Mid-way between Stockport and Macclesfield, just south of Poynton, we find Adlington Golf Centre. In stark contrast to neighbouring courses in the likes of Prestbury and Wilmslow, there’s a distinct lack of oak panelling in the clubhouse, or lengthy history. In fact, Adlington seems to revel in it’s new kid on the block status, with proud policies of ‘no dress code, Club Tie or other stuffy rules’… so we just had to pay them a visit.
To give them their dues, they do have over 30 years of pedigree; a forward-thinking farming couple, who’s diversification led to a driving range and later the ‘Graduate Course’, before it gave way for the A555 relief road that now serves the new complex so well, in 2015. One imagines that significant compensation might have been negotiated, and that it perhaps wasn’t coincidental that a brand new state-of-the-art complex was later opened in 2020.
Today, Adlington boasts two nine-hole courses, a driving range with Trackman’s ‘largest single system’ (at least claimed in 2020), a practice area, footgolf and coffee shop. On arrival, it’s clear that this is to be a very different experience to the ‘normal’ round. This is a modern, purpose-built setup, with evidence of ongoing development from the outset, with beautiful drystone pillars nearing completion by the entrance, and an Australian-themed 18 hole adventure golf having just had planning approved. The reception shares it’s space with a trendy coffee shop, complete with industrial-look distressed furnishings and Edison bulbs.
The Heritage course replaced the old Graduate, and is twice as long as the Academy Course, particularly off the longer blue tees. Every hole on both courses is a par 3, and vary from 53 to 88 yards on the Academy, and 131 to 224 yards on the Heritage (blue tees). Whilst hard to ignore the lack of mature trees characteristic of the county’s courses, the quality of the fairways and greens can hardly be faulted. In fact, at times it appears almost GCI-like, such is the uniformity of the beautifully smooth and well manicured fairways and greens, yet to be mottled by moss, clover or other invaders.
The Academy course, it transpires, doubles up as the venue for footgolf, with 2 holes on each green; one being considerably more inviting than the other! Despite the inherent challenges of this setup, we found the course in remarkably good nick, and ideal practice for new wedges.
Each course took us around an hour to get round – ideal for a cheeky lunchtime round, and great pre-comp practice round to hone the short game. As we leave, we make our way past one of the most professional practice grounds in the area. Besides the 650 square yard practice green, with chipping area and bunker, on top of the 41 floodlit driving range, there’s also 40 outside grass tees, giving a real prestige feel to the setup.
Key Info
Holes: 2 x 9
Par: 27 / 27
Yards: Heritage Blue: 1,483. Heritage Green: 1,250. Academy: 660
Slope: 113 (both courses, apparently – seemingly taken from default rating)
Visitor Green Fees: £14.50 Heritage / £11 Academy. Pre-paid cards offer increasing discounts and incentives based on investment
Website: www.adlingtongolfcentre.co.uk
Location
Note: Apple Maps won’t locate by name, and postcode may not pin exact location.
Prices correct at time of writing (May 2023).
Find out where this course ranks on the list of toughest courses in Cheshire here, see all of the county’s courses plotted onto a Google Map here, and try our fun quiz to find your perfect course here!
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