Slaley Hall

Newcastle has always enjoyed a reputation as an unrivalled party city, but add to that a number of top golf courses, and there are few better places for the Total Golfer to spend a weekend.

The Hunting course at De Vere Slaley Hall carries the ostentatious title of the 'Augusta of the North' and until 2002, hosted the Great North Open on the European Tour. And when you rock up you?ll certainly see why. A beautiful setting prepared to the highest standard it?s hard not to be impressed. Slaley's second 18-hole course is the Priestman and measures 6280 yards.

Alleys of towering pine trees and water hazards provide most of the courses' backbone, especially at the Hunting's signature par-four ninth hole. At 453-yards, you have to find a fairway that looks like a hospital corridor to a man under anesthetic - before clearing a burn and hitting a wood steeply uphill to a heavily bunkered green - simple.

Slaley Hall is within easy striking distance of central Newcastle and with plenty of packed bars, restaurants and clubs to choose ? it?s an ideal spot for a golfing jaunt.

Best Hole: It has to be the 9th - it looks beautiful but is potentially deadly to a decent round.

Web: www.devereonline.co.uk