Summertown’s local golf course is just one mile from the shopping centre. The beautiful North Oxford Golf Club parkland course is one of the greatest golf challenges in Oxfordshire – as well as being best value golf in the city.

The course is a jewel, painstakingly immaculate, and tricky to the extent that only a few can play it to their handicap. That is the great challenge which the club throws open to visitors. If they play the course to their handicap they get their green fee back. North Oxford is a thinking golfer’s course. It may look docile, with one par five, eleven par fours and six par three holes over a gently undulating landscape, but it has a habit of biting back.Long hitters can have an advantage – if they are accurate. But it is strategy rather than strength that is the key to this course with its strategically placed trees, bunkers and a water feature – a staggering sight in the Springtime blossom and autumn gold seasons.

Because it is a members’ club, which gives members a great sense of ownership and involvement, the club has a special ambience, the lowest fees in Oxford and some of the lowest in Oxfordshire. North Oxford is the oldest club in the city but that doesn’t mean it is a stuffy club hidebound in its 102 year history. Indeed, it is very much a modern mover and shaker, with lively competitions including mixed tournaments and Texas scramble supper nights in the summer, as well as the monthly medals and trophy competitions all year round.

The social calendar is also lively in the club’s revamped clubhouse, with a wide choice of entertainment from sporting dinners, barbecues, discos, and moderately priced gourmet dining experiences from Oxford Fine Dining, the club’s prestigious caterers. The clubhouse is also fast becoming a social venue for North Oxford, and is used by a growing number of organisations for breakfast meetings and community occasions. Hiring fees for community organisations are very reasonable.

There are roll ups each day and it is always possible to get a challenging game within a few minutes of arriving at the club. Visiting golf societies and individuals are always welcome.

There is no joining fee at the moment and the club has cut annual fees to encourage younger members to join and enjoy a healthy lifestyle through golf. Details of membership and visitors’ fees are on the club’s website or from General Manager Bob Harris on 01865 554924 or by email.