Heddon on the Wall,
Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland NE15 0HT
Office
+44 (0)1661 852 255Pro shop
+44 (0)1661 852 255Fax
+44 (0)1661 853 322Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Jonathan Lupton (Head PGA Professional)Academy
The Close House Golf AcademyThe Course:
18 holes. Mainly open parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Woodland and open rural countryside.
Designer:
Colt course: Scott Macpherson (2011), in the style of Harry Colt.
Filly course: originally a 9-hole course, extended to 18 by Hawtree, Cram & Glendinning (1980s) and refurbished by Scott Macpherson (2011).
Above distances are for the Colt course. Also at Close House is the 18-hole Filly course (par-70, 6000 yds from back tees), and a 9-hole Pitch & Putt course.
54.987538
-1.805105
1 mi W of Heddon on the Wall / 10 mi W of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Close House
Close House Hotel & Golf (Colt course): Here beside the River Tyne in rural Northumberland (but still just 10 miles from the centre of Newcastle), you'll find Close House, a relatively recent addition to the North East's growing collection of luxury Stay&Play venues. Much transformed from a former Newcastle University facility, Close House now boasts luxury accommodation and two Lee Westwood endorsed golf courses: the championship Colt layout and the shorter and also enjoyable Filly course.
The Colt is a predominantly open "heathland" layout. Integrated into its design are several themes that flow from the work of Harry Colt. Rectangular tees, wrinkly-edged bunker forms and the design of the par-3s all tip their hat to the legendary English course architect (whose greatest work includes Sunningdale's New course, Wentworth's West, Swinley Forest, and Pine Valley in New Jersey).
The layout exudes a linksy openness, with fairways frequently lined by tall wispy fescues. Only occasionally do you play through tree-lined stretches, while water hazards are sparingly used, as on many of the great heathland courses.
Variety is guaranteed with the terrain's natural undulations demanding a mix of shots, some played uphill, others downhill and some on more level ground. Each hole faces a different direction than the one before, which becomes an ever more challenging factor when the wind is blowing. Where some holes provide good width landing areas, others like the par-4 1st give you testingly tight fairways to hit.
From this pleasantly undulating layout you'll enjoy many scenic views onto the surrounding Northumberland countryside. Although the River Tyne is but a short distance away, you'll not play alongside it on the Colt course. A few holes on the Filly course get closer to the northeast's most famous river, separated from it by a small margin of woodland.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Contact club for full details, discounts, Stay&Play packages, etc. [Last updated: 2021].
Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire (if pre-booked). Caddies available (if pre-booked).
Good
Close House was built in 1779 for the private use of the Bewicke family. Many centuries prior to its construction, the Roman Army roamed this land. In fact, the world famous ‘Hadrians Wall’ built by the Romans between England and Scotland, almost abuts Close House's Colt course.
Created for the use of Newcastle University staff and students, the original 9-hole golf course (now integrated in the Filly course) dates from 1964. Nowadays, Close House's much expanded facilities offer a luxury Stay & Play facility, with two Lee Westwood endorsed golf courses.
Heddon on the Wall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 0HT.
+44 (0)1661 852 255
Visit website2012 saw the opening of 16 luxury, Courtyard suite-style accommodations at Close House. The rooms provide a high quality and comforting place to retire after a hard day on the golf course ... with dining provided in Close House’s No.19 restaurant, a contemporary and state-of-the-art facility. In subsequent years the accommodation offer was expanded to include The Lodge (former gatehouse), The Pavilion (cottage) and new Terrace rooms.
Close House (Colt and Filly courses)
No
Slaley Hall
124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.
79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).
Nelly Korda: won the Mizuho Americas Open (May 16-19) at Liberty National GC, continuing her extraordinary form in LPGA events. This was her sixth win in seven starts in 2024.
Xander Schauffele: recorded his first major championship win, and second record-equalling low score of 62 in a major. Only he, Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Shane Lowry have achieved this feat in a men’s major championship.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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