Close House Hotel and Golf

ToddM1985

ToddM1985

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Apr 10, 2014
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Barnsley Yorkshire
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Hi Everyone, Myself and 3 friends are looking at playing Close House in the summer and im just looking for some feedback from a few people who have played the course and stayed in the hotel. Im going to be calling in at Rockliffe Hall for a night and a round beforehand and just wondered if the courses at Close House are as good as they are made out to be. Is the Filly worth part of the deal or is it only worth playing the Colt? - Cheers, Todd
 
I played there a few weeks ago with moogie. Didn't really rate it to be honest. One hole was shortened, a lot. Another was closed completely. Certainly wouldn't pay the £100 for a round that they want. Not sure I'd even pay £40 again.
 
Love Rockcliffe, hate Close House. Close House is immaculate but built in the wrong place. It's on the slope down to the river Tyne and every hole is either steeply up or down hill or severely side hill. Two of our club champions have played there in the annual Champion of Champions tournament & both hated it. I don't dislike it because I can't play it, I can' t play Rockcliffe either. Wynyard Hall, Matfen Hall & Ramside are all better in my view and cheaper.
 
The 1st couple of replies have helped a lot, thanks! It seems to be the overprice by general consensus. I completely forgot about Wynyard mate and I lived in Boro for 5 years. I suppose we could stay at Rockliffe then pop down to Wynyard for a round. Will check Maften out as well though. Thanks for the replies!
 
Ive played both the Close House courses
The Colt and The Filly
The Filly is a decent course, an easy walk, with tricky greens, normally in excellent condition
The Colt.......is Very Disappointing IMHO :( ....... a Very Average Golf Course
Considering how new it is and the money spent, drainage is not great
A Very average layout, not at all what I expected
The greens are 'Crazy' in places, too severe at times
And as stated earlier, its nearly all uphill and downhill holes
Its condition will be as good as any in My area, due to the lack of golf actually played at this place
Overpriced and Over Rated

I live 5mins away in the next Village along the road, but even if I could warrant the £2,000 per year fees, its NOT somewhere I could play every week, nor look forward to doing so

Slaley Hall is a Better Golf Course
I also prefer Rockcliffe Hall to this place too
 
Played Colt at Close House last autumn and even though very wet underfoot, really liked the layout. Contrary to what others have said, I actually thought it dealt with being on the side of a hill very well with only a couple of significant climbs and no real side of a hill feel elsewhere. Didn't play the Filly so can't comment on that.

Of the others, Rockliffe was in great condition when I played it, but seems to lack a little in terms of anything really memorable or standout, and Wynyard has a good front nine, but a pretty disappointing back nine in among the houses
 
The Filly is a good course, but many better courses in the area. Slaley Hall has 2 good courses 20 minutes away, Hexham is a terrific course and in good condition. Matfen is ok, Ryton is ok, Tyneside is very good.
 
Never played the Colt course, as at £110 for a round, tis a little to pricey for me. I've played the Filly several times before it was changed. It used to be very flat and featureless from the 4th to 15th, but they changed the course numbering so that the 2nd became the 18th, they've added bunkers and water features, numbering aside, the bottom of the course will still be flat.

I quite enjoyed the Filly course as it was, but I'll not be playing it again, not at £50 a round.

Close house used to be a good place to go for a game, but it's changed a lot, not just the design of the courses, but the whole atmosphere is different, it's not a place I feel welcome at.
 
Maninblack4612 said:
Love Rockcliffe, hate Close House. Close House is immaculate but built in the wrong place. It's on the slope down to the river Tyne and every hole is either steeply up or down hill or severely side hill. Two of our club champions have played there in the annual Champion of Champions tournament & both hated it. I don't dislike it because I can't play it, I can' t play Rockcliffe either. Wynyard Hall, Matfen Hall & Ramside are all better in my view and cheaper.
Click to expand...

Ramside is an ok course but not worth the £45 summer green fee they charge.

