Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club

Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club, Embleton, North East, England, NE66 3XQ

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24 reviews of Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club

Played February and a pleasure to play on a dry course after our swamps in Sussex! Usually play the course in the summer, but makes no difference really it is still a lovely place to play golf, the wind was whistling and being around a horseshoe bay it always seems to be from a different direction. And I finally managed to get on the devilish 4th green with my tee shot despite a 20-30mph wind! Very friendly members and staff and good food (£24 for a round inc food before and after!). Dont expect super luxury and you will be very happy (kids coming in for ice creams/walkers for some sustenance all day in the summer and all the better for it). Could happily end my days playing here!

Posted by Mike on 27/02/2015
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 4
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 4
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5

My son and I revisited to play in the 3 castles better ball comp in August and the course was in the best condition I've seen it in. The greens were lightning fast ( I understand they've acquired an iron )but receptive and as usual the scenery was stunning. Friendly and unassuming clubhouse, well worth the trip off the beaten track

Posted by Colin Ashmore on 25/08/2014
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5

Played on a day when the rest of the country was mopping up after flooding. Having rung up the day before had been quoted £19 for a round on a Saturday afternoon actually got charged £16 due to the wet conditions. The course had a couple of unexpected water hazards but other than that a nice, quirky course which was in great condition and the views to the castle and the bay were simply stunning. Would love to play in drier conditions and with a little more wind. Came off the course smiling. A must return venue.

Posted by Mark Woodward on 08/07/2012
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 4
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 4
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 5

Played here on 6th June 2012. Loved every minute of it. Real traditional links that gives the feeling that nothing has changed for a hundred years. Great arrangement in the clubhouse that allows visitors in for refreshments who are nothing to do with golf. Very friendly! No ceremony here - no pro's shop, don't think there is a practice area, golf in the raw as it was meant to be. Was lucky to play in a window of sunshine and relatively light breeze and in such conditions you have every chance of scoring well. Was surpprised that on this day the greens were very slow - don't know if that is a regular feature of the course or not. Great holes and great views of the castle, the agricultural land to the west and of the sea and coast line to the east. Played at 4.00 for a fee of £16. Had the course to ourselves so took our time and enjoyed the views and the feel. Great value for money. Would definitely love to return and next time perhaps play the links at Seahouses and Bamburgh Castle, both just up the coast, as well. Had dinner afterwards at the Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel and that was excellent too.

Posted by David Sainsbury on 11/06/2012
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Staff service 3
  • Value for money 3
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Staff service 3
  • Value for money 3

Played on 9/9/2010. This is a traditional undulating links course with much variety. The par 3 3rd is extremely difficult (SI.3) and the par 4 6th offers a chance to give it some welly from a raised tee. A succession of fine par 4’s lead you up to the castle end of he course and one of the most spectacular backdrops you could wish for at the short 13th with the castle ruins dominating the skyline. The return holes are also a good test with a crazy green on the 16th and ending with a fine 440 yard par 4 to finish. Small clubhouse with basic facilities but one of our group recommended the breakfast.

Posted by Peter Frost on 22/09/2010
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5

Agree with the previous contributor. Although soaked and blown to pieces on the first 5 holes, thoroughly enjoyed the course, setting and hospitality of the clubhouse. Relaxed golf at its best.

Posted by colin ashmore on 17/09/2010
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5

We play Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club with our little 10 man society and it is the highlight of our golfing year. An outstanding course even for the hackers amongst us. Always in good condition and the staff are really friendly. Excellent food the home made soup never disappoints. If you are in the area please do try and play this “gem” of a course.

Posted by Ian Jeffrey on 16/09/2010
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5

Nice links course with butiful views over the shore and the castle ruins. I have played this course 3 times and would definitely like to come back. Nice clubhouse and facilities. Arnvid (Norway)

Posted by Arnvid Lampe on 20/05/2008
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 5

Played the course last week on holiday - great fun for a high handicap golfer like me. A proper golf links which makes full use of its outstanding setting, in the shadow of the castle. The three par 3's are all particularly memorable, and the stretch of par 4's from the 6th to the 10th, running through the dunes, are also cracking. We are planning to holiday in the area next year and I will certainly be back to Dunsatnburgh Castle.

Posted by Peter Kay on 20/10/2007
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 4

played this course on a very windy day of 18th july 2005. to say that the course is very challenging is an understatement. bring a lot of extra balls preferably the cheap and old ones. if you happen to lose your ball in the rough dont bother looking. awesome view and scenery but next time i visit this course again i'll have a scythe in my bag as my 14th club.

Posted by kris smith on 21/07/2005

I play this course at least once a year...it is a great day out for a small group of friends seeking enjoyable golf on a not excessively demanding [but not too easy] course. One or two holes stand out - the par 3 to the castle and the drive from the top of hill is a great chance to "open the shoulders". for the average golfer (like me) this is a jewel, and I am smiling whilst i type this remembering the fun I have had there, The club-house food is good quality and good value and I reccomend this venue to you.

