Hallamshire GC is nestled between the western edge of Sheffield and the eastern foothills of the Pennines and at an elevation of 1000 feet affords magnificent views of the Peak District. Opened for play in 1897, the land was soon after purchased from the Duke of Norfolk. After Fowler and Dr Mackenzie had their say, in 1937, Colt and Morrison would make considerable amendments to the course.
The entire area has sporting and business ventures which reference Hallam(shire), an historical name for the Sheffield area. Known as the Steel City, Sheffield bares more than a little resemblance to Pittsburgh, another famous Steel City. Both cities are somewhat hilly and that is a main characteristic of Hallamshire, at least in part!
While nominally a heathland course, the feel and look of the property is a mix of moorland, parkland and heathland. Hallamshire is a curious course in that a striking set of holes is bookended by holes which are for the most part fairly mundane. 1-4 serve to lead us to the satisfying long 5
th which itself is a doorway to an extremely hilly section of holes between 6 and 13. Punctuating this stirring string of holes are two connector par 3s. Making our way back to the clubhouse level of the property the course simply moves back and forth with the highlight of the short 17
th providing a final reminder of the rambunctious property. The holes coming home are not in essence different from 1-4 except that gorse and sand are more featured.
Before setting off, I must once again highlight the scorecard. The daily tees play to a difficult par 69 covering 5900 yards. There are six par 4s over 400 yards in length with only two three-shotters balanced against five short holes, three of which are under 150 yards. Hallamshire can feel much longer on any day let alone on a cold, gloomy winter's day.
Holes 1-4 offer mild entertainment with the short second likely the best of the lot. However, it is the somewhat domed and tilted third green which I found most interesting.

Moving to the magnificent 5th, a full blooded par 5 of less than 500 yards (!), this is in effect a very straight-forward hole. A ravine splits the fairway at a distance most handicap golfers will struggle to carry in two. However, when downwind, the temptation to reach the plateau green after a good drive must be overwhelming. For the second there is some indication that a heroic carry is required to get home, but there seems to be the possibility of skirting up the right.


The short 6th is exactly what most have come to expect from Colt!

More to follow.
Ciao