‘Hidden little gem’ is the summary of one reviewer, when Ashton on Mersey made a recent list of the best 9 holers in the country… so we just had to hot foot it down to see for ourselves! It’s quickly easy to vouch for the ‘hidden’ aspect, found only thanks to the wonders of satellite navigation, through a maze of pretty cottages and at the end of a cobbled road in this suburb of Sale, 6 miles south of Manchester.
First impressions are positive, with a friendly welcome in the pro shop, and helpful guidance on all the key information for a new visitor, such as how to play the back 9, with different tee positions for 3 holes the second time around. Practice facilities are basic but adequate, and perfectly positioned, with a putting green and net right next to the first tee. Once under way, we find a course in great condition, with fairways neatly arranged around the natural features, including a pretty, meandering brook that comes into play on several of the holes.
The River Mersey, that runs from Stockport to Liverpool and from which the village gets it’s name, provides an audible, if not visible reminder of the threat posed by a wayward tee shot… with the mouth of the Irish Sea a good bet for a steady supply of Titleists! The course primarily comprises a nice selection of par 4s, save a par 3 on the 4th, and a par 5 12th when playing two loops.
AoM has a flat landscape that would be particularly welcomed by some, and we find the the greens in superb condition. It’s a course that saves it’s best until last though, with the closing 2 holes a real treat. The 8th, a short par 4, tempts a tee shot over a tree, with the chance of finding the green for big hitters… and the brook if coming up short. The 9th, despite being supposedly the easiest hole on the course, requires an accurate tee shot, before one back up onto an elevated green in front of the clubhouse, to cap off a thoroughly great round!
Key Info
Holes: 9 (12 tees)
Par: White / Yellow: 71. Red: 74 (when played as 18)
Yards: White: 6,180. Yellow: 5,913. Red: 5.636 (based on 18)
Slope: White: 134. Yellow: 129. Red: 131
Visitor Green Fees: £22-30 on GolfNow (for 18)
Website: http://www.ashtononmerseygolfclub.co.uk/
Location
Prices correct at time of writing (August 2023).
Find out where this course ranks in the list of toughest courses in Cheshire here, and see our overview of Golfing in Cheshire here.
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