Value golf courses in GB&I: North West England

Ellesmere

GF: £30 STATS: par 70, sss 70, 6,246 yards T: 0161 7902122 W: ellesmeregolfclub.co.uk

Just ten minutes from the centre of Manchester, Ellesmere is an attractive parkland layout lined by mature trees. The course delivers an interesting mix of holes from the driveable par-4 5th to the long par-5 15th. It’s a track where course management is at a premium with trees, streams and strategic bunkering to be negotiated. After a game you can keep the competition going with a game on the club’s excellent snooker table.

Crewe

GF: £30 STATS: par 71, sss 71, 6,414 yards T: 01270 585032 W: crewegolfclub.co.uk

Set in 150 acres of rolling Cheshire countryside, the course at Crewe is marked by an interesting use of the natural contouring. A number of holes travel either up or downhill, placing a premium on club selection as well as skill and judgement. The number of high- quality golfers that the club has produced over the years is confirmation of the truly tough challenge that the course poses. Roy Smethurst, who has been four times English Seniors Amateur Champion and has won the Amateur Medal at the Senior British Open on four occasions, is but one of Crewe’s products.

Heswall

GF: £40 STATS: par 72, sss 74, 6,882 yards T: 0151 3427431 W: heswallgolfclub.com

An illustrious group of course architects have added their touches to Heswall. The original course was designed in 1902 by Jack Morris, nephew of Old Tom, and since then the layout has been lengthened and altered a number of times with Harry Vardon, Frank Pennink and Donald Steel all making a contribution. In 2006 Donald Steel began work to incorporate an area of land acquired by the club in 2000 and the ‘new course’ was ready to play in July 2007. Heswall hosted the English Seniors Championship in 2002 and the Junior Open Championships in 2006.