Where to Play: 5 Cumbrian Hidden Gems

Despite being the largest county per square mile Cumbria only plays host to 30 golf clubs. The mammoth county does however give you wide choice of courses from Parkland, Links and even Heathland.

So here’s five courses you should look to play if you’re visiting the most North Westerly County in England.

Windermere Golf Club

Situated in the heart of the Lake District, Windermere Golf Club offers a stern test of golf. The course is a mixture of heathland and parkland and measures at a mere 5122 yards off the back tees however, don’t fall into the trap of thinking “it’s a short golf course, it must be easy” because it isn’t.

Windermere has some of the tightest fairways in the county and requires smart play off the tee rather than just smashing driver. Almost every tee shot is tree-lined and anything slightly off line will end up in the trees or in the long rough and heather.

The scenery is stunning. No matter whether you’re enjoying a drink or a meal in the bar or out on the course, the views are second to none. The spectacular views over Windermere and the surrounding fells will almost certainly make up for any golfer having a poor round.

Seascale Golf Club

Seascale Golf Club is another course that offers the spectacular views you’d expect from a Cumbrian course. On a clear day, if you look to the west, you can see the Isle of Man and Scotland and, to the east, the Lakeland fells. This links is situated in west Cumbria and the sleepy town of Seascale offers one of the best links courses in the county.

Seascale is regularly used by the County for Men’s, Ladies and Junior County matches as well as recently hosting the English Amateur Open Championship in 2012.

The course measures in at 6370 yards and is a true test of links golf. It has everything from undulating fairways to large greens. The harsh winds off the Irish Sea can make even the shortest of holes play four or five clubs more.

Silloth on Solway Golf Club

Silloth on Solway Golf Club was also a host for the 2012 English Amateur Open Championship and it’s no surprise why.

You’ll be curious as to how Silloth is regarded as one of the best courses in the County when you first arrive. The clubhouse is old fashioned, it is usually extremely quiet and you can’t see much of the course from the car park.

But make your way onto the course and you’ll soon realise why it is held in such high regard. Like Seascale, this links has tight undulating fairways that are dotted with bunkers and any tee shot just a couple of yards wide will end up in the long, knee high rough.

A round at this course is well worth the trek through the Cumbrian countryside to reach the neat links course on the north west coast.

Read the Golfshake feature review of Silloth on Solway Golf Club

Ulverston Golf Club

Ulverston Golf Club is parkland course situated in South Cumbria just outside the Lake District. The 6261 yard golf course is equipped with tree-lined fairways and two tier greens to test all levels of golfers.

The course is just a short drive outside Ulverston town centre to the small village of Bardsea. The friendly staff behind the bar and in the pro shop will make you feel more than welcome upon arrival and the members are very accommodating to visitors.

The golf course also offers spectacular views over Morecambe Bay, the countryside and the Lakeland fells.

Read the Golfshake feature review of Ulverston Golf Club

Carlisle Golf Club

Carlisle Golf Club is the most accessible golf course of the five as it is just a 2-minute drive from junction 43 of the M6. Despite being so near the motorway it isn’t visible on the journey up due to the vast amount of trees that surround the course.

Carlisle Golf Club is also a regular for County events and it is no surprise why. The well-kept parkland course offers a fair test to all levels of golfer. The course measures at 6273 yards and requires a bit of thinking off the tee in order to get the correct angle into the greens for your approach shot.

The 11th is a key example of this. The sharp dog leg left par 4 requires a long iron off the tee to reach the 90-degree dog leg. Only a brave golfer attempts to carry the trees off the tee.

The clubhouse sits high adjacent to the 18th green and, on a sunny day, is the perfect place to enjoy an ice cold drink and a meal after your round.

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