The North East boasts some magnificent parkland courses - and Arcot Hall near Cramlington is undoubtedly right up there with the best of them. The course Things get underway with a nice straight par 4 of 325 yards that has a lovely wide fairway, though the trees on the right do present a bit of a problem for the wayward tee-shot. If you are in the trees you'll have to just chip back on to the fairway. The second is a par 3 of 170 yards and is again pretty straightforward if you can find a second good straight hit from the tee. There are bunkers up around the green and the fairway, as such, is nicely channelled. The course starts to get more demanding by the third, a 380-yard par 4 that doglegs left and has water at driving distance on the right. The picturesque green is well guarded with sand and there's some thick grass around the fringes. The 4th is a super par 3 that comes in at 216. There's water on the left and bunkers up around the green and so you'll need to find a long and accurate hit to reach the putting surface. The fifth is a 400-yard par 4 that doglegs left. You need to find the middle of the fairway to have a good view of the green, though there's a well-positioned bunker to soak up anything slightly off-line. The first of Arcot's par 5s is waiting at the 6th, which comes in at 530 yards and is straight with cross ditches. As ever at Arcot, there are plenty of trees about, particularly on the left while there are bunkers on the fairway and both sides of the green. And to follow, another par 5, this time slightly shorter but no less complex in its design. The fairway is straddled by some fairly thick stands of trees and there's the added problem of huge banks of gorse on the left while there are ditches at driving distance; followed by cross bunkers between the ditch and green so plan ahead carefully here. The 8th, a par 4 of 390 yards, is another beautifully scenic hole that features a dogleg right, which is virtually 90 degrees. Reach the centre of the fairway and you'll be rewarded with a pitch into a fairly generous green, though there are bunkers and the whole thing is framed in a lovely semi-circle of trees. The outward half is completed by another of Arcot's trademark par 3s. This one is a real gem and at 190 yards requires another long and straight hit. There's water to the left of the green, a bunker on the right and trees everywhere. It's a delight to look at but keep your eye on the ball. The inward nine gets underway with the third and final of Arcot's par 5s. This one measures 530 yards and boasts a rather scary blind tee-shot; you need to hit it straight as anything to the right could find water while there are more trees on the right. Further up the hole, there are yet more trees and gorse to negotiate. The 11th is a par 3 of 200 yards, though it looks shorter than it is so make sure you select the right club and then hit it nice and straight again. If you are in the groove with some straight hitting, you should be tested further on the next five holes, which probably constitute the toughest section of the course. The 12th is a long, thin par 4 of 365 yards that navigates its slender way through an avenue of trees and gorse with out-of-bounds and a ditch on the right. Higher up there are fairway bunkers and more around the green to snaffle up anything a bit off line. The 13th, a 360-yard par 4, is equally tricky as the tee shot is through a narrow gap in the trees while the green slopes and is guarded by sand on both sides. The par 4 400-yard 14th doglegs left through another break in the trees and, if anything, requires even more accuracy than its predecessor. A draw from the tee would be ideal, though even if you're in position A on the fairway you won't get a full view of the flag. The par 3 15th is the shortest hole on the course at 160 yards. It's another scenic creation with trees all the way down and round the green that make the hole incredibly sheltered even in a strongish wind, while there's water short left too. Be careful not to take too big a club. Sixteen is a very difficult par 4 of 435 yards that most players will tackle as a three-shotter. With a dogleg left, trees everywhere and out-of-bounds on the right, the tee-shot is a tricky proposition and why many people favour an iron. The land falls away behind and to the left of the hole, making the approach shot something of a tester too. The penultimate is another incredibly scenic par 4 of 340 yards. With a dogleg and slope right, the big hitters will be fancying their chances of taking on the corner here and getting their drive pretty close. But, beware, there's a well-placed bunker in front of the green from this side, which makes the approach pretty tough. Alternatively, you could opt for a mid-iron to the corner and then take on an approach through a series of bunkers to the green. And Arcot's final hole, a 380-yard par 4, doesn't disappoint either. The fairway is nice and wide though it does dogleg right before narrowing noticeably as it nears the green, which is well protected by sand, a protruding tree, a mound and rhododendrons. All in all, Arcot is a great test and as well as brawn here and there, requires a well thought-out game plan. --------------------------------------------------------- Factfile Name: Acrot Hall Golf Club.
Address: Arcot Hall, Dudley, Cramlington, NE23 7QP
Location: Six miles north of Newcastle. Turn off A1 for Ashington and then follow signs.
Telephone: 0191-236-2794 and select extension 1 for course condition, 2 for secretary, 3 for pro shop, 4 for catering, 5 for bar and 6 for tee information. Email: arcothall@tiscali.co.uk
Website: www.arcothall.co.uk Green fees: Weekdays £28 per day, weekends £32 per day. Special deal: £80 for fourball on selected tee times all summer (check on above number for availability). Societies\groups: Welcome. Special deals available by arrangement. Call the secretary on the above number. Membership: Available. 60th anniversary offer of half-price joining fee. 5-day memberships available. Contact secretary for full details. Buggies: Available. | 
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