Goswick - Northumberland - England

I indicated in a response to a review back in April that I would be making a foray across the border to see what this 6-ball rated course was all about. Well, on a cold, windy December day when I finally got to play here, it was never going to look its very best but it held up very well, nevertheless. The winter layout plays just over a thousand yards shorter than the normal 6803-yard course with several holes shortened, including the par five 4th and 17th but this reduction in length hardly diminishes the challenge, believe me.

After a quirky start doglegging right over a small copse of trees to a green perched in the dunes - followed by a blind shot at the par three second - the round settles into a lovely stretch of par fours and fives between holes 3 and 8. The best of these six is the majestic par five 6th “Cocklaw,” played to a pneumatically raised green on the northernmost point of the property. The second nine from the clubhouse begins with probably the weakest hole so far but then the dipping, twisting terrain over the next couple of holes make up for that blip. I had issues with the par threes at 13 and 15, unfortunately. Maybe the bleak backdrop of marshy/boggy ground behind the hole at the former put me off it, I don’t know. The drop in elevation at the latter (a mini version of the 7th at Ballyliffin’s Glashedy, which I love) didn’t seem to work properly, somehow. Holes 16 and 17 were very tough, played into the wind again and they preceded a fine finishing hole, a short par four (squeezed in between the 1st and 17th) played as a par three for some reason at this time of year. Greens were very good throughout, even though they’d been hollow tined so they must be really fantastic to putt on in the summer.

The green fees are astonishingly good value when you consider they even offer twilight late afternoon fees in the summer (more clubs should take note of this, actually) but I’m afraid that my rating is a very solid 4 balls. When you bear in mind that as of today there are only five other 6-ball rated courses within the 152 ranked courses listed for England (Birkdale, Sunningdale (Old), Delamere Forest, Beau Desert and Sherwood Forest) on this website, the reviewers here have been blowing the trumpet for Goswick just a wee bit too loudly in my opinion! It’s not a great course but a good course that offers outstanding value for the green fee charged. Not UK Top50 but could be English Top 50 which would be no small measure of achievement for such a homely, down-to-earth club. Jim McCann

Played this course in June, they were preparing for the regional open qualifiers. What a fantastic course, true links with all the difficulties and funny bounces that make links golf so enjoyable. Pro very helpful, members very friendly. Clubhouse functional (just as it should be). All in all a great course to play and a reasonable green fee. Make the trip, it's well worth it.

Played Goswick last week and was amazed! I had heard that it was a really good course, but I absolutely loved it. The course is links golf at it's best, set amongst some fantastic dunes. The course has the traditional 2 loops of 9 holes, with the front 9 probably the slightly tougher. People have already highlighted the standout holes below, but I must mention the par 3 15th. Downhill to a bowl green with a large bunker covered mound protecting the front of the green, and bushes behind to catch any long shots. Probably one of of the best par 3's I have played. This is definitely the best course in the North East, and way better than Bamburgh Castle. It is also better than Seaton Carew (a course I love), but lies 40 places below Seaton in the rankings! In the past year, I have played Crail (Balcomie) and Gullane No.2 & Gullane No.3, and I can honestly say that Goswick is a much better course than them. I paid £17 for a twilight rate after 3pm, and this has got to be the best value for money golf in the UK. IBW

Played this course in October 2007 - 36 holes with a fantastic lunch for just £35. An absolute bargain. Definitely come back - the course is an old-fashioned honest links lay-out- with some cracking holes. Lovely closing stretch with perhaps the 18th being the weakest hole on the course- but very much under-rated. This is a miles better golf course than Bamburgh with friendly bar and catering staff. This should be higher up in the rankings.

I can only agree with reports written before. More than that I have to say, that Goswick is a real Gem rights besides the other great courses north of it.We played Goswick among 14 other courses in the east Lothian area in April. It was voted No. one of the trip and all this for 15 GBP (evening tarif).The Course lays rights behind a massive Beach and the bordering Dunes about 1h Drive from the North Bwerick area. It has all the aspects a great course needs. The Mantainance of the greens, fairways, roughs and tee-areas is excellent. The quality, variety and challenge of the holes is difficult to find elsewhere and the course as a whole has an excellent rhythm and makes you thinking the whole rounde along.Play it and you will see that it is possible to play a top class course for the price of a municipal something.

Brilliant golf course, remote and massively underrated. Up there with all the Muirfield qualifying courses further up the coast. Undoubtably tougher than most of them as well.

A gem! An old fashioned tough links, with 2 loops of out and back in. Hard fast running turf, devious bunkers and true greens. Some lovely shortish par 4s which have to be planned rather than battering with a driver.Although out of the way and having a poor club house, is well worth a visit and for the course alone should be in top 100 UK courses.

A cracking links with much to commend it.