Best Golf Courses in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is one of the better golf regions in England because it gives you proper variety without needing to travel far.
You can play championship inland golf near Scarborough, historic tournament golf near York, clifftop golf on the coast, parkland golf around Harrogate and Northallerton, and shorter country courses on the edge of the Dales.
This list is not just about reputation. It is about where golfers should actually consider playing, what each course offers and what sort of round to expect.
The best golf courses in North Yorkshire are not all the same type of test. That is what makes the county interesting.
Quick Picks
Best overall test: Ganton Golf Club
Best tournament history: Fulford Golf Club
Best clifftop setting: Scarborough South Cliff Golf Club
Best coastal visitor option: Whitby Golf Club
Best near York: York Golf Club
Best around Northallerton: Romanby Golf & Country Club
Best Dales-edge course: Bedale Golf Club
Best shorter course: Masham Golf Club
1. Ganton Golf Club
Ganton is the obvious starting point for any serious list of the best golf courses in North Yorkshire.
It sits near Scarborough but plays very differently from a straightforward seaside course. Ganton has an inland links feel, with firm turf, strategic bunkering, gorse, sandy ground and a constant demand for sensible placement. It is not the sort of course where you can simply hit driver everywhere and sort it out later.
Ganton’s reputation comes from proper championship golf. It has hosted major amateur and professional events, and it remains one of Yorkshire’s strongest tests.
Best for:
Low and mid-handicap golfers who want a serious challenge
Players who enjoy firm, strategic golf
Golfers interested in classic course architecture
Visitors planning a high-quality Yorkshire golf trip
What to expect:
Strong bunkering
Demanding tee shots
Fast-running ground in dry conditions
A course that rewards repeat play and good decisions
2. Fulford Golf Club
Fulford is one of the most historically important golf clubs in North Yorkshire.
Located just outside York, it is best known for its tournament pedigree. The course staged the Benson and Hedges International Open for many years and is also tied to one of golf’s most famous recovery shots: Bernhard Langer playing from a tree during the 1981 event.
That history is useful, but Fulford is not just a nostalgia pick. It remains a proper inland championship course, with enough length, shape and strategy to test good players while still being playable for visitors who manage the ball well.
Best for:
Golfers who like tournament-history venues
York golf trips
Stronger players wanting a full 18-hole test
Visitors who want a course with a proper story behind it
What to expect:
Mature inland golf
Strong par 4s
A course that asks for accuracy rather than just power
A traditional club feel close to York
3. Scarborough South Cliff Golf Club
Scarborough South Cliff is one of the most interesting courses on the North Yorkshire coast.
The club has a clear Alister MacKenzie connection, and the course mixes clifftop golf with more sheltered inland sections. That contrast is what makes it appealing. You get exposed coastal holes, views across the South Bay area and a layout that changes character as the round moves on.
For golfers planning a Scarborough trip, South Cliff should be high on the list.
Best for:
Coastal golf
Golfers interested in Alister MacKenzie
Visitors staying around Scarborough or Filey
Players who enjoy changes in elevation and exposure
What to expect:
Clifftop sections
Wind as a real factor
Parkland-style moments away from the exposed edge
A course with more architectural interest than a basic seaside layout
4. York Golf Club
York Golf Club is a strong option if you want a good course near the city without moving too far out into the county.
The club dates back to 1890 and the course has a parkland and lowland heath-style character. It is a more measured test than the coastal courses, with tree-lined holes, good greens and a layout that suits golfers who think their way round.
It also has the advantage of being easy to build into a York weekend. That matters for visitors who want proper golf without making the whole trip only about golf.
Best for:
Golf near York
Parkland and heathland-style golf
Visitors who want a traditional members’ club feel
Golfers who prefer position over brute force
What to expect:
Mature tree-lined holes
A quieter inland test
Good practice facilities
A course where approach play and putting matter
5. Whitby Golf Club
Whitby Golf Club is one of the clearest visitor-friendly coastal options in North Yorkshire.
The course sits between Whitby and Sandsend and has been in its clifftop location since the late 19th century. It is not overly long, which makes it accessible, but that does not mean it is soft. Wind, exposed holes and cliffside positioning can change the way the course plays very quickly.