Although they do have the new 9 holes opening their very soon.
 
Thanks for all the Reply's it seems that in general the course is overpriced considering what that sort of money can get you in Scotland for example. I think I will play Rockliffe and Wynyard. Im looking at some of the courses around Newcastle as a stop off later in the year when we go to Scotland. Im playing Berwick on the way up so may get a round in around Newcastle on the way up. Cheers Todd
 
ToddM1985 said:
Thanks for all the Reply's it seems that in general the course is overpriced considering what that sort of money can get you in Scotland for example. I think I will play Rockliffe and Wynyard. Im looking at some of the courses around Newcastle as a stop off later in the year when we go to Scotland. Im playing Berwick on the way up so may get a round in around Newcastle on the way up. Cheers Todd
Click to expand...

Which Berwick course are you playing?

Goswick?
 
And does it need to be around Newcastle?

If not and if you fancy the best conditioned greens in the area try Percy Wood which is about 5 miles south of Alnwick.

4 years ago I would have told you to drive straight passed it but the investment and the job the greenkeeper has made at the place has seen a remarkable transformation.
 
I have just played Close House and thought it worth adding to the above, a year after the last post. I played the Filly course, supposedly the more user friendly options of the two available courses. I was invited to play there but you can get on the course for £30 on web based booking sites pretty much all the time. There was and is quite a bit of excitement about Close House as a significant amount of money has been spent on the whole set up.

First of all the club is located in a beautiful area, lots of established trees, looking down into a valley. The club is located at the top of the valley. The practice facilities are first class, great fitting centre and the clubhouse is modern and stylish. The bar area is classy but welcoming and the balcony overlooking the course, and a pond along with ducks, swans and a heron, is just what you need after playing. Great set up. I can't comment on bar prices as I was on a free bar but I am told it is "okay, not horrific". The staff could not have been any more friendly all day long, they certainly look after you well and not in a subervient manner.

On to the golf, the reason you go. The Filly is a decent course and it is immaculately looked after. A few holes were a little featureless, up and down as the golfers say, and I would not say it was full of wow or memorable holes. What does elevate the course above the norm is the greens. Fast and undulating, did I mention fast? Unless your ball hits the dead centre of the hole then it will not drop. Putting downhill? Hit the middle of the hole or walk 4-5 feet past for the return putt. You certainly want to be under the hole on this course and not putting downhill. The greens were true by the way. The quality of the greens raised the level of the course hugely and allowed you to forgive the dull tee shot. I asked for the stimpmeter reading but no one knew it. A shame as that would help explain to others reading this. After all the greens may be slow compared to what others are used to. Not any of us yesterday though!

So, do you play at Close House, Filly Course? For £30 yes, absolutely. We came away and realised that playing there is about the whole experience, not just the course and the whole experience is 1st class. There are some very good courses in the area but I don't think any can match Close House for the whole package, I have not been to Rockcliffe I must add. Other courses are better but I will be back to take on those greens again and enjoy "the experience".
 
Excellent, cheers that's a good write up for me as we are looking at it for our annual golf trip away. I like the fact that the whole package is good, heard the course's are pretty good but like you say maybe featureless. It might be on the maybe list.
 
I've played and stayed there twice, once in 2012 and once in 2013. I played the colt on both occasions and really enjoyed the course, more so on the second occasion when I had a buggy as it is a bit of a hike off the back tees.

As said previously, the entire set up is superb, from the range to the clubhouse, the changing facilities to the guest rooms in the old stable block. I was there on both occasions as a guest, was treated like gold and felt very welcome.

I recently dropped in for a meal with my wife, toddler and baby while travelling home from down south. Many clubs would have turned us away, but they bent over backwards for us and couldn't do enough, so am surprised to hear of people feeling they don't belong.
 
Last edited:
I'm due to play the Colt course in a couple of weeks. Free 4 ball, although not free bar. I've played the Filly before but not the Colt. Any newer reviews from people? Anyone played it this year? Top tips?
 
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