Cottingham Golf Club & Driving Range

Welcome to Cottingham Golf Club & Driving Range

If you’ve ever dreamed of swinging a club without looking like a confused flamingo, Cottingham Golf Club & Driving Range is your place. Nestled just outside Hull, this place is less “stuffy country club” and more “friendly pub with a lot of grass.” Trust me, your dignity will survive here.

The star of the show? The driving range. It’s a two-tiered beast with floodlights, so you can slice a ball into oblivion until 9 PM. No judgment, only power. Each bay has a mat that’s seen more divots than a potato field, but it’s free—your first bucket of balls is included with your entry fee. Yes, free. That’s cheaper than therapy.

Now, the 18-hole course itself is what I call “pleasantly treacherous.” It’s a parkland layout with tight fairways, sneaky bunkers, and water hazards that actively plot against you. You’ll hit a perfect drive, then watch it roll into a pond that whispers, “Better luck next time, mate.” But the greens are fast and true—if you three-putt, it’s your fault, not the grass’s.

Surprising Fact: The Clubhouse Bar Was a Barn

Here’s a wild twist: the clubhouse was originally a 17th-century barn. They kept the wooden beams and added a bar that serves a legendary bacon bap. Rumor has it the ghost of a farmer now haunts the 19th hole, demanding you buy him a pint of bitter. I’m not saying it’s true, but I did see a flag flutter with no wind. Spooky golf karma.

Another shocker? Cottingham hosts the annual “Longest Drive” competition for local amateurs. Last year, a 15-year-old girl outdrove a man twice her age. The man cried. She got a free range card. That’s golf justice.

Cottingham Golf Club & Driving Range Photos at Barbara Rancourt blog

Who Should Come? Everyone. Yes, Even You.

Absolute beginners love the range because you can hit 50 balls sideways and no one cares. Experts love the course because it’s a sneaky challenge—par 70, 6,200 yards, and wind that changes direction like a politician’s promise. Oh, and there’s a resident goose named Gerald who guards the 7th tee box. Do not make eye contact. He’s employed by the management.

The actual best part? Prices are stupidly reasonable. A round is about the cost of two pints and a burger in Hull city center. You can even rent clubs if you flew in from somewhere less golfy—no one will judge your rusty swing. They’ll just laugh with you.

In Summary: Go. Hit Balls. Eat a Bap.

Cottingham Golf Club & Driving Range is the underrated gem of East Yorkshire golf. It’s got history, a touch of chaos, and enough ball-dispensing machines to keep you busy until your thumb falls off. Bring sunscreen, a sense of humor, and maybe a sacrificial ball for the water hazards. And if you see Gerald the Goose? Run.