The northernmost county in England, Northumberland is also one of the least densely populated regions. It’s a largely rural area that was once at the heart of the industrial revolution when its coal mines fuelled the many emerging industries in other parts of the country.

The Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs oversees the activities of 41 member clubs located between Magdalene Fields in the north and Allendale in the south. Members at three of these clubs – Slaley Hall, Longhirst Hall and Close House – are fortunate enough to have two courses at their disposal.

Northumberland Ladies’ County Golf Association was founded thirteen years after the inauguration of the county union for male golfers, in 1920. Its aim is to promote and encourage golf throughout the county within the framework of the R&A’s rules of golf, the Ladies’ Golf Union and England Golf. Currently, there are 42 clubs affiliated to the association.

Because the county is bounded by the North Sea on its eastern flank, there are a number of fine seaside courses to be found in Northumberland, the best of which is Goswick Links at Berwick-on-Tweed. Inland, the Colt course at Close House and the Hunting course at Slaley Hall are the pick of the parkland layouts.

Our Northumberland Best in County golf course rankings were updated in 2019. Click here to read the story.