Clitheroe at Clitheroe Golf Club

Clitheroe Golf Club sits on the edge of the Ribble Valley in Lancashire, occupying elevated moorland with views across the Pennine landscape toward Pendle Hill. The course was designed by James Braid, the five-time Open Champion who became one of Britain's most prolific golf course architects in the early twentieth century. Braid laid out hundreds of courses across the British Isles, often working with natural terrain to create strategic challenges that rewarded thoughtful play over pure length.

The routing at Clitheroe makes use of the sloping, sometimes exposed ground typical of moorland courses in northern England. Players encounter changes in elevation throughout the round, with the terrain influencing both stance and shot selection. The layout features characteristic Braid touches: greens positioned to favor approach shots played from particular angles, bunkers placed to test decision-making rather than simply penalize wayward strikes, and holes that work with the land's natural movement.

The setting provides a distinctive character shaped by Lancashire weather patterns, which can shift quickly and affect playing conditions. The club serves the local golfing community in the Ribble Valley area, maintaining a course that reflects both its moorland location and the design principles Braid employed throughout his extensive portfolio of work across Britain.