Rugged, wild, industrial – England’s north-east coast is as shaped by heavy industry as it is battered by the cold North Sea.
For centuries, people here have carved out a living however they can – just ask a Geordie about the reputed origins of the phrase ’taking the p*ss’.
The natives are a tough sort – a fact to which anyone who’s been out in Newcastle on a Saturday night in January can attest – and the courses are suitably hardy.
At Goswick and Dunstanburgh Castle, the golfer finds himself exposed to the elements, but anyone who complains will find little sympathy from the members, although a warm welcome awaits in the clubhouse.
They are a funny sort up this way – who hasn’t heard the story about how the people of Hartlepool, 70 years or so Carew, achieved eternal fame by hanging a monkey they suspected of being a French spy?
But things have got a lot more civilised since then.
Rockliffe Hall is an expansive American-style layout, while Lee Westwood has designed his first course at Close House.
Ramside Hall is a forward- thinking venue that embraces the community, while Slaley Hall is an example of the luxury a fine golfing destination – and one offering great value.
To unlock some top savings, check out the North East Golf Masterkey, which provides discounted access to six of the region’s top courses.
Otherwise, pack up your thermals and waterproofs (just in case) and discover why the Romans reached this distant outpost of their empire and thought: “Yeah, this’ll do.”
1 GOSWICK
Berwick-upon-Tweed
2 SEATON CAREW
Hartlepool
3 CLOSE HOUSE (Colt)
Newcastle
4 SLALEY HALL (Hunting)
Hexham
5 BRANCEPETH CASTLE
Durham
6 NORTH’LAND
Newcastle
7 BAMBURGH CASTLE
Bamburgh
8 ROCKLIFFE HALL
Darlington
9 ALNMOUTH
Alnmouth
10 WYNYARD
Billingham
11 RAMSIDE HALL
Durham
12 HARTLEPOOL
Hartlepool
13 DUNSTANB’RGH CASTLE
Alnwick
14 SOUTH MOOR
Chester-le-Street
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15 TYNESIDE
Newcastle
16 PONTELAND
Newcastle
17 EAGLESCLIFFE
Stockton-on-Tees
18 HEXHAM
Hexham
Top 100 nine-hole courses: North East
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