County Durham is home to more than 40 golf courses laid out across rolling hills, and on clifftops and linksland by the North Sea. Join us for a Special Focus which explores some of the best golf experiences in our region…
Rockliffe
Famous for exciting tournaments, world-class facilities and a welcoming atmosphere, Rockliffe is one of the north of England’s premier golf destination.
Set within the resort’s 375-acre estate along the banks of the River Tees, the 7,879-yard championship golf course is one of Europe’s longest – though it offers many tee positions on each hole so all golfers can enjoy the test.
Following significant investment across the estate, the team at Rockliffe is looking forward to an exciting new era. The five-star destination is undergoing a multi-million-pound transformation that will see the wider resort re-emerge as a world-class, gastronomy-focused luxury hotel, while the golf facilities have also received major investment.
Designed by Hawtree, the golf course blends seamlessly into the natural landscape, with each hole offering a distinctive challenge, and recent investment has further enhanced the playing experience.
A major bunker renovation project has refreshed the course’s strategic character, while new machinery and continued investment in the greenkeeping team are ensuring exceptional course conditioning throughout the year. Extensive drainage means there are no temporary greens or tees, while the USGA-specification creeping bent grass greens provide high-quality putting surfaces year-round.
Meanwhile, the resort’s driving range features TrackMan’s industry-leading ball-tracking technology, delivering a data-rich practice experience across eight covered bays. This is combined with dedicated practice greens and short game areas, and tuition delivered by the team of PGA professionals.
Operational excellence is also embedded throughout the golf offering, with the resort’s standards of service recognised through 59club accreditation. From seamless tee time organisation to attentive support on and off the course, every detail is designed to ensure a smooth and memorable day.
Where championship golf meets five-star luxury, the resort offers elegant accommodation, an award-winning spa and wellness facilities including a gym and padel courts, and refined dining that is set to reach new heights with the launch of ATLAS James & Maria Close later this year.
Castle Eden Golf Club
Located in the south east of County Durham, just a few minutes from the A19, the golf course at Castle Eden is a delightful place to spend a day.
Ancient trees and the castle – an 18th Century mansion house built by the Burdon family – provide a stunning backdrop for this parkland layout designed by Sir Henry Cotton, who was responsible for its extension from six to nine and then 18 holes, following the original work of O L Rowntree.
Formed as The Dene Golf Club after the First World War, in 1922 the club’s name was changed to Castle Eden Golf Club. Its fairways have produced many fine players in the years since, while the course has continued to improve and benefit from investment, particularly on drainage and irrigation in recent years.
The key to good scoring on this 6,251-yard, par 70 layout is accuracy. Several holes require mid- and long-iron approaches to the greens, with good ball striking rewarded with birdie opportunities while errant shots will be punished by penal greenside bunkers and devilishly tricky long putts on very fast greens.
Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa
Situated on the outskirts of Durham City – with easy access to the A1, A19 and A690 – Ramside Hall sits in 350 acres of beautiful, private grounds and its golf and leisure facilities are second to none.
Both courses here offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside, with Durham Cathedral in the distance. Playable throughout the year, the Cathedral and Prince Bishops’ courses have both benefitted from significant investment in recent years. The Cathedral Course has been greatly enhanced since 2025 with the creation of two new holes, including the dramatic 18th – a short, dogleg par four with a green set beyond water in the shadow of the clubhouse – which is set to open later this summer.
Meanwhile, The Pin is home to a two-tier 43-bay Toptracer driving range, a six-lane bowling alley and electronic pub games as well as a sports bar, golf shop and function room. The recently opened short game area, which was designed by golf course architect Jonathan Gaunt, is floodlit and offers two expansive putting greens, multiple chipping areas and versatile coaching spaces.
As well as the golf facilities, Ramside is home to an award-winning spa, leisure facilities and accommodation ranging from cosy rooms and luxury suites to stylish treehouses set in woodlands and the five-bedroom Farmhouse.
In recent years, Ramside Hall has invested heavily in improving the golf and leisure facilities at the resort. Rather than standing still, the team is aiming to create a more complete golf destination where championship golf, first-class practice facilities and modern leisure experiences sit comfortably alongside one another.
Sharpley Golf
Sharpley, located near Seaham in County Durham, is one of the region’s fine examples of modern golf course design.
Laid out with input from three top course architects and officially opened in April 2010, today the par 71, 6,275-yard course with 18 USGA-specification greens presents a wonderful challenge for visitors of all abilities.
As well as the rolling Durham landscape, golfers also get to enjoy sea views and some unusual water features. The layout also benefits from modern drainage – making it playable year-round – while the clubhouse overlooking the course is a fantastic spot to unwind after your game.
Off the course, you’ll also find a 24-bay TrackMan Range and a swing studio, retail and custom fitting from The Golf Factory, and the Graeme Storm Academy.
Wynyard Golf Club
The Wellington Course at Wynyard is a modern golf course which challenges driving accuracy as well as players’ skills with their putters.
Host venue for the 2005 Seve Trophy as well as European and Seniors tour qualifying schools, the course’s mature trees and vast bunkers ensure accuracy from the tee is richly rewarded. Meanwhile, large green complexes featuring mounding, run-off areas and more fiendish bunkers will challenge those looking to attack flags.
Designed by Martin Hawtree, the course opened in 1996 and has matured into a widely respected layout which remains a regular host of top events. While it can be stretched to more than 7,000 yards, a wide variety of tee boxes ensure everyone can play a course which suites their game.
Highlights of rounds here include the par four second hole with its elevated tee shot, and the par three third played over water, while the snaking par five 16th weaves between water and sand.
The recently updated clubhouse is exactly the sort of place we love to spend time after a round, with a welcoming atmosphere and great food served daily.
Oakleaf Golf Complex
Oakleaf Golf Complex combines a very well-maintained course with excellent practice facilities and a welcoming atmosphere for golfers of all abilities.
The 5,500-yard, par 68 layout is a real test of accuracy – with tree-lined fairways, challenging doglegs and well-protected greens rewarding precision and punishing wayward tee shots.
Oakleaf’s own Amen Corner features three demanding par threes measuring 201, 236 and 186 yards respectively from the back tees. Each provides a memorable challenge, and the trio has come to define many rounds here.
Complementing the golf course is a 15-bay floodlit driving range, a pro shop, and tuition delivered by three PGA professionals. After your round, be sure to spend some time relaxing in the bar and enjoying some food.
www.great-aycliffe.gov.uk/oakleafgolfcomplex/home
Blackwell Grange Golf Club
Situated on the south side of Darlington with easy access to the A1, the golf course at Blackwell Grange is set in beautiful surroundings and offers a test to golfers of all abilities with its par of 71 (73 from the red tees for women).
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 welcoming clubhouse, while the club is also home to a 13-bay floodlit driving range with a swing studio.
Houghton-le-Spring Golf Club
Founded in 1908, originally with a nine-hole course before quickly being expanded to 18 holes, today Houghton-le-Spring Golf Club is home to a traditional English parkland course that offers an engaging test of golf.
Set across rolling ground with panoramic views, the layout rewards accurate course management as much as driving distance, with many elevation changes, natural contours and well-protected greens ensuring it is not easy to overpower.
The demanding seventh, picturesque downhill par three eighth, and a strong closing stretch will all test players while offering scoring opportunities to those who hit great shots.
Off the course, the welcome here is warm and friendly, and the modern clubhouse is a great place to relax before and after your round.
