The Staffordshire market town of Leek has many attractions for outdoor enthusiasts, being on the edge of the Peak District and adjacent to the broad hiking, climbing and cycling areas around the Staffordshire Roaches. For golfers there’s a pretty special course to discover too.
Leek (Birchall) enjoys a lofty reputation for the quality of the golfing that exists here, playing regular host to county competitions and local pro-ams which always conclude with the right sort of positive comments in the visitors book.
In recent times Leek have invested significantly towards their course, no layout changes, just in establishing very hard-working and close greenkeeping team, all committed to the cause of making the layout one of the best conditioned in the county.
It’s also always an excellent idea to make a positive first impression and we’re not just referring to the view overlooking the seventh and tenth greens pictured above from the car park on your arrival. Many moons ago Leek’s course designer Tom Williamson clearly understood that back in 1923, expertly using the natural topography of the land to treat golfers to some lovely early lofted tee sights.
Three of the first four holes give you just that, opening up the beauty of the course and the surrounding countryside around the town. Good variance in their challenging aspects as well, the first hole, facing down offers generosity and a birdie chance, the third is far more difficult, but the view is quite outstanding.
Leek has five short holes, and they make something of a challenge out of them here. The scariest is possibly the fourth (pictured), playing downhill and requiring a mid-iron, the newly revetted faced traps on three sides are all very tricky propositions. The best birdie chance, maybe at the seventh which is the shortest challenge.
The 11th has a halfway house facility by the tee. Back to the challenge and the most spectacular par three, definitely the 13th – long and exposed from another high tee, with a deep ravine to cross, no way around, only over.
You’re now at the highest point of the course, so the 14th tee, facing the town and the craggy mounts of the Staffordshire Roaches in the far distance is a photogenic marvel. This one was voted as Staffordshire golf’s best 14th hole in a 2021 poll. One of the finest tee shot sights around and as long as you make the carry, the fairway is reasonably generous down below, yet it’s a long hole and things tighten up the closer you get to the green. That theme continues in a sterner vein on the tree-lined 15th, stroke index one for good reason.
19th hole
Single floor clubhouse with good space and a couple of private areas for society occasions. Sky Sports in the main lounge. Patio decked area in addition for outdoor relaxing, full range of menu options.
Pro Shop
Locally based Greg Rogula is now a Class AAT PGA Professional and also a Trackman Certified Level 2 Coach. In addition to a fully stocked pro shop Greg runs his Trackman studio onsite, teaching, repairing and club fitting a range of brands. Leek is enjoying great success with their ever growing and talented junior academy section at present.