It is a good choice if you want seaside golf without needing a full championship setup.
Best for:
Coastal golf near Whitby
Visitors and holiday golf
Mid and higher handicappers who want a playable test
Golfers who enjoy wind and changing conditions
What to expect:
Clifftop golf
Sea views throughout the round
A course that can play much harder when the wind is up
A friendly visitor profile
6. Scarborough North Cliff Golf Club
Scarborough North Cliff gives golfers another strong coastal option in the Scarborough area.
The course was designed by James Braid and mixes coastal views with undulating, tree-lined parkland. That makes it different from South Cliff rather than a duplicate of it. North Cliff is a good choice for golfers who want seaside setting but still like the shape and definition of parkland holes.
Best for:
James Braid course fans
Scarborough golf trips
Golfers who like coastal and parkland variety
Visitors looking for a traditional club course
What to expect:
Braid design influence
Coastal exposure
Tree-lined sections
A course that rewards steady driving
7. Romanby Golf & Country Club
Romanby is one of the best options around Northallerton.
The 18-hole course sits in over 200 acres of parkland and follows the route of the River Wiske. It is a good modern visitor option because it combines a proper 18-hole course with practice facilities, including a TrackMan driving range.
That makes it useful for golfers who want more than just a round. You can warm up properly, play, then use the range as part of the same visit.
Best for:
Golf near Northallerton
Players who want practice facilities
Societies and casual visitor groups
Golfers looking for a full modern setup
What to expect:
Parkland golf
Water and natural landscape in play
Good facilities
A more modern club feel than some older members’ clubs
8. Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club
Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club is a strong parkland course between two key North Yorkshire towns.
The club describes the course as an 18-hole parkland layout with views towards the Hambleton Hills and Wensleydale. It is not a headline championship venue, but it is exactly the sort of course that can be excellent for regular visitor golf: accessible, scenic, playable and still demanding enough when you are not accurate.
Best for:
Parkland golf in central North Yorkshire
Visitors travelling via the A19 or A1
Society golf
Golfers who want a steady but fair test
What to expect:
Undulating parkland
Good views across the local countryside
A layout where accuracy matters
A practical visitor-friendly location
9. Bedale Golf Club
Bedale is a good Dales-edge option and one of the more appealing visitor courses in the county.
The course is set in former deer parkland and has an easy-walking character, but water comes into play on several holes and the wind can still affect scoring. It is a good example of a course that does not need to be brutally long to keep golfers interested.
Best for:
Golf near the Yorkshire Dales
Visitors heading towards Wensleydale
Parkland golf with scenery
Mid-handicap golfers looking for a fair test
What to expect:
Tree-lined parkland
Water hazards
Generally walkable terrain
Good access from the A1 area
10. Knaresborough Golf Club
Knaresborough is a mature parkland course close to Harrogate and the A1 corridor.
It is often talked about as one of the better courses in its part of North Yorkshire, with a Hawtree-designed layout and mature tree-lined holes. This is the sort of course where driving position matters. Miss the wrong side and the next shot can become awkward quickly.
Best for:
Parkland golf near Harrogate
Golfers who like tree-lined fairways
Visitors travelling through central North Yorkshire
Players who prefer shape and accuracy over raw distance
What to expect:
Mature parkland
Tree trouble from the tee
A traditional members’ club setup
Good local reputation
11. Rudding Park Golf Club
Rudding Park is different from most courses on this list because it has more of a resort and golf-day feel.
Located near Harrogate, it is well suited to visitors, societies and groups who want facilities around the golf as well as the course itself. It may not have the same old championship identity as Ganton or Fulford, but it works well for golfers who want a polished venue and an easy day out.
Best for:
Golf days
Societies
Visitors staying near Harrogate
Golfers who want strong off-course facilities
What to expect:
Modern visitor setup
Good access from Harrogate
A more commercial golf experience
Useful for mixed-ability groups
12. Ripon City Golf Club
Ripon City is a good option for golfers looking north of Harrogate and close to the city of Ripon.
The course is an 18-hole parkland layout with a peaceful setting and a visitor-friendly profile. It is not the most famous course in North Yorkshire, but it gives golfers a proper local club experience in a useful location.
