Danny Lockwood plays South Bradford Golf Club
If many hands make light work, as the saying goes, the point has been very much proven at South Bradford Golf Club – where a number of impressive projects have transformed the 120-year-old golf club.
The club’s occasionally noisy neighbours, Bradford Bulls – themselves celebrating in 2026 following their long-awaited return to Super League – may be hoping some of the recent successes at the modest nine-hole golf club rub off on them. South Bradford shares the same access road as Odsal Stadium, just off the Bradford ring road, with Bankfoot Cricket Club set alongside both.
The club has been punching above its weight in recent years – in Bradford Union competitions and beyond – and last year, after quite an absence, a junior team was reintroduced. Under the guidance of Tesh Mistry, whose two sons are members, the youngsters won their Bradford Union division in the first season back, under the captaincy of Rohan Mistry.
In the year ahead, the club is hoping for continued success under captains Sean Gutsell (men’s), Paula Kelly (ladies), Owen Hart (juniors) and Ben Stockwell (rabbits) – as Peter Mason serves as president.
While South Bradford’s golfers continue to do their fellow members proud, it is off the course where the transformation is most visible.
A building extension has created the space for an indoor simulator, thanks in large part to the club’s Mr Fix-It Shaun Smedley. Lessons are delivered by PGA professional Gareth Moore, who splits his duties between South Bradford and Baildon Golf Club. An additional outdoor seating area has also been added to the renovated patio which overlooks the short par three closing hole.
The full refurbishment is most eye-catching indoors, and 2026 men’s captain Sean was quick to heap praise upon his fellow members when we checked out the changes.
“It was an expensive undertaking and it was made possible largely thanks to volunteers from the club, who did so much of the work,” he said.
Sean was fulsome in praise of the leadership of house chair Derek Nolan and club steward Bobby Ward – with no shortage of help provided by many others.
“South Bradford has long had a reputation as a warm and welcoming family-oriented club,” he added. “There’s a real sense of belonging among the members, and I think everyone can take pride in what’s been achieved. Out on the course, we’re grateful for a superb greenkeeping team who keep the layout in excellent condition.”
The social side of club life is a strong feature at South Bradford, where a darts team has been introduced and plays in a sports bar at the rear of the main clubhouse.
“It’s absolutely buzzing on a Sunday afternoon,” said Sean, standing beside a TV screen that wouldn’t look out of place in a small cinema.
Monthly live events and themed food nights are also part of the club fabric, while it feels like the whole Low Moor, Wyke and Wibsey community comes out on November 5 for the club’s firework show. “We must get 3-400 people for that,” explained Sean. Although there’s no longer a bonfire, last year’s club president Ian Flowers went so far as to complete a pyrotechnics course, such was the popularity of the fireworks display. “It’s pretty spectacular,” added Sean.
The club’s restaurant and lounge are also available for public event hire, and the Radar Catering team has built a fantastic reputation with members and guests. When the Bulls are at home, clubhouse dress codes are relaxed to allow rugby attire. “You have to be practical these days,” explained Sean. “It’s good to enjoy the buzz.”
The club has just over 300 full members, and runs a social membership. Despite being a nine-hole course, Sean says they still have capacity for more recruits. There’s also a vibrant and welcoming ladies section catering for golfers of all abilities with a full calendar of competitions and social events. Enjoying the game and building lasting friendships are key themes at South Bradford, as new members are quick to discover.
Visiting parties and societies always receive a warm welcome too, while the golf simulator is available for public hire and can be booked online or by contacting the professional’s shop.
South Bradford has a friendly relationship with its rugby league neighbours, and the two clubs are mutually supportive of each other. The golfers were first on site, originally founded in the Little Horton area in 1906 before a larger site was identified and rented for the princely sum of £25 per year. Today’s club came into being in 1913, on its present hillside site below Odsal Top. The Bradford Northern rugby chaps were very much the newbies when they arrived in 1934.
Today the golf course is quite a testing walk, set between Low Moor and the Euroway Trading Estate by the M606, with country views across to Emley Moor from the secluded golfing haven.
There is a distinctive feel to many of the holes on the 6,056-yard par 70 layout, with the start to your round sweeping downhill before climbing back up. You then head down again before returning to the top of the course for a par three finishing hole with a nerve-jangling tee shot.
Despite its limited physical footprint, South Bradford makes the best of all it has got. The two driving nets by the practice putting green are recent additions and with a daunting first drive on the course’s only par five, it’s a good idea to hit a few before you face the opening tee shot.
SOUTH BRADFORD GOLF CLUB (WHITE TEES)
1 – 515 YARDS, PAR 5
An intimidating opening tee shot with the houses of Low Moor tight to the right side, though the fairway is generous. Do not stray too far left either as you’ll be blocked out by trees. From around 200 yards out, the hole drops downhill in several distinct, undulating steps, falling sharply to a green set well below the fairway with steep run-offs at the back.
2 – 211 YARDS, PAR 3
A top-quality par three by any standards, and excellent from the yellow tee box, the second is particularly special when played from the more elevated back tee. Played downhill to a large green ringed by bunkers, with a dry ditch for good measure, there are lots of reasons why this is regarded as one of the toughest holes on the course.
3 – 316 YARDS, PAR 4
Set down towards the bottom corner of the course, the third is a short but tricky par four with eye-catching views of the imposing Emley Moor mast in the distance. The corner of the sweeping left to right dogleg can be cut by big hitters, though be cautious as the out of bounds looms nearby. Also watch out for a firm bounce as the land gathers shots into a gully below the small, elevated green.
4 – 417 YARDS, PAR 4
The longest of South Bradford’s par fours, the fourth is set all the way back up the hill with a broad, angled fairway which turns uphill towards a sheltered, MacKenzie-style green. Two very good shots are required to find the putting surface in regulation, with sand and mounding guarding the green.
5 – 363 YARDS, PAR 4
There’s a walk back down to the tee at the fifth, which was recently made a touch trickier as the ditch to the left of the fairway was lengthened and brought into play off the tee. Anything right is in deep trouble too, and going too far left can bring trees into play. The hole narrows further as you head towards a large, subtly sloped green.
6 – 356 YARDS, PAR 4
Played towards the heart of the course, there are more trees to navigate at the par four sixth hole. Staying straight is the key here as a shot which misses on either side can leave you blocked out or bring the hazard into play. The approach to the green is played downhill to another generous target defended by a front bunker and more run-off areas.
7 – 346 YARDS, PAR 4
Starting the climb towards home, the seventh has one of the narrower fairways. Once again, staying straight is more important than being long off the tee. You’ll find another generous, sloping green here – with a raised bunker on the left side and another set below the putting surface on the right.
8 – 361 YARDS, PAR 4
A distinct dogleg right par four, some may be able to cut the corner at the eighth, though it’s a very tough shot to pull off. It’s all uphill to the elbow, and finding the left side of the fairway is key to get a good look at the green. Do not hit your approach over the green here.
9 – 143 YARDS, PAR 3
A great finishing hole which can be a little tougher on a sunny day with an audience on the patio. Played from an elevated tee and relatively short, this would be a very straightforward par three if it weren’t for the bunker on the right side, the pond left, and the audience watching you take on the challenge.
