Fore sale: Leeds house with a nine hole course and clubhouse

Birkby Grange, near Leeds, is for sale at £1.1m and is perfect for those who want to practise their swing. But owner Marshall Capel warns that its tiny course is tough enough to test Yorkshireman and newly-crowned Masters champion Danny Willett

Officially opened by Ryder Cup legend Howard Clark, it features three greens and two ponds set amid mature trees. It also has a driving net and a ball washer.

“It’s small but it’s not easy because the greens aren’t flat. Quite a few professionals have played on it and no one makes a fool of it,” said Mr Capel, plays off 14.3 and describes his form as “average”.

He had the course, known locally as Birkby Hill Golf Club, made in 1998 after buying the house and 2.5 acres of land. He designed it himself and the work, together with the garden landscaping and timber clubhouse, cost almost £100,000.

“It was a bit of fun and I loved the idea of stepping out of the house and playing a round. Another reason for doing it is that there are amazing 40-mile views. You can see York Minster and the White Horse at Kilburn from the course,” said Mr Capel, who for years staged his own annual tournament, the “Birkby Hill Open”.

“We invited friends over, put up a marquee, hired a band and had drinks in the clubhouse bar. Then we’d play with a team of six men and six women. The rule was that they had to be certified drunk and if anyone fell down and passed out we had to play round them. It was hilarious.”

He is selling Birkby Grange as he now spends winter in Florida. Andrew Beadnall, of Beadnall Copley estate agents, is marketing the luxury four bedroom property, which also has stables and a tack room. He says it has already created a lot of interest.

Mr Beadnall said: “It is extremely rare. The course is very pretty and has been professionally maintained. The idea of being to step out of your door and play a round is very appealing. It is every golfer’s dream.”

For details contact www.beadnallcopley.co.uk