Heaton Park Golf Centre

Legendary Henry Cotton called Heaton’s 11th “the toughest par 3 in England”. It’s 187 yards over a deep water-filled ravine, on to an elevated green with trouble at the back. This signature hole characterises this parkland track which seems benign until you start the back nine. You need to carry water on three drives while the 224-yard par 3 7th is certainly no gimmie!

The Heaton Park Golf Course is a picturesque Championship standard golf course, situated in the scenic grounds of Heaton Park. Designed by five times Open Champion J. H. Taylor it was opened to the public in 1911 and has been the host venue for many prestigious events, both professional and amateur eg 1983 PGA club Prof championship, 1984 ladies PGA tour event, Junior Nick Faldo Tournaments. The main course at the Golf Centre is a parkland course, boasting spectacular views over the Pennines and surrounding countryside and offers several imposing tee shots. Three lakes in the park, play a prominent part in every round, especially on the 193 yard 11th hole. Being a long par-3 and signature hole to the course, J. H. Taylor designed a challenge for all golfers across a deep water filled ravine, to a raised plateau green. Indeed, former Open Champion, Henry Cotton once described this hole as "the toughest par-3 in England". Peter Allis described the 15th hole as one of the most scenic holes he'd ever seen. Amongst many, famous players Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen.

• Course has: Bar
• Course does not have: Buggy Hire
• Course does not have: Driving Range
• Course does not have: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course has: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 4 out of 5 Heaton Park 09 April 2014

  By Cleaneasy

  Not for the faint hearted. This course needs to be played two or three times to learn the lay out and know where to lay up or to go for distance.

• 3 out of 5 Heaton Fun 12 April 2009

  By darrenb3843

  I cannot recall how many times I have played this course. I keep getting drawn back to it. Yes its hilly, yes there are a lot of blind holes, but it just seems to bring the best golf out in me. A lot of the holes you can just open up your shoulders and let it rip. The course just keeps improving year on year. I just wish they would install and escalator for the seventeenth hole. Enjoy this course you will learn a lot. This is a fun course and everything is clean and tidy. Greens are excellent and for some reason this year are very deceiving.   The 2 fore 1 scheme makes this course a dream.

• 3.5 out of 5 Heaton Park 19 June 2008

  By robin.clark69@btinternet.com

  The course is in excellant condition right now and the greens are lovely. Yes there are blind shots but if your course management is upto speed you can score low. If you hit it resonably straight you will enjoy this course, which in my opinion and having played 100's of rounds here is one of the best pay and play courses in Manchester.

• 3.5 out of 5 Ups and Downs 17 January 2008

  By Adrian Hodges

  If you like to see where you ball has landed, and have to see it finish to find it, the Heaton Park is not for you. Of the 18 holes, well struck tee shots will be blind on the first 4 holes, and a further 4 will have at least one blind shot, this can be a confidence wrecker if your ball cannot be found from inaccurate shots. The course takes some learning and only a seasoned regular will know all the places to put your ball, so for the first time, play it safe and get your ball round. As with most municipals if you are going to go in the afternoon from lunchtime onwards as a 2-ball, you are likely to face long queues with little or no chance of being let through which can lead to a long and frustrating day, but to avoid this book in the morning and you'll tend to get far more enjoyment from this very challenging and worthwhile course. The fairways are usually in good condition, hard and fast and the greens are maintained to a good standard, and at £10 for a Weekday round you cannot go wrong, use a 2-fore-1 and it's a steal…... If you are going to play this course, play it for one reason. This course has one of the top 100 holes in golf, the par-3 11th. Teeing up you are faced with a 160 - 199yd hole with most of that a carry over the most "ball attracting" ravine (a feature you will have to cross 3 more times) you have seen. Objective 1: get it over, Objective 2: take your par and run for the hills (there are plenty). Due to the huge sweeping hills this course drains incredibly well and is one of, if not my favourite haunt during the winter as the fairways are rarely boggy and the greens have tended to be open, apart from those that get little or no sun, so is a great place to keep you game in trim for the following season, and you'll get a good workout dragging your trolley up and down 60ft hill. See you at the 19th….

• 4 out of 5 best value for money course around 29 December 2007

  By MIKE COOKE

  as a member my review may be biased but if you like your golf to be more than just hitting the ball as long and straight as you can then this is the course for you.every hole presents a different challenge and you must think about every shot or pay the price. on 4 tees you have a carry across a valley with no get out shot,not for the faint of heart!considering it is a municipal course the greens are in excellent condition and the welcome from the members is second to none,no stuffy blazers here.go on test yourself !

• 2.5 out of 5 Not bad, but..... 16 April 2007

  By peter_etheridge

  When i first played this course i was pretty impressed - there are some good challenging holes and it was well maintained. However, over the last twelve months the standard of the maintenance has deteriorated and i haven't played a round in under 4 and a half hours due to what seems like serious over-booking. Unfortunately the owners appear to be squeezing the course for all it's worth, causing bottle necks - a couple of the par 5s routinely have three groups playing at once while another 2 or three are waiting on the tee - not much fun, and a real rhythm breaker!

• 3.5 out of 5 Heaton delights 20 March 2007

  By Anonymous

  This course is not for everyone as it is very hilly, and has lots of unappealing blind tee shots. There are a number of holes that are quite easy. However you need to savour the delights for some of the most difficult holes in the North West that are a challenge to any golfer. Combined with excellent condition and cheap price everyone should give it a go.