North East / Newcastle course recommendation

[cvieri32]

Hi All,

I’m attending wedding in Newcastle next June and looking for a course to play within 45mins of there on the Friday.

Looking for a recommendation of a course to play and take advantage of the fact will be playing midweek in summer which is a rarity! Current considerations being:

Seaton Carew
Brancepeth Castle
Close House

Will be travelling from Yorkshire so ideally the south side of Newcastle, so the likes of Dunstanburgh and Goswick that are further north are ruled out.

Any suggestions gracefully received! Cheers

 

[Voyager EMH]

Seaton Carew is at least an hour to Newcastle.
Could still be worth it, though. I believe we have a forumer who is a member.
I played it over 40 years ago.
God I'm old.

 

[2blue]

With Seaton a Top 100 course and Branspeth the best Club Parkland course in the County, and both being acceptable green fees these days, you have your list. I'd certainly look no further than the weather forecast nearer the day as, like any links, Seaton could be more than a 'golfing challenge'!! An other Seaton challenge besides the weather would be their Teesside speciality: Chicken Parmo.
Good luck with both

 

[JimmyTwoPutts]

I played Gosforth Golf Club last week which I really enjoyed and would recommend.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

As per @JimmyTwoPutts I'm a fan of Gosforth. Not a glamour course but very enjoyable, will put a smile on your face and within a couple of miles of Newcastle.

Add to the list:

Tyneside
Whitley Bay

 

[Beezerk]

As per @JimmyTwoPutts I'm a fan of Gosforth. Not a glamour course but very enjoyable, will put a smile on your face and within a couple of miles of Newcastle.

Add to the list:

Tyneside
Whitley Bay

I really enjoyed Gosforth but those holes over the path are proper bland. Closing holes are great though

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I really enjoyed Gosforth but those holes over the path are proper bland. Closing holes are great though

Not many places have 18 great holes. I agree some are bland but they have enough good ones that I can forgive the dull

Oh, and as I never apologise for saying, best bacon buttie in the NE

 

[Golfnut1957]

My view. As previously suggested, for a parkland course you don't need to look any further than Brancepeth Castle. The best in the North East in my opinion.

On the coast, I would highly recommend South Shields. It is cliff top rather than links, built on limestone it will be open (unless it snows), it will be cheaper than any other option and at the same time a great test with some cracking holes. A bonus is they don't let the rough get stupid, the wind is all the challenge anyone needs.

@Maninblack4612 is a member there.

 

[splashtryagain]

Whitley bay, Close House, even Newcastle united and the rest.

All trumped by Seaton Carew.

 

[Maninblack4612]

My view. As previously suggested, for a parkland course you don't need to look any further than Brancepeth Castle. The best in the North East in my opinion.

On the coast, I would highly recommend South Shields. It is cliff top rather than links, built on limestone it will be open (unless it snows), it will be cheaper than any other option and at the same time a great test with some cracking holes. A bonus is they don't let the rough get stupid, the wind is all the challenge anyone needs.

@Maninblack4612 is a member there.

We might not be the best in the area but we are the driest, very rarely closed, even after days of rain. Brancepeth is an excellent course, you'd enjoy it.

 

[Golfnut1957]

Whitley bay, Close House, even Newcastle united and the rest.

All trumped by Seaton Carew.

Doesn't work for me. I'd rather play Hartlepool than Seaton.

 

[Marshy77]

Doesn't work for me. I'd rather play Hartlepool than Seaton.

Think it was Golfmates that played Hartlepool. Looked absolutely fantastic.

 

[Golfnut1957]

Think it was Golfmates that played Hartlepool. Looked absolutely fantastic.

They did, and to be fair they played some of the best holes. The first 4 are a bit bland, along with 16 and 17. The rest are brilliant, particularly the ones amongst the dunes.

 

[KenL]

I played South Shields in April 2024. Really liked it. We had just had biblical rains and it was in really good condition. Very friendly club too.

