Top 10 Golf Courses – Co Durham

This top 10 has been chosen by County champion: Kris Rae (Tyneside GC) Handicap: +1

Brancepeth Castle 

 This traditional parkland track is a picturesque Harry Colt design – it’s a former deer park with views of the castle – and is renowned for its challenging par 3s, especially the 9th hole. Green fees: From £20 midweek, £25 weekends. Tel: 0191 378 0075.
www.brancepeth-castle-golf.co.uk/

Rockliffe Hall

 This modern layout has already hosted some elite tournaments and, depending on what tees you play from, can be very long with well- positioned hazards. Sure to become one of
the country’s best when fully established.
Green fees: From £45 midweek, £55 weekends. Tel: 01325 729999.
https://www.rockliffehall.com/

Seaton Carew

Great championship links course which recently hosted the Brabazon Trophy. A
big defence to the course is the very well- protected tricky greens with the 17th the stand out. Your short game will definitely be put to the test.
Green fees: £50 Mon, £45 Tue-Fri, £55 weekends. Tel: 01429 266249.
http://www.seatoncarewgolfclub.co.uk/

Wynyard Hall

A modern championship course with a lot of 400 yard-plus holes including the par-5 16th at 600 yards so driving is the key here. Staged the prestigious Seve Trophy a few years back. Green fees: From £29. Tel: 01740 644399.

www.wynyardgolfclub.co.uk/

Tyneside

My home course is another Colt design situated in the Tyne Valley. Has a great reputation for its year-round conditioning, especially the greens. The 13th – ‘Coffin’ – is the signature hole and one of the toughest in the county.
Green fees: From £25 midweek, £30 weekends. Tel: 0191 413 2742.
www.tynesidegolfclub.co.uk/

Ramside Hall (Prince Bishops)

Another relatively new course, Ramside offers an exciting challenge with lots of birdie and eagle chances and risk-reward holes where corners can be cut by the longer hitters. But there are hazards waiting for errant drives, including wet ones!
Green fees: £40 Mon-Thu, £45 Fri-Sun. Tel: 0191 386 5282.
http://www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk/golf

South Shields

Not considered a links but de nitely has a links-type feel provided by the fast shiny greens in the summer. There are plenty of birdies to be had… unless the wind picks up off the North Sea when it becomes a lot trickier.
Green fees: From £18 midweek. Tel: 0191 456 8942.

www.ssgc.co.uk/

Bishop Auckland

An enjoyable undulating course with a lot of demanding holes but also birdie chances if you’re driving it well with ve par 5s on offer. Watch out for the long par-3 12th and the demanding par-4 13th.
Green fees: From £30 midweek, £35 weekends. Tel: 01388 661618.

www.bagc.co.uk/

Heworth

This is definitely the most improved course in recent years: the greens are right up there with the best in the county and the course will only get better when the improvements become more established.
Green fees: From £10. Tel: 0191 469 9832.

www.theheworthgolfclub.co.uk/

Wearside

Another parkland course with some great holes running along the banks of the river Wear. You need to take great care on the super-slick greens.
Green fees: From £20 midweek, £25 weekends.
Tel:01915342518. 
https://www.wearsidegc.co.uk/