Birtley's hidden gem

Oct 9 2008 by Golf North East

SITUATED close to the A1 near to Chester-le-Street in County Durham, Birtley Golf Club is a hidden gem many golfers will not have considered playing.

And what a mistake!! This cracking nine-hole layout with 18 tees is a very good test and seriously examines your shot making ability.

On compiling this report following weeks of summer rain, I couldn't help but be impressed at how well the course had stood up to the battering it had received and how good the greens were. In fact, they were more than good, they were excellent and a real treat to putt on.

The green-keeping staff are proud of their course and obviously treat the whole area as their own personal back garden - their tender loving care is in evidence everywhere.

The Birtley course is a not a physical course and with only one or two gentle climbs, it is ideal for those golfers wanting to play more than 18 holes. In fact, once you've played the nine-holes twice, you will want to play them again to try and improve on your score.

This mature parkland par 67 course measures 5729 yards off the medal tees, 5570 off the yellows and 5098 yards from the reds. There are a number of very strong par fours, all over 400 yards and the six par threes, depending on the wind direction can be very testing.

Although the bar facilities are limited to 7.30pm to 11pm on weekdays and 11.30am to 5pm and 7.30pm to 11pm at weekends, parties and societies can arrange for a food and drinks service by contacting the Secretary

Birtley Golf Club offers a refurbished lounge and dining room available for all types of private functions with full catering facilities and includes full Sky and Setanta coverage shown in the bar.

Potential new members are welcome to play the course and should they take up full membership, the club will refund the green fees.

The Course

1st and 10th Holes

Played as the 1st, this hole is a 238-yard monster of a par 3 and one of the toughest opening holes in the region. The tee shot is played over a dip in the fairway and uphill to a green defended by bunkers on both sides and to the back - a bogey is by no means a disgrace to start with. From the 10th tee, this hole is 50 yards shorter but still a testing long iron.

2nd and 11th Holes

And if you thought the 1st was difficult, the next at Birtley is a 453-yard par 4 requiring two very long and accurate tee shots. From the 2nd tee, the drive is a slight dog-leg right and from the 11th, a much straighter drive. With the fairway sloping right to left, favour the right side of the fairway to allow the ball to gather back towards the centre.

Watch out with your second shot at this hole as out of bounds comes into play on the right about 180 yards from the green along with very thick undergrowth - no chance of finding your ball in there. The kidney shaped green has a bunker front right and another front left to middle and falls away left and back left.

3rd and 12th Holes

With trees left and right, this 160 yard par 3 is downhill and of similar distances from both tees. There is a big deep bunker front right and if you come up short, the chances of an up and down to save par are fairly remote. The green at this hole is quite long falling away to the right and has a slight left to right borrow.

4th and 13th Holes

The 4th is a 416-yard par 4 and from the 13th tee, another testing four-shotter measuring 430 yards. The drive is played to a fairway sloping left to right and with thick bushes and trees on the right, aim your tee shot to the left side of the fairway. There is a slight dog-leg right on this hole starting about 150 yards from the green. The putting surface on this hole is a very small target, demanding a very accurate middle to long iron approach.

5th and 14th Holes

Played as the 5th, this hole offers a little respite and is a 356-yard par 4 played slightly downhill. There are lots of trees both right and left but a good drive at this should leave a shortish downhill approach and the chance of a birdie. As the 14th, the hole is quite a severe dog-leg right and measures 410 yards. Don't go right with the second shot or you will be over the perimeter fence and out of bounds.

6th and 15th Holes

This hole is an uphill par 4 and 266 yards from both tees. With trees on both sides and three bunkers to avoid, the bigger hitters will be tempted to go for it with a risk and reward shot. A well-placed tee shot to the left of the bunkers will leave the prudent golfer a short

chip and hopefully a very good chance of a single putt. Don't be long or you will be either out of bounds or in very deep rough and thick bushes.

7th and 16th Holes

The 7th is aptly named 'long Haul' and is 469 yards and the longest par 4 on the course. Most handicap golfers will have to play this one as a three-shotter and hope for a single putt to make par. From the 16th tee, it is a 534-yard par 5 and very definitely a three-shotter. The fairway at this hole slopes slightly right to left and from approximately 150 yards drops down towards a green with a bunker front left and falling away to the left - I would accept two fives at this hole any day of the week.

8th and 17th Holes

A shortish par 4 is next and at just under 300 yards from both tees, a good straight drive and a flick should leave another good birdie opportunity. There are a few trees on both sides of the fairway that might come into play for the wayward golfer and there is a severe dip in the fairway that needs to be carried to get a clear view of the putting surface. Three bunkers protect this green, which falls off to the right and slopes slightly back to front.

9th and 18th Holes

And it's another testing par 3 to finish the nine-hole loop. As the 9th, it is 175 yards and the 18th 167 yards. Two large bunkers protect the front of this green and with out of bounds directly behind, take care with your club selection. The ridges running across the final putting surface add to the difficulty, so don't be hasty on conceding a putt here.

There are very few nine-hole courses left in our region and Birtley certainly ranks as one of the best.

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Factfile

Birtley (Portobello) Golf Club
Birtley Lane, Birtley, Chester-le-Street, County Durham DH3 2LR
0191 410 2207

A1 travelling north, take the slip road sign posted "Angel of the North and turn left towards Birtley on the A167. Opposite Station Lane Industrial Estate, turn left onto Harrass Bank and then right onto Birtley Lane - the course is approx. 500 yards on the right.

A1 travelling south, take the slip road signposted Washington and at the roundabout, travel all the way round and head for A1 North. Keep to the right hand lane and travel straight across the roundabout. Approx. 1/2 a mile along turn right onto Birtley Lane - the course is about half a mile along on the left.

Weekdays - Adults £15 a round or £8 with a member

Weekends & Bank Hols - with a member only £10

Juniors (during school holidays Mon-Fri) £12 for five days

Green fees:

Available - no joining fee.

Telephone the Secretary for further details