Cocken Lodge

Cocken Lodge becomes first golf venue of its kind in England

Cocken Lodge in Durham has become the first England Golf affiliated facility with a fully rated golf course – meaning that although it’s not a traditional club nor does it have members of its own, visiting golfers can return scores for their World Handicap System record when playing the nine-hole course.

Launched in March 2024 to bring golf facilities other than members clubs into the England Golf family, the programme supports venues including driving ranges, par three courses, adventure golf facilities and golf studios – all of which play a big part in the development of golf.

Building on being part of the new programme, Cocken Lodge became the first facility of its kind in the country to have a rated course. The 1,499-yard par 29 layout has a course rating of 28.5 (for nine holes) from the yellow tees for men.

Jonathan Ward, England Golf’s regional handicap and course rating manager (North), said: “We’re delighted to welcome Cocken Lodge into the England Golf family, and it’s fantastic to have the first rated course at a standalone facility of this kind in the North East.

“The process has been a long one, but the team at Cocken Lodge has been incredibly passionate about offering the option to return acceptable scores. This can now be done by all those with a WHS Handicap Index, whether they are members of other clubs, iGolfers, or those who have progressed from the driving range onto the golf course.

“The journey from picking up a club for the first time to venturing out on the course and returning a score for handicap purposes can be a long one.

“Being able to shorten that process and make it easier for more players to get onto the handicap ladder is very important – and this is a key step in making that process as seamless as possible for all golfers.”