Ganton Golf Club from Mulligan+

The Mulligan+ Club Guide for Ganton Golf Club

Ganton Golf Club (Unmanaged)

Golf was first played at Ganton in the summer of 1891 on a course laid out by Tom Chisholm of St. Andrews. With the arrival of Harry Vardon as professional in 1896, Ganton was soon established as a course where history would be made and it was during his time at Ganton that Vardon won the first three of his record-breaking six Open Championships. In conjunction with James Braid and J. H. Taylor, Vardon contributed to a major redesign of the course in 1905 but it would be false to give sole credit to these three as many other architects, including such luminaries as Harry Colt and Alistair Mackenzie have contributed to the design over the years.

If it was Vardon's matches against J. H. Taylor in 1896 and Willie Park Jr. in 1899 that first brought Ganton to the notice of the golfing world, it was the hosting of the 1949 Ryder Cup that consolidated its position as one of the finest golf courses in Britain. Since then, Ganton Golf Club has hosted a succession of major events, including the British Amateur Championships of 1964, 1977 and 1991; and the Curtis Cup of 2000. Ganton will also host the Walker Cup in 2003 and it must be said that if the powers that be ever decide to hold the British Open Championship on anything other than a links course, then Ganton would probably get the proverbial nod.

Laid out on gently undulating heathland, the quick draining fairways at Ganton provide a firm base from which to play any variety of shot. While there is a notable absence of trees on the course, savage rough, punitive bunkers and gorse combine to harshly punish any reckless shots. The player who is bunkered, is rightly punished for their error and in an age where golf designers are making bunkers less penal, this is a welcome feature. The opening holes make full us of the natural contours of the land and the approach to the par four, 2nd, demands the deftest touch. The genius of Harry Colt marks out the 4th hole, which requires a shot across a valley to a plateau green, protected to the rear by gorse, as one of the best on the outward half.

With the varying direction of the holes, the wind is always a factor at Ganton and this is particularly true at the 168-yard 10th hole, where club selection is vital. The next four holes, particularly the 14th hole, which measures less than 300 yards, can be perilously tempting for the aggressive player, while the four closing holes are harsh in their treatment of wayward strokes. The famous 17th hole, with a sand trap of vast dimensions to be carried from the tee, is a superb hole but it's the par four closing hole that is probably rated as the best on the course. Requiring an accurate drive to give a clear shot to the sloping, well-bunkered green, par here is a good score.

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Directions

11 Miles south west of Scarborough on A64

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