Our region is home to some fantastic practice facilities to help keep your swing in shape, improve your game and learn from some of our best coaches. Looking to sharpen your game this winter? Try these…
Blackwell Grange
Blackwell Grange’s driving range is the ideal place to hone your swing over the winter months. The 13-bay covered driving range is part of the club’s extensive practice facilities, which also include a short game practice area. A new practice putting green outside the pro shop is due to open in 2021. You’ll also find an academy course and well-stocked pro shop here along with a state-of-the-art swing studio, which offers the chance to hit balls inside and out onto the range using Trackman technology with expert tuition from professionals Peter Raine and Aaron Cox.
Blackwell Grange Golf Club, Snipe Lane, Darlington, DL2 2SA, tel 01325 464458, www.blackwellgrangegolf.com
Longhirst Hall
Open to members and the public, the driving range and academy at Longhirst Hall is one of the finest practice facilities in the North East. The floodlit range offers 14 bays with power tees along with a teaching studio, where you’ll find new head academy coach Paul Fiddes. The academy is also home to a 360-degree short game practice area with space to practice chipping, pitching and bunker play. Academy membership is available for £20 per year and includes discounts on purchases, a free round of golf and social membership of the club.
Longhirst Hall Golf Club, Morpeth, NE61 3LL, tel 01670 791562, www.longhirstgolf.co.uk
George Washington
The Golf Academy at George Washington is a real all-rounder allowing you to work on all aspects of your game. The 16 heated bays in the floodlit driving range include six bays with power tees and a teaching suite. Inside you’ll find another teaching bay with FlightScope. There is also a practice putting green and short game area on offer to keep all aspects of your game sharp. PGA professional tuition is also available making full use of the superb facilities.
George Washington Golf Club, Stone Cellar Road, Washington, NE37 1PH, tel 0191 402 9988, www.georgewashington.co.uk/golf
