Pleasington Golf Club Course Review

Looking back from behind the dogleg par-4 closing hole

(Image credit: Jeremy Ellwood)

published 26 January 2022

Pleasington Golf Club Course Review
GF Round: £40-£75
Par 71, 6,327 yards
Slope 135
GM Verdict An unusual, intriguing and constantly improving parkland design that offers great value for money
Favourite Hole The super-tough but very attractive par-4 4th that runs alongside the railway

Pleasington Golf Club dates back to 1891 and is situated in a remarkably attractive and peaceful location not far from the M65 between Preston and Blackburn. Its pretty course is coming to the end of an impressive and sympathetic 5-year renovation and upgrade under the expert guidance of architect Ken Moodie.

Pleasington Golf Club - Hole 4 — The excellent par-4 fourth runs beside the railway

Beginning with three recently improved par-4 parkland holes, this George Lowe and Sandy Herd design really takes off from the 4th, an outstanding dogleg left played down towards the railway and up to a green with bunkers waiting short and right.

Pleasington - Hole 6 — The drive-and-pitch sixth with the ninth running parallel to the left

This is followed by a sublime par 5 calling for a semi-blind drive over a rolling hill. As you scale the brow, there is a superb vista as the hole unfolds before you running through a scenic valley with a stream snaking through the rough on the right. You now cross the railway via a bridge not far from the delightfully named Hoghton Bottoms Viaduct to play half a dozen very interesting holes on the northern side of the tracks. These start with the 6th, a short but heavily-bunkered par 4.

Pleasington - Hole 8 — The eighth is a very pretty par 3 at the far end of the course

The 7th was one of the most eccentric par 5s, perhaps too quirky for some, and has benefited from the recent upgrade which has made it a great deal fairer with a far better view of the green. Beyond it, at the far end of the course, the 8th is a very pretty short hole.

Pleasington - Hole 9 — A view back down the hill from behind the par-5 ninth

The front nine at Pleasington Golf Club finishes with the last of the three par 5s, and there is plenty more variety on the back nine, with the 11th bordering the railway and a green perilously close to the tracks.

Pleasington - Hole 14, 15 and 16 — An aerial view of the fourteenth (right) with the fifteenth and sixteenth to the left

There is a thrilling drive from the elevated 14th tee, and a delightful short hole to an arbour green two holes later.

Pleasington - Hole 14 — There is a tempting drive from the elevated tee on the par-4 fourteenth

Pleasington is among the best golf courses in Lancashire and although its lovely design may be slightly off the beaten track and not on everyone’s golfing radar, it deserves far greater attention. In an area with plenty of Top 100 courses, the ever-improving layout is kept in fine shape and offers a round that will test and delight golfers in equal measure.

Rob Smith has been playing golf for over 45 years and been a contributing editor for Golf Monthly since 2012. He specialises in course reviews and travel, and has played well over 1,200 courses in almost 50 countries. In 2021, he played all 21 courses in East Lothian in 13 days. Last year, his tally was 81, 32 of them for the first time. One of Rob's primary roles is helping to prepare the Top 100 Courses of the UK&I, of which he has played all, as well as the Next 100 where his count is now on 96. He has been a member of Tandridge for 30 years where his handicap hovers around 15. You can contact him at r.smith896@btinternet.com.

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