Golf in Durham

[Johhny99]

8 of us going over to County Durham in June 2025 - looking to play 4 courses - any suggestions? Never been to this atrea before.

was looking at these 4 but any better suggestions?

Seaton Carew Golf Club

Welcome to Seaton Carew The Course The Course

www.seatoncarewgolfclub.co.uk

Golf Club in Durham - Brancepeth Castle Golf Club

One of the best Golf Clubs in Durham with a renowned Harry Colt design dating back to 1924. Open to visitors and members for golf and food.

brancepeth-castle-golf.co.uk

Home - DURHAM CITY GOLF CLUB

www.durhamcitygolfclub.co.uk

Golf - Ramside Hall

Enjoy the very best golfing experience in the North East over two 18-hole championship courses renowned for drama and excitement from first tee to last.

www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Brancepeth should be a definite.

I haven't played Seaton Carew but many state it is the best in the county so keep that in.

Ramside, I'd recommend the Prince Bishop's course rather than the Cathedral. The Cathedral is a slog, too hard. The PB is a decent hotel course. It's a while since I've played here so someone else may update you to see if this is still right.

Other suggestions

Darlington, very decent James Braid course. A solid members club, I liked it when I played there.

Cleveland, if you like links then this is a good choice. Tough course, a bit moonscape but a real test and always in top notch condition. Close to Seaton Carew.

Rockliffe Hall. Very nice set up, impressive course. If you can get a good deal, play it. It is expensive so only play if you can get a decent price.

 

[123*]

Personally I would skip either of the Ramside courses.

Others are solid choices.

Where are you travelling from/staying?

 

[Johhny99]

Thanks for the tips....coming from Manchester area and staying in Durham in June ....we usually play a mix of courses / price - links and parkland and all club members at Chorley GC and the handicaps range from 5 to 25 (bandit level)! ....so Rockcliffe added to my list! - we got the accommodation pretty cheap so more £ to spend on golf we but try to get balance for all golf levels.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Are you staying in Durham itself?

 

[PaulMdj]

If you are staying in Durham itself, I would put Seaton Carew on your list as a must.

Then Brancepath Castle GC, good course always in good condition.

Then depending on what the 8 of you want and range of handicaps you’re spoilt for choice.

All of these are close enough to Durham:

Wearside GC
Hartlepool GC
Castle Eden GC
Seaham GC (were I’m a member)

Any of these 4 would be reasonably priced and will give you a good welcome.

I would avoid Ramside, very much marmite, it can be spoilt if you play either courses if they have a corporate booking in.

Another “high end” course is Rockcliffe GC, more south towards Darlington.

There are other courses in the area, but those listed will give you a good choice at a range of prices.

 

[2blue]

Yes Seaton is, by far, your best course of those. Will be the most expensive but as a UK Top 100 well worth it
If heading up there or back via the M62 you may wish to consider playing a course near Leeds....... say Howley Hall GC or Wetherby GC. Am also surprised no one has mentioned Wynyard GC which can be played for just £25 in a B/Ball Open on Sat 14th June & currently lots of spots available.
NE is a bargain area for golf so it is difficult to go wrong.... hope you enjoy it.

 

[Golfnut1957]

I've never been a fan of the areas "premier" courses, Ramside and Rockcliffe, they don't do it for me.

Of those already mentioned, the must-play is Brancepeth. Personally, I'd rather play Hartlepool over Seaton. Castle Eden is a good shout and one to consider is Bishop Auckland, a cracking course.

 

[Golfnut1957]

Yes Seaton is, by far, your best course of those. Will be the most expensive but as a UK Top 100 well worth it
If heading up there or back via the M62 you may wish to consider playing a course near Leeds....... say Howley Hall GC or Wetherby GC. Am also surprised no one has mentioned Wynyard GC which can be played for just £25 in a B/Ball Open on Sat 14th June & currently lots of spots available.
NE is a bargain area for golf so it is difficult to go wrong.... hope you enjoy it.

I live a mile from Wynyard and have played it a lot, my son-in-law used to be on the greens staff there, and so we received a lot of complementary golf. This is fortunate as it is a nice course, but that's all.
For what they are charging, you could play both Brancepeth and Bishop Auckland, they are both closer to Durham City and the experience would be better.

 

[pendodave]

We're also planning to visit this year (early may). It's the new "golf coast" ;-)
Definitely going to do Seaton Carew, hartlepool and cleveland. Was looking at possibly Saltburn as the 4th option.
Looking at staying in a house in the posh(!) part of Hartlepool... partly for walkable access to food/ drink and partly so that we could do a cheapish twilight at Hartlepool if we had some spare time and nice weather one evening.

 

[Wedgey]

I’d definitely recommend Wearside.

 

[Fromtherough]

Seaham GC (were I’m a member)

Played here on Friday. Temporary greens were in place (no info on website) which spoiled it. However, it was a decent layout, greens looked immaculate and a couple of standout holes. Nice pint and food after too. Will be back in the summer to try it properly.

