LONGHIRST HALL HOTEL & GOLF COURSE
Location: Longhirst, Morpeth, Northumberland, 23 miles North of Newcastle-upon-Tyne  NE61 3LL

Longhirst Hall Golf Course is an innovative combination of holes, which can now offer three different Florida-style layouts. These are rotated to ensure good conditions throughout the golfing year.

Old Course - The Old Course is the original layout at Longhirst, having been inaugurated in 1997. There is lots of water to be avoided here, so stocking up on balls is a must.

Lakes Course - The Lakes Course utilises 11 holes from the Old combined with spectacular new holes, whose innovative green design is a joy to behold. As is the case at all of Longhirst's layouts, accuracy is of the utmost importance, as enormous water hazards await the wayward.

Dawson Course - The Dawson Course is another composite, making use of 7 of the original holes from the Old. The new additions are all about risk and reward; there are many moments during the round where players will be forced to question their bravery, but pulling off the glory shot makes the 19th hole considerably more enjoyable.

MACDONALD LINDEN HALL HOTEL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Location: Morpeth, Northumberland, 24 miles North of Newcastle-upon-Tyne  NE65 8XF

Linden Hall has a superb resort course, whose parkland layout will be enjoyed by all those who visit, whilst remaining a genuine challenge for even the best. Some excellent holes have been carved out by designer Jonathan Gaunt, who has used the indigenous landscape to create natural hazards.

Threatening woodland and intimidating water will pose a challenge, but good strategy and accurate hitting will definitely be rewarded. Those not scoring well need not despair however, as the course's location affords spectacular views over the Cheviot Hills and Northumberland's stunning coastline.

NEWCASTLE MARRIOTT HOTEL GOSFORTH PARK
Location: Gosforth Park, 4 miles North of central Newcastle  NE3 5HN

The Newcastle Marriott Hotel, situated near Gosforth Park, is the closest golf break to central Newcastle, offering high quality accommodation with the option to enjoy local courses including the Northumberland and Arcot Hall Golf Clubs. The contemporary style and excellent facilities create a comfortable and relaxing environment, while the lights of the town centre are within a few minutes.

In each of the 178 spacious guest bedrooms are luxurious fittings that include quality bedding and linen, and a lovely bathroom. The décor is modern, and the clean style is perfectly suited to cater for the needs of visiting golfers. The leisure facilities feature an indoor swimming pool, and the hotel has the excellent Plate Restaurant for AA Rosette dining, the perfect complement for a Newcastle golf break.

MATFEN HALL HOTEL, GOLF & SPA
Location: Matfen, Northumberland, 18 miles West of Newcastle-upon-Tyne  NE20 0RH

Matfen Hall's parkland course measures over 6,500 yards, and is the perfect resort course, being both challenging and enjoyable for all standards of visiting golfers.

Obstacles to be negotiated include the beautiful but fast-flowing River Pont, which interferes on more than one occasion, particularly on the long par-4s which are the most testing aspect of the course, and the dry stone ‘ha ha' wall, which runs directly across the estate.

A relatively easy walk, Matfen Hall is ideal for golf breaks, with the new 9-hole course easing the traffic over the main track, and offering a great opportunity to those still mastering the game.

At the end of an enjoyable round, the newly refurbished clubhouse, known as ‘Keeper's Lodge', guarantees a warm welcome and a relaxing environment.

DE VERE SLALEY HALL 4*
Location: Slaley, Hexham, Northumberland, 26 miles West of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 22 miles SW of Newcastle International Airport  NE47 0BY

Set within 1,000 acres of idyllic Northumberland countryside, Slaley Hall's estate is home to two fantastic golf courses, and an excellent practice and tuition centre.

Hunting Course - The Hunting Course is the superior layout at Slaley, and has been recognised for many years as an official PGA Tour venue, having hosted the Great North Open. Dave Thomas' design measures over 7,000 yards from the championship markers, and has some formidable holes. The course winds its way through towering trees and banks of beautiful rhododendrons, and golfers will be faced with many different challenges, where shaping the ball and being creative is certainly an advantage.

The signature hole of the resort is the Hunting's 9th, a tough par-4 where you must thread your drive between the monstrous trees on the right, and the meandering stream that skirts the left of the fairway. After a good tee shot, golfers are still left facing a long uphill approach shot to a severely sloping green, on what is one of the best par-4s around.

Priestman Course - The Priestman is the second course at Slaley Hall, but it should not suffer an inferiority complex. Designed by PGA Chairman Neil Coles, this is a great addition to the resort, making it one of the few to have two genuine championship courses. Opened in 1989, the Priestman has matured into a tournament venue, with some superb holes, and also fantastic panoramic views across the Tyneside Valley.

GEORGE WASHINGTON GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Location: High Usworth, Washington, Tyne & Wear, 5 miles SE of Newcastle city centre  NE37 1PH

Located conveniently, very close to the A1, and with easy access into Newcastle, George Washington is the ideal place for a golf break in England's north-east. The course itself is a mature parkland layout, and is well-regarded, having been selected to host numerous regional professional events.

However, there is no need to be intimidated, as the variety of tees on offer makes the par-73 track playable for visiting golfers of all abilities. The inventive design has made full use of the natural hazards presented by the existing land, providing numerous obstacles for players to negotiate.

Course management is the key around George Washington, where it is essential to position both tee and approach shots correctly to score well. Away from the fairways, there is a useful practice centre which includes putting and chipping greens, a driving range and a 9-hole par-3 course, ideal for honing the swing and sharpening the short game.

RAMSIDE HALL HOTEL & GOLF CLUB
Location: Carrville, 2 miles NE of central Durham  DH1 1TD

Golf Monthly is among the long list of admirers of the three nine-hole loops at Ramside Hall, stating that there is a “hint of Harry Colt gives an air of venerability unique in such a young course”. This surprising maturity ensures that the golf club is completely in keeping with the established character of the hotel, and is at the heart of a great golf break.

Ramside Hall’s three loops are named the Princes, Cathedral and Bishops, and while they are all complementary, their individual character offers welcome variation. Whichever combination forms the course of the day, the challenge is an adaptable one that will test skilled golfers without ever being too difficult for the average visitor.

As the course continues to mature and the woodland adds greater definition to the layout, Ramside Hall will only go from strength to strength. Already a challenging and enjoyable experience, the course is at the heart of the fantastic golf break just moments from Durham.

ROCKLIFFE HALL HOTEL, GOLF & SPA 5*
Location: Hurworth on Tees, near Darlington, 23 miles South of Durham  DL2 2DU

The hotel and spa facilities are now open and fully operational.

The brand new golf course at Rockliffe Hall has been created with tournament play in mind, built to the most exacting USGA standards and complete with state-of-the-art technology that will ensure outstanding year round conditioning. At 7,897 yards from the tips, Rockliffe Hall stands as Europe's longest golf course.

The stunning 300 acre country estate on the banks of the River Tees sets the stage for the phenomenal layout, which was devised by Marc Westenborg, whose past projects include the Old Course in Vilamoura and Royal Birkdale.

With five distinct sets of tees, the golf course is set up to welcome golfers of all standards, and the hand cut greens promise to be some of the best in northern England. A comprehensive practice facility and golf academy, complete with 300 yard range, allows golfers to sharpen their skills, while the 14,000 sq. foot clubhouse that overlooks the final green is a luxury 19th hole with a relaxed atmosphere for the discerning golfer.