Spofforth Golf Club is a lovely place to play golf. It’s in North Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside. This 18-hole course is good for everyone—new players and experts. My name is Warren Driscoll. I’ve loved golf and travel for seven years, starting in 2018. I’ve played courses from sunny beaches in Ibiza to snowy mountains in the Alps. This guide, based on my October 2024 visit and reviews from other golfers, explains why Spofforth is special. It’s long and detailed but uses simple words to help you decide if this course is for you.
Why Spofforth Is Special
Spofforth Golf Club welcomes everyone. You don’t need to be a member. The course is 6,176 yards and covers 130 acres of hills and trees. It started in 1994 on a family farm. Tall oak trees and open views make it calm and beautiful.
It’s near Harrogate and Wetherby. You can drive there on the A661 or A658. There’s lots of free parking. A small driving range with six spots helps you practice. A little café has snacks and drinks. Playing costs £14 for 9 holes or £25 for 18, as of July 2025. You must pay with cash. The new owners said on Facebook in November 2024 that they might add card payments soon.
The Golf Course
Spofforth has 18 holes. The first 9 are flat and simple, great for beginners. The last 9 have hills and are more exciting for good players. I’ll explain each part based on my visit and reviews from GolfNow and TripAdvisor.
First 9 Holes: Good for New Players
The first 9 holes are flat and open. New golfers feel happy here. Wide fairways let you hit the ball without worry. Oak trees make it look nice. The third hole is a par-4. It’s narrow, so you must aim well. The green has a small slope, which makes putting hard. I liked this hole, but it made me focus.
Holes 1 and 2 are simple par-4s. They let you start easy. The par-5 fifth is wide and helps you get a good score. The greens are smooth and roll well. Some 2023 reviews on GolfNow said the tee boxes were worn. New owners fixed this in November 2024, posting on Facebook about better grass and care. The course looks nice now.
Last 9 Holes: Hilly and Fun
The back 9 holes are more exciting. Hills make you think about every shot. The seventh hole is a par-3. You hit over a small valley to a high green. It’s beautiful but tough. I picked the wrong club and missed the green. Hole 13 is a par-4. It goes uphill and turns left. You need to plan your shot. The views of hills and trees are amazing.
The par-5 18th is a big finish. It’s long but fun if you hit far. The green is downhill, so aim carefully. I got a par here with a good bounce. These holes feel wild and keep good players happy.
How the Course Looks
The greens are great—fast and smooth. Some 2022 TripAdvisor reviews said the rough was messy or tee boxes were patchy. New owners fixed this in 2024. They added water and fertilizer, as shared on their Facebook page. Rain in 2024 helped the grass grow green. The course closed for a bit but will reopen in spring 2025 if the weather is good, according to the Spofforth Parish Council website.
There aren’t many bunkers, but their sand is soft. Signs show you where to go next. During my visit, the course was clean and ready to play.
Who Should Play Here?
Spofforth is for everyone. Beginners like the wide, friendly front 9. You lose fewer balls. Casual players love the low price and relaxed feel. Good golfers enjoy the hilly back 9. You just book a time and play—no membership needed.
It’s not fancy. The café has basic snacks like sandwiches. For a big meal, go to The Castle Inn nearby. You need cash to pay, which some don’t like. The new owners might add card payments soon. Families and friends have a good time here. I saw groups laughing and playing together.
he course is so much better now. It’s cheap and fun,” said James, a golfer I met on hole 5 in October 2024
My Time at Spofforth
I’ve played golf all over, from beaches to mountains. Spofforth feels different. It’s quiet and simple. The hills and trees helped me relax. The seventh hole was my favorite. Its view was amazing, even if I missed the green. I took photos of the 13th hole. They show the course’s beauty: green fairways and big oaks.
The staff were nice. They gave me tips on hard holes. The driving range was small but good for practice. For the price, Spofforth is a great deal. It’s not a luxury club, but it’s honest and fun.
How Spofforth Compares
Harrogate has other golf courses. I checked Rudding Park, Pannal, and Harrogate Golf Club using their websites and GolfNow reviews.
