Length and accuracy are needed to quality greens

Situated just outside Dewsbury town centre, Hanging Heaton can trace its roots back to 1922, when local sportsmen decided to build their golf course.

There have been many changes to the course since then, but it remains a friendly club drawing its membership from relatively close. From the course, you get good views of the moors, particularly from the fourth hole.

Now hemmed in by housing, there is little room for expansion at Hanging Heaton – but don’t be fooled into thinking this is a pitch and putt course. The last hole is a whopping 589 yards long.

The course itself is usually in very good condition. There are few trees and no water hazards, so it is not the tightest of courses in the locality and is good for developing skills, requiring length and accuracy with good quality greens.

Ilkley Gazette: Hanging Heaton Golf Club

It has produced some good golfers in the past, including two Yorkshire players – Christine Withers, who captained the county women’s team, and Tom Watkinson. Both still play at the club.

Different tees on four of the holes mean that there is some variation the second time round, with different angles of approach to the hole.

The clubhouse started life as a hut but is now a modern facility which has been revamped in the last ten years, providing a large function room which the club hires out for functions such as weddings, funerals and christenings.

Practice facilities include a reasonably-sized ground for mid to short irons and a putting green.

FACT FILE

Name: Hanging Heaton Golf Club

Address: White Cross Road, Dewsbury WF12 7DT

Website: hhgc.org

Telephone: (01924) 461606

President: Michael Parkin

Club pro: Gareth Moore

Annual fee: £500

Visitor fee: £17 Mon-Fri

Course length: 5,836 yards

Par: 69

Signature hole: 3rd – par three over a quarry

Shop: Yes

Ilkley Gazette: Hanging Heaton Golf Club
Ilkley Gazette: Hanging Heaton Golf Club