Houghton-le-Spring Golf Club

Founded in 1908, Houghton-le-Spring Golf Club lies on the southern edge of Sunderland in what is now County Durham, with a layout that takes in views across the surrounding countryside. The opening hole sets an early tone, a straight par four running alongside out-of-bounds down its right-hand side, and the course continues to test accuracy rather than raw power through much of the front nine. The second is a dogleg right, while the third climbs uphill to a green guarded by a double bunker that catches anything struck short. The fourth stretches out as a long par four, and the fifth asks players to work around trees down the left as the fairway slopes away to the right. The sixth brings danger on both sides of the tee shot, and the seventh, rated the hardest hole on the course, is another substantial par four. An eighth-hole descent offers a change of pace, a downhill par three with out of bounds both right and behind a green defended by twin bunkers. Course reports, tee bookings and membership enquiries are handled online, alongside details of the club's societies and corporate golf days.