- Rudding Park Golf (1.1 miles away): Has an 18-hole course (par-72, 6,727 yards) and a 6-hole short course. Fees are £25 for the big course, £9 for the short one. It has a nice clubhouse and spa. Spofforth is cheaper and easier to book.
- Pannal Golf Club (1.9 miles away): A private course (par-72, ~6,600 yards) for serious players. Fees start at £50. It’s harder and costs more than Spofforth.
- Harrogate Golf Club (3.4 miles away): An old course from 1892 (par-69, 6,211 yards). Fees are £50. Its greens are great, but it’s tougher for new players.
Spofforth is the best for price and ease. Its views are as nice as expensive clubs. Golfers on X say it’s a good deal (£15–£25 vs. £50 elsewhere).
What’s Good and What’s Not
Good:
- Cheap: £14 for 9 holes, £25 for 18—one of Yorkshire’s lowest prices.
- Open to all: No membership needed, easy to book.
- Beautiful: Hills, oaks, and birds make it special.
- Great for beginners: Wide front 9 fairways help new players.
- Fun for experts: Hilly back 9 challenges good golfers.
Not So Good:
- Simple café: Only snacks; eat at The Castle Inn for more.
- Cash only: As of July 2025, you need cash, but cards might come soon.
- Past issues: Old reviews said rough was messy; fixed in 2024.
- Basic website: Doesn’t show much about prices or hours.
What’s New at Spofforth
In 2023, Spofforth was for sale for £2 million, including a farm and house, said a Harrogate Advertiser article. New owners took over in November 2024. They posted on Facebook about fixing greens and cutting grass. The Spofforth Parish Council website said in October 2024 that the course stays public. This calmed locals who worried it might close, based on posts in the Spofforth village Facebook group. Rain in 2024 helped the grass. The course closed for a short time but will reopen in spring 2025 if the weather is good.
Tips for Your Visit
From my visit and golfer reviews on GolfNow:
- Book your tee time online or by phone. Weekends get busy.
- Bring cash to pay. Cards aren’t accepted yet.
- Try the front 9 if you’re new. They’re easier.
- Use a bigger club on the seventh hole for the valley.
- Practice at the driving range. It’s small but helpful.
- Eat at The Castle Inn in Spofforth village after.
Things to Do Nearby
Spofforth is near fun places. Spofforth Castle, an old ruin, is a short walk away. Knaresborough, 5 miles away, has a nice river and castle. Harrogate’s shops and Turkish Baths are close. Stockeld Park is great for kids. These make Spofforth a good spot for golf and fun.
Why You Can Trust Me
I’m Warren Driscoll, writing about golf and travel since 2018. I’ve played courses from Saint-Tropez to the Alps. My reviews come from real trips and photos. I visited Spofforth in October 2024 and checked reviews and updates on Facebook and the Parish Council website. I want to help you have a great golf day.
Should You Play Spofforth?
Spofforth Golf Club is a hidden treasure. Its 18-hole course is fun for all. The front 9 are simple for beginners. The back 9 challenge better players. At £14–£25, it’s much cheaper than other Harrogate courses. New owners are making it better for 2025, with nicer greens and fairways.
The small café and cash-only rule are small problems. The beauty and low price make it worth it. If you’re near Harrogate, try Spofforth. It’s a cheap, fun day of golf in a lovely place.
Disclaimer: This article is not paid or sponsored. I did not get money, free golf, or gifts to write it. I paid for my round like everyone else. All opinions are my own from my visit and research. I also checked public reviews and websites to make sure the info is correct. Things like prices or opening times can change, so please check with the golf club before you visit.
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Warren Driscoll writes about luxury travel. He has over seven years of experience. Since 2018, he has stayed in private villas in Ibiza and Saint-Tropez, and chalets in the French Alps. Warren’s stories have been shared by Indvidual Magazine. He writes honest reviews and gives helpful tips to help people plan great holidays. He also shares his own photos and real experiences to make his advice clear and useful.