Pannal - Yorkshire - England

6th Yorkshire - Best in Area
Pannal Golf Club,
Follifoot Road,
Pannal,
Harrogate,
North Yorkshire,
HG3 1ES,
England

  • +44 (0) 1423 872628

  • Golf Club Website

  • 1 mile S of Harrogate town centre

  • Limited availability, contact in advance

Championships hosted: English Women's Amateur, PGA Seniors, The Womens Amateur

Pannal Golf Club lies south of Harrogate in the midst of glorious countryside with views on a clear day to Wharfedale in the west and even as far as York Minster to the east. A creation of Sandy Herd in 1906, which was improved by Dr Alister MacKenzie prior to the First World War. Further course modifications were made by Sir Guy Campbell and Major Charles Mackenzie (Alister's brother) in 1933, it is a typical example of a Yorkshire moorland course, exposed to wind, but protected from that element by plentiful trees.

Things were much more open in Bernard Darwin’s day. In The Golf Courses of Great Britain, he wrote: “It stands high up on a breezy down, where there are some steep slopes and big valleys, and pretty clumps of gorse, and the wind, I should suspect, always blows keenly. At least it did so when I was there, and I can still feel myself walking against it with bowed head, and then being blown along by it as if I were a feather.”

Pannal hosted the English Women's Championship as long ago as 1927, and among other prestigious events, held the inaugural PGA Matchplay Championship in 1955, the PGA Seniors Championship in 1985 and the Ladies British Amateur Championship in 1991.

The course begins strongly, the 1st, a 438-yard par four. A second long four follows, before a par three and a change of direction. The 5th in parallel to the 4th continues a very gradual climb preceding the 6th, blind from the tee, where the course changes in character from what has been essentially woodland to the moorland section of heather, pine and deciduous, and tremendous views.

The midpoint demands accuracy rather than length, 7th to the turn being tree-lined, before a tricky short 10th that seems to play longer than its 142-yard length.

A short par five, the 11th, asks for position before the long par four 12th, 459 yards, requires a long second after a straight drive. The formula remains the same, position being essential, until the 17th, 198 yards over a valley. The 18th goes back down to the clubhouse level, a drive from a height and short second to a green down below.

Pannal is certainly a challenging course – especially when the wind blows – and it plays across interesting, but not tiring terrain, where accurate drives, and careful course planning will bring its reward.

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Reviews for Pannal

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Description: The charming course at Pannal Golf Club enjoys lovely views over the North Yorkshire moors and on a clear day to York Minster. Rating: 6.9 out of 10 Reviews: 9
TaylorMade
Steve Caldwell

Pannal GC is out ranked in Yorkshire, but is still well worth a game. The layout and game changing type over the 18 holes is super, the wind also plays into the protection of this great and tricky track. Over the years of playing at Pannal the turf has been improving year on year. This course should be part of any Yorkshire tour!!!

September 09, 2021
8 / 10
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James Stephens

Nice course and a good test of golf. Some blind tee shots. Greens are generally good. Some great views from the course. Worth a visit

September 05, 2021
6 / 10
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Ed Battye

Pannal is undoubtedly one of Yorkshire's finest. It offers a beautiful tranquil mix of woodland, moorland and heathland on the edge of Harrogate in North Yorkshire.

Always presented in excellent condition it's a golf course that I always look forward to testing my golfing skills over.

Although most of the course is on high ground, and therefore more exposed to the elements, you do not get that feeling during your round. The reason for this is the towering trees, many of which are pine, that adorn most of the fairways.

Pannal is certainly a good looking course, with well defined fairways and attractive green settings, but once you get under the bonnet you will also find 18 very good and sound golf holes.

Get the ball on the fairway and you will have the chance to score well at Pannal. Most of the trouble is off the tee and although the greens are reasonably well-bunkered they are large and usually hold the ball well allowing aggressive play.

The Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs class Pannal worthy of hosting their County Championship, the North of England Amateur Strokeplay Championship was held here 2013-2015 and the R&A deem it fit for staging their Regional Open Championship Qualifying.

That's pretty much all you need to know to establish that this is indeed a top quality golf course.

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

April 24, 2017
6 / 10
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Richard
Pannal is a good quality parkland course which has held Regional Open Qualifiers in the past. The 1st 6 holes are probably the toughest strectch especially when the wind is blowing. At the time of playing in June the grass around the greens was very lush making chipping very hazardous (a la US Open, although not Pinehurst no. 2!)The only criticism I have on the layout is that there are 3 Par 5's on the back nine all going in roughly the same direction when one feels a little bit more variety would help.The par 3 17th though is a cracking hole. A long tee shot over a valley with a steep drop to the right and trouble to the left - the profile reminded me of the 14th - Calamity at Royal Portrush in a slightly different setting!
June 15, 2014
6 / 10
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Matthew Cousen
Fantastic course. Front 6 holes are the best holes and hardest, so if you master them reaming 12 are easier till you get 17th which is the signature hole. Great view and fearsome teeshot.Club house small but very nice, members extremely friendly.Used to have some cracking mid week deals for visitors but appears those arent available anymore.Best course in Harrogate and maybe in Yorkshire top3 (up there with Moortown and Ganton).Well worth a visit.
September 16, 2012
10 / 10
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AJ
September 18, 2012
How were the greens ? How wet was the course ?
Matt
September 20, 2012
PLayed ot last october, but only just got round to reviewing. Started the round in torrential rain and were only ones on the course. was after they had held some tournament, so greens were perfect despite the rain.
Aidan Healey
Fantastic golf course! Played the Junior Open there last week and was very impressed! Same style couse as Sand Moor but much better! Great layout with the front 9 being much tougher than the back 9, so good golf on the back 9 is a must! Watch out for the 17th and 18th holes with amazing views over Harrogate and the Viaduct! Well worth a visit!
August 12, 2012
8 / 10
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Chris
Fantastic course...I played Pannal only a few weeks ago and despite the recent poor weather the course was in fantastic condition. Pannal has a great layout with some really interesting holes (not a bad hole on the course) with some incredible views....in my opinion this is one of the best courses in the region.
December 31, 2011
8 / 10
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3 people found this review helpful
Steve Smith
A fine course with a mixture of long Par 4s, tricky 3, and Par 5s, though not long, test the player's accuracy.Opening Par 4 a real tester, and after 5 holes, an equally long Par 4 brings the player to the heart of the Course, and stunning views over the locality.Accuracy will bring its rewards if your card is still intact. 12th a real tester but course planning will ensure a good score.Well worth a visit to a course which becomes an "Open Qualifier" next season in its Centenary Year.
July 13, 2005
6 / 10
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CA
Pannal is very much a driver's course. If you can keep it on the fairway, then more likely than not you will have a good round. Most of the trouble is off the tee. The course is generally in immaculate condition. There are one or two cracking holes - notably the 17th - one of the best Par 3s in Yorkshire. A thoroughly enjoyable day out.
October 26, 2004
4 / 10
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