Birtley Golf Club

Birtley Golf Club, also known locally as Birtley Portobello, was founded in 1922 and lies close to the A1 near Chester-le-Street in County Durham. The parkland course measures 5,729 yards and plays to a par of 67, a shorter card than many eighteen-hole layouts but one built around six par fours stretching beyond 400 yards and a set of testing short holes. The opening stretch sets the tone immediately: a 238-yard par three first, followed by a 453-yard dogleg par four second, giving early indication of the demands ahead. The club positions itself as suitable for golfers of all standards, with green fees kept at competitive rates compared with larger regional clubs. Online booking is available for visitor tee times, and the course's compact scale makes it a realistic option for a full round without the time commitment of longer championship-length layouts. Its location just off the A1 corridor gives easy access from Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham more widely, and the club has maintained continuous operation on the same site since its founding over a century ago.