Some of our top picks for golfers to visit in 2025
Scotland’s Golf Coast & beyond
To be one of Scotland’s most important golf destinations takes something very special, and East Lothian has a lot to offer when it comes to golf courses, clubs and everything else golfers need to make a great trip. With 21 courses at 18 clubs along a 30-mile stretch of coastline, there’s something for all abilities and budgets here. All the golf courses are within 30 minutes of each other, and Edinburgh is only 50 minutes from the furthest course.
The region has the greatest concentration of championship links golf courses in the world – including Muirfield, North Berwick and Gullane No.1. There is also the historic nine-hole Musselburgh Links – host of the Open Championship six times in the late 1800s; the picturesque East Links at Glen Golf Club; Dunbar and Winterfield to the east; and the fun Kilspindie overlooking the Forth.
The Renaissance Club and Archerfield Links offer new challenges, while inland there is the James Braid-designed Royal Musselburgh and the wonderful Gifford. Golfers also have easy access to a variety of accommodation and amenities – from bed and breakfasts to hotels, resorts and exclusive-use self-catering options.
The group now also features Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders – and the Northumberland coastal courses of Goswick, Bamburgh Castle, and Dunstanburgh Castle – expanding its footprint to more than 100 miles of coastline and 25 golf courses between Edinburgh and Newcastle.
For more information and to begin planning your stay and play trip, visit www.scotlandsgolfcoast.com
Alnmouth Golf Club
Alnmouth, England’s fourth oldest golf club, is home to one of the region’s greatest experiences for travelling golfers. Overlooking Foxton Bay, the course was designed by the legendary Harry Colt and today it is renowned for its overall presentation, with work in recent years enhancing the challenge and aesthetics of bunkers across the course. The club is also home to first-class practice facilities and a driving range, and is just 40 minutes’ drive from Newcastle.
For travellers, the 26-bed Dormy House within the clubhouse offers a unique stay and play experience – with twin or single rooms and en-suite facilities. The bedrooms have been renovated in recent years and there is something incredibly special about staying in the clubhouse, waking up with views of the course, and taking in everything the club has to offer.
Alnmouth Golf Club, Foxton Hall, Alnmouth, NE66 3BE, tel 01665 830 231, www.alnmouthgolfclub.com
Blackwell Grange Golf Club
Situated on the south side of Darlington with easy access to the A1, the golf course at Blackwell Grange Golf Club is set in beautiful surroundings and offers a test to golfers of all abilities with its par of 71 (73 from the red tees). Since its move to Snipe Lane (formerly Stressholme) in 2013, the club has invested significantly in the course and facilities, including remodelling a trio of par three holes; carrying out changes to a number of other holes; replacing sand in all the bunkers; creating a short game practice area; constructing a new practice putting green; and creating a six-hole academy course for juniors. The facilities are enhanced further inside the friendly clubhouse, while the club is also home to a 13-bay floodlit driving range with a swing studio.
Blackwell Grange Golf Club, Snipe Lane, Darlington, DL2 2SA, tel 01325 464 458, www.blackwellgrangegolf.com
Crook Golf Club
Established in 1919, today Crook Golf Club is a great option for visiting groups with its large clubhouse and challenging golf course set in the heart of Durham.
With five par threes and three par fives, only one of them more than 500 yards, there are lots of opportunities to make birdies and drop shots here. Measuring just 5,965 yards with a par of 70, there are few players talented enough to overpower the hillside course consistently and the best way to build a score here is to play patiently and find the right angles into the heavily contoured greens. The views from the highest points of the course are excellent, and you’re always assured of a warm welcome in the clubhouse before and after your round.
Crook Golf Club, Low Jobs Hill, Crook, DL15 9AA, tel 01388 762 429, www.crookgolfclub.co.uk
Durham City Golf Club
Stretching far into the distance as you look out from the clubhouse windows, it’s hard to believe the tree-lined layout at Durham City Golf Club exists as you make your way to the golf course.
Having left the rest of the world behind you at the gate, the traditional English parkland layout is revealed slowly as you descend into the course from the first tee. It then weaves through the trees, rising and falling with the landscape and wrapping around the River Browney. Challenging from the tee and well-bunkered throughout its 18 holes, the course also has a fantastic set of par threes of varying lengths and challenges. A great club for a day out, visitors are assured of a warm welcome and a fun, challenging day on the course.
Durham City Golf Club, Rosebay Road, Littleburn, Langley Moor DH7 8HL, tel 0191 378 0069, www.durhamcitygolfclub.co.uk
Park Head Hotel
In the heart of Durham, the Park Head Hotel is a welcoming spot for golfers visiting the North East.
Part of The Auckland Project, a regeneration charity based in the historic town of Bishop Auckland, the hotel underwent a year-long refurbishment before reopening in early 2023. There are 38 en-suite rooms here – in the main hotel and courtyard, including two-bedroom suites and family rooms – ensuring groups of all sizes have options which work for them. Having spent a day on the golf course, visitors can dine in the Oak Room Restaurant and unwind in the bar before retiring for the night. Breakfast is served early for those heading to the course, there’s complimentary parking and free wi-fi – and the hotel team can arrange stay and play packages with clubs including Brancepeth Castle, Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle.
Park Head Hotel, Bishop Auckland, DL14 8QB, tel 01388 661 727, www.parkheadhotel.co.uk
Ravensworth Golf Club
On the outskirts of Gateshead, high above the surrounding landscape and overlooking the Angel of the North, the parkland layout of Ravensworth Golf Club has stood the test of time. Formed in 1906 with a nine-hole golf course, in January 1925 Dr Alister MacKenzie beat a proposal by Harry Colt to redesign the layout for the fee of £15.15.0. By February 1926, the works were completed and the company headed onto their next project – not too far away at Seaton Carew. Today the hillside layout is a great example of a mature English golf course, with its tree-lined fairways and hillside terrain guarding a set of tricky greens.
Ravensworth Golf Club, Angel View, Long Bank, Gateshead, NE9 7HD, tel 0191 487 6014, www.ravensworthgolfclub.co.uk
Saltburn Golf Club
Redesigned in 1922-24 under the guidance of five-time Open champion James Braid and featuring spectacular views of the North Sea, a visit to Saltburn Golf Club is always a treat. A playable parkland course for players of all handicaps, the layout can be stretched to just under 6,000 yards for the best players – though it is rarely overpowered. A combination of tricky greens, devilishly positioned bunkers and tree-lined fairways make this no pushover despite its length. Add in four fun, yet tricky, par threes – including the demanding 222-yard 12th with its steeply sloped green – and there’s a lot to enjoy out on the course here. In the clubhouse, there’s room to relax and enjoy good food while sharing the story of your day on the course.
Saltburn Golf Club, Hob Hill, Saltburn by the Sea, TS12 1NJ, tel 01287 622 812, www.saltburngolf.co.uk
St Boswells
What St Boswells lacks in length it makes up for with a fantastic location. The 2,761-yard par 34 course sits on the south bank of the River Tweed, with the nine holes beginning above the river before descending at the par three second hole, and then playing out and back on the flat just yards from the water. A sharp short game will yield birdies here, while wayward tee shots will be punished by trees, bunkers and water – not least the river! Sharing the setting with anglers and the wildlife, there are few more relaxing places to play golf, and this makes a great venue for an away day on its own, or for an additional round to extend your visit to Scotland.
St Boswells, Braeheads, TD6 0DE, tel 01835 823 527, www.stboswellsgolfclub.co.uk
