At just over 6,000 yards and with water on 15 of its 18 holes, the Lakes Course at Longhirst Hall is one of the most fun, if challenging, modern courses in our region as Dean Bailey discovers
Stand on the 17th tee and you’ll understand just how aptly named Longhirst’s Lakes Course is.
Designed to test your ability to control the golf ball, The Lakes features water on 15 of its 18 holes.
Just like its sister the Dawson Course, the par 70 Lakes has matured to offer a unique golfing challenge in the heart of Northumberland. Your driver is often best left in the bag here in favour of finding the fairways, from which scores can be built with plenty of opportunities to make waves – in more ways than one – throughout your round.
Though water features just beyond the tee box at the 340-yard par four first, it is not in play. A generous fairway invites a driver, leaving a simple approach to a green guarded by a single bunker on the left.
Fifty yards longer than the first from the white tees, the second also requires a driver if you wish to go over the bunker on the right and find the most generous part of the fairway. Big hitters should take note of the water which crosses the fairway, though it is out of reach for most. The second shot is easiest from the right side, where the greenside bunker is not in your path. The generous green slopes steeply from back to front.
A 427-yard par four from the whites and a 447-yard par five from the yellows, reaching the green at the third hole often requires three shots. Aim left, with water in reach on the right side, and beware the lake as it cuts in front of the raised green, which is framed by giant pine trees.
At the fourth, you’re once again faced with water. Caution is advised at this 380-yard hole as trees and the out-of-bounds fence to the right wait to catch those who play away from the water on the left. The entrance to this tiny green is narrow and slopes towards the lake on the left side. Watch out for the pond on the right side too.
An uphill par three of almost 200 yards, the fifth has a plateau green with no bunkers, but accuracy is still required to find the correct portion of this particularly large and undulating putting surface.
Played downhill with views across the golf course and the Northumberland countryside, the sixth is the signature hole on the Lakes Course.
Measuring just 147 yards from the white tees and played steeply downhill, the sixth has a tiny green which is surrounded by water on three sides. The wind can play havoc on this exposed part of the course too – greatly increasing the challenge of this short hole. A solid strike and a bit of luck is required here.
Three tough par fours, each featuring water, ensure scores are kept under control on the front nine.
At the seventh, your tee shot must favour the left side to leave an unobstructed route. The fairway turns almost 90-degrees to a green with no bunkers, though there is water on the right side.
The longest hole of this stretch, the eighth is 397 yards and will tempt many players into hitting driver in order to reach the green in two. Those who do, be warned, the fairway is narrowest where you’re looking to land the ball. The second shot is uphill to a green which slopes from back to front and has multiple run-off areas.
The shorter 343-yard ninth features a particularly daunting tee shot for those who don’t like to see water in front of them. In reality, this lake isn’t in play and nor is the pond on the right side. Players should instead take note of the lakes beyond these on the left and right sides. It’s best to play accurately into the fairway here as the green is a small target.
While water is again in your eyeline from the tee, it shouldn’t be on your mind at the par three 10th. A mid-iron is all that is required to find this long, narrow green.
The short par four 11th is a great chance to make a birdie. The fairway is generous, with no water, while the green is one of the most difficult to read on the course.
The second hole with alternate pars – a par five of 445 yards from the whites and a par four of 382 yards from the yellows – how you play the 12th differs depending on your tees. Played blind over the crest of the hill, your tee shot must be played cautiously, favouring the right side to avoid running into the lake left. Water makes the lay-up tricky too as it lingers on the left side before the fairway rises to a green which slopes steeply from back to front.
The 13th requires an incredibly accurate tee shot with any club. The fairway doglegs from right-to-left around a lake and water lurks left and right on the second shot.
A pair of par threes follows, beginning with the simpler 177-yard 14th. A small green set on top of a hill lies beyond the edge of the lake. Balls played cautiously out to the right will bounce away from the putting surface and leave a challenging pitch back up the hill.
At just over 200 yards, a great shot is required to reach the green at the 15th. The slopes can help players, though those who play too far away from the water on the right will find a cavernous bunker.
The 504-yard par five 16th has no water, though you must navigate around a bunker on the inside of the left-to-right dogleg. The route to the green is protected by a single large bunker on the left while another trap lurks on the front right corner of the green.
Played from a spectacular position at the highest point on the course, the tee shot at the par four 17th is downhill and should be positioned as close to the water on the right as you dare. The approach to a narrow target must be hit high to avoid the trees and ponds which flank the green.
The par five 18th presents a final chance for a birdie. Having driven over the pond and avoided the bunker on the left, you’re faced with a second shot around the corner of the dogleg-left to a wide raised green with sand protecting both sides.
OUR VERDICT
A 36-hole venue with great practice ad clubhouse facilities. Longhirst is one of the most popular golf venues in our region and we lover visiting time and time again
