Chester Golf Club is a historic 18-hole parkland course at Curzon Park, founded in 1901 and set on two levels within a loop of the River Dee, less than a mile from the city centre. It overlooks Chester Racecourse with views of the Welsh hills, welcomes visitors and societies, and offers a clubhouse with a licensed bar and Michelin-trained catering.
Few city golf courses have a setting like Chester's. Wrapped inside a loop of the River Dee, a short walk from the medieval centre and overlooking the world's oldest racecourse, Chester Golf Club is the kind of place that surprises people who don't expect a proper parkland course so close to the shops. Whether you already play, fancy taking it up at university, or just want a scenic round while you're in the city, it's well worth knowing. If you're moving here, your first job is sorting your Student Accommodation in Chester, but a good course on your doorstep is a genuine bonus. Here's the full picture.
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Chester Golf Club: the essentials
Chester Golf Club sits at Curzon Park North, CH4 8AR, less than a mile from the city centre. It was founded on 24 May 1901, making it one of the oldest established clubs in Cheshire, and it carries that heritage lightly, with a friendly membership and a welcoming attitude to visitors.
The course is an 18-hole parkland layout set on two levels within a loop of the River Dee. Bounded by the railway on one side and the river on the other, it is threaded with around 2,000 trees representing more than 100 species, most of which were planted in the 1970s, giving the fairways their distinctive shape and character. From the white tees, the course plays as Par 71 over 6,461 yards, while the yellow tees measure 6,218 yards. The ladies' course is Par 72 at 5,609 yards.
Two things golfers consistently praise: the greens, which are fast, true, and well regarded across the north, and the setting, with the course overlooking Chester Racecourse (the Roodee) and offering views across to the Welsh hills. There's a well-known signature test at the par-4 16th, which asks for a tee shot over water.
Playing as a visitor or society
You don't need to be a member to play. Chester Golf Club welcomes visitors and societies, caters for groups of any size, and offers packages for 18 and 27 holes. You can use the practice facilities and the pro shop, and there's a driving range for warming up or working on your game.
A few practical points:
- Green fees are generally cheaper during the winter season than in the summer. Current visitor rates range from £40–£45 for adults in winter and £60–£65 in summer, with discounted twilight rates available during the summer. The club also encourages visitors to contact the Pro Shop about seasonal deals, Golf Specials and Society packages, as these vary throughout the year.
- The club operates a dress and mobile-phone code on the course and in the clubhouse, so check before you arrive.
- Cheshire Cards are accepted, and the club runs reciprocal deals with a number of other courses.
- For competitions, entrants generally need a competition handicap and a registered handicap ID.
- There are stay-and-play offers, handy for society trips or a golf-focused city break.
The clubhouse is part of the appeal: a licensed bar and food from a Michelin-trained chef, plus quizzes, themed food nights, and wine tastings through the year. It's a comfortable place for a post-round pint and a bite.
Getting into golf as a student in Chester
You don't need to be an experienced golfer to enjoy Chester's course, and golf can be a great way to switch off from study and get outdoors in a beautiful setting. If you're starting out or keeping the game going at university:
- Ask about student, junior, intermediate, or flexible membership rates. Many golf clubs offer discounted memberships for students and younger players, while others provide flexible or points-based memberships for people who play less frequently. These options aren't always prominently advertised, so it's worth asking the club directly about any discounts or alternative membership packages.
- Play a visitor round first. It's the low-commitment way to try the course before thinking about membership.
- Join a university golf society. University sports clubs and societies are the cheapest, most social route in, usually welcoming complete beginners, with fixtures and sometimes coaching. Our University of Chester guide is a useful starting point for finding student clubs and societies.
- Use the driving range to build a swing before a full round if you're new.
A scenic day out, not just a round
Because the course is so close to the centre and overlooks the racecourse, a round at Chester Golf Club pairs naturally with a day in the city. The riverside setting, the walls, and the historic streets are all right there, and the clubhouse food makes it easy to turn nine or eighteen holes into a proper afternoon. If you're rounding off the day in town, our guide to the best pubs in Chester covers where to head next.
Getting there
Chester Golf Club is under a mile from the city centre, so it's genuinely accessible. From Chester railway station you can take a bus towards Curzon Park and walk from there, and the club sits close to the main roads for anyone driving. Living centrally or in a well-connected student area keeps the course, and everything else, within easy reach, which is worth bearing in mind when you choose where to live.
Conclusion
Chester Golf Club is a historic, friendly, riverside parkland course at Curzon Park, founded in 1901, with fast greens, a scenic loop of the River Dee, and views over the racecourse and the Welsh hills. Visitors and societies are welcome, the clubhouse is a genuine draw, and for students it's an accessible, scenic way to get outdoors, especially if you start with a visitor round or a university society. Confirm fees, dress code, and tee availability with the club before you play.
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FAQs
Where is Chester Golf Club? At Curzon Park North, CH4 8AR, less than a mile from Chester city centre, set within a loop of the River Dee and overlooking Chester Racecourse.
When was Chester Golf Club founded? In 1901, making it one of the oldest established golf clubs in Cheshire.
What is the course like at Chester Golf Club? An 18-hole parkland course on two levels within a loop of the River Dee, of roughly par 71–72 and around 6,460 yards, known for its tree-lined fairways and fast, true greens.
Can visitors play Chester Golf Club? Yes. Visitors and societies are welcome, with 18 and 27-hole packages, practice facilities, a pro shop, and a driving range. Green fees are usually cheaper on weekdays and in winter.
Does Chester Golf Club have a clubhouse? Yes, with a licensed bar and food from a Michelin-trained chef, plus quizzes, themed nights, and wine tastings through the year.