Slaley Hall (Hunting) - Northumberland - England

I have read recent reviews for the Dave Thomas designed Hunting Course which somewhat dampened my expectations. So it was good to end up being pleasantly surprised at the quality of this 30 year old track. The last review was in September 2018 since when maintenance has clearly improved, and the two nines swapped around.

The course at 6500 yards off the yellow tee blocks is long and demanding, but the holes are well set out over a large formerly-forested area. The new front nine is just ok, but the back nine presents a huge challenge. There is not a bad hole from 10 to 18, with the only easier hole being the inviting downhill par five 13th. This was followed by a brutish par four at 14 with water down the left and a fiendish pin placement on a down slope at the back left of the green. As if this wasn’t tricky enough, the 180 yards of the 15th all over water to a front edge flag was a real test, and there two holes are stroke index 15 and 16.

And to finish, the Stroke Index 1 18th was an uphill 440 yard beast. The narrow fairway is flanked by water on the left and has a stream cross where average golfers would land their second shot. And continuing up the slope, the sloping green is fronted by two huge bunkers. A bogey to finish is a good score, a par is quite exceptional.

The course design is more than good, and although the realistically priced green fee produces a high throughput of players, it is an excellent venue and good value for a day’s golf. But if you’re expecting to play to your handicap around here, it has to be your A-game all the way.

Having read the mixed reviews for the Hunting Course at Slaley Hall my expectations were not high but I left rather underwhelmed. Its set in beautiful hilly countryside and uses the undulations to great effect on some holes, I just felt there were too many dull holes which were just a long grind albeit with some good strategic bunkering in places. It’s generous from the tee and the bunkers although numerous are not too hard to avoid, the best sequence of holes is from 5-9. Despite this years heatwave the general condition was good but some of the tees looked tired and the green complexes had bare areas in places, greens were pleasantly fast and had good roll. One big negative was the pace of play, if you’re playing between Friday or Monday expect a 5 hour round even with a buggy. The attached hotel sells a lot of cheap weekend golf packages and has no handicap restrictions for what is not an easy course, watching players hitting 100 yard drives then waiting for the green to clear before hitting their 2nd does little to improve perceptions of the course. If you’re in the area it’s worth playing but not worth a diversion.

Once upon a time this was the top course around, but has sadly been left behind in recent years by Close House, Northumberland and Rockliffe Hall. The course is starting to show a lack of investment with signs of tiredness. If wanting to play three courses in the region swerve Slaley and play Colt, Northumberland and Goswick instead.

Played the Hunting yesterday and was very disappointed! Being a member of DeVere Oulton Hall myself I heard rave reviews about Slaley Hall. However the course in my opinion is very over rated and for a championship course was in poor condition for this time of year! There were some good holes like the 2nd, 5-9, 13th and 18th but the rest was very average. Drainage pipes in fairways, inconsistent greens and some bunkers with no sand put a dampener on the day and came as a bit of a shock!

I'm to going to stand up for Slaley and De Vere. Play this course midweek in summer as a de vere club member when its not packed out with weekend traffic and its a truly great value experience on a nearly great course. The front 9 on the Hunting is as good as any i've played... the back 9 disappointing relatively, especially the back to back par 5's. I've recently played the Hunting for £20 and the Priestman (a fine track in its own right, but perhaps not in as good a condition) for £12 twi-light. Its remarkable value, the issue is the de vere model is to pack them in which makes weekends a different proposition. If you want an equally good course with better service in the area, go to Rockliffe Hall, but you will pay for the privilege

