NORTHUMBERLAND GOLF HOLIDAYS
Reviews of the best golf courses for Northumbrian golfbreaks.

The premier links on the Northumberland shores with more than a hundred years of golfing history behind it.  Goswick is distinct from its neighbouring courses in that it offers a pure links layout over recognisable links terrain: long low dunes, tracing the seashore for its full length.  Expect hard and fast conditions and Greens that are tough to hold in the true links fashion; when the wind blows (most days) Goswick can be a real handful!   Expect also plenty of gorse: Goswick is one of the few Golf Clubs (apart from maybe Royal Dornoch?) where the bright yellow ball-eating bush is actively encouraged!   Clubhouse the epitome of low key, but full of smiles.

The course that encapsulates the full panorama and rugged beauty of the Northumberland coast.  At Bamburgh you may well spend more time taking in the extraordinary vistas of Castles, islands and the raging North Sea than focusing on your target: nobody would blame you.  The course itself is a tricky, some might say quirky, natural test where holes just flow over the contours of the land and hazards appear haphazardly to thwart your progress.  Have fun!

A very understated entrance and Clubhouse gives no clue to the scenic gem that lies beyond around the crescent of Embleton Bay (an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).  Best described as a lush-links maybe, the fertile soil along the coast at Dunstanburgh looks like a links but often plays more like parkland: an intriguing combination.  The views here are as good as elsewhere along the Northumbrian shores where the North Sea crashes ashore at the foot of the stark remains of 14^th Century Dunstanburgh Castle.

A delightfully presented coastal course in the grounds of Foxton Hall.  Alnmouth, the fourth oldest Golf Club in the land, is more parkland than links, running over preened greensward with even a few trees scattered around the course!  A rare seaside design by the legendary Harry Colt, more famous for his inland courses so it was a break with tradition for him.  Alnmouth is a very fair test of golf, where the trees help to break the back of the sea-breezes, but occasionally obstruct progress too!
Good quality accommodation is available in the stately Foxton Hall the centrepiece of the golf course, which also houses the Clubhouse.

Only nine holes but a great setting in the centre of the village (the tiny pavillion Clubhouse is a focal point for dog-walkers and beach-strollers).  Some marvellous holes at the far end of the loop where the course runs alongside the beach and one helluva par-three at the turn!  One for the golf historians, as it is the oldest nine-hole course in England; designed by Mungo Park in 1869.

Other courses to consider

Alnwick Castle - In the hills behind Alnwick Castle; lots of trees and plenty of slopes.

Seahouses - Low-key, semi-public golfing beside the sea, albeit with a few spectacular cliffside holes (and quite a few walkers).

Dunbar - A full daytrip up over the border to play a fine Scottish links.