Sedbergh Golf Course

Sedbergh Golf Club has arguably one of the best golf courses in Cumbria. It is not long, but it is challenging and provides a test for all players regardless of their ability.

first green

Hole 1 / 10

Par 4, 283 / 303 yards
A gentle opening hole starts your round at Sedbergh, a par 4 measuring just 285 yards, which dog-legs around an old Roman fort. The green is driveable from the tee, although it is well protected with four bunkers protecting the front and the river Dee lurks just a few yards from the back of the green, catching anything slightly too long.

The tee for the 10th is pushed further round the corner making the dog leg more severe and adding another 20yards to the hole. The longer hitters can again take the green on although it is a much tougher shot

second green

Hole 2 / 11

Par 3, 118 / 143 yards
The first of our feature holes is the 2nd hole. A lovely little par 3, over the river dee. Measuring only 118 yards, it is the easiest hole on the course, although the tee shot is more demanding than you might think. A huge Mountain Ash tree sits on the far side of the river bank obscuring most of the green, and two greenside bunkers catch anything short.

The 11th tee is pushed further back making the hole significantly more difficult as the approach must be played over the tree.

third green

Hole 3 / 12

Par 5, 500 / 495 yards
The third is a par 5, which offers a chance of a birdie, but also comes with a bit of bite. Like many of the holes at Sedbergh, it is not long, but there is trouble everywhere.

It is the approach which makes the hole, with the green protected on all sides and an old railway bridge providing a fabulous backdrop. There ia a pond that runs the full length of the left side of the green and then snakes round the back, the river Rawthey is just a few yards from the right hand side of the slightly raised green, and two bunkers protect the front.

fourth tee shot

Hole 4 / 13

Par 4, 369 yards
A dog-leg par four, which provides a stern test from the back tees. With bunkers protecting the right hand side, the ideal tee shot is played down the left half of the fairway. This also opens up the green for the approach, although you must be wary of the river that runs down the left hand side of the hole.

The green, like most on the course is only a small target, and accuracy is paramount. It is a kidney-shaped, and when the pin is tucked round the corner, the bunkers really come in to play.

the fifth green

Hole 5 / 15

Hole 5 - Par 4, 427 yards
The fifth hole is SI 1, and probably one of the hardest golf holes you will come across, where a bogey 5 is regarded as a good score. The river Rawthey runs along the full length of the hole, and the river disects the hole at driving distance.

Only the longest of hitters can drive over the river as it requires a carry of at least 260 yards. Once over the river, you are still not clear of all the danger, as the approach shot is incredibly tough. The river Rawthey is in play down the left side, there is pond on the right hand side and a stream protecting the front. The green can also prove difficult as it has several undulations and also sloped down towards the pond.

If you lay up you still have over 200 yards for you second shot, so most people will play it as a par 5.

Hole 15 - Par 4, 340yards
The 15th hole is nearly 90 yards shorter making the hole much easier, as it is only 180 yards to carry the river, although you still have a difficult approach to negotiate.

the sixth green

Hole 6 / 16

Par 3, 164 yards
The 6th hole is a par 3, played to an elevated green, making good club selection essential. It is 164 yards on the card but normally plays 10 yards longer because of the change in elevation. A good strike to the centre of the green should set up a birdie chance, miss the green however and expect to walk off with a bogey.






Hole 7 / 17

Par 5, 484 / 504 yards
The 7th is a par 5, played up hill with out-of-bounds running all the way up the left side of the hole. From the tee, the first obstacle is a large tree on the left side of the fairway which must be avoided. A fairway wood is the preferred option, to get the ball in play and find the narrowing fairway. From here the fairway slopes drastically from right to left, so make sure you aim up the right side. A good shot will find the flat part of the fairway 100 yards from the green.

The approach is best played to the right half of the green, as it also slopes down from right to left and missing the green left poses problems.

The 17th is pushed 30 yards further back, although this actually makes the tee shot easier making the fairway a bigger target. Feel free to hit driver from this tee.


Hole 8 / 18

Par 4, 425 yards
Consistenly one of the hardest holes on the course, the par 4 eighth is played down hill but into the prevailing wind. The tee shot is blind, played over a ridge, with the best line over the bush on the corner of the wall, taking you down the right side of the fairway and shortening the hole. A large Oak tree sits in the middle of the fairway, which needs to be avoided to have any chance of making the green.

The approach is also down hill, to a large green protected on the left by a number of trees sat on a large mound. The green falls away to the right, which when missed on this side proves a very difficult up and down. When the pin is at the back the hole becomes even harder as the approach can play 1-2 clubs longer and the green is much narrower at the back.


Hole 9

Par 3, 167 yards
The 9th is a par 3 played back to the clubhouse to a McKenzie green which again makes club selection important. Find the right level of the green and you will have a good birdie opportunity, find the wrong one and you will be grateful for a two-putt.

Sedbergh Golf Club 14th green

Hole 14

Par 3, 154 yards
The 14th normally requires a mid to short iron, but accuracy is again paramount. The green is well guarded with three deep pot bunkers protect the front left corner of the green and another bunker protecting the right side.

The hole is made much harder when the pin is cut on the back, as the green narrows significantly and an accurate shot is required to get it close.