Feature Review: Sandiway Golf Club

Sandiway Golf Club certainly lives up to its very high reputation amongst golfers. Having been described by the author Robin Allen as “The Wentworth of the North” and as a “course you must play before you die” you start to see that this really is a must play course.

Sandiway golf club dates back to 1920 and is set in mixed heath and woodland. The course was originally designed by Ted Ray, the first Ryder cup captain and years later the course was once again improved by Henry Colt.

Sandiway is a very pretty undulating course providing all golfers with some very memorable views especially on the long par 3 11th hole with breath taking views of “petty pool.” In order to score well on this course the emphasis is definitely on accuracy and keeping the ball in play as the course is heavily protected by tight mature tree lines and numerous dog legs.

My favourite selection of holes is definitely the opening seven holes with all of these holes having a different par to the last. The opening holes are all very different and capture and remain your interest right from the off. In my opinion the par 3 3rd is the best hole on the course. This holes only measures around 160 yards, you are required to hit of a slightly elevated tee in to a bunker-guarded green.  The secret here is to trust the yardage as the bunkers are further from the green than they look.  Many non members will often come up short here!

In my opinion the hardest hole on the course is definitely the  466 yard par 4 even though the stroke index is 3 for this hole it is definitely my “double bogey” hole! The fairway slopes to the right and everything seems to end up in the semi rough or the rough from here golfers have to hit a long uphill approach shot to a very small difficult to hit green.

This course is highly respected in the game and has played host to several county championships and EGU events. Sandiway was also used  as an open qualifier in 1969.

It definitely deserves the title “best inland course in the North” it is a fabulous course and is definitely a must for all keen golfers.

For more information visit: www.golfshake.com/course/view/16062/Sandiway_Golf_Club.html