Join us for a trip to the coast to play the best links, clifftop and seaside courses the north has to offer
Seaton Carew Golf Club
A GB&I Top 100 course and host venue for the 2024 English Amateur Championship, Seaton Carew’s celebrated links continue to evolve and delight visitors from near and far.
Reimagined in 1926 by Dr Alister MacKenzie, the course has undergone substantial enhancements in recent years – with meticulous focus on restoring and celebrating the good doctor’s design elements. Having marked its 150th anniversary in 2024, the links refuses to rest on its laurels and investments have been made on extensive bunker renovations, modernising the irrigation system, and strategic construction projects – all of which have led to the course climbing national rankings. The restoration of MacKenzie’s bold vision – most notably the expansion of run-off areas and refinement of greensites – has accentuated the course’s unmistakable links character and made visiting regularly a must.
Alnmouth Village Golf Club
Just one short step from the beach of Alnmouth Bay in places, the links of Alnmouth Village are not to be missed. Set on the rugged coastline, this is England’s oldest nine-hole links course and remains one of its best.
Opened in 1869 with its designer, 1874 Open champion Mungo Park, as greenkeeper and professional, the opening holes are played within yards of the North Sea. You then climb Bracken Hill while playing the par four sixth hole, before being rewarded with one of the best views on any golf course in the UK from the seventh tee. The course retains much of its original layout – and its 19th Century clubhouse – and while it is short, it calls for imagination and accuracy to score well on the small, fast greens with their many swales and steep run-offs.
www.alnmouthvillagegolfclub.co.uk
Bamburgh Castle Golf Club
Each of Northumberland’s links courses is a stunning example of golf by the sea, and while others offer length and stern challenges, Bamburgh offers one of the most fun days out.
The rugged linksland overlooking the beach and North Sea has been shaped by centuries of waves and wind – and was once the battlegrounds of ancient kingdoms. Set in the shadow of Bamburgh Castle with views north to Lindisfarne, west to the Cheviot Hills and east to the sea – the golf course has been shaped and refined since 1904. Today it is defined by its half-par holes – short par fours which offer plentiful birdie opportunities and long par threes which offer up more bogeys than birdies, even with modern technology.
A relatively short course at just 5,604 yards, Bamburgh is defended by its par of 68 – with its six brilliant par threes and just two par fives.
www.bamburghcastlegolfclub.co.uk
Hartlepool Golf Club
The links of Hartlepool have been home to golf for more than 100 years. In 1911, Willie Park Jr extended the layout to 18 holes before James Braid reworked several holes in the autumn of 1929.
Several more changes have followed including the renumbering of the holes following the construction of the clubhouse, and the creation of new first, 17th and 18th holes – though many elements of Braid’s bunkering and rerouting of the inner stretch of holes remains unaltered.
Today the course measures more than 6,200 yards from the back tees and its championship credentials are regularly presented to players – notably over the opening two days of the 2024 English Amateur Championship.
Newbiggin Golf Club
The links and moorland at Newbiggin have stood the test of time and remain a great example of coastal golf.
Designed by Willie Park Jr – the links bunkering, sand dunes and North Sea wind make for a stern test. Big hitting is an advantage here, particularly on the opening holes, while good long-range putting is also key to good scoring – particularly if you happen to find the wrong side of one of the enormous double greens.
Measuring more than 6,800 yards off the back tees, the course is no pushover, and this is a fantastic place to play in winter or summer.
Seahouses Golf Club
Set on clifftops above the North Sea in Northumberland overlooking Seahouses and Beadnell – with views of the Farne Islands – this predominantly links course presents a tricky test with a number of demanding tee shots and birdie opportunities on both nines.
The par threes are rightly celebrated – including the 10th hole, played from tee to green over water; and the 15th, played over an inlet with the North Sea crashing below. The clubhouse and veranda are just 100 metres from the beach and both enjoy wonderful views while offering the perfect place to relax following your round.
South Shields Golf Club
The coastal layout at South Shields brings together elements of heathland and links architecture and playing styles. The views stretch in all directions here too – east out over the Tyne estuary, north to the Cheviot Hills, and south over Wearside to the Cleveland Hills.
Founded in 1893, the club remains a popular destination on the Durham coast with its easy-walking layout and year-round playing conditions. At 6,295 yards, the course – which has been influenced by notable architects including Dr Alister MacKenzie and James Braid in its history – remains challenging for players of all abilities, particularly when the wind blows.
www.southshieldsgolfclub.co.uk
Warkworth Golf Club
Founded in 1891 and laid out by Old Tom Morris, the nine-hole out and back layout at Warkworth is a delightful example of golf on the Northumberland coast. The current course features 18 tees – each separate from its counterpart on the opposite nine – to provide a unique challenge on each loop.
From the highest points on the course you can enjoy views over the North Sea and across to the Carr Rocks and Coquet Island – while inland you can see Warkworth Castle.
Measuring just under 6,000 yards from the back tees, the key to scoring here is finding the best position on the fairway to be able to access the correct sections of the well-defended greens – particularly when using the undulations to feed your ball in close.
Whitby Golf Club
The spectacular clifftop course at Whitby – which is now more than 130 years old – is a delight to play with its commanding position on the edge of the cliffs and views around the North Yorkshire coast to Kettleness and across to Whitby harbour and pier with the Abbey ruins dominating behind.
Not too long, nor too difficult unless the wind blows, the layout punishes wild shots with thick rough, while bunkering and run-off areas will catch out players who are not used to firm and fast conditions.
