter months is usually exceptional.

A similar restoration of the bunkering, which is becoming outdated and tired, would breed new life into this course and elevate it to one of the country's best.

Huddersfield is definitely a thinking course and one that requires a number of rounds before you truly understand how to score well around it.

Ed is the founder of Golf Empire – click the link to read his full review.

Heard a lot of good things about Fixby, so was great to finally get out and play what is the 9th of the top 10 in Yorkshire I've played.. (only Hallamshire left). From the moment you drive in and see the crossover par 4's you get a sense of the place being wide open with some impressive views. The clubhouse is unbelievable, and something different to I've ever experienced before. Inside there is such an old fashioned, special feel, it seems very similar to what you'd expect to find at Augusta not that I've ever played there. Looking at the scorecard, you notice 4/5 par 4's over 440 yards.. Don't be fooled, firm fast and extremely downhill fairways means they play no more than a driver and a mid iron. It had that same springy turf you find at Moortown and Alwoodley, but it's much more open and expansive and in my opinion is a bombers paradise. There are some stunning holes, inparticular on the back 9, 10 a great driveable par 4 up and around the clubhouse, 11 a great par 3 across a small valley then arguably the 2 signature holes on the course. A beautiful par 4 that sweeps round the valley then a brutally tough par 3 back across the valley to a tiny sloping green. Looking back on the course you really can score on it and even though the yardages suggest it being tough, you really can take advantage of the downhill holes inparticular the par 5's. The greens however are the main defence of this course, for this time of year they were very quick in places so I can imagine come peak of summer they get much quicker and firmer and therefore almost impossible in places if you miss them in the wrong spot. All in all it is a very good track, not as good as the so called "big 4" heathland style courses in Yorkshire but nevertheless an impressive course with views to die for. I would recommend playing here in the summer when it is playing firm and fast and enjoy the amazing views but be warned, it is one of the hilliest courses you will find anywhere.

Played late March 15 on a very windy (is there anything else at Fixby?) day. The 12th and 13th were closed for winter work but there is space for 2 extra short par 3's around the 15th hole to allow an 18-hole winter course to be played.The views are indeed spectacular on either side of the course. The front nine looks north-eastwards towards Leeds; the back nine over Huddersfield and the Pennines in the distance. This of course implies the track is hilly, which it is, but the undulations in most places add to the experience rather than detract. However, I'm not sure that helps on the 18th where there is a very narrow ridge at driving distance (at least it is in winter conditions from a forward tee) and a mere extra 5 yards carry can give an extra 50-100 yards roll down the other side leaving a 2nd shot of under 150 yards into a par 5. It seems a little too much reward for a good drive. [Before you ask, I didn't reach the ridge, while my playing partner did - although I made birdie to his par!].Against this one gripe, several holes stood out. A tough opening 1st at 440 yards; the 6th, a par 4 with attractive cross-bunkers and the 16th, with an opportunity to hit downhill and downwind with the Emley Moor TV mast as your guide in the distance. The clubhouse oozes class and is very traditional whilst the staff in the bar and restaurant were very helpful and friendly. I'd definitely visit Huddersfield again in the summer to play the 12th and 13th - they look great from a distance - and experience the greens (which were fairly quick in March) at full speed.

Played Huddersfield for the 1st time on 20/05/13 in their Team Open. Definately should be rated higher than 10th in Yorkshire. Good mix of holes with 3 of the par 3's playing long off the White tees. Outstanding holes for me, a lover of traditional golf clubs were the 12th, a sweeping longish par 4 followed by a classic 210yard downhill par 3 at the 13th. Highly recommended. 1 note of caution is that you would need to be fairly fit to attempt 36 holes - perhaps this is a contributing factor to the undeserved lowly rating. Dave A

Played fixby today, in very nice late september weather, and i was very impressed indeed. The greens are the best i have played i have played this year and although not 'fast', they are true to putt on but subtle with the breaks. The overall course condition was very good and i would recommend that any serious golfer should take time to play fixby. The food in the club house is very good and the pro shop is well appointed

I really enjoy playing at 'Fixby', I've played here 3 times now and I think the course is fantastic. Not too demanding but can play long especially from the back tees. The greens are true and some are very tricky and the overall standard of the course is top notch. The course doesn't beat you up either so is a real enjoyable round. I'd recommend any serious golfer to make the effort to play at fixby.