Delamere Forest Golf Club
Overview
The course was open for play on April 29, 1911, with an exhibition match featuring Braid, Herd, and Ray. Herbert Fowler would lay the foundation in 1911 and reworked it just ten years later in 1921. The course has stood the test of time and stands as one of England's most refined and classic venues.
Jasper’s Lessons Learnt
Perched, up-turned saucers make such good green sites. The 6th at Delamere Forest Golf Club is a rare example of one being attacked from an elevated tee.
The green sites are, at first glance, subdued. Some do move, on occasion, severely at grade. Herbert Fowler could build outrageous greens but it appears he more often showed restraint than reckless abandon.
Golf Course Review
Delamere Forest Golf Club is located in Delamere, Cheshire, England. Remotely located near Delamere Forest Park, there is a large sand and gravel quarry on the southern side of the site. Perhaps not a neighbour you would choose, it is indicative of what lies just below the glorious heathland you play over here.
Delamere Forest Golf Club & Herbert Fowler
By design, the course was constructed so members could play shorter loops of 8 or 10 holes. Founded in 1910, Herbert Fowler laid out what would become one of the finest traditional heathland courses in England.
In 1911, the course measured 6000 yards. The contours of the ground were the main defenses. It was highlighted that no trees and hedges were encountered during the round but bunkers needed to be reckoned with. Just 10 years later in 1921, Herbert Fowler designed and built 7 new holes and remodeled the other 11.
Fred Hawtree’s Influence
In 1959, Fred Hawtree made alterations to every hole on the course but the character of the Fowler design was retained. Every hole was modified which made the work extensive but many of the changes were minor.
MacKenzie & Ebert’s Iteration
MacKenzie & Ebert were called upon in 2012 to strengthen and reinstate the original heathland character. The plan was executed and the course was open for play in 2014. The bunkers were restored to their ‘original’ aesthetic, greens expanded, green surrounds cut short creating runoffs and 8 new tees added. However, even from the tips, Delamere Forest Golf Club plays modestly at just under 6,600 yards.
Delamere Forest Golf Club Routing
Reminiscent of Muirfield (The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers), the golf course is accessed by a long drive where the clubhouse obscures the golf course from view. The 1st and 10th tees are accessed by either side of the clubhouse which both reveal the golf course lying sprawled before you on an elevated plateau.
The routing is more or less two loops of nine which overlap in a figure eight. The front nine works counter-clockwise on the south side of the property and the back nine works in a clockwise loop on the north side of the property.
The 9th and 18th greens on full display from the clubhouse with the 1st and 10th tees nearby. Harry Colt was a fan of two nines that depart from and return to the clubhouse. It appears he and Herbert Fowler both saw the advantages of doing so.
Delamere Forest Golf Club Photography
Delamere Forest Golf Club - Videos
Featured Architect: MacKenzie, Alister
As taken from his book, Golf Architecture, Alister MacKenzie felt the following were essential: The course, where possible, should be arranged in two loops of nine holes. There should be a large proportion of good two-shot holes and at least four one-shot holes. There should be little walking between...
