The Course

Information Board Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logos to visit their websites

At the beginning of 1898 , the originators of the Club designed the course.  The first major alteration to the course was in 1899, and this was dictated by the position of the clubhouse.  The next major alteration was in 1905, when the new clubhouse was re-erected at the west of Gosforth Park.  At about this time H S Colt advised on the reconstruction of the course and much of this work was in progress when the 1914-18 War broke out.  When the war was over James Braid visited the course and gave advice regarding certain alterations which were carried out immediately.  Much of the detail about the history of the course and club can be found in George Harbottle's book 'The Northumberland Golf Club Story', 100 years at the "Park" and Gosforth Park Ladies' Golf Club 1923-1983.

Click Mens' Card or Ladies' Card to view the cards.

The 1st 

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap - A fine opening risk and reward hole. The long hitter can try for the green, over the trees, but beware of thick rough ahead and to the right. The conservative way is hit an iron to the bottom of the hill leaving about a hundred yards to the green, guarded by a steep bunker to the right and the thick grass of the racecourse to the left.

High Handicap - Try to hit the ball far enough to get beyond the two bunkers at the bottom of the hill. Left is better than right. Then aim for the left, front of the green, wherever the flag is. It is further uphill than you think

History - This hole was originally called the first. The naming of holes is a regular practice in Scotland and has been extended to some courses in England. In 1905 it was 255 yds and was lengthened to 315 yds by 1978

The 2nd     

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap - A tricky and tight hole placing a premium on a long straight drive and an accurate second shot to a well guarded green with a narrow entrance. The long hitter can reach the bunker in the middle of the fairway and the one on the right is in range for most.

High Handicap - Play as a par 5, so you don't need a driver off the tee. Second shot is longer than you think. Aim for short of the green and hope for a chip and a putt.

History - The second hole went across into the Forty Acre Field (now the practice field), the green being near the buildings now being used by the ground staff for headquarters and equipment. In fact the hole was named the Hemel for that reason and there was a special local rule, because near the buildings there was a mound covered with nettles. Having retrieved your ball from the nettles you got a free drop not nearer the hole!

The 3rd

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap - A simple par five where the lower handicap player is looking for a birdie . The longer hitter needs to avoid the far cross bunkers while the big bunker on the left catches out the rest. Do not go long when playing to the green.

High Handicap - Avoid the bunkers on the left at all costs. Second shot keep right. Third shot to green and don't be too long.

History - The third hole was played down to the Forty Acre Burn, which is still there, but there was a gate where the present crossing is from the practice field to the second tee and this hole was called the Gate. Thereafter play went on up to our present second hole and on the south side of the racecourse with a hole beside the lake.

The 4th  

Sponsored by

Low Handicap - A much harder par five. The two bunkers come into play for most although the left hand one can be cleared by the longer hitter unless the wind is against. Decision time for the second shot - lay up to the far middle bunker or go over it to a big dip in front of the green. Avoid missing the green to the left.

High Handicap - A difficult drive. Don't try and carry the bunker in the middle of the fairway. 2nd shot play short of bunkers at top of hill. Expect to drop a shot.

History - In 1905 this was known as the Rookery at 433 yds, the present hole 4 was known in 1978 as the Pimples at 507yds , although another member recalls that it was the present 17th that was called the Pimples.

The 5th  

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap - A straightforward par three which can play quite long into a westerly.

High Handicap - Aim before the green to take bunkers out of play.

History - This hole was originally called The Long and was 463 yds the present day hole 5 was called the awkward in 1978 at 186 yds and so it proved to be in the Brabazon Trophy when it was shown to be the most difficult hole on the course.

 
The 6th

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap -A great dog leg to the right. The drive requires length and accuracy - too far to the right and you have to go over a stand of tall trees - too far to the left and the ball kicks left on the sloping fairway into the rough leaving a long second. Once in the middle of the fairway it is a relatively simple second to a well bunkered green.

High Handicap - Play as a par 5. Keep left with the drive. Don't try to hit a clever shot over the trees with your second.

History - Called the Copse in 1978 this refers to the trees which protect the hole with the second shot.

The 7th

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap - A straightforward par three to a well bunkered green which slopes steeply from right to left. Don't miss to the right .

High Handicap - Better to be long than short.

History - Originally this hole was called the Short and in 1978 called The Slope at 171 yds. For a time at the seventh a tee was placed to the north-east of the present one which made it a full 200 yds, but this was quickly abandoned as it took away the main character of the hole.

The 8th

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap - Another dog leg to the right. A row of bunkers up the right catches the fading shot while the longer hitter has to avoid the far bunker on the left . A fairly simple second but don't miss left as you could end up on the racecourse ten feet below the green.

High Handicap - Aim left of the fairway bunkers. Play as a dog leg to the right.

History - Bunkershill originally and in 1978 called Lone Tree. The medal tee for the eighth was brought back 50 yds to make this a 355 yd hole

The 9th    

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap - An easy par five to end the front nine. A generous area for the drive with no bunkers - time to open the shoulders. A fairway bunker on the right , short of the green needs to be avoided with your second if you want your birdie.

High Handicap - Play to the left of the marker post. Aim 2nd to left of fairway bunker. Remember it is a huge green.

History - This hole was called the Himalayas in 1978.

The 10th

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap -Another par three with a well bunkered green. If you miss the green and the bunkers to the right or the left you are left with a tricky chip.

