
Sand Moor Course
Sand Moor Golf Club

About this course
Sand Moor Golf Club sits on elevated moorland on the northern edge of Leeds, occupying a distinctive site that rises above the city with views across the surrounding Yorkshire landscape. Alister MacKenzie designed the course in 1926, during the prolific period when he was establishing his reputation in Britain before his later work in North America and Australia. The routing takes advantage of the natural moorland terrain, with heather, gorse, and mature trees defining many holes. MacKenzie's design philosophy is evident in the strategic bunkering and green complexes that reward thoughtful play over pure power. The course measures around 6,400 yards from the back tees and features a mix of parkland and heathland characteristics, with several holes playing across sloping ground that creates uneven lies and demands careful club selection. The greens show MacKenzie's typical contouring, with subtle breaks and false fronts that require precise approach play. Sand Moor has hosted various regional amateur championships and qualifiers over the decades, serving as an important venue in Yorkshire golf. The club maintains a traditional members' club atmosphere, with the course preserved largely to MacKenzie's original design intent despite some modifications over the years. The heathland character becomes particularly pronounced in late summer when the heather blooms across the property, giving the course its distinctive moorland identity within the Leeds area.
Quick facts
- Location
- Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1926
- Designer
- Alister Mackenzie
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 6,446 yards
- Difficulty
- 71.9/142
Getting there
Most visitors to Sand Moor Golf Club arrive via Leeds Bradford Airport, a compact regional hub positioned just five miles northwest of the city center and roughly twenty minutes from the club's elevated moorland perch. The drive traces a gentle arc through the prosperous northern suburbs of Leeds, climbing steadily through Alwoodley and Moortown before the landscape opens into the heathland plateau that cradles Sand Moor. For those traveling from London or the Continent, direct rail service into Leeds Station offers an elegant alternative, followed by a brief taxi ride north into terrain that feels worlds removed from the urban bustle below.

FAQ
Common questions about Sand Moor
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Sand Moor was designed by Alister Mackenzie.
Yes. Sand Moor is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Sand Moor is 71.
Sand Moor plays 6,446 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Sand Moor is 142.
Sand Moor is a 18-hole course.


