Wynyard Golf Club
Wynyard Golf Club, Billingham, North East, England, TS22 5QJ
01740644399 | E-mail golf course | Golf course website
8 reviews of Wynyard Golf Club
Round In the North East, Wynyard is often unfairly overshadowed by Rockliffe, Slaley and Close House, but there is little doubt its Wellington course has matured into one of the finest in the region. The club has hosted qualifying for the European Tour, European Seniors Tour Schools and the Europro Tour as well as the Seve Trophy and it’s easy to see why. With mature trees and thick woodland and copses, the course is very picturesque and gives the impression of having been there for decades, despite having opened only in 1996. Designed by Hawtrees, it is a test and given the trees you need to be fairly straight, but the fairways are generous although the bunkers are not. It’s quite a tough start despite the first being a shortish par five – you will need to avoid the big oak tree on the left and the bunker with your drive. The trees close in from here and you need a good straight second shot to get anywhere near the green. If you’re on your game, a birdie opening is a real chance but the second will soon have you on your mettle as it’s a long, par-four, dog-leg right into a hollow and then steeply uphill with out-of-bounds all the way up the right, and copses on both sides. There’s no respite at the long par three third with water on the left, out-of-bounds on the right and a well bunkered green and then there’s another long par-four with more water on the left. However, then next is much shorter – the shortest par four on the course, in fact – and a good birdie opportunity despite it being a sharp dog-leg left with well-placed bunkers. By now you will have worked out that most of the par fours at Wynyard are around or over the 400-yard mark and the sixth at nearly 450 yards dog-legs right – a lovely scenic hole. There are also no short par threes here and the seventh is nearly 200 yards and while the next doesn’t fall into the 400 yards-plus category, it’s another lovely hole with the tee set back in the trees and there is a deep hollow that runs across the fairway. Avoid the bunkers at the ninth and a good drive to the left side of the fairway should leave the right angle to attack the pin and set up a birdie chance while the second par-five on the course is only around 470 yards and another good birdie opportunity. Once again, though, it is followed by long par-four of nearly 450 yards with formidable testing bunkers and then another huge par three of around 220 yards over water. The 13th is another birdie chance as it less than 400 yards and you’ll need it as the run-in at Wynyard is a real test with the par five 14th a genuine three-shotter. If the westerly wind is blowing, it could be more and the next is another great par four which dog-legs left around a big lake and you will need a big drive if you take on the water and try to cut the corner. Perhaps a positional shot with a rescue club or three wood is more sensible. Then it’s the longest hole on the course at just under 600 yards and, without doubt, one of the best tests of golf in the North. It boasts a narrow fairway with out-of-bounds on the right, deep rough on the left, and well-placed bunkers – plus there is another lake and trees on the right. It’s followed by the shortest hole on the course. But this par three is anything but easy with sand surrounding the green, while the last is a great finishing hole, a 450-yard plus dog-leg right with a massive bunker and a well-guarded, sloping green. OVERVIEW VERDICT An excellent test of golf and likely to require every club in your bag. The greens are invariably good and the condition of the course overall is a testimony to the greens staff.
Despite only being built in 1996, the Wynyard Golf Club, based in Teesside near Billingham, already boasts quite a history. The highlight of that short yet illustrious past was hosting the Seve Trophy in 2005 with the Spanish legend himself extolling the virtues of the course. The Wellington Course was named to mark the fact that the Duke of Wellington, nearly two centuries before, enjoyed visitors to his Wynyard estate. There is no getting away from the fact that, as you make your way to the golf club, your surroundings are unlike anything you could have prepared yourself for - the Wynyard estate something akin to a North of England Beverley Hills. As our party, comprising myself, Roger West, Adam Carter and Christopher Relph, arrives at the thoroughly modern yet understated club house, we are warmly greeted by staff who, despite the plethora of visiting parties, remain unflustured and professional. We make our way to the first hole and, despite heavy over-night rain, the course looks in pristine condition. First hole The first hole is arguably one of the finest opening holes we have come across - a slight dog-leg par-five. Tree lined down the right all the way to the hole, it is reachable in two with good drive - but no such luck for our grouping and 6s are the best on offer. The second is, unsurprisingly, a tester being the stroke index one. A dog-leg right, completely blind hole means your tee-shot is one of hope. Two decent tee-shots result in a couple of bogeys as the hole is also more distant than you first perceive. After the opening par three, the fourth is a short par-four, but it is far from simple. Brilliantly-designed, the green is a steep test flowing back to front - one par follows. The next three holes feed around a curved corner and fit inside each other, with two alternating dog-leg par-fours leading to the par-three seventh, which is deceptively tough with the long green sweeping down to the front. The eighth is a terrific par-four which has a huge drop in the middle of the hole leading up to a plateaued green. We actually negotiate these holes well and then cross one of the five roads which lead back to the first half of the course where the next five holes are housed. The ninth is another great hole, with trouble looming off the tee in the form of three huge bunkers sat in the landing area on both sides of the hole. To make things even more tricky, the raised green is a long iron away and only one of our group manages to make it home in two. You pass behind the first hole to access the