Local Rules
Abnormal course conditions
Free relief is available from artificial roads, paths, sprinkler heads, drain covers, course furniture, shelters, man-made structures and the west-end practice mat; the path right of the 9th has a further drop-zone option.
Immovable obstructions near greens
Model Local Rule F-5 applies when ball and obstruction are in fairway-height general area, obstruction is within two club-lengths of the putting green and on the line of play, and ball is within two club-lengths of obstruction.
Ground under repair
Areas encircled with white painted lines are ground under repair; relief is available under Rule 16.1a.
Movable obstructions
Direction-line indicator posts and distance-marker posts are movable obstructions.
No play zones
No-play zones include the practice-area bunker and green, practice putting green beside the 1st tee, newly planted trees and shrubs with supports, and areas encircled with blue rope; relief is required under Rule 16.1f.
Out of bounds
Out of bounds is defined by boundary fences or white posts, with special definitions for holes 1, 3 and 12, including a burnt line and cutaways below normal course level; white posts must not be moved.
Red penalty areas
Ditches and areas designed to hold water are red penalty areas by default unless marked otherwise; bridges are within red penalty areas. Drop zones provide an additional option behind the 4th and 14th greens.
Temporary drainage rule
Drainage lines on holes 1, 4, 6/7 near the path, 8 and 10 are temporarily treated as ground under repair; relief is available under Rule 16.1a.
Course Intelligence
Course Character
The current Local Rules are detailed and operationally important: read the special OOB definitions, F-5 relief, no-play zones and temporary drainage rules before play. Whitley Bay Golf Club is an 18-hole course near the Northumberland coastline, combining parkland and heathland characteristics across undulating terrain with fast, true greens. An undulating coastal parkland-heathland course
Major Risks
Detailed boundary and relief rules Several holes have special OOB or penalty-area definitions, while temporary drainage lines and no-play zones affect relief.
Blue Tee Strategy
Use the current scorecard because tee signage may be incorrect after course rating. Confirm the temporary drainage rule and any live course notices. Manage wind, undulation and current rules.
Golfer Reviews / Consensus
Official club material presents Whitley Bay as a high-quality, scenic and challenging North East course. MEDIUM Coastal setting Fast, true greens Parkland and heathland character
Course Conditions
PARTIALLY_VERIFIED Course currently open Check course status and current scorecard. 2026-11-26T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-28 Use the current status and Local Rules page before play. The official site reports the course open but conditions and restrictions can change.
30-second Pre-round Brief
Whitley Bay · before tee-off Review the special definitions for holes 1, 3 and 12. Read OOB Know F-5, no-play zones and drainage-line relief. Check relief The club warns that tee signage may be incorrect. Use current card Read the current rules, use the scorecard, and plan for an exposed undulating coastal round.
Regulations
Pace and adjacent property
Players are expected to play without delay and must not trespass on farmland to retrieve golf balls.