Alnmouth Village Golf Club

The oldest 9 hole links course in England.  And publicly owned too.  The clubhouse is in the town and the course stretches out behind the glorious beach.  It is compromised slightly by the crossing road and overlapping holes which slow down the visiting players.  But it is definitely links and worth a place on the list. 

A tough  opening par 3 and the only one on the card.  The remainder are all par 4s.  Evening rounds cast the best light and shade across these naturally scraped fairways.  This turf was originally moulded by ‘common land’ cattle and is receptive to all links shots.  My favourite hole takes you to the furthest reaches of the course where you are pressed between the beach and the headland.  Your next drive is formidable; directly uphill to a fairway that runs at right angles.  Difficult to know your yardages and lines first time out, still more difficult to execute them.  Tempting to say that it is a bit Mickey Mouse but anyone who has praised Prestwick knows that local topographical idiosyncrasies are part of the links game.   Thank you to the club for allowing me to pay my green fee to Alzheimer’s Society.  Every penny is appreciated

I just wish that the bar had still been open when I came in.  I played with one novice and a lockdown returnee to the game.  Both appreciated the character of the links and natural simplicity of the game.  A very fair place to play and sample links golf.  Off to Amble and The Old Boathouse instead. Great seafood.