Hallamshire Golf Club

Hallamshire Golf Club, high above Sheffield is, in my opinion, one of the finest not to make England's top 100 lists.

I played it for the second time after winning a fourball in a charity auction and it was even better than my glowing memory of my first round.

Sure enough, this time we benefited from glorious autumn weather, so the views across Yorkshire and Derbyshire were fabulous.

Meanwhile, the condition of the course was top-notch. I am struggling to think of slicker greens I have played in 2022 and my itinerary has included several in the world's top 100.

But it is the quirkiness of Hallamshire which really appeals.

The clubhouse has a traditional exterior but is very modern inside and sets the tone for a course which has many surprises.

The opening holes are among the toughest anywhere but I love the stretch around its middle where there are as many ascents and descents as a rollercoaster.

The short par-four 7th is arguably the most distinctive - a hole which twists downwards to a green perched just above a stream.

Later the 17th catches the eye because it has a wall, resembling a cliff-face to its right and a bunker to the left. Accuracy is essential.

I later learned that playing off yellow tees at Hallamshire is a mistake because the par off the whites is 71 rather than 69.

Thus, the 18th is a very intimidating 465-yard, par-four stroke index 14 off the yellows rather than a par-five off the whites.

It was the climax of the super track which was followed by a quick drink in one of the friendliest clubhouses around.

Some say "don't spread the word" about Hallamshire because it is one of the best value rounds in England. I reckon more should know about this gem.

Golfers outside the White Rose county may not be too familiar with this course but it's certainly one they should familiarise themselves with as soon as possible.

Hallamshire is a difficult course to categorise. It's obviously not a links (although there are a few linkesque elements to be found here), it features plenty of heather but I wouldn't class it as a heathland course (some do though including the Sports Turf Research Institute), it's high on the edge of the Peak District moors but it's not what I would call moorland, it's parkland to a certain extent but not in your typical sense and there are plenty of trees but it isn't a woodland course!