Planning a trip? Try these…
Alnmouth Golf Club
Overlooking Foxton Bay, an area of natural outstanding beauty on the Northumberland coast, Alnmouth Golf Club has a long and distinguished history, and is proud of its heritage as the fourth oldest club in England – established in 1869. Designed by HS Colt it is regarded as one of the finest golf courses in the North East, renowned for the condition of its greens and overall presentation. A Top 100 golf course in the UK, Alnmouth also has first-class practice facilities, a driving range and golf buggies for hire. Only 40 minutes drive from Newcastle, Alnmouth is easily accessed and visitors are always given a warm Northumbrian welcome. For those staying and playing, the 26-bed Dormy House within the clubhouse is designed to accommodate golfers with twin or single rooms with en-suite facilities while golf breaks can be organised to include a choice of the best courses in Northumberland. www.alnmouthgolfclub.com
Auld Cross Keys Inn
The Auld Cross Keys Country Inn, Denholm has been at the heart of life in the town for more than 200 years. A popular choice with golfers visiting the Scottish Borders, the former bakehouse offers 12 bedrooms and can accommodate up to 26 people. Within a short drive of some of the best courses in the Scottish Borders, including Eyemouth, Torwoodlee, Minto, Jedburgh, Kelso and the Hirsel, the Auld Cross Keys serves as a perfect base for visiting golfers. www.crosskeysdenholm.co.uk
Cardrona Hotel Golf & Spa
Macdonald Cardrona Hotel Golf & Spa is just 40 minutes from Edinburgh. This championship golf course rests in a unique setting among the Borders Hills, skirted by the River Tweed. Designed by former Ryder Cup player Dave Thomas in 2001, the parkland and woodland layout features wide and undulating greens, and is an ideal destination for a golf break complete with first-class service and hospitality before and after your round.
www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/macdonald-cardrona-hotel-golf-spa
George Washington Hotel, Golf & Spa
George Washington is everything you want in a golf resort. Celebrating its 40th year in 2018, the championship course is complemented by a 16-bay driving range with teaching suites. There’s also a five-hole Academy course and the 103-bedroom hotel offers great stay and play rates and dining throughout the day as well as a recently refurbished gym and spa facilities for those needing to relax after a day on the course. At the heart of the resort is the par 73 18-hole layout measuring 6,625 yards from the back tees. The fairways are generous, however trees await should you fail to find the short grass. The opening back-to-back par fives offer a great opportunity to get off to a flying start, while George Washington’s version of Amen corner – a stretch of three tricky par fours – will test players of all levels. www.georgewashington.co.uk
Close House
If you spend a full day on the golf course you need a relaxing stay in luxurious surrounding – and the Courtyard, Pavilion and Lodge accommodation at Close House ticks all the boxes. New for 2018, the Pavilion, next to the Yearling par three course, is a private two-bedroom residence for up to four people with space to relax in the evening sunshine while enjoying the views of the Tyne Valley. Meanwhile, the Lodge sits at the top of the Close House estate and can accommodate up to four guests. The Courtyard suites are just a short walk from No.19 and provide a high standard of accommodation with 16 rooms accommodating up to 34 guests. As well as having access to the courses and facilities at Close House, guests have the beautiful Northumberland countryside on their doorstep while the shopping, sport and nightlife of Newcastle are just minutes away. www.closehouse.com
Ramside Hall Hotel & Golf Club
With two of Co Durham’s finest golf course as well as an award-winning hotel, state-of-the-art spa, three restaurants and a spacious clubhouse, Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club is an ideal venue for thos looking to stay and play.
Its two 18-hole championship courses – The Prince Bishops Course and Cathedral Course – are fine examples of risk and reward golf set in the countryside near Durham City. The Cathedral Course, opened in September 2014 as part of a £15m redevelopment at the four-star resort, measures 7,200 yards from the back tees and is laid out across a sweeping hilltop plateau and a picturesque wooded valley. Meanwhile, The Prince Bishops Course is a classic English track with tree-lined fairways and well-protected greens.
Away from the golf courses, the resort has everything golfers and non-golfers need from the clubhouse and driving range for before and after your round to dining in the Rib Room Steakhouse and Grill, Fusion Asian restaurant, Pemberton’s Carvery and Clubhouse. The resort’s spa offers full-day experiences as well as one-off treatments and is home to a number of swimming pools and a full fitness suite. The hotel offers 127 rooms – enough to accommodate any travelling golf parties. www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk
Linden Hall
Golf course architect Jonathan Gaunt must have rubbed his hands with glee at being given the job of designing the golf course at Linden Hall. Combining a mixture of mature woodland, wonderful countryside, established lakes, ponds and streams, Gaunt has delivered a perfect mix of golf holes that are a real treat to play. Opened in the mid-90s, the course is mature with superb putting surfaces. There are four loops of holes, all starting and finishing near the hall making it ideal for those golfers who do not want to play a full 18. At the higher points on the course, players are treated to magnificent views of The Cheviots and the stunning Northumberland countryside while service and accommodation here are first-class. www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/macdonald-linden-hall-golf-country-club