Posted by Michael Ord on 02/08/2004

This is a must for any good golfer visiting the region, if the wind gets up it can be really tricky and anyone with a high handicap will struggle. The first is probably the worst hole on the course but after that you are in for some real treats.

Posted by Paul Butler on 19/04/2004

Played on 9th October (in windy conditions) have to say I looked forward to playing this course with recommendations off several friends, particularly the par 3 12th. On arrival was impressed with the Clubhouse, very pleasant staff and good value food started the day perfectly. The course in some respects for myself was a let down. Particularly the first 5 holes which in the wind can be quite a challenge, from the 6th onwards though a different view in my opinion. Spectacular backdrop of the castle on many holes and some protection from the wind with the help of the sand dunes, made the remainder of the round a joy to play. The only dissapiontment on these holes was the much 'raved' about 12th par 3 which is seperated by a cove. I looked forward to this hole but was very let down when I stepped up to the tee box (seahouses par 3 cliff to cliff hole excedes this by far). The Greens on the course had been holotined and heavily sanded which did not help much, but you can expect this sort of work during the winter months. All in all a good course which is why we have booked to return at the end of April 04 when my judgement will no doubt be completely different. A must play course for all at £10 on 2 fore 1 vouchers BARGAIN.

Posted by Ian Brodie on 15/10/2003

I had not played this course for some 25 years having originated from the North East. My wife and I played the course in early August using the 2 fore 1 voucher. We played 36 holes in the most gorgeous sunshine on the first Friday in August. It was undoubtedly one of the best value for money days of golf we have ever enjoyed. Not only did the course live up to all my expectations but the service in the clubhouse for the initial welcome,food and drink was second to none. Have you visited the web site ? It is superb - a great compliment to the person at the club looking after it

Posted by com">Keith Wilkinson on 15/10/2003

I played dunstanburgh in late july03 and i can only echo the description of Phil Benaiges - this is the best value for money links course you will find anywhere. i can only imagine that Mr putter played the course in the most benign of conditions judging by his description of the short par 3.Out of bounds on the right and the beach on the left, the wind was blowing a hoolie out to sea. Both times we played the hole, despite setting the ball out well to the right my ball ended up against the cliff edge. This a must play course if you are in the north east.

Posted by colin jeffrey on 29/07/2003

Northumbria in general and Northumbrian golf in particular remains a relatively undiscovered goldmine. Attractive upland areas and a varied coastline littered with castles make this area one to be savoured again and again. The same can be said of it’s golf courses, with attractive parkland layouts like Magdelane fields (Berwick), to the challenging links of Goswick and Dunstanburgh. Most of the courses in the area can be played on a ‘par sport’ with 36 hole passes for three or five days. Dunstanburgh is a course that you will always look forward to playing and like traditional links courses its challenges vary according to the vagaries of wind and tide. The course is owned by the National Trust and it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and consequently the rough often has to be left to grow for the benefit of the local flora and fauna. This often means that the rough can be ‘Carnoustie like’. On my first visit with a party of 13 golfers, ranging in handicaps from 4 to 36, managed to lose a total of 130 balls over the course of 36 holes!! However, a more recent visit revealed a much more ‘playable’ level of rough. Dunstanburgh costs £20 per day during the week (2003), and is part of the 2-fore-1 discount scheme, but can only be used after midday. The comfortable clubhouse consists of a restaurant/locker rooms and toilets, but there is no pro-shop, so come prepared. The course itself is an excellent example of links golf, a greenkeeper friend of mine thought that with some extra care, attention and money spent on the greens and bunkers, this could become an outstanding challenge. On my last visit in July ’03 the fairways were concrete hard and lightening fast, though the greens were overwatered and allowed the ball to be flown directly and stopped on the putting surface – a real shame when the lob-wedge can lord it over a bumble and run with a seven iron on a links course. Dunstanburgh itself uses the classic Braid design devices of well-placed fairway bunkers, several tempting dog-legs and a premium on accuracy, particularly on approach shots. Unusually for a Braid layout the opening hole is well over 400 yards from the yellows. One of the joys of Dunstanburgh is the variety of holes, the second requires a bind tee shot to a sloping fairway, the third is a dog leg left that teases to have it’s corner cut and the fourth is a short par three that is a death or glory tee shot that can be anything from a 9 iron to a long iron depending on the wind. The par 4 5th has a wonderful view from an elevated tee, there is plenty of room on the right, but thick marsh based rough seems to magnetically attract a disproportionate number of tee shots. The next three holes are Dunstanburgh’s own version of ‘amen –corner’. Often played into the wind, these holes have model-like fairways, pencil thin, with deep rough lurking on the right and requiring either blind tee or approach shots. Once passed the 10th the fairways become more generous and the majority have a following wind. The par three 13th is a minor classic, a short par three over a chasm, with a castle backdrop and out of bounds immediately behind and to the right of the green. The only other note of caution on this hole is beware of walkers on the right of way next to the green. The final stretch of 14 – 18 is where a good score can be out together, but the rough remains. The par three 15th is a short par three where you either finish on the green or you’re looking at a score of 5 or more. The16th is classic links, short on length, but the approach is obscured by a large mound the is in front of a wickedly sloping green surrounded by rough and bunkers, here I missed the green by a yard and failed to find my ball in the rough. This links course is a sublime challenge that can daunt and delight, with the wind behind on the 440yard par four 18th , I hit a drive of 360 yards that merely required a flick with a lob wedge to clear the burn and rushes to reach the green, in different conditions or following a poor tee shot, this approach provides a glorious climax to a round that gives you about as much golfing pleasure as it is possible to get on a course. Dunstanburgh is a Braid jewel that, if it were in Scotland, would have scores of golfers making a transatlantic golfing pilgrimage to it. It’s Northumberland location will mean that it remains a quiet gem that anyone visiting the north east should make a beeline for. Play it, enjoy it, but don’t tell everyone about it.

