Fulford Golf Club

Fulford is one of England’s most storied inland courses. For two decades it was a fixture on the European Tour calendar. It staged the very first Women’s British Open and it is where Bernhard Langer famously played a shot from a tree. Just a couple of miles from York city centre, it pairs a proper championship test with a genuinely warm welcome for visitors.

Group and trade enquiries: Alistair Cook (General Manager) or Claire Bainbridge (Assistant General Manager) on 01904 413579 or info@fulfordgolfclub.co.uk. More on group visits.

A championship pedigree

Founded in 1906, Fulford moved to its present site south of York in 1935. The land had been approved by five-time Open Champion James Braid, and the course was laid out by Major Charles MacKenzie, brother of Alister MacKenzie, the architect of Augusta National and Cypress Point.

Fulford hosted the Benson & Hedges International Open on the European Tour from 1971 to 1989, along with the Martini International in 1967, the European Matchplay Championship in 1979 and the Murphy’s Cup in 1990 and 1991. In 1976 it staged the inaugural Women’s British Open, won by Jenny Lee Smith.

The tournament tradition continues today. Fulford hosted the European Ladies’ Amateur Team Championship in 2013, the inaugural R&A Girls’ U16 Amateur Championship in 2018 and again in 2019, the Carris Trophy in 2018 and the Girls Amateur Championship in 2021. In June 2024 it was one of The R&A’s Regional Qualifying venues for the 152nd Open at Royal Troon, and in 2025 National Club Golfer ranked it 79th in its Top 100s England. The club also features in Golf Monthly’s Top 100 for England.

The clubhouse, with its verandah overlooking the 1st and 18th

The course

The layout moves from green parkland into the gorse, heather and wildlife of open heathland, and the club describes it as a proper test of golf that is also fair for players of all abilities. Wild deer roam the course and the club has resident barn owls.

The course has recently completed a five-year improvement plan under golf course architect Martin Ebert, whose renovation work includes Turnberry, Royal Troon, Royal Portrush and Royal Liverpool. Many holes carry the names of the Tour stars who created memorable moments on them, the 17th being named after Langer.

Tees and yardages

The most forward tees play 4,879 yards. The terrain is gently undulating and easy to walk.

2026 and 2027 visitor green fees

Standard rates per person for 18 holes. Visitor tee times are available Monday to Friday and on Sunday afternoons. Discounted variable prices may be available when booking online.

2027 bookings: the club expects to hold its green fees at 2026 levels and will honour 2026 prices for 2027 bookings made now. For 2027 group visits, contact the club office on 01904 413579 or info@fulfordgolfclub.co.uk.

Discounts

Societies of 12 or more players and county card holders receive 20% off, and juniors 50% off. These rates cannot be booked online; email the office at info@fulfordgolfclub.co.uk.

Trolleys and buggies (per 18 holes)

Rates confirmed by the club in October 2026. Trade rates are available for tour operators; contact the club for details.

Visitor access

Visitors, societies and corporate groups are welcome. Visitor tee times are available from 9am Monday to Friday and between 12 noon and 2pm on Sundays. Saturdays are reserved for members’ competitions.

Tee times can be booked up to a year in advance, with up to four players per tee time, and shotgun starts can be arranged for groups of 60 or more. Other blackout dates vary with the club diary, so check availability early for larger groups.

Handicap limits

As a championship course, Fulford has a handicap limit of 28 for men and 36 for women. Visitors need to show proof of handicap: a WHS or GHIN record, a handicap app or a letter from the home club are all accepted. A letter of introduction is not needed.

Dress code

• Smart golf clothing on the course, with tailored shorts permitted.
• No denim, joggers, cargo trousers, T-shirts, team shirts or tracksuits on the course.
• Soft spikes are not compulsory.
• No jacket and tie needed in the clubhouse, and there are no member-only rooms.
• Mobile phones should be kept on silent on the course.