 

[PaulMdj]

They did, and to be fair they played some of the best holes. The first 4 are a bit bland, along with 16 and 17. The rest are brilliant, particularly the ones amongst the dunes.

5 and 6 are odd, always think the first 4 give you a chance of a decent start and are no worse than 7 & 8.

Back 9 is far better imo, but not a patch on Seaton Carew for me.

 

[2blue]

Hi All,

I’m attending wedding in Newcastle next June and looking for a course to play within 45mins of there on the Friday.

Looking for a recommendation of a course to play and take advantage of the fact will be playing midweek in summer which is a rarity! Current considerations being:

Seaton Carew
Brancepeth Castle
Close House

Will be travelling from Yorkshire so ideally the south side of Newcastle, so the likes of Dunstanburgh and Goswick that are further north are ruled out.

Any suggestions gracefully received! Cheers

I'll tag @Zig on this as he's a member at Seaton & maybe up for making a 4-ball or more. I'd certainly be up for a Fri mini-meet there. Good way off yet but well worth the thought.

 

[Zig]

Thanks 2blue for the heads up.
I'd be happy to host, but it'd have to be 4PM+ as that's the earliest I'd be able to get there from work. So you probably want to count me out. Sorry.

Where would I play....
Seaton Carew, obviously. If you're the type of golfer who goes off the rankings, then it's the best around by miles IMHO. 50 mins drive to Newcastle. We'll definitely be the most expensive (Close House excluded) if you're just paying a regular green fee though.
Darlington GC is very pretty, Mackenzie design, and could be your 1hr south of Newcastle option on the way up. Brancepeth another decent option like already mentioned.
Hartlepool... I've been a member there. Its got some great holes - like Golfmates showcased. It's a lovely place to play. And very different to Seaton. If you're after a bit of fun, nice scenery, not too bothered about playing the 'best' course, play there. If you want to play a proper champ links, then Seaton wins hands down.

I've never actually played South Shields (only Whitburn over the wall!) but I hear lots of positives about there too.

To be honest, there's loads to choose from. Maybe have a look on GolfNow closer to the time and see who's gonna let you play without charging you the earth?

 

[IanMcC]

My wife and I have booked into the County Durham Golf Trail in 2025. It is four rounds 4BBB Stableford at Beamish Park, South Moor, Blackwell Grange and Brancepeth Castle. I think I have only played one of these before, but Im not sure.(Does Brancepeth Castle have a long par 3 over a massive gully?)
Any tips/hints/reviews welcome.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

My wife and I have booked into the County Durham Golf Trail in 2025. It is four rounds 4BBB Stableford at Beamish Park, South Moor, Blackwell Grange and Brancepeth Castle. I think I have only played one of these before, but Im not sure.(Does Brancepeth Castle have a long par 3 over a massive gully?)
Any tips/hints/reviews welcome.

Brancepeth has 2 long par 3's over a massive gully. You play them one after the other, back and forth. The first is the best though. You want your driving game with you that day . Big fan of Brancepeth, I play it every year in one of their opens. No hidden tricks to it, it is all in front of you. You just need to strike the ball well there.

I haven't played the others but I'm sure the Durham lads on here will be along shortly to pass on comments.

 

[Golfnut1957]

Blackwell Grange, while a long-established club, moved to their current home in 2013. They now play their golf at what was Stressholme Municipal GC, which I played many times. I always found it a bit bland, with only one memorable hole, a very short Par 3 over a stream. I understand that since taking over BGGC have invested a considerable amount of money, but I haven't been back so I can't comment on any improvements.
Beamish Park is a very nice course, a couple of stand-out holes, and some great views, it also has some great climbs, up and down. Think poor man's Brancepeth. It is right next door to Beamish Museum.
I've played South Moor twice and really enjoyed it. Up on the fells on the edge of the Pennines it is again, up and down, great sweeping views, nice layout. There was a day in 1975 when the wind didn't blow, so I was told.
Brancepeth, as I have said on many threads regarding courses in the North East, is in my opinion, the best there is.