Top ten golf courses in County Durham

1. Rockliffe Hall Golf Club

Rockliffe Hall is one of the longest courses in the country - in Europe in fact. It measures a whopping 7,897 yards off the back tees, and is surrounded by 350 acres of Durham parkland. The course opened in 2009, and European Tour pro Graeme Storm has already earmarked it as a potential Ryder Cup venue of the future.

Postcode: DL2 2DU
Closest station: Darlington
Cost of round: £55-65
Playing requirements: None
Website: Rockliffe Hall

2. Brancepeth Castle Golf Club

Brancepeth is a 6,400-yard par-70 parkland course designed by legendary course architect Harry Colt, situated just a few miles outside of the city of Durham. Some accurate tee shots will be needed to avoid a deep ravine which runs across many of the holes. The course has formerly hosted the final of the County Championships.

Postcode: DH7 8EA
Closest station: Durham
Cost of round: £22-44
Playing requirements: None
Website: Brancepeth Castle

3. Durham City Golf Club

Founded in 1887, Durham City Golf Club is one of the oldest inland courses in the UK. The 6,349-yard par-71 course is located just two miles outside of Durham, in the small village of Langley Moor.

Postcode: DH7 8HL
Closest station: Durham
Cost of round: £15-40
Playing requirements: No visitors before 9am
Website: Durham City Golf Club

4. Woodham Golf & Country Club

Woodham's par-73 course plays 6,688 yards off the back tees and presents a mix of woodland and parkland features. It is situated between Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe, to the south of Durham.

Postcode: DL5 4PN
Closest station: Newton Aycliffe
Cost of round: £18-20
Playing requirements: None
Website: Woodham Golf Club

5. Ramside Hall Golf Club

Ramside is made up of three distinct nine-hole loops that can be played in any combination, although most opt for the longest two -  the Bishops Course (3532 yards) and the Prices Course (3319 yards).

Postcode: DH1 1TD
Closest station: Durham
Cost of round: £35-40
Playing requirements: None
Website: Ramside Hall

6. Barnard Castle Golf Club

Located just a mile north of Durham city centre, Barnard Castle's 6,406-yard par-73 course is open parkland in style and features water hazards on 15 holes. Cheap green fees for visitors are also available for afternoon/evening play.

Postcode: DH12 8QN
Closest station: Darlington/Bishop Auckland
Cost of round: £12-30
Playing requirements: None
Website: Barnard Castle Golf Club

7. Consett & District Golf Club

Consett's course is not the longest in the area at just 6,041 yards, but the plateau greens are fairly tough and should ensure you face a stern test of golf. The course was designed by Harry Vardon in 1911, and is set in 100 acres of parkland on the border between Durham and Northumberland.

Postcode: DH8 5NN
Closest station: Stocksfield/Chester-le-Street
Cost of round: £22/27
Playing requirements: None
Website: Consett & District Golf Club