Alnmouth Village Golf Club Review

Alnmouth Village Links was established in 1869, making it the oldest 9 hole links in England. The course was designed by the famous Scottish golfer Mungo Park, winner of the 1874 Open Championship at Musselburgh. He was also the club's first professional/greenkeeper.

This 9 hole layout, with two tee options in order to play an 18 hole course, has a true links feel given its 'out and back' design, which incorporates a climb up a large cliff on the 6th hole and back down with some stunning views. 

Pre-Round Thoughts

I liked the feel around Alnmouth Village Links. A quiet, quaint little seaside town with a glorious beach where you only saw a small selection of dog walkers and the odd campervan in the car park. 

The bar doubles up as the pro shop in what is a small, traditional building that sits just the other side of the road that separates it from the course looking over the 1st tee and 9th green. 

They do have a small driving range to the left of the course, as you look out from the clubhouse, which is a great addition given that land is at a premium here.

After a little putt on the small putting green next to the 1st hole, I sat for a while behind the 1st tee watching some groups head out. This place was quiet, rustic, it gave me Prestwick kind of vibes as the odd local walked past with a smile and a 'morning' - I couldn't wait to get going. 

Course Overview

The opening hole is the only par 3 on the course. 

Playing just in front of the road, and the odd bystander, this 200 yard par 3 is not for the feint hearted. The best option is probably to run it onto the green, but the false front may leave you disappointed. 

The next three holes all have a similar feel to them, as you play away from the village out towards the end of the course. 

The fairways feel quite wide as they are double with the holes coming back in, but the 3rd in particular is one you can get fairly close to the green if the wind is helping and you get a good bounce from the mound or hillock. 

The 5th is the first hole that feels fairly tight off the tee, this is due to teeing off from the other side of the hole closer to the cliff that overlooks the course, and features a stunning second shot into a green that sits in front of the sea and coastline. 

From the 6th tee you play up the cliff to a blind fairway so following the marker post is crucial before an approach shot into the green that is also raised leading to the highest point on the course and the 7th tee. 

The view from that seventh tee is spectacular with the beach, Alnmouth Bay, and Coquet Island all visible. Like other coastal courses it's open to the wind, adding to the challenge. A tee shot out to the left hand side will leave a good approach shot in, but at this point all you are really interested in is the view. Breathtakingly good. 

After a long 8th hole (plays as the only par 5 if playing 18 holes) the final hole heading back towards the town with the clubhouse in the distance provides the perfect backdrop to a wonderful experience. 

Post-Round Thoughts

I had so much fun playing Alnmouth Village. I loved everything about the course, the set up, location, views, history, it really does have it all and a bit more. 

Naturally, the links ground means the course is playable all year round and the double fairways nature of the course in the majority of places means its pretty forgiving from the tee so should be enjoyed by golfers of all abilities. 

The nature of the layout, eight par 4s and one par 3 playing just over 3,000 yards isn't to be sniffed at. I played with a group as part of a trip and we decided to play Texas Scramble in teams of four and we could only manage three-under due the course's natural defence in wind and undulating greens.

Verdict

What an experience. I think if you are visiting the North East for any reason, then try and get yourself onto Alnmouth Village Links and enjoy the beauty and test of this classic links course - the oldest 9 hole links in England gets the thumbs up from me - and all for £25!

Overall Rating - 9

Course (Conditions) - 9

Course (Hole Variety/Layout) - 7

Course (Green Condition) - 8

Course (Challenge/Difficulty) - 7

Club Facilities & Clubhouse - 5

Practice Facilities - 4

Friendliness/Hospitality - 8

Pace of Play - 9

Value For Money - 10