Rockliffe Hall Golf Course Review

Rockliffe Hall is a five star luxury retreat featuring a historic hotel, spa, three restaurants and a Championship golf course. The course is playing host to events of increasing significance as a result of its high quality design and immaculate presentation. Golfshake sent Ambassador Rob Treanor on a short break to discover this gem of the North East.

A suitably grand entrance and impressive drive through the grounds greets visitors on arrival at Rockliffe Hall. The estate spans an enormous 375 acres and is set on the banks of the River Tees. Owing to the scale of the site, a sense of spaciousness and grandeur results with an immediate feeling of calmness and escapism synonymous with the hotel’s status as a true five star venue.

The golf course at Rockliffe Hall was opened in 2009 having been designed by the architects at Hawtree, who have an impressive reputation. Measuring in at an astonishing 7,879 yards from the tips, it can provide a test to the very best who play the game. Don't let the length put you off though, as there are five different tee box combinations to play from which are positioned to allow all standards of golfer to enjoy this great course.

Pre-Round Thoughts

A comprehensive set of practice facilities allow for a proper warm up. The modern, luxurious clubhouse features a unique natural grass roof and sits into the hill, making it invisible from the hotel. Everything has been set up to maximise the players’ chance of success.

It is evident from the little touches that this is going to be a memorable experience. A thoughtful welcome pack features tees, a pitchmark repairer and ball marker which are all made from recyclable materials. After a briefing from the Starter from a position on the high ground assessing the course below, it is off to enjoy the opening hole…

Front 9 Overview

This is a serious golf course. A tremendously inviting downhill tee shot to a wide fairway gets the round underway. The opening stroke is followed by a further downhill approach to a large but well defended green. This welcoming opener is a generous way to ease in to the round.

An excellent pair of holes await at four and five, with the former offering several different playing options. This par four creeps to the right around a lake, offering a cautious shot straight down the fairway which defers the need to carry water until later in the hole. Alternatively, a more aggressive approach plays over water from the tee which will significantly shorten the approach to the crafty green. A thinking golf hole which requires a combination of strategy and execution.

The signature fifth is picture postcard pretty. This par three plays over a lake to a raised island green framed by a pair of bunkers either side. Formidable at first glance and more so when stood over the ball, this stunning 162 yard hole will reward a well struck shot, though anything short will require a reload.

The 436 yard 8th is a lengthy par four to put it mildly and is graded as stroke index one. Given Rockliffe Hall’s status as the "hardest course in the UK", this being the most difficult hole on the course, means it is technically the most difficult hole in the UK! Often into the prevailing wind with water all the way on the right and modest landing areas which are narrowed by bunkers, it demands very good golf indeed…

Back 9 Overview

A "proper" halfway house offers hot and cold food and drink options (top tip: try the pies!) after which a pair of doglegs get the back nine underway. The feel of the course evolves at this point with the 10th fairway pinching in to present a different type of challenge, whilst the 11th offers a variety of corner cutting options for those feeling brave enough to take on the semi blind bend.

The round finishes strongly with two excellent thinking holes at 17 and 18. The penultimate hole plays to an offset fairway which forces players to pick a line from the tee. The closer to the green, the greater the risk of catching the wetland which the ball needs to carry, meaning there are endless possible ways to play the hole. A deceptive bunker guards the front of the green, making it appear a smaller target than it is. A genuinely excellent golf hole and possibly the best on the course.

The 18th plays back to the magnificently designed clubhouse. A handful of enormous oak trees make this hole all about angles, as players navigate to find an optimal line to approach the green from. Another thinking hole, this is an area of the course where braun takes a backseat in favour of craft and skill. The theatre style approach finishes in front of the huge glass windows and outside seating of the bar and restaurant which is raised up from the level of the green. This adds a little extra pressure to the finishing blows of this excellent golf course.

Post-Round Thoughts

This really is a very well designed and thoroughly enjoyable course to play. The bunkers have been shaped to create depth, meaning they are both attractive to the eye and result in the course playing very honestly without any hidden surprises. Visually striking and fully filled with excellent sand, the contrast of the shadowing thrown by their lids frames the course from start to finish.

The four par 5s finish on slimmer profile greens which makes any approach from distance more challenging. The presence of water on many holes is used to maximum effect, forcing golfers to make decisions on lines, angles and strategy. 

The smart Clubhouse has a spike bar as well as a modern restaurant, meaning a post round refreshment is essential. Everything about this venue is designed for maximum enjoyment so allowing time to make the most of the off course experience is a must.

Verdict

Golf should be fun to play and the course at Rockliffe Hall is as enjoyable as it is easy on the eye. Exceedingly good design, immaculate presentation and stunning scenery combine to create a memorable, five star experience.

Overall Rating - 9

Course (Conditions) - 9

Course (Hole Variety/Layout) - 9

Course (Green Condition) - 9

Course (Challenge/Difficulty) - 9

Club Facilities & Clubhouse - 9

Practice Facilities - 9

Friendliness/Hospitality - 9

Pace of Play - 9

Value For Money - 8