Stockport Golf Club

Stockport Golf Club: as you look out from the clubhouse onto this absorbing Sandy Herd-Harry Colt design, you could be forgiven for thinking that flat terrain awaits. This idea can be quickly discounted. At the opening long par-4 1st you cross over a pronounced "gulley". This curious "hollow" ( ... former quarry workings? a dry river bed?) also snakes across the well-bunkered par-3 16th, and short par-4 17th and 18th holes. These three closing holes are all played in close proximity to the clubhouse.

From first to last the gently undulating terrain is home to good-width fairways and a generous second cut of rough, which should inspire confidence from the tee. There's not too much by way of deep rough to worry about, and water hazards are conspicious by their absence. The well-spaced holes never crowd each other, but never wander too far from the solid two-storey clubhouse.

There's quite a few deepish dips, craters and hollows along the way, adding interest to the well-presented, attractively bunkered holes. With no roads or housing to speak of around the course, and not much to see beyond it, you can quietly enjoy this very pleasant parkland layout.

Pick of the holes: amongst many stylish green complexes, the left-to-right dog-legging par-4 14th plays from a wonderfully rolling fairway towards a green that sits amidst mounds and hollows. A deep front-right bunker looms large on your approach, but beware, it sits well in front of the green. The long and well bunker-defended par-3 8th also warrants a special mention, and is often regarded as the layout's "signature" hole.