The York Golf Club is situated on Strensall Common, 5 miles north of the historic city of York. The course is a blend of heathland and parkland, with undulating fairways and few artificial features. With the course measuring 6,290 yards (competition tees) and 5,627 yards (ladies tees) York offers a fair challenge to all levels of golfer, added to this it’s a course with few forced carries and strategically-placed fairway hazards.

The course has been in its current location since 1904 and was designed by J. H. Taylor, one of the famous “Great Triumvirate” and five times winner of the British Open. Since then, the basic layout has changed very little, but has withstood the test of time very well in terms of challenge. Subtle changes have been made over the years, both strategic and cosmetic, with trees being planted and bunkers re-positioned to tighten large parts of the course. In 1990, architectural enhancements to the course were recommended and some of these were implemented, since then, the course had remained relatively unchanged. With the advances of new club and ball technology, resulting in longer and more accurate shot-making, the committee decided in 2012 to reassess how the course could be further developed and enhanced.

Related to this, we were appointed to advise The York GC on a long-term golf course development plan. This work has involved improvements to the design strategy of every hole, by lengthening some holes with new tees, re-bunkering on some holes, remodelling the bunkers throughout, heathland regeneration, woodland management, enhancement of water features and drainage improvements.

The bunker remodelling programme is now in its 4th phase, with completion of all course bunkers being scheduled for Autumn 2018. The shaping and drainage work has been undertaken to a very high quality by Fineturf Ltd, with substantial support of the excellent York GC greenkeeping team.

Photo credits: JG/Mark Rogers

News for York Golf Club

York Changes Praised

York Golf Club’s five-year plan to improve its Strensall course has attracted widespread approval.   Project: York Golf Club

York Golf Club Updated for Modern Times

Jonathan Gaunt MEIGCA was appointed to carry out a full review of the course.   Project: York Golf Club Read the full article

J H Taylor’s York Golf Club Updated For Modern Times

We approached a number of established Golf Course Architects including Hawtree, who had done some minor works in prior years,…   Project: York Golf Club Read the full article