South Shields Golf Club - South Shields

South Shields Golf Club is an established heathland and parkland course positioned on Cleadon Hills, close to the North East coast. Its elevated setting provides views across the surrounding countryside and towards the North Sea, while the exposed ground means wind can play a major part in how the course is approached.

The club was formed at a public meeting on 6 June 1893, with its original nine-hole course opening later that year. Those first holes covered just 26 acres and measured 2,540 yards, but the club continued to develop as its membership grew. The present course has since been influenced by two of golf’s most respected architects, Dr Alister MacKenzie and five-time Open champion James Braid.

Today, the course measures approximately 6,295 yards and plays to a par of 71. Its challenge comes from firm ground, natural changes in elevation and holes that can become considerably more difficult when the coastal wind strengthens. Golfers must choose their lines carefully from the tee, as missed fairways can leave restricted approaches or awkward lies around the course’s established hazards.

South Shields is worth playing because it offers a different experience from a conventional tree-lined parkland course. Its heathland character, elevated position and quick-draining ground help the course remain playable when many others are affected by wet weather. The club has built its reputation around the phrase “open when others are closed”, making it a useful option for North East golfers throughout the year.

The course rewards controlled driving, sensible positioning and the ability to adjust quickly to changing conditions. Its historical connection to MacKenzie and Braid gives the layout added interest, while the exposed setting ensures no two rounds feel exactly the same. For golfers looking to experience a traditional North East course with more than 130 years of history, South Shields provides an accessible but genuine test.