 

[rudebhoy]

We're also planning to visit this year (early may). It's the new "golf coast" ;-)
Definitely going to do Seaton Carew, hartlepool and cleveland. Was looking at possibly Saltburn as the 4th option.
Looking at staying in a house in the posh(!) part of Hartlepool... partly for walkable access to food/ drink and partly so that we could do a cheapish twilight at Hartlepool if we had some spare time and nice weather one evening.

Premier Inn is in a decent location, 5 minute walk to the centre of town. Was cheap as chips when we stayed there for a gig a couple of years ago.

 

[Maninblack4612]

If its very wet come to South Shields. We're open when most other local courses are closed. The limestone base drains really quickly.

 

[PaulMdj]

Played here on Friday. Temporary greens were in place (no info on website) which spoiled it. However, it was a decent layout, greens looked immaculate and a couple of standout holes. Nice pint and food after too. Will be back in the summer to try it properly.

That’s weird, the website has a scrolling banner on the front page giving the Course Status.

Send me a message when you’re thinking of coming back and I’ll get you booked on at guest rate.

We outsourced the catering last year and it was took over by a couple who run the local Thai restaurant, food choice now is excellent and they are on “Just Eat” for home delivery when Clubhouse shut.

 

[2blue]

Premier Inn is in a decent location, 5 minute walk to the centre of town. Was cheap as chips when we stayed there for a gig a couple of years ago.

This coming Aug for Seaton's Festival Week I've got 8 of us in Travellodge Single-rooms for less than £50 each. So we've a UK Top 100 Course, Sunday Driver for £130 + food. The NE is the Nations new Golf-coast.

 

[Fromtherough]

That’s weird, the website has a scrolling banner on the front page giving the Course Status.

Send me a message when you’re thinking of coming back and I’ll get you booked on at guest rate.

We outsourced the catering last year and it was took over by a couple who run the local Thai restaurant, food choice now is excellent and they are on “Just Eat” for home delivery when Clubhouse shut.

Yeah we checked the website. No mention of temporary greens. Just that fairway mats were required. The lad in the pro shop wasn’t aware either. No big deal, got us out when we might not have otherwise bothered. Cheers for the offer, I’ll take you up on that.

Someone was tucking into a huge curry while we were there which looked tremendous.

 

[Retired cricketer]

Slaley (technically just in Northumberland) is tremendous (both courses). For budget options, I would recommend Seaham, Crook and South Moor. All 3 are challenging and hilly but have some exceptional holes. And the Thai food at Seaham will be worth a go, it's my eldest's friend's mother. She's a mean cook!

 

[Zig]

Great thread and suggestions. Just my two pence worth...

Good luck finding a 'posh' part of Hartlepool. (Tongue in cheek given I live there!)

You're limited for hotel choices. Prem Inn on the marina is the only real place in the town (Travellodge excepted). A few B&Bs I suppose.

If you're playing 4 rounds, Seaton, Hartlepool, Cleveland are all no-brainers. See what offers are avail on all - usually Cleveland has them on their website and Hartlepool on GolfNow.

Your fourth option really could be anything.

Durham area: Brancepeth or Durham City both decent parklands, and will be good value. Pay £40 quid max for either.
To the south: Darlington GC or Romanby (GolfNow cheap prices again - more like £30ish) .

If you fancy a 'posh' option, then Rockcliffe wins over Wynyard and Ramside.

I wouldn't choose anywhere further adrift while you're staying in Hartlepool as those above offer all the variety/quality you need.

Places like Goswick (2hrs north), Ganton (2hrs south), Brampton (2hrs west) might be a 4th option en route depending on which direction you're travelling.

Hope this helps/adds to the thread.

 

[PaulMdj]

Great thread and suggestions. Just my two pence worth...

Good luck finding a 'posh' part of Hartlepool. (Tongue in cheek given I live there!)

You're limited for hotel choices. Prem Inn on the marina is the only real place in the town (Travellodge excepted). A few B&Bs I suppose.

If you're playing 4 rounds, Seaton, Hartlepool, Cleveland are all no-brainers. See what offers are avail on all - usually Cleveland has them on their website and Hartlepool on GolfNow.

Your fourth option really could be anything.

Durham area: Brancepeth or Durham City both decent parklands, and will be good value. Pay £40 quid max for either.
To the south: Darlington GC or Romanby (GolfNow cheap prices again - more like £30ish) .

If you fancy a 'posh' option, then Rockcliffe wins over Wynyard and Ramside.

I wouldn't choose anywhere further adrift while you're staying in Hartlepool as those above offer all the variety/quality you need.

Places like Goswick (2hrs north), Ganton (2hrs south), Brampton (2hrs west) might be a 4th option en route depending on which direction you're travelling.

Hope this helps/adds to the thread.

The only comment I’d make on your post and others is about Cleveland, it is a great course, but do they really want to risk the A19? Catching it at the wrong time of day can be a nightmare as you probably know.

With Seaton Carew and Hartlepool being quality choices and similar type, staying North of the Tees to cut down on too much travel maybe preferred, the option of the parkland courses, Brancepath/Castle Eden/Wearside type might be a better mix and easier travel.

Edit: Apologies, just noticed you were answering Pendodave more than the OP.