GOSWICK GOLF CLUB - 16 POINTS
Many people will have whizzed past Goswick Golf Club. The East Coast mainline train between England and Scotland speeds right past the course, and, driving on the A1, you are only a little further away. Goswick is just a few miles into England, south of the Scottish border. But, I would wager that not enough have stopped off there. Goswick is a really wonderful links course which ticks many boxes when it comes to what I enjoy in a golf course.
Goswick is fairly famous on the east coast as a place to play in the winter months. When the golf courses of Edinburgh or Newcastle are sodden, Goswick is almost always running fast and true. I have played it in both winter and summer and it warrants playing at any time of the year.
The course was opened in 1890 and then materially extended and reshaped in 1932 by James Braid to give the foundations of the course seen today. There were further changes by Frank Pennink in the 1960s with the addition of the 5th and 6th holes.
This is proper links golf. Expect the ball to bound forward when it hits the turf and you will visit the dunes by the sea both early on and later in your round. Like all good links courses, bunkers are waiting go gather your ball, both from the tee and around the green and the course will reward multiple plays for sure.
Having said that, it’s also an accessible golf course. When I was there in the height of the summer, the rough was manageable (at a the same time elsewhere up and down the coast it was far more brutal) and there wasn’t too much time spent looking for balls. There are few long carries and the holes generally have good width so players of all standards will enjoy it. However, I should say that we played the yellow tees to help with the enjoyment - it would be a much sterner test had we gone all the way to the back I suspect!
Unlike some links courses, elevation changes are another feature of the course. This is evident right from the off. The first is a dogleg right par 4 with the approach up a significant hill. It’s a classic example of a hole which is a relatively easy bogey for the ‘average’ golfer but precision is needed with both shots to get a par.
The first at Goswick is one of the holes with elevation in play
The opening is really strong. The second is a par 3 which is semi-blind over a significant dip and then a mound. Again, precision is needed to find the putting surface. From this tee, enjoy the view of the whole property and over the dunes.
The front nine continues with a very good mix of par 4s and 5s. The 6th was a highlight for me. A par 5 with an OOB fence down the right and big changes of elevation first down and then up to a two-tiered green. A great hole.
The long 6th plays up to a two-tiered green.
You return to the clubhouse with the par 3 9th before heading to the south of the property for the back 9. The quality of the holes doesn’t drop at all, indeed it may even go up a notch.
The run from 14-18 will stick in the mind the most. On the 14th you need to hug the inside of the bunker on the left to find the speed slot up the fairway. The approach is into an almost punchbowl green (in main picture above). The 15th then is a real delight. A short par 3 where you have to just make it over the hummock in front to run to the middle of the true punchbowl green.
The magnificent punchbowl green on the par 3 15th holes
The 17th is a tremendously well bunkered par 5 which is reachable for many in 2, but with danger lurking a big score is not out of the question.
The 18th is a very unusual closing hole - a par 4 of just over 280 yards. You need to wait for both the nearby 17th green and the 18th to be clear before hitting if you want to be sure of not hitting anyone! I’ve heard some people say it’s shoehorned in, and while that’s probably true I think it’s a great fun closing hole. Again, it’s bunkered well but if you thread one through an eagle putt isn’t out of the question.
Watch out for the 17th green on the left when playing to the well guarded 18th
I will go back to Goswick again and again. It has a lovely mixture of quirk and class and will entertain. On top of that, the conditioning is always excellent, the green fee is reasonable and the pro shop and bar is very friendly. What more can you ask for?
BOOKING THE COURSE
Getting a tee time at Goswick is very straightforward as all of the information is on the website. They frequently have deals on - we played it after 2pm on a midweek summer’s day and it was only £80 each. It’s also a great place to play in the winter due to the exemplary conditioning.
TOUR TIPS
If you are driving up the east coast towards Scotland then it really is very easy to stop off here. For example, it’s just over an hour to North Berwick and Gullane.
However, there are other courses in the area that it warrants a trip in its own right. The beautiful Dunstanburgh Castle golf course is 40 minutes further south and Bamburgh Castle lies between the two. None of these courses will break the bank and a warm welcome awaits at all.
CONTACT DETAILS
Goswick Golf Course,
Station Cottages,
Goswick,
Berwick-upon-Tweed
TD15 2RW
Web - goswickgolfclub.com
Phone - 01289 387256
Email - rory@goswickgolfclub.com