Slaley Hall (Hunting)

The Hunting Course is one of two brilliant 18-hole layouts at Slaley Hall, both of which are championship-level courses.

Dave Thomas was the man behind the design of the Hunting, which has hosted the European Tour on several occasions in its history.

The course winds its way around tall pines, with plenty of sand and water to keep you on your toes. You will quickly find yourself back at the Edwardian mansion at the heart of the resort after enjoying yourself throughout.

Read our full piece on the Slaley Hall Resort here.

Visit the Slaley Hall website here.

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Slaley Hall itself was built shortly before the First World War, before being bought by the Priestman family (hence the name of the Priestman Course) in the 1940s.

Golf came to the venue in the 1980s, with Dave Thomas (Hunting) and Neil Coles (Priestman) designing the two courses at Slaley Hall.

The venue, across both the Hunting Course and Priestman Course, played host to the Great North Open on the European Tour from 1996 to 2002. Retief Goosen, Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood were among the winners.

The Hunting Course at Slaley Hall has been described as the ‘Augusta of the North’ in the past – it even has its own version of Amen Corner., designed by world-renowned golf course architect Dave Thomas, is a Par 72 layout on the eastern side of the resort, winding its way through the trees and around the Edwardian mansion at the heart of Slaley Hall. The course creates a feeling of space and tranquillity, with every hole having its own distinct character. At almost 7,100 yards from the tips, and still pushing 6,900 yards from the Whites, it is a layout that requires strong and accurate driving off the tee.

The Hunting Course begins with a trio of long par 4s at 419, 409 and 404 yards respectively. If you can avoid the four fairway bunkers on the opener, then you can make it to the green. A bogey on 1 is not the worst score in the world. The treacherous dog-leg right 2nd, which turns on a right angle and with the approach played over a stream, is followed by the narrow tree-lined 3rd. Laying back off the tee might be the better play as the fairway gets narrower, the closer you get to the hole. However, that will then leave you with a longer approach. The 4th is the first of the par 5s on the Hunting, and at just 505 yards from the Whites, this is a gettable hole. The left side is favourable off the tee, as that will give you the best angle to this putting surface, once protected by three bunkers.

Water becomes more prominent on 5, with a large hazard to the left of the fairway, before a second hazard left of the green on this medium-length par 4. The 6th is the signature hole on the Hunting Course at Slaley Hall. From the tips, it is over 200 yards long, with most of that needed to be carried over water. A greenside bunker, along with trees at the back of the green, add to the danger on 6. Another trio of long par 4s bring the front nine to a close. The 7th is 420 yards from the Whites, and has a water hazard on the left, but most drives will get past that. The green is surrounded by trees on three sides. A fade is required down the 8th, as this hole moves from right to left and the further down the fairway you can get, the easier the approach is over water and sand. The 444-yard 9th is the Stroke Index 1, played over water and through an avenue of towering pine trees.

The opening hole on the back nine is relatively gentle compared to what is to come after it. At just 350 yards from the Whites and with a solitary fairway bunker on the left side to avoid, this could even see you make birdie. You then hit back-to-back par 5s which run parallel to each other. Neither are particularly dangerous in terms of running up a score, but there is a stream which runs across both holes, coming more into play on the 11th. That same stream cuts across several other holes on the front nine. The 12th is the easier of the two long holes, at just 500 yards from the Whites. A large water hazard splits the fairway on 13, but at 380 yards, driver might not even be required off the tee. The green has a wall of trees behind it, so anything long might well be in trouble.

The shortest hole on the course comes at 14 – a 170-yard par 3. A couple of bunkers guard the green, with tall pines down the right side. 15 is a good birdie chance at just 325 yards from the Whites. Avoid the two small fairway bunkers and you will be left with a short shot to a decent-sized green. Short is better than long due to the trees at the back of this putting surface. 16 is a cracking dog-leg left, with three bunkers signalling the edge of the fairway on the far side of the corner. Play just short of those to give yourself the best line into a green that is protected by a further trap on its right side.

The last two holes on the Hunting Course are two very different prospects. The 17th is the easiest hole on the layout. It is a 175-yard par 3 with a single bunker to the front and right. The large trap will catch your eye, so aim for the middle of the green. The final hole is a 450-yard par 4 that features a split fairway. Keep your tee shot down the middle of the first part, and short of the stream that runs across the hole. From there, you will be left with a long approach into this green, one that is long and has space to the left for anything slightly mishit.

Where is Slaley Hall located?

Slaley Hall is in the county of Northumbria in England, between the villages of Slaley, Healey and Barleyhill. Both Newcastle and Sunderland are to the east of Slaley Hall, with the former being just 20 miles away. The A68 and A69 run close by to the resort, while the North Pennines National Landscape is just to the southwest of Slaley Hall.

Six miles north of Slaley Hall is Riding Mill Station. It lies on the train line between Newcastle and Carlisle, with trains running in both directions frequently. Newcastle International Airport is the closest landing spot for international visitors, 20 miles to the northeast of Slaley Hall. Both Edinburgh Airport – the busiest in Scotland, and Manchester Airport – the busiest in the UK outside of London, are around a three-hour drive from the venue.

Are there any NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?

Although there are several venues in the North East that claim a place on the NCG Top 100s: England list, thanks to Slaley Hall being inland, there are none within 40 miles. Seaton Carew is the closest, 45 miles to the southeast, with Dunstanburgh Castle and Goswick to the north, the latter being 80 miles away. Silloth on Solway is on the opposite side of the country, and within 70 miles from Slaley Hall.

What golf facilities does Slaley Hall offer?

Along with two championship golf courses, Slaley Hall also has wonderful practice facilities. Located next to the 18th green of the Priestman Course, the driving range is full length, and features both indoor and outdoor bays. There is also a short game area with a putting green, chipping green and practice bunkers.

What are the green fees at Slaley Hall?

The price of a green fee at Slaley Hall changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Slaley Hall, visit their website here.