Aldwark Manor Estate Golf

The title is not an exaggeration. This is the worst course I have played in my life both in terms of layout and condition.

The opening hole is a dreadfully boring par 3 in which you tee off from what is basically the car park. The 3rd hole wasn't on and we weren't made aware of this before booking, so actually paid for 17 holes of golf - we were told we were allowed to play the 1st hole twice if we wanted to... this made me feel worse as oppose to better. The 4th hole was from a winter tee (in August) resembling a building site. The 15th green was a temporary green (in August) and completely unacceptable as a putting surface - see pic.

The overall condition was dreadful. Greens were incredibly saturated indicating huge drainage problems, rough was stupidly long (almost losing balls just off the fairway), fairways were inconsistent and muddy, tee boxes looked like they'd been attacked by a JCB on a daily basis.

Although the course layout did improve somewhat after crossing the river, the holes on the same side as the hotel felt crammed in in an attempt to create an 18 hole golf course, some even sharing fairways which was stupid and dangerous.

Other guests playing the course were seen in t-shirts and trainers.

The hotel bar at the end was nice and the staff were friendly but for golf, AVOID AT ALL COSTS. I wouldn't return if they paid me £16 per hole to play it.

I was surprised to be infomed on arrival that the 3rd hole was out of action and the 15th a winter green. My son and I played Aldwark twice last year and enjoyed it but it will be a good while before we go back.

3rd hole closed

15 hole shortened no yardage markers and looks like a temporary green

4th & 18 on mats instead of tee

Greens in poor condition

I’ve played this course before on several occasions and have always enjoyed it but wouldn’t recommend it for a while.

Greens needed a cut and were quite slow,1 hole was out of action and there was 1 temp and 2 holes we played off mats,I personally feel that holes 1,2,3 15,16,17,18 are crammed together and not well thought of however the rest of the course is everything you want in a course .

Very nice hotel for 19th hole. We had enjoyable food and drinks after. Course is very short at start with easy first 9 but long, challenging second 9. Condition generally fine. Hole 3 not playable and hole 15 on Winter green due to building work at hotel. Hole 4 off Winter tee. Overall course a bit quirky but with some attractive holes. Very quiet with small number of players.

A tricky course if you hit down the right on a few holes as the trees come in to play, and the brook on the 8th also. The 10th hole par 5 offers a nice par or even a birdie opportunity as long as you get over the water hazard. From playing the par 3 fifteenth hole, although playing on a temporary green at the moment due to an extension to the hotel being built, this will be a nerve jangling hole when back to the original green in front of the hotel with probably, a large spectator gallery watching. Accuracy more than distance makes for a perfect round of golf here set in a beautiful location. I will definitely be back.

Played today for a change from my regular course locally after playing here and enjoying it over the winter. Late last night got a time for around 10am the following day. The lad in the shop was friendly and helpful. He informed us one of the holes was closed but we could play another to make up 18. The course looked in great shape as we drove in but not when we got on it. The greens were slow and bobbly as they looked like the grass was too long on them. Replacement green on one was in terrible condition, 2 or 3 greens were absolutely soaked. Fairways were very soft/spongy and could do with cutting. Gutted really as enjoyed it last time I played.

This course has potential, but looks like it hasn’t been kept well lately. Had to play off two winter tees and played to one winter green in the height of summer and one hole was closed for work being arrived out to the hotel. No notification/ communication of any kind with regard to course conditions.

Real shame, could easily be a top class course.

Cse not in great condition and some holes winter mats and greens were used. Maybe come back next year when the building/improvement work is finished but not until then.

Greens really poor.

We played Aldwark Manor 12 months ago for a society day out which was fantastic. Upon my return to the course I was very disappointed. We were informed that the 3rd hole was out of play due to ongoing repairs. We were advised to repeat play of either the 2nd or 18th hole to make up 18 holes. We set off and found that the fairways were cut much much longer than before with grass cuttings everywhere. The ball stuck to the fairways and there was hardly any bounce in the ball. The greens were in shocking condition and grass seed was seen all over the place. Bird ‘peck’ holes were in abundance especially on the 16th. The layout of the course is fantastic but it’s clear to see (and such a shame ) that there’s hardly any upkeep. I’m guessing that due to the Covid pandemic there’s a limited number of greenkeepers working there but if we had been told prior we would simply gone to another course. I’m sorry to say we won’t be rushing back to Aldwark Manor in a hurry.

Would I recommend it - yes BUT-Really disappointed this week. We play this course once every two weeks or so and this is the worst condition I have seen it in since it was completely flooded. Fairways had not been cut for a while and played the same as the rough. Greens were also not cut and didn’t run true with some greens damaged. 3rd hole is out of action but I am not sure why as the hotel building works don’t affect it, even if this was a concern they could put it on the winter temporary green. The 15th is on a temporary - again no need or reason and the temporary is awful and would be better off not playing (big ridge in the middle). Several tee boxes need a roller/cut also. Easily fixed especially if they put the same effort into the course they have the hotel - hope it is in better condition next time or we will have to find a new venue for our fortnightly golf meet up. I have played two municipals in the last two weeks - both in better condition than Aldwark. Real shame! More annoying that the price went from £17 to £25 and the course was in worse condition ?

Good course set around a great old Manor House/hotel, during our visit one of the holes No3 was closed due to building works to the hotel, we really enjoyed our round of golf the only negative was some of the greens were not in the best condition for some reason, overall great course which is challenging set in lovely country side well worth a visit.

The course had a varied structure with a lot of water boundaries. Generally the course was in good condition although greens are a little bumpy - Hole 3 is closed and there is a temporary green on 17

Excellent course,now the hotel is done the 3rd and 15th will be great like before,for the online price I well recommend this course

The weather was, initially, wet in spite of the forecast being better. This affected the course where some conditions were soft. Covid-19 meant facemasks and limited contact. The hotel was busy being updated so the 3rd hole was out but it was okay to play another hole twice. Maybe a suggestion of which hole would have helped!

The group(4) ahead were quite slow.

This did give a chance to admire the views once the sun came out.

It would be good to go back with the new knowledge which would help get round easier.