Best for:
Golf near Ripon
Parkland golf
Visitor rounds and golf parties
Golfers looking for a quieter North Yorkshire course
What to expect:
Mature parkland
A steady local-club test
Good access from Ripon and surrounding villages
A practical option for mixed-handicap groups
13. Filey Golf Club
Filey is another good coastal course on the Yorkshire coast.
It blends links and parkland characteristics, giving golfers a different feel from Whitby, South Cliff and North Cliff. Its position on the coast means wind can play a real part, but the course is still approachable enough for visitors.
It is a sensible choice if you are planning golf around Scarborough, Filey or Bridlington.
Best for:
Coastal golf
Holiday golf around Filey
Visitors who want an 18-hole seaside round
Golfers looking for links and parkland mix
What to expect:
Coastal setting
A blend of styles
Visitor-friendly golf
Conditions that can change with the wind
14. Catterick Golf Club
Catterick is a useful North Yorkshire course because of its location and accessibility.
Set near Catterick Garrison and close to the A1(M), it is practical for visitors travelling through the county. The course dates back to 1930 and has a mature parkland feel.
It is not the biggest-name course in the county, but it is a good option for golfers who want an accessible round in the north of North Yorkshire.
Best for:
Golf near Catterick and Richmond
Travelling golfers near the A1(M)
Parkland golf
Visitors wanting a straightforward, traditional club round
What to expect:
Mature parkland
Convenient location
A club course rather than a resort setup
Good option for society or away-day golf
15. Masham Golf Club
Masham is the shorter-course option on this list, but it deserves a place because not every good golf day needs to be a full championship 18.
The club was founded in 1895 and has a 9-hole parkland course cut through by the River Burn. It is a good choice for a quicker round, relaxed visitor golf or anyone staying around Masham, Ripon or the Dales.
Best for:
Shorter rounds
Golf near Masham and the Dales
Beginners and casual visitors
A relaxed parkland test
What to expect:
9-hole parkland golf
River Burn in play
A quieter local-club feel
Good option when you do not want a full 18-hole day
Nearby FootWedge Course Guides
If you are planning golf around the North Yorkshire coast and Teesside edge, these FootWedge course pages are worth using for course information:
Saltburn is especially useful if you want a hillside course with elevation changes, sloping lies and coastal exposure. Cleveland adds a more traditional links-style option around Redcar.
How to Choose the Right North Yorkshire Course
The best course depends on what kind of round you want.
If you want the strongest test, start with Ganton or Fulford.
If you want coastal golf, look at Whitby, Scarborough South Cliff, Scarborough North Cliff or Filey.
If you want golf near York, Fulford and York Golf Club are the obvious names.
If you are near Northallerton, Romanby, Thirsk and Northallerton, Bedale and Catterick all make sense depending on how far you want to travel.
If you want a shorter or more relaxed day, Masham is a good fit.
What Makes North Yorkshire Good for Golf?
North Yorkshire works well because it is not one-dimensional.
There are courses shaped by wind and coastline, courses with tournament history, courses close to historic towns, and practical parkland clubs that suit regular golfers.
That makes it good for:
Weekend golf trips
Visitor rounds
Society golf
Coastal golf breaks
Golf near York, Harrogate, Scarborough and the Dales
Players who want variety without leaving the county
You can build very different trips depending on the area.
A Scarborough and Whitby trip gives you coastal golf. A York trip gives you historic inland courses. A Harrogate and Ripon trip gives you parkland golf and stronger off-course facilities. A Northallerton and Dales-edge trip gives you quieter visitor golf with good access.
Final Thoughts
The best golf courses in North Yorkshire are not just the highest-ranked names.
Ganton and Fulford are the obvious heavyweights, but the county has much more depth than that. Scarborough South Cliff, Whitby, York, Romanby, Bedale, Knaresborough and the rest all serve different types of golfer.
That is the value of North Yorkshire as a golf region. You can play serious championship golf, coastal golf, parkland golf and relaxed visitor golf without needing to leave the county.
The right course depends on what you want from the round.
No comments are on this article yet.