Close House Hotel & Golf

Heddon on the Wall,

Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland NE15 0HT

  • Office

    +44 (0)1661 852 255
  • Pro shop

    +44 (0)1661 852 255
  • Fax

    +44 (0)1661 853 322
  • Golf pro

    Jonathan Lupton (Head PGA Professional)
  • Academy

    The Close House Golf Academy

About the course

  • The 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).

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
6813
5854
4751
Par
71
71
71
SSS or slope
73
69
69

At the same location:

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.

Location

Latitude:

54.987538

Longitude:

-1.805105

How to get there:

1 mi W of Heddon on the Wall / 10 mi W of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Close House Hotel & Golf (Colt course)

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.

Est. 1964

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.

List of courses: England - North

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance.

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes on the Colt course in high season (April thru' Oct): £200 (all days). Filly course: £100.

Contact club for full details, discounts, Stay&Play packages, etc. [Last updated: 2021].

Other information

Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire (if pre-booked). Caddies available (if pre-booked).

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

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.

Where2Stay

  • Close House Hotel

    Heddon on the Wall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 0HT.

    +44 (0)1661 852 255

    Visit website

    2012 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.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Close House (Colt and Filly courses)

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      No

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Slaley Hall

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