Seaton Carew Course Review

Seaton Carew Golf Club was founded in 1874 under the name The Durham and Yorkshire Golf Club, and in its infancy, it was only a 14-hole layout. It wasn't until 1887 that the club changed its name, and a few years later was extended to 18 holes. 

Situated on England's northeast coast, not far from the heart of the small seaside town from which it earned its name, Seaton Carew was once again modified in 1925 by none other than iconic course architect Dr Alister Mackenzie, perhaps best known for his work on Augusta National. 

The club has a rich and well documented history and has hosted a number of prestigious events, including, most recently the 2024 English Amateur Championship.

It was on the eve of said event that I was lucky enough to play this fabulous old school links track, and despite not knowing a huge amount about the course before I teed off, I walked away from it a huge fan. 

Seaton Carew has 22 holes in its configuration, with five different routings available. I played the Micklem configuration, which includes three out of the four new holes that were added by Frank Pennink. 

In true links fashion Seaton Carew delivers fast and firm fairways, unpredictable weather, cavernous bunkers and beautifully manicured greens. 

It's a course that makes you think about every shot, and one that also invites you to use the ground as friend rather than foe in order to navigate the sharp putting surfaces and often strong winds. 

The opening stretch is a great opportunity to get a score going thanks to the relatively benign opening par-4 followed by a par-5 that's reachable in two, if you can keep your ball on the short stuff. 

It's also worth noting that the third green can easily be mistaken for your desired target so be sure to look a little further to make sure you're headed to the right destination. 

The third is tremendous short par-3 on which I thought I had witnessed my first ever hole in one, however don't be deceived by the topography of the green, the ball actually finished about 15-feet short of the pin. 

Like most links courses, bunkering tends to be one of the main defences, however what I found interesting about Seaton Carew is that fairway bunkering is kept relatively sparse, allowing you more freedom off the tee.

That freedom can really be utilised on both the fourth and fifth holes, two par-4s both measuring under 400 yards. 

The sixth, a lovely little par-3 with a semi blind tee shot is then followed by another pair of short par-4s that give you a full view of the course's interesting surroundings. 

While the North Sea flanks one side of the golf course and offers stunning coastal views, there are also a number of man made structures that will undoubtedly catch your attention. The structures in question are stationary oil rigs positioned just off the coast. 

I'm not sure if they are old or waiting to go out, but despite not being the most beautiful things in the world, I actually think they add to the charm of the course, giving a nod to the industry of the area. 

Back to the golf though, and making the turn another short par-4 gives you a welcome send off into the back nine as you reach the southern most point on the property. 

I was fortunate enough to play Seaton Carew on a beautiful summer's evening and I have to say the front nine was an absolute delight. I was playing well, the course was in exceptional condition, and it offered a beautiful balance of playability, fun and intrigue. 

Heading for home, the back nine begins with another short par-4 which has the smallest green on the course. Despite being short, this hole deserves respect as there is trouble lurking with severe bunkers both left and right of the putting surface. 

The 11th is again reachable, and is a true risk and reward hole, with an attempt to reach the green off the tee bringing in two fairway bunkers and a hazard. In summer conditions when the fairways are running hard, the 11th provides a really good scoring opportunity and one worth taking, as the course does get slightly trickier as it reaches its finally. 

The 12th was my favourite hole on the course. It's not necessarily the most incredible hole to look at, but I just love it's simplicity. 

Right out to the coast, the hole moves uphill as straight as an arrow, and if you can really crunch one, it provides a lovely second shot and a great chance at birdie if you find the right tier of the green. 

The 13th is an interesting hole, and one where I thought it had all gone wrong for me. 

A dog leg right, this par-5 looks narrow and intimidating off the tee, with no obvious line. However, I can speak from experience when saying you have so much room to work with if you do cut the ball or even straight slice it like I did. 

I thought my wayward tee shot was lost for eternity it was headed so far right, but on reaching the fairway, there my ball was slap bang in the middle of the short stuff. 

It was at this stage in the round that I found the course to get that little bit more tricky. 

The upturned saucer green on 14 presents all sorts of interesting putts, and the long par-3 15th can be an absolute beast if the wind isn't playing ball. 

The 16th has a series of fairway bunkers to avoid, and if you do, then the longest green on the course can make things interesting if you don't leave yourself in the right place. 

The 17th is the signature hole at Seaton Carew and it's easy to see why. Looking back to the clubhouse you are surrounded by dunes, and with the finish line in sight, the view from the tee is a beauty. 

The two tier pear shaped green means your work is never over, but if you can walk off with a par, you've given a good account of yourself.

To finish, the course offers up a relatively welcoming par-4, with a huge bail out left on the first fairway if you need it. 

the large square green is inviting, but as I found, anything short will be kicked aggressively sideways by the mounds. 

Seaton Carew is a fantastic course, and perhaps one that doesn't get the fame or praise it deserves. 

The conditioning is superb, the course is creative and beautifully maintained, and the welcome you receive is a warm one.

If you are thinking of planning a trip up the east coast, Seaton Carew should certainly be on the agenda.