High Handicap - This hole is as you see it.

History - Called the Short in 1978, the present medal tee for the 10th is the subject of compromise and a new tee further forwardbut more to the north will make it necessary to play over the line of the bunkers and so improve it's character.

The 11th  

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap - The newest hole on the course with a risk and reward element off the tee. You either lay up short of the bunker on the left or try and drive through the narrow gap leaving just a wedge to a fiercely sloping green , but don't go through as it's thick. This green is to U.S.G.A specification so can sometimes be a little quicker than the others.

High Handicap - Make sure that you are short of the bunker at the end. You don't need a driver, even though you might not reach the green with your 2nd.

History - The green for this hole was dangerously close to the new 16th tee. The original hole was a good hole with well positioned bunkers protecting the green to the left and right. The present hole 11 is a recent change and although some would say that the green is different to those on the rest of the course, the hole is now bedded in and presents an interesting challenge to any golfer.

The 12th

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap -Off the new medal tee this hole has now been restored to a really good par four . Bunkers to the right and left can catch your drive unless there is a strong wind behind and the green is protected by seven bunkers and the road and racecourse behind.

High Handicap - Play short of the two bunkers. Play short of the bunkers around the green.

History - Originally called The Polo in 1978 it was called The Island.

The 13th  

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap - The hardest hole on the course particularly in an east wind. The drive needs to be straight and long to a narrowish fairway. Get into the rough and the green can be out of range. A difficult second to a green guarded by an unseen bunker and bank to the left and a copse of trees to the right. In the trees to the right and it's often two shots dropped.

High Handicap - Really a par 5. Try to hit the fairway and second shot short of the cross bunkers. Allow for dead ground at front of green with third shot. A surprisingly big green.

History - Up to 1925 the 13th tee was near the 12th green which necessitated playing across the corner of the woods. However it was then moved to it's present position making a longer hole but a less hazardous problem for slicers. As a par four it has always been something approaching an impossibility but now that the tee is being pulled back still further and the hole treated as a par 5, a more reasonable proposition for the majority of golfers. Called The Woods in 1978.

The 14th  

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap - The prettiest short hole on the course and probably the best. The tee shot requires courage , particularly in a west wind as out of bounds runs up the right hand side only a few yards from the green. Bunkers and heather can catch the shot that isn't quite out the middle of the club.

High Handicap - It is further than you think. Uphill and go left rather than right.

History - Originally called Old Tree in 1978 it was called Heather

The 15th 

Sponsored by

Low Handicap - You are now at the far end of the course ; if the winds in the east you can relax and enjoy the run in . However if there is a stiff westerly you will be hard pushed to find a tougher finish. Probably the best of the par fives this hole requires an accurate drive down the right missing the bunkers on the left and then a lay up, between or short of the two fairway bunkers. If the wind is behind a chance to reach the green in two for a birdie.

High Handicap - Length off tee not important. Stay left. Play hole as a zigzag. Aim for right hand side of fairway for 2nd shot.

History - The present medal tee for the 15th hole has certainly added a great deal to the character of a dull hole, because the forward tee was something of a makeshift after the original tee by the racecourse railings was abandoned. A tee for the 15th was made close to the fence of the racecourse and the bunkers on the left of the fairway were constructed to make a much more interesting hole, because it was played slightly dog leg with bunkers on the left and the Himalayas on the right. Two other additions were made in the twenties, one was a large bunker 80 yds short of the green on the lefthand side and the bank erected at the back of the green where previously there had been a lot of very thick grass.

The 16th

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap - Off the new tee this hole is now fairer as you do not have to cross the racecourse. A straight drive is required as the bunker on the left is in range for the longer hitter and the racecourse guards the right. A tricky second to a well bunkered green with a narrow entrance.

High Handicap - Really a par 5. The fairway bunker is further than you think. Play short of the greenside bunkers.

History - This was called the Paddock. A recent change has been to bring the tee across the racecourse making the hole a difficult straight and long par 4. The old 16th tee (which is still there) was originally designed to go over one racetrack and then this became two race tracks. This made it a big carry into the evening sun over grass in which it was difficult to find a ball. This produced inevitable delays.

The 17th

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap - The only true dog leg to the left hole on the course . If the wind is behind , an iron off the is safest to avoid the bunker on the left and the trees on the right. A straightforward second to the green but don't go long.

High Handicap - Stay right off the tee

History - This hole was called the Grandstand - for obvious reasons in 1978.

The 18th 

Sponsored by Click Sponsor's logo to visit their website

Low Handicap -  A magnificent finishing hole especially in a stiff westerly. The drive needs to be long, aimed at the left side of the clubhouse to a generous fairway. The second is all uphill to a very large green and usually requires at least one more club. Miss the green and the fun can start. Three yards to the right is out of bounds with nothing to stop the ball going there - you can get lucky and bounce back in. To the left is a large bunker from which the thinned shot can have the members diving for cover whilst sitting on the veranda. Many are the tales of pars being made from ricochets off the windows and the roof.

High Handicap - Aim to be short of the bunkers with your second shot. Allow an extra club or two in your shot to the green. It is further than you think.

History - This hole understandably is called Home. It was lengthened by the construction of the present tee 25 yards behind the earlier one making it into a tremendous finishing hole.

Mens' Card

Ladies' Card