Ganton Golf Club Key Information
Ganton is a great course blending heathland with a feel of the links that will test the very best players. It’s a historic venue with big ambition and vision to move forward. To do well at Ganton, you must drive well and hit unerring irons, otherwise your day will be a long and frustrating one. In addition to over 100 bunkers, there’s deep rough, trees, and gorse to contend with.
REASONS TO PLAY GANTON GOLF CLUB
– Interesting blend of course stylings - heathland with a touch of links
– A club with a great history, host to the 1949 Ryder Cup
– An ambitious club always looking to make improvements
RANKINGS
UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2023/24 - 34
Ganton is one of Yorkshire’s finest courses and it oozes old-school class. It dates back to 1891 when Tom Chisholm of St Andrews first laid out a course that would go on to host significant events, including the Ryder Cup of 1949, in which the USA ran out 7-5 winners, and the Walker Cup of 2003.
It remains the only inland course to host the Amateur Championship, with golf’s unpaid elite visiting in 1964, 1977 and 1991.
In part, this may be due to the land being blessed with many links characteristics, since many aeons ago it was right by the North Sea.
It may also be down to nearly every bygone golfing great lending a design hand over the years, including Harry Vardon (club professional from 1896 to 1903), James Braid, JH Taylor, Harry Colt, Dr Alister MacKenzie and Tom Simpson.
Sir Michael Bonallack, Britain's greatest amateur, said of Ganton, “The journey from tee to green on every hole is one of the most enjoyable golfing examinations that a player is ever likely to experience."
There are too many great holes to list, but the 6th, with a hint of Gleneagles, stands out, as does the very pretty par-3 10th, where the green is heavily bunkered and contoured, but also slightly concave, meaning that only the worst of miscues will suffer, while minor ones may gather back in.
The club is forward-thinking and keen to keep improving. In recent years, they have been doing extensive work to take the layout back to how it was in years gone by. They have worked from historical photos to carry out the restoration. They have worked on revetted bunkering, gorse clearance and the creation of sandy waste areas. Martin Ebert has advised on gorse clearance and course pathways. Also altering the bunker revetting to make them more natural-looking in places.
What The Top 100 Panel Said
The course has been, and continues to be, restored to its former lay-out, which is great to see and shows how difficult it must have been previously. Interesting to see so many bunkers of such epic proportions. The 18th hole is simply stunning. There are great facilities and history is on show throughout.
The bunkering at Ganton really is spectacular. Not only are the bunkers treacherously deep at times, but they’re also located in the perfect spots to gobble up poorly planned or executed shots. Whether on the tee or fairway, there isn’t a hole that they don’t give you a decision to make. Ganton is a delight visually. Gorse, pines, silver birch and heather are such a spectacular kaleidoscope of colours and textures. You could skip the golf and instead spend the time exploring the history of the club in the wonderfully charming clubhouse.
Ganton Golf Club Location
Ganton Golf Club Green Fees
Ganton Golf Club scorecard
Best Courses Near to Ganton Golf Club
For all the best courses in the area, check out our guide to the best golf courses in Yorkshire.
Best Places To Stay Near Ganton Golf Club
Vardon House, the Dormy House at Ganton - Book now
With 5 en-suite bedrooms (3 x Twin Rooms and 2 x Single Rooms) Vardon House can accommodate up to 8 golfers. All the rooms have televisions, hairdryers and tea/coffee making facilities.
The Wrea Head Hall Country House Hotel and Restaurant - Book now at Booking.com
An elegant country house is set in acres of private grounds on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, boasting breath-taking views across the Yorkshire countryside. Rooms are all individually styled and the 1881 restaurant offers fine dining.
The Plough, Scalby - Book now at Booking.com
A short drive from Ganton, The Plough on the High Street in Scalby is a brilliant inn with brilliant pub food and great accommodation. There are eight en-suite rooms and there are self catering properties available too. If you like staying in village pubs - this one is tough to beat.
Ganton Golf Club Course Gallery
Ganton Golf Club Historical Top 100 Ranking UK&I
- 2023/24 - 34
- 2021/22 - 34
- 2019/20 – 28
- 2017/18 - 25
- 2015/16 - 19
- 2013/14 - 20
- 2011/12 - 23
- 2009/10 - 27
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Bunkers does Ganton Have?
There are over 100 cunningly placed bunkers at Ganton, some of which are simply huge, both in breadth and in depth,
When did Ganton host The Ryder cup?
Ganton welcomed the Ryder Cup of 1949 on 16-17 September. A US side led by Ben Hogan and featuring Sam Snead and Jimmy Demaret, beat Great Britain by 7 points to 5. The British team was captained by Charles Whitcombe.