Slaley Hall hmmmmmmm. DISPOINTED! My first and last time!The day started with us arriving at 9,45am for a 10.50 tee off on the Hunting Course. After 15mins trying to find the breakfast bar we ordered a tea, coffee and two bacon butties. We sat down at 10am with our drinks, 20 mins later after 3 other parties arrived and all eaten, we asked for our butties, which "are sat on the bar ill get them now" 10mins past still no food! we left, paying for our drinks to the amazment of £3.00 a drink! The Course its self was in poor condition, All the tee boxes were boggy underfoot, yet other tee boxs were hard! The greens were like putting on a mine field with un-repaired pitch marks and scruffs! Yes it had been raining previous days but this was far from what we expected. A championship course in poor condition! Whilst playing our tricky shots into the 18th i was amazed that 4 quad bikes flew past roaring away........After our round and STARVING from a early 8am drive, We looked forward to meal and drink, But once again the shocking services and attitude of bar staff put a downer on it again. Told we would have to wait for our food was one thing, but not even taking our order was another. We got a drink from the bar, A VERY EXPENSIVE ONE £5.00 a pint! and £5.00 for a larger shandy! Say no more......Eventually the waiter came back asking if we would like 3 burgers with chips, AS he made a ERROR again with someone's order. We kindly fully accepted these under the presumption the food was free, a good will gesture, how wrong were we, the bill before our cutlery.... a cold burger and chips! The poor service made the day one to remember for all the wrong reasons!I can say given a summers day the course could do its self proud, but on this occasion i rate this a Triple bogey!!!

I have just played both courses (May 09) I have to say that the front 9 on the hunting course is without doubt the best 9 holes I have ever played. The back 9 and Priestman are not to the same standard but are still decent tracts.You have to use your head play the right shots. I took irons on about 5 holes and a 3 wood on a couple more. You have to play the course not the score card. Go for it on the par 5's take it steady on other holes, the 9th for example took a 3 wood off the tee followed by a 7 iron then a sand wedge and 2 putts for a bogey. 2 points for me zero for my fellow players who took driver off the tee and found the Rhododendrons.

I am declaring myself disappointed, NOT with the course but with the ranking of Slaley Hall (Hunting). Ranked 127th in England is no place for this championship course to be sat at. I have played on both The Priestman and The Hunting course and was overwhelmed with their brilliant design, layout and condition of the course. As a result I recently became a member.Although both courses are fantastic, my favourite is the Hunting. The design of the course is by far the best in the North East. I agree with other players that the 9th, 13th and 18th are great holes although my favourites are the 6th, 7th and 16th. These holes put a smile on my face every time I’m about to tee off, these are the holes when I forget about safety and just grip-it and rip-it. I forget about playing it safe and just go for it, especially the 16th every time I play this hole I set my line (over the trees) roughly 15mtrs left of the large pine tree on the inside corner of the dog-leg and hit it with all the power I can find (only for the big hitters as it roughly 300+ yards).Although I say these are my favourites, I do really enjoy playing all holes even the 11th and 12th where some players say that they are boring and plain. I disagree with these insults as these holes are equal if not better than the best holes on other course in the North East.The beauty of the course is breath taking and the condition of which they are kept through out the year is unbelievable. The greens especially are kept in fantastic condition; the ground keeping staff are truly gifted people. The hotel is just as beautiful as the course, the restaurant, bar and facilities allow you to enjoy a relaxing environment which is managed by great staff. The golf shop staff and professional have immense knowledge of the game and full of courtesy and politeness.

Played it in late September on a 2 for 1 offer. £45 and thoroughly enjoyable. technical from the first tee shot. My personal favorites 2, 3,6,9,16.Fantastic bunker placement, greens fantastic, great facility, the so called 'poor' holes 11-13 were enjoyable. Used the long irons off several par 4's which is refreshing. Cant wait to go back in the spring, some great DBB offers including 2 rounds of golf. Looking to knock 4-5 shots off next time. Well worth a visit.

Played the Course today off the back tees and it started off raining but it was in excellent condition.This is a credit to the greenkeeping staff as I spoke to one of them and due to cutbacks the number of staff has halved this year. Believe it or not there are only seven staff to look after the two courses here! As others have said this is a quality golf course in excellent condition. The greens were very quick despite the rain and became very quick as they dried out I would argue some of the fastest I have played on this year. In my opinion it has only two weak holes in the eighteen. These are the eleventh and twelveth They are two par fives that run alongside each other. The eleventh green is well protected by bunkers which saves it a little but the twelveth is jsut a long slog. Those two apart the course is beautifully laid out and the bunkering excellent. The closing five holes are worthy of a any championship course and consequently the Seniors have a competition here next year. The only downside is that to the casual visitor the cost is £90. Too much in my opinion but there are plenty of deals and discounts available. It is still the best course in the De Vere Group ahead of even the Carrick.