Introduction.

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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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.
 

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.
 

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.

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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 

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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 forward but more to the north will make it necessary to play over the line of the bunkers and so improve it's character.

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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. 

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.

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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.