Bradford

Perched high in the beautiful and peaceful countryside this part-parkland, part-moorland course is only a few miles from Bradford city centre but has the feeling of being in a much more remote location than it is.

I've played here on many occasions and it has always been in immaculate condition and this was once again the case following my recent visit in April 2013. The presentation of the course and the trueness of the greens were head and shoulders above many other courses in the area at the time.

Indeed the greens are the main defence of the course and you are introduced to this fact at the opening hole with a putting surface that falls from front-to-back and from right-to-left.

It is not an overly long course but boasts a handful of lengthy par fours and it is these that are the best holes on the course. Many of the holes run in the same direction and parallel to each other at Bradford although the routing of the course does not give you a feeling of going 'up and down'. There are just three par 3's on the undulating layout and it is mostly these that tend to run at right angles to the longer holes.

The second hole is the first of five holes measuring over 400 yards. It's a good driving hole but I'm not a fan of the blind approach to a depressed green. The fifth, seventh, 15th and 16th are the other long holes and each requires a straight drive followed by a long to mid iron. The 15th is the most inspiring hole as you drive from an elevated tee to the narrow fairway well below, the seventh is probably the toughest hole sweeping from right-to-left up the hill and measuring 444 yards whilst the approach into the fifth is my favourite shot on the course, especially when the hole is located over the right-hand bunker. The clever golfer will try and work the ball in from the left but I usually just fire straight at the pin and more often than not come up short in the trap!

Some of the other par fours also impress. The sixth is downhill to a slightly angled green which makes coming in from the left side favourable whilst the eighth requires a precise second shot to clear the steep false-fronted green. The delightful 13th is a pretty hole where what you see is what you get and the last gives the golfer options from the tee.

The two par fives (holes nine and 17) offer the opportunity of a birdie but each features a steep slope up to the green which if not navigated successfully can see your ball running 30 yards down the fairway back towards you. The par 3's are not long either, the longest is 167 yards, but they all are well protected by bunkers and drop-offs should you miss to either side or come up short.

In summary Bradford is an enjoyable, well presented course which has some good holes and requires you to putt well if you are to score well.

The recently refurbished clubhouse and welcoming staff set you at ease straight away here and it is a course I always look forward to returning to.