Old Fold Manor Golf Club

Old Fold Manor Golf Club celebrated its centenary in 2010 and the golf course is one Harry Colt’s unsung designs. The club is located to the north of Barnet, just off the Great North Road, and the property is separated from the former Bridgedown Golf Club (now the Shire London) by the St Albans Road.

We wonder why Old Fold Manor Golf Club is not better known? The 6,451-yard course is laid out on the sand and gravel of an elevated, gently undulating site, which not only drains well, but also provides playing conditions reminiscent to heathland golf. Additionally, Old Fold Manor is an Open Championship Regional Qualifying course, so its credentials are crystal clear.

Viscount Enfield owned the land and originally founded the club in 1910, deciding to build a golf course on ground that saw battle during the War of the Roses. Today’s sporting contest on the site is thankfully more genteel, but you will require a solid game to conquer the Old Fold Manor scorecard.

The comparative yardages of the front and back nine are remarkably well balanced, but the front nine is where most golfers make a score. Six mid-length par fours appear on the outward half throwing up birdie opportunities for golfers who can keep it on the straight and narrow. The prettiest one-shot hole appears at the turn and hole 10 is also the shortest and easiest on the card. Measuring a mere 130 yards, it’s actually trickier than it seems and anything above the hole will require deft putting.

The 11th – a long par four – encourages the shoulders to be opened from its elevated tee, but perhaps the best hole at Old Fold Manor is the last. The home hole is another stern par four where only the longest or bravest hitters will take the green on in two shots. Water, in the shape of an ancient moat, guards the front of the green. Are you up for it?