Manchester offers a varied golfing landscape, with traditional members clubs and municipal layouts sitting remarkably close to the city centre. Many golfers assume that joining a club near a major city must involve a four figure subscription, but the picture in Greater Manchester is rather different. A number of clubs still offer full adult membership well below £1,000 a year.
At GolfMembershipFinder.co.uk we collect publicly available membership information so that you can compare costs, facilities and travel times side by side. In this article we highlight the five cheapest full adult golf memberships in and around Manchester, all within practical reach of the city centre by car or public transport.
| # | Golf Club | Annual Fee | Notes | Approx. travel from Manchester city centre | View memberships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heaton Park Golf Club | £60 | Municipal parkland, J. H. Taylor design, pay and play green fees | Around 10 to 15 minutes by car or tram | View memberships |
| 2 | Werneth Low Golf Club | £599 | Distinctive 11 hole hillside layout with far reaching views | Around 30 to 35 minutes by car | View memberships |
| 3 | Oldham Golf Club | £780 | Compact, part moorland course with Pennine outlook | Around 25 to 30 minutes by car | View memberships |
| 4 | Houldsworth Golf Club | £900 | Flat parkland course with water features and strong conditioning | Around 20 to 25 minutes by car | View memberships |
| 5 | Pike Fold Golf Club | £910 | 18 hole parkland course with USGA style greens and practice facilities | Around 25 to 30 minutes by car | View memberships |
1. Heaton Park Golf Club, £60 per year
Heaton Park Golf Club is one of the most unusual and affordable membership options anywhere in the country. The club is based at Heaton Park Golf Course, a municipal layout designed in 1912 by Open Champion J. H. Taylor and routed through one of the largest urban parks in Europe. The course occupies dramatic parkland with sweeping elevation changes, long par fours and views towards the Pennines.
The key to the low cost lies in the way the facility is structured. The golf centre and course are operated by Link Golf under concession from Manchester City Council, while the member club is run separately by its own committee. As a result, the club does not carry the expense of maintaining the course or running the golf centre. The annual membership fee of £60 covers the club side of the experience, including an official WHS handicap, competitions, inter club matches and a welcoming community of regular players.
Course access works on a pay and play basis. Members, like all golfers, pay a green fee directly to the operator each time they play, typically around £17 for an adult round. This means that even if you play once a week, the combined cost of membership and green fees can be significantly lower than a traditional private club subscription. For new golfers or those who want the structure of a club without a large annual commitment, it is an exceptionally accessible route into the game.
Heaton Park isn't only affordable. It is also extremely convenient. The course lies to the north of the city and is usually around 10 to 15 minutes from the centre by car. There is also a Metrolink stop at Heaton Park, and from there it is a short walk to the golf facilities. Taken together, the history of the layout, the accessibility and the low overall cost make Heaton Park a standout option for Manchester golfers.
View Heaton Park memberships2. Werneth Low Golf Club, £599 per year
Werneth Low Golf Club occupies a prominent hillside position above Hyde. The course has an unusual eleven hole layout, which can be configured into different combinations for those with limited time, yet still offers the feel of a full round. Many holes enjoy wide views across the Cheshire Plain, Manchester and towards the Peak District, which gives a strong sense of place and makes even modest rounds feel memorable.
The club prides itself on a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and a traditional membership culture. There is a full competition diary, including roll ups and team events, and the clubhouse terrace is an attractive spot to take in the views after golf. At £599 per year for full adult membership, it provides a very affordable route into members golf in a scenic setting, particularly for players living on the eastern side of the city.
Travel from Manchester city centre typically takes 30 to 35 minutes by car, using the M60 or local A roads towards Hyde and Werneth Low Country Park. For many, that is a reasonable trade off for the quieter, more rural atmosphere the course offers.
View Werneth Low memberships3. Oldham Golf Club, £780 per year
Oldham Golf Club sits on the fringes of the Pennines and combines elements of parkland and moorland golf in a compact footprint. Founded in 1892, it retains the feel of a traditional members club, with several holes that demand careful placement rather than sheer length. Elevated tees and greens provide attractive views across the surrounding hills, and the wind can be a genuine factor on exposed days.
The membership includes full playing rights, a busy competition schedule and social events in the clubhouse. For golfers who enjoy strategy, varied lies and a course that rewards thoughtful play, Oldham represents good value at well under £800 per year, particularly when compared with prices in other large urban areas.
The club is reached from Manchester in around 25 to 30 minutes by car, most commonly via the A62 heading north east. It is a practical option for players living in the north and east of the city who want a genuine club environment without paying premium suburban prices.
View Oldham memberships4. Houldsworth Golf Club, £900 per year
Houldsworth Golf Club, close to Stockport, offers a flat but thoughtfully designed parkland course that is regarded as one of the more enjoyable everyday layouts in the area. Several holes feature water hazards that influence both strategy and club selection, and the routing provides a fair test for all handicaps without being unduly long.
Membership gives unlimited access to the course, a regular competition calendar for men, women and juniors, and use of the clubhouse, which serves as a focal point for social events. At £900 per year, Houldsworth sits in a sweet spot for golfers who want a traditional members club experience and reliable conditioning at a price that remains below many comparable clubs near other major cities.
From central Manchester, the journey usually takes around 20 to 25 minutes by car, heading south towards Stockport. The location makes it especially appealing for players who live or work in the southern suburbs and want to fit golf around busy schedules.
View Houldsworth memberships5. Pike Fold Golf Club, £910 per year
Pike Fold Golf Club lies to the north of Manchester, close to the M60, and is well known for its USGA specification greens and consistently good playing surfaces. The eighteen hole layout blends tree lined fairways with more open holes, offering a balanced test that suits both higher and lower handicappers. Water comes into play on certain holes, and there are several risk and reward tee shots that keep regular rounds interesting.
The club also benefits from a practice range, a short game area and a putting green, which allows members to work on their game throughout the season. A full competition diary and an active membership give the club a lively feel without being intimidating to newer players. At £910 per year, Pike Fold offers strong value for a full service members club in a convenient location.
Typical travel time from Manchester city centre is around 25 to 30 minutes by car, heading north on the motorway network. For many golfers in North Manchester and Bury, it is one of the most practical options for regular play.
View Pike Fold membershipsConclusion
These five clubs show that good quality golf close to Manchester city centre does not have to involve a substantial annual bill. From the unusually structured, very low cost model at Heaton Park to the hillside vistas of Werneth Low and the traditional members clubs at Oldham, Houldsworth and Pike Fold, there is a wide spread of experiences available at modest membership fees.
By using GolfMembershipFinder.co.uk to compare prices, course types and travel times, Manchester golfers can make a more informed decision about where to join. In many cases, a short journey of 20 to 30 minutes from the city centre is enough to unlock significantly better value and a more enjoyable golfing routine.