Baildon Golf Club

Baildon Golf Club sits on moorland above Shipley in West Yorkshire, occupying elevated ground that offers views across Airedale and the surrounding Pennine landscape. The course was established in 1896, with Tom Morris laying out the original design. James Braid later revised the layout, and subsequent modifications by Joe Wilkinson helped shape the course that exists today. This succession of architects reflects the club's long history and its evolution through different eras of British golf design. The routing takes advantage of the natural moorland terrain, with fairways that follow the contours of the hillside and greens positioned to make use of the site's elevation changes. The course plays across open ground where heather and gorse feature prominently, and the exposed setting means wind is often a significant factor in club selection and strategy. The moorland character gives Baildon a traditional Yorkshire feel, distinct from parkland courses found at lower elevations in the region. Baildon serves as a members' club with a history spanning more than a century, maintaining its place in the fabric of West Yorkshire golf. The club has hosted regional amateur competitions over the years, contributing to the competitive golf culture in the area. The course provides a test that rewards local knowledge, particularly in reading how the wind and terrain interact across the higher holes.