Woodsome Hall - Yorkshire - England

Some golf clubs hit you with a 'wow' factor the moment you drive through their gates. Woodsome Hall is certainly one of those.

It is a traditional club steeped in history but also provides a fair test of golf and recent work to the bunkering at this West Yorkshire course has given it a pleasing facelift.

The front nine at Woodsome Hall is the pick of the two halves. Not only is it played through the most picturesque part of the course but it also serves up the best holes.

The drive at the first can be intimidating because it is right in front of the imposing 16th century Grade 1 listed clubhouse and adjacent to the putting green where everybody will pause (and watch) whilst you hit your opening tee shot...

Woodsome Hall is at its best on a glorious summer's day when all the flora is in full bloom and the course is playing lush but firm.

It's also worth noting the excellent practice facilities available including an indoor centre above the pro-shop.

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

Played in the Woodsome Hall foursomes, after hearing a lot about the greens it was nice to finally get the chance to play it. To start with I must say it is the finest clubhouse I have ever seen and been in my life. Old fashioned like a huge mansion, inside has been kept up to it's original design and feel and it's a pretty impressive experience. As for the golf course itself, it is a very nice layout. The greens were very quick, stimping at around 11 feet. Not too slopey either so the pace was very playable. The fairways are very generous and the course is very hilly so you can really take advantage of the downhill holes that play much shorter. The real defence of this course though is the greens, it's the sheer size of them that makes things difficult. Been fairly firm and really small protected by huge run off areas and deep bunkers you have to be very cautious with your approach shots. The variety of the Par 4's is also very good with there being 2/3 driveable par 4's. As for the signature hole in my opinion, it must be the Par 5 9th, a lovely dogleg around the forest with a small pond and trees guarding the lay up and view of the right side of the green. A great risk reward hole. The 12th in my opinion was the only weak hole, but in general a very fun experience on a very nice golf course. Very similar to nearby Fixby.

Peace and tranquility within a stones throw of Huddersfield. Played last week and course in very good condition. Well manicured fairways and excellent greens. The start is gentle enough but the run from 2 to 4 is reasonably challenging - the 3rd in particular a 200 yard par 3 with very little space to miss the green has the potential to wreck your card. The front 9 is generally more demanding - the 8th in particular is as hard a stroke 1 as you will ever play. A mere 474 yard of the whites, OB all down the right, dogleg right and uphill to a well guarded and tricky green. If you make a par you will feel like you have stolen at least 1 shot from the course. The back 9 is a lot easier and if I am honest the finishing run is slightly disappointing. The 15th is a 300 yard par 4, the 16th is an eminently reachable par 5 as long as you find the fairway, and then 17 and 18 are pretty straightforward relatively short par 4's. The clubhouse is quite remarkable and the beer they served was excellent. Course was very quiet for a Friday and this definately has the feel of somewhere you would happily play week in week out. Having played its near neighbour Fixby a few times I would say that it just about has the edge but both are fine courses in their own right. My only criticism would be the 'bus shelters' on the excellent practice ground. Whilst they are no doubt very practical they look awful against the backdrop of a fine course and an amazing clubhouse. Well worth a visit.