Middlesbrough Golf Club

This so has to be one of the best courses in the North East. Played on a Bank Holiday, and the course was fantastic, despite the rain. Whatever handicap you are the course has something to offer. The par 3's are a challenge, as are the longer par 4's. However the key thing here is hitting the fairway. Do that and you can make a good score.

Went to play here with my son as he's thinking of entering the North of England Youths Open which is played here later in the year. The course offers a good challenge - particular highlights are 6-7-8 and 15. It's difficult to judge what effect the changes they are making to 11 will have - I remember it being a good hole a few years ago, but they are putting in a water feature - always a risk! For the time of year, the greens were excellent. The pro shop was friendly and well-stocked, but the downside was the clubhouse and choice of meal afterwards. This was because the showers were a bit dingy and the menu choice was fairly uninspiring. Nevertheless, we principally went for the golf and were not let down!

From entering the car park, it can be seen that this Golf Club has a touch of class with electric drop down gates allowing entrance/exit to the club car park. There is a large putting area, a separate chipping and bunker area with a warm up net. All within 40 yards of the Pro shop and a little further is a long practise area. The fairways are well manicured which allows you to be confident in the knowledge that when you strike the ball it will stop and spin on the greens. Everything is well presented. I played the course some 8-10 years ago and the course has been altered (the extra yards on the 4th is breath taking)and the trees have grown making it more challenging if wayward onto other fairways. It is a good test of golf with every hole being very different, with presentation a credit to the ground staff. Finally, after the last hole there are shoe cleaning, trolley and club cleaning facilities when you leave the 18th. The locker room and facilities are very good with subtle touches. The food is excellent as are the friendly staff and other memebers. I can see why this Club is considered to be the best in the area with subtle touches that make it classy and it is an excellent club and worth considering membership with quite reasonable fees.