With an incessantly rainy start to November, we’re channeling J. R. Hartley as we pursue our weary quest to find a course that’s not closed on the day in question. Thankfully, it seems it will take a monsoon to stop Altrincham from opening their gates, and we merrily splash into the car park on the outskirts of Timperley to join a few other hardy souls, determined to not let a small thing like a bit of rain stop us from working on our game.
Altrincham is our first ‘municipal’ in recent history, and we can’t help ponder whether the ownership might be part of the reason for it’s posture on opening. It’s a pretty flat track, no doubt popular with those for whom hills are a struggle, but makes good use of a meandering stream, cunningly placed bunkers and various ponds (permanent, along with numerous additional temporary), to ensure rounds are anything but straightforward. It’s pretty long too, at over 6,500 yards off the back tees.
Even taking the mirky weather into account, first impressions are a little underwhelming, and the first challenge is locating the pro shop, amongst the on-site inhabitants that includes council offices, a pub and driving range. ‘Unassuming’ is perhaps the diplomatic word to describe its facade once finally located (see picture). But once inside, it’s functional, with a whiteboard highlighting information usually nearer the first tee, such as the 7th being on a temporary green.
But does being a public course mean we’re in for an inferior experience? Not on your nelly! Quite apart from being one of the only facilities in the region that’s actually open, as we squelch down the 1st fairway we notice clear yardage markers… at both 150 and 100 yards… something we’re rarely blessed with at many of the private courses we play. It also doesn’t seem to have the traffic of nearby members clubs, if the lack of divots and pitchmarks are anything to go by.
The greens are inevitably soggy, but playable with a little creativity when the odd little puddle straddles one’s line. Fairways are very boggy in places, and at times the terrain lends itself more to a fan-powered swamp boat than a pair of golf shoes, but having recently got kitted out for winter golf, we’re tromping after our ball without a care in the world. We even make the most of the solitude by catching up on the Chasing Scratch podcast, that one of our readers recommended, for company and inspiration.
But we’re far from alone on the course, as there’s plenty of dogs and their owners for company, out on their morning walks. This provides a welcome sight for us dog lovers (see the time we tried Golfing with Dogs), and all those that we encounter are friendly and well behaved… as are their four-legged friends! But before we know it, and under 3 hours after teeing off on the 1st, we find ourselves approaching the 18th green, thoroughly muddied, but equally happy!
Key Info
Holes: 18
Par: 71
Yards: White: 6,281. Yellow: 5,990. Red: 5,236
Slope: White: 141. Yellow: 137. Red: 127
Visitor Green Fees: £16-20
Website: http://www.altrinchamgolfcourse.co.uk
Location
Prices correct at time of writing (November 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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