Reddish Vale at Reddish Vale Golf Club

Reddish Vale occupies a narrow valley setting along the River Tame in Stockport, roughly six miles southeast of Manchester city centre. Alister MacKenzie designed the course in 1912, early in his career before his later celebrated work in North America and Australia. The layout reflects MacKenzie's emerging design philosophy, with strategic bunkering and green contours that reward thoughtful play, though the compact site imposes natural constraints on length and routing variety.

The course runs through wooded parkland with the river influencing several holes. The terrain features moderate elevation changes as holes move along and across the valley floor and slopes. MacKenzie's characteristic use of natural landforms appears in the green sites and hazard placement, encouraging players to consider angles of approach rather than relying solely on distance. The routing makes efficient use of the available land, with holes often playing in close proximity to one another within the valley confines.

Reddish Vale serves as a municipal facility, accessible to the public and maintained by the local council. The course provides a historical connection to MacKenzie's early design work in the north of England, predating his more famous commissions by over a decade. While modest in scale and amenities compared to championship venues, the layout preserves elements of strategic interest that hint at the principles MacKenzie would refine throughout his career. The setting remains relatively unchanged, with mature trees and the river corridor defining the playing corridors.