South Moor Golf Club

I note that previous feedback on this course is a bit mixed and i can understand why because many people brought up on a diet of lush but monotonous parkland course may not be impressed. But i loved it. There are some truly memorable holes on the course - i particularly liked the 17th. I am sure that the course bears playing a few times before you can crack it because on numerous occasions i played what i thought were perfectly good blind shots only to find the fairway had doglegged and my ball had been gobbled up by the rough. The greens are a treat and demand ingenuity when chiping and pitching on to them. We played this course on a very wet day when i suspect many other courses would be closed but it stood up well to the test. Can't wait to return on a better day.

I first came across South Moor having read an article about it in a local paper and decided I must try it. The course has long been regarded as one of Durham’s finest courses and was designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, a name synonymous with Augusta National. South Moor is one of only two MacKenzie designed courses in the region and Durham’s only true heathland course, and one of only 40 or so in the UK. When I arrived at the course I found both the pro and the members extremely helpful and I must say the course did not disappoint either. Although quite short 6273 off the white’s the combination of gorse and heather can be a nightmare, add to this the fact that out of bounds comes into play on 11 holes there is a real premium on accuracy. The large sloping greens are a typical McKenzie trait and guarantee that even when hit in regulation you have to work hard to match par, harder still to make birdie. There are very few courses I have played that gave me the sort of anticipation I experienced at during my first round at South Moor, I couldn’t wait to see what the course was going to offer next and it is certainly one of prettiest courses I have ever played.

I played this course 2nd june and had fantastic time. The course is one of the nicest but also most challenging to play. The greens were perfect as was the course design. The initial few holes make you think you are in for an easy time, do not be fooled it does get much harder.Members were friendly and the club house served lovely food and also had full size snooker table as well. I would recommend hiring a buggy as it is very hilly.We will definately be playing here again.

This course is one of the most demanding in the County Of Durham.Rated alongside Slaley Hall, Brancepeth Castle and Seaton Carew. Although the yardage appears to be low at just over 6200 yards do not be deceived. The first seven holes of this course must be where the golfer should aim to pick his score up, as the remaining eleven are very tight, the fairways are at their widest 20 yards and each are edged with both heather and gorse. The greens are extremely hard to read for the golfer playing them for the first time. The members also have difficulty even after years of playing them. The best time to play this course is late July through September, the greens are fast and at their best during this period. I would recommend this course to anyone wishing to play golf, for the single handicapper give it maximum concentration, for the mid to high, take plenty of balls out with you. The clubhouse has been renovated over the last three years and boasts an excellent new pro shop, a snooker room and a very good taste in cuisine. Steve Lambert

Not very well known, but a good hilly test of golf. The 4th is a strong par4, but the course gets going from the 8th. The 9th is an awesome par 4! Stay out of the heather and avoid 3 putts on some slopy greens and you will score well. A lot of the original McKenzie design remains to this day. I fully reccommend this course to any one. Also it has one of the biggest and best pro shops that I've seen.

I played this course on 30 May and was totally delighted. It is a very hilly parkland course which was very challenging. Although it had rained all week the course was holding up well to the water. The 12th hole should be called "Heart Attack Hill" because the slope is very severe and all were very winded after walking up it. I would recommend this course to anyone. I am a 4 handicap player. The pace of play was about 3 1/2 hours. Overall a great course.