Humble Beginnings
On the 10th of October 1908, with the financial support of local businessmen, a nine-hole course was opened in Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire.
Post World War 1, the club extended the course to 14 holes in 1924 and just two years later it became a full 18-hole layout. Since then, extensive tree planting and new holes cut through an oakland plantation (Hand’s Wood) has made Newcastle one of the finest clubs in the vicinity.
Defying Conventions from the Start
From its very first day, the club has defied the stuffy conventions that are associated with more staid establishments by welcoming women as equal members. On October 10th, 1908 when the club began, women could not even stand for Parliament in this country, yet the club’s original 90 strong gentlemen members proudly welcomed 40 lady members on that very first day.
The course
A little more challenging than it might look on first glance. There are some reachable par fours for longer hitters, but they are lined with trees and well protected by bunkers, making them excellent risk and reward holes. The holes that traverse Hand’s Wood are extremely narrow with no room for error. The greens are fast and undulating, making it essential to leave your approach shots below the hole if you can.
he course has three wonderful par threes, the fourth is the shortest and offers a birdie chance for an accurate tee shot. Newcastle’s lone water feature sits here, the attractive flora and fauna decorated pond catches anything hit too far left. The seventh with its elevated tee to a green that falls from front to back, is well protected by bunkers. The final one is the 14th, again with its undulating green, beware the flag on the mid right-hand corner if you are off the green to the right.
For the women, the second and fifth holes are particularly long par fours, both holes are par fives for the men. The halfway house offers beverages, and you can pre-book a bacon bap or two as you come down the eighth hole, ready for you as you putt out on the ninth.
The back nine starts with two friendly par fours before you reach stroke index one on the 12th. A long par four up the hill that even the longest hitters struggle to reach in two shots. The final six holes on the course are often regarded as the best. The 13th is a sweeping dogleg downhill, the approach to the green has to be one of the most demanding there is here with greenside trouble left and right.
A peaceful spell next as the 15th and 16th holes meander through the oak trees and are framed with beds of bluebells in the spring. A beautiful setting to help you unwind.
The home hole is a fair one that allows you to open your shoulders a little and fire a potentially rewarding tee shot down there. Ultimately though it calls on accuracy on approach as an undulating Mckenzie green awaits, a large affair that can easily call upon three putts. Beware the pin close to the top of the undulation.
Newcastle Under Lyme golf course is a fun course that rewards good short game skills. The greens and approaches are beautiful to play. The course also stands up well in wet conditions.
The present day
Newcastle-under-Lyme Golf Club is one of the most pro-active clubs out there. Their still ever-present inclusivity combined with regular interaction with the local communities and businesses plus continuing coursework makes them one of the hardest working and most successful clubs in the Potteries region. The club opens its doors to the public to enjoy the Westlands Restaurant. Under the instruction of head pro Toby Goodwin they host community, ladies, mixed and beginners golf days as well as valuing their sponsors and corporate members.
The members are welcoming and friendly, and it is great to see a clubhouse that is vibrant and full of activity. The club offers conferencing and meeting room hire, and many businesses take advantage of the facilities and hospitality. The recently upgraded outdoor terrace area is a joy on relaxing summer afternoons
Play and stay is available here too as they have linked with the local Marriott hotel offering discounted golf break deals.