Posted by Phil Benaiges on 25/07/2003

Great course with stunning views, couple of holes stand out from the others standing on the 6th tee is one of many. Played in good wheather nice sea breeze. Spent more time in the long rough than on the fairway, but thats more my fault than the course's.

Posted by Mark Davidson on 21/07/2003

The 1st 3 holes here are dire...however...at the 4th hole the course opens one eye and grunts, at the 6th tee the course opens both eyes, shakes its head and from there on in, takes you on a wonderful journey of golf across a beautiful rolling piece of linksland. This place has everything for a purist links lover, it's very traditional and probably hasn't been altered since it was built. From the 6th onwards it's hard to pick out a favourite hole, they almost all offer a very individual challenge, I was lucky enough to play in a strong sea breeze which always brings a links course to life. The condition of the course is fair, don't go expecting a manicured parkland job. One word about the par 3 12th, everyone seems to bang on about this hole but I found it rather dissapointing, it's only a three quarter wedge to quite a large target and offers little challenge to any but the highest handicappers. There is a headland to the left of the tee, if a tee could be built there and the hole extended to 150 - 200 yards then it would be a great hole. Good value, challenging links golf - 7/10

Posted by Harry Putter on 06/07/2003

Played the first week in June 2001,the course has a conventional links layout with superb views, espicially along the dunes.The highlight for me was standing on the 12th tee(125yd)looking over a ravine to the green, with the castle in the background!! and yes me and my father both made the green, (though i did 3 put!)Had a super round managing to play to h/cap(18)lovely clubhouse too.Played seahouses this week also, see comments

Posted by Ron Washbrook on 12/11/2001

This is a most delightful and often challenging course. The course makes its way parallel to the beahc and is very exposed. Notwithstanding this, it is in very good condition, especially the greens. The fairways are relatively generous, but if you should go into the rough, you are likely to lose your ball. The views are lovely and the staff very friendly. Excellent value

Posted by Steve Paddon on 21/08/2001

A wonderful links course making the best of the natural features. Stunning views of the castle and the bay abound, while the course has more variety than many a links course from dinky par 3s to long par 5s. The course can be a bit dry in parts,but the greens are superb. The links course to play in northumberland.

Posted by alan clamp on 17/05/2001

We stayed in a little cottage that overlooked the course. I couldn't wait to get out there every day of the week we spent there. The whether makes this course different every time you play it. It's cheap, friendly, well kept and very well laid out. I can't recommend it enough. Great, great fun. The Par 3 12th is just wonderful. On the five occasions we played the course the 12th played from a 9 iron all the way up to a five iron. If you ever get to this part of the country and you have never played a links course you must give it a go.

Posted by Neal H on 19/04/2001

I have played this course on a number of occasions and in a variety of conditions (the course is completely open so if the weather is bad you know about it). It is a very natural course with outstanding scenery to look at as you go. The fairways are wide, there is not much in the way of rough (what there is bites!) and it has a very friendly and unassuming atmosphere. Its great fun to play, there are no hassles and it's remarkably cheap. Watch out for the 4th green (if your ball doesn't stay on your in deep trouble). Savour the dinky 12th hole underneath the castle, playing across the bay to the green, it's a gem.

Posted by Tony Wilkinson on 05/07/2000

I played this course on 27 May, 1998. It was cloudy, cold, drizzly and foggy. The course has a fairly easy layout although it does have some major elevation changes. It was in good condition and was a lot of fun to play. Some of the views are quite breathtaking. The hardest hole by far is the 18th. A long par 4 with a second shot carry of more than 200 yards over a creek. The price was exceptional and I would definitely return here to play.

Posted by John Lewis on 10/06/1998

Course information

Number of holes 18
Year opened -
Designer -
Style parkland

Tee information

TeesYardsParSSS
Competition
Men's629870
Ladies'

Green Fees

Summer/High season

Weekday round£16
Weekday day-
Weekend round£20
Weekend day-

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