The Northumberland Golf Club
Location and Setting
The Northumberland Golf Club sits inside High Gosforth Park, just a couple of miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne city centre, on the same estate as Newcastle Racecourse. It’s a setting unlike almost anywhere else in English golf: the fairways weave in and out of the racecourse.
Course Type and Length
Officially classed as parkland with a heathland character, the course plays to a par of 72 over 6,687 yards from the back tees – a proper, championship-length test rather than a short course to be taken lightly. The layout was shaped in golf ‘s Golden Age: originally laid out in 1898, then substantially reworked by Harry Colt from 1918, with James Braid brought in the following year to advise on further changes. Strategic bunkering and complex greens reward accuracy over raw power.
Facilities
The clubhouse occupies a commanding position looking over the 18th green, with a bar, lounges, an elegant dining room and sun terrace. Golfers can warm up on the recently upgraded practice range and chipping and putting greens. In the clubhouse refreshments range from a quick drink to a three-course meal freshly prepared by our Head Chef using local, seasonal ingredients.
Signature Hole
The 18th is a great finishing hole with the handsome clubhouse providing the backdrop. Teeing off over the racecourse onto the fairway below, with cross bunkers catching your eye. The uphill approach plays at least a club longer and with out of bounds for anything long and right, breathe a sigh of relief when your ball comes to rest. Many visitors rate it the most memorable finishing hole they’ve played in the North East.
Toughest Hole
The 13th hole, with a stroke index of 1, is officially the toughest hole on the course. Playing 470 yards off the medal tee over the racecourse, you’d better hope the prevailing wind is with you. A 3-shotter to the green for most, where par feels like birdie.
Longest Drive
At the far end of the course, turning back into the prevailing wind, many promising medal rounds have faltered over the last 4 holes. The Par 5 15th hole at 515 yards, sees its fair share of bogeys or worse. Make sure you stay out of the sand.
Course Record
The course has seen plenty of low scoring under tournament pressure having hosted the R & A Open Qualifier series and the DP World Tour Q School qualifier. The current course record has just been broken by Jose Islas from Mexico carding a gross score of 62, 9 under par in the recent Q School qualifier.
Competitions
The Northumberland Golf Club has genuine tournament pedigree. It hosted the Dunlop Masters in 1972, won by New Zealand’s Bob Charles by two shots from England’s Tony Jacklin, and staged the Newcastle Brown “900” Open on the European Tour in 1980. The club has also held the English Amateur Championship, and more recently served as an Open Regional Qualifying venue for the R&A over a five-year run from 2013.
Prices
Green fees vary by day and time, with advance booking essential. Visitors and visiting parties are welcomed with a choice of packages available. The club also offers corporate packages.
Northumberland Golf Club, High Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 5HT
0191 236 2498 | admin@thengc.co.uk | www.thengc.co.uk