Practice facilities

Practice bays with mats, a short-game area and a putting green, plus the indoor simulator studio in the professional’s shop.

Professional’s shop and coaching

Head Professional Guy Wills, a Class AA PGA Professional, leads the shop team. The indoor studio has a GC2 launch monitor for fitting and swing analysis, and lessons start from £35 for 45 minutes.

Clubhouse

A relaxed clubhouse with a verandah overlooking the 1st and 18th, a rotating choice of local draught beers and a menu of sandwiches, snacks and meals cooked by the club’s chefs. Catering times vary through the year.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be arranged for groups, and the private dining room seats up to 100. The bar is open from 8am until half an hour after dinner, and both cash and card are accepted.

Caddies and equipment

Caddies are not available, and the club does not offer club or shoe hire, so visitors should bring their own. Lockers and changing rooms are available, but there is no overnight club storage.

Groups, societies and corporate days

Fulford hosts society and corporate golf days and can tailor the day around your group. Options include:

• A welcome reception and hosted booking-in
• A live smartphone leaderboard for your competition
• An introduction to the course and its tournament stories
• Catering before, during or after play
• Exclusive use of areas of the clubhouse, with space for groups from 2 to over 100

To arrange a group visit, contact General Manager Alistair Cook or Assistant General Manager Claire Bainbridge on 01904 413579 or use the society enquiry form on the club website.

Tour operators: trade rates are available, so contact the club for details. Group bookings require a 50% deposit, with full payment due seven days before play.

By road

Heslington Lane, York YO10 5DY. The club is around two miles south of York city centre and a couple of miles from the A64. Coaches and minibuses can access the club and park on site. Allow around four hours by road from London.

By rail

York station has a half-hourly service to London King’s Cross, with the quickest trains taking under two hours, making Fulford an easy addition to a London or northern England itinerary. The club is around 10 minutes by road from York station.

By air

Leeds Bradford is the nearest airport, around 45 minutes away by road.

Staying in York

York city centre is close by, with a wide choice of hotels for groups. See where to stay below.

The Grand, York

York’s only five-star hotel, in the Edwardian former headquarters of the North Eastern Railway beside York station. Fine dining, a spa with pool and a short drive to Fulford.

Middlethorpe Hall & Spa

A William and Mary country house built in 1699, set in gardens on the south side of York. Known for its fine dining restaurant and spa.

York Marriott

On Tadcaster Road overlooking York Racecourse, with easy access to the ring road for days at Fulford and other Yorkshire courses.

Mercure York Fairfield Manor

An 18th-century manor house in six acres of grounds at Skelton, on the north side of York and convenient for York Golf Club.

York Golf Club

Heathland golf at Strensall, on the north side of the city. A natural pairing for a York-based trip.

Ganton Golf Club

The celebrated heathland championship course near Scarborough and a former Ryder Cup venue.

Alwoodley Golf Club

North Leeds heathland and the first course designed by Alister MacKenzie, brother of Fulford’s architect Charles.

Moortown Golf Club

Another Alister MacKenzie design in north Leeds and host of the first Ryder Cup played in Britain in 1929.

Sandmoor Golf Club

Close neighbour of Alwoodley and Moortown, completing a north Leeds trio that can be played from one base.

Ilkley Golf Club

Parkland golf in Wharfedale, with the River Wharfe running alongside the opening holes.

York Minster

One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe, with a tower climb over the city’s rooftops.

The Shambles and the city walls

York’s famous medieval street of overhanging timber buildings, and a walk along the medieval city walls with views of the Minster.

JORVIK Viking Centre

A recreation of Viking-age York on the site where the original settlement was excavated.

National Railway Museum

A free museum beside York station, home to famous locomotives and royal trains.

York Racecourse

Racing on the Knavesmire through the summer season, including the Ebor Festival in August.

Shopping and day trips

The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet is close to Fulford, and Castle Howard makes a memorable half-day trip from the city.