tenth which is another par-five, meaning the starts of each nine is a par-five. Again there are bunkers awaiting the longer tee-shots, but this is a risk and reward hole with the green accessible in two with a couple of good hits. Fortunately I managed to achieve that feat, but the eagle putt eluded me. The par-four 11th sweeps down a slight hill leading to the 12th which is a curious and surprising par-three. The previous two holes had a wide open feel, but this hole is almost a water hole with a big lake having to be negotiated to reach the smallish green. No repetition As we approach the 13th, you really appreciate the lack of repetition about this course - there genuinely is not one hole like another, which with any course is a huge plus point. The 13th is deceptive, all you can see from the tee is bunkers - but this is more of an optical illusion as there are actually only six on the whole hole. However, the fact you can see them all makes sand look omnipresent, although we all manage to hit nice left to right drives which set us up nicely for approaches to the green. Over the final road crossing, we are met by the longest par-five on the course and the 14th, with the wind against us, plays its full 550 yards. Safe to say no pars follow! The 15th is a dog-leg par-four which, surprisingly we thought, is stroke index 16 despite the fact there is water all the way down the left and trouble to the right too. Indeed, it forces a safe approach for anyone not getting a shot, but that does not detract from the impressive nature of the hole. The 16th is a tricky and tight par-five leading to the simplest hole on the course, the short par-three 17th - simple on paper, simple to look at - but anything but that and we do anything but pepper the green. And suddenly the 18th is on us. A long par-four dog-leg right. Again sand awaits if you stray right, and that is where a couple of us end up, and it takes a couple of attempts to get out. The 18th green sits in front of the club house and is, as always, a welcoming sight. What's more, to sink a 20ft putt to save the match is always a nice way for me to finish a round! Having made our way to the 19th we all agree that it was one of the most enjoyable rounds of the year, with the course in brilliant condition - especially given that we played in late autumn. Wynyard thoroughly entertained us, of that there is no doubt, and that perhaps is the point - not all top level courses can do that, sometimes just finishing some of these highly-acclaimed tracks is the main event. But not so here. Yes, Wynyard proudly regards itself as one of the North of England's Premier golfing venues - as it should - but I dare any golfer not to enjoy their round here, whilst also being tested as you would expect from any course that has hosted one of European golf's most prestigious events. For more details about Wynyard - please check out the official website
I have been a member of Wynyard for 3 years now, and I have to say, this year looks like being in better condition than ever. The new owner is really getting to grips with problems of drainage/good sand in the bunkers, and there many other improvements being made all the time. Greenkeeping staff has been significantly increased and the greens are currently superb, even though we are in March. The course layout, I feel is one of THE very best in the area. Alot of people in the past have raved about the front 9, but also said the back 9 was a let down. This is no longer the case, it is a quality golf course, worthy of holding top events!
Looked forward to playing this course and whilst not disappointed, it was a good test without that extra sparkle. Friendly staff and good facilities. Needs some 150 markers above ground not plates and a bit of colour on the course.
The opening ten holes are good, but the rest of the course seems to be something of an after-thought. Also, there doesn't appear to be much of a friendly "club" type atmosphere - it comes across as a bit of a money-making venture.
sorry david, but i have to strongly disagree with you!!! the course is beautifl and was in excellent condition for the time of year we played (16th october 2006)! the members were friendly and the staff both in the pro shop and in the restaurant couldnt do enough for you. they even made us fresh sandwiches to eat on the course as we were on a little bit of a tight schedule! i would love to go back and play again as i was only four over on the front nine but my back 9 was a nightmare and i really want to play a terrific course all ova again! if your in the area and have 50 pounds to spare i would highly recommend the wynyard. thanks for a great day out!!!
I played Wynyard 16th August 2005 after a promising start through the avenues of pine trees the course the severly let down. By a lack of imagination, poor condition and poor club house hospitality. I understand that sacrifices have to be made in a build up to a large event however there is a general standard expected from a paying visitor. Dissapointig end to my holiday.
Overall, facilities here are good. The course (18 holes) is parkland that whilst easy on the feet is still very interesting to play and very challenging in parts. There are a large number of buggies to rent for those who prefer not to walk. The course, though still fairly young, was cut into mature woodland and so has a very mature appearance it is also fringed by some very nice homes along some of the fairways (you do have golf insurance don't you?) There is a Leadbetter academy here offering good tuition, there's a long driving range firing to real greens either from an elevated grass tee area or undercover from mats. There's also several bunkers and rough grass practice areas - again to firing to a real green the whole practice facility is complemented by a large putting practice area. A nice clubhouse with bar and very good food service here. All round, a very good golf experience that, in my six rounds of golf, is only let down by the reluctance of slower players to call anyone through.
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Tee information
Tees | Yards | Par | SSS |
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Competition | |||
Men's | 7000 | 72 | |
Ladies' |
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