Darlington golf club history • 1908 Society • History of Mackenzie greens
"Golf is so popular simply because it is the best game in the world at which to be bad."
A.A Milne
Darlington Golf Club is a traditional, welcoming members’ club set in the heart of Darlington, County Durham. Founded in 1908, we combine over a century of golfing heritage with continually improving facilities, modern coaching and a busy social calendar.
Whether you’re interested in the history of the club, the story of our Alister Mackenzie greens, or the people who run the club today, this page is your starting point.
Our story
A Darlington golf club since 1908
Golf has been played at Darlington Golf Club for well over 100 years. Established in 1908, the club was formed by local enthusiasts who saw the potential for a dedicated golf course in Darlington.
Dr Alister Mackenzie was appointed in 1914 to design our course & greens
Over the decades, the club has steadily evolved:
The original layout took shape as a classic parkland course, making use of the natural contours and mature trees of the local landscape.
The course was refined and extended as membership grew, and the clubhouse became a true social hub for the local community.
Investment in drainage, irrigation and course conditioning helped secure our reputation as one of the more enjoyable and consistent golf clubs in County Durham.
The club continues to invest in the course, Alister Mackenzie greens, practice facilities, TrackMan technology, and a modernised clubhouse – while preserving the friendly, traditional ethos that members value.
The 1908 Society – celebrating our heritage
To mark and celebrate our long history, we are proud of our 1908 Society – a symbol of our roots and continued commitment to the traditions of the game.
The 1908 Society:
• Recognises the contribution of past and present members who have helped shape the club
• Connects us with other historic clubs and societies across the region and beyond
• Underlines our status as one of the more established golf clubs in County Durham
The spirit of 1908 is more than just a date; it’s about continuity, pride in our course and clubhouse, and a shared sense of ownership among our members.
While we have a proud history, Darlington Golf Club is anything but stuffy.
We aim to be:
A welcoming members’ club
Friendly and inclusive
Welcoming new members, beginners and visitors
Community‑minded
Engaging with local schools, charities and businesses
Family‑friendly
Encouraging juniors and family involvement in golf and social events
Members enjoy:
SOCIAL SCENE
A busy competition and social golf calendar
INTEGRATION
Roll‑ups and informal groups to help new members integrate, these include a casual 10 hole pick & mix every Monday evening where new members from any section can put their names down and we team you up, you just have to show up, very popular amongst new & established members
LADIES SECTION
Ladies 10 hole sunday Winter league to integrate new members with existing members
VIBRANT COMMUNITY
A vibrant friendly ladies section
COMPETITION
Club teams representing us in matches across County Durham and the North East
CLUBHOUSE
A programme of social events in the clubhouse throughout the year
If you’re looking to join a golf club in Darlington with a genuine members’ club atmosphere, we’d be delighted to show you around.
Facilities & off‑course life
Beyond the 18‑hole course, Darlington Golf Club offers:
• Driving Range & practice area
• TrackMan (coming in 2026) – modern practice with ball‑tracking technologyShort‑game and putting areas – hone the skills that matter most to scoring
• Clubhouse bar & restaurant – relaxed food and drink, open to members and the public
• A regular varied social diary with Music & social functions to suit everyone
• Sunday lunches – popular with golfers and non‑golfers alike
• Function room – for weddings, parties, meetings and events
• Corporate golf days – tailored packages for businesses and charities
These facilities make Darlington not just a place to play golf, but a year‑round destination for members, families and local organisations.
Meet the team
Behind every successful golf club is a dedicated team of staff and volunteers. At Darlington Golf Club, you’ll find:
Club management & office
➜ Oversee membership, administration and day‑to‑day running of the club
➜ Provide a friendly point of contact for enquiries, bookings and events
Golf Service provider company Golfex
OWNED BY LEWIS BEARDWELL
➜ Offer golf lessons in Darlington for all ages and abilities
➜ Provide beginner golf lessons, junior coaching and group clinics
➜ Deliver custom club fitting in Darlington
➜ Run the Pro Shop – stocking leading brands of equipment, large range of used clubs, clothing and accessories.
➜ Support club competitions, open events and custom corporate days
Course Manager & greenkeeping team
➜ Maintain the Mackenzie-designed course in excellent condition throughout the year
➜ Look after our Mackenzie greens, fairways, bunkers and practice areas
➜ Implement improvement and sustainability projects
Catering & clubhouse
MANAGED BY CLARE HAYWARD OF BOOFAY CATERING
➜ Prepare and serve food ranging from bar snacks to Sunday lunches, carveries and event menus
➜ Provide attentive, welcoming service in the bar, lounge and dining areas
In addition, a team of volunteer officers and committee members – elected from the membership – help shape club policy, competitions, social events and long‑term planning.
Our values
Across everything we do, Darlington Golf Club aims to:
Respect tradition
Honour the heritage of a club founded in 1908
Maintain quality
In course conditioning, coaching and hospitality
Welcome everyone
From lifelong golfers to complete beginners
Support the community
Engaging with local organisations, charities and schools
Plan for the future
Investing in facilities, juniors, getting into golf programmes and sustainable course management
These values guide decisions on everything from course development to catering and events.
Looking ahead
While we’re proud of our Darlington golf club history, we’re equally focused on the future. Current and planned developments often include:
Ongoing investment in the course and greens
Enhancements to practice facilities and TrackMan driving range use (coming soon)
Expanding coaching programmes for juniors, beginners and returning golfers
Improvements to clubhouse spaces, décor and comfort
New events and initiatives to keep the club vibrant and relevant
Our goal is simple: to ensure Darlington Golf Club remains a club our members are proud of, and a place that visitors look forward to returning to.
Visit us
If you’d like to learn more about Darlington Golf Club:
Explore our Membership, Green Fees, Driving Range & TrackMan, Lessons, Sunday Lunches, Function Room Hire and Corporate Golf Days.
Get in touch to arrange a visit, a trial round, or a look around the clubhouse and facilities.
We’d be delighted to share more of our story in person.
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find the answer you are looking for? We are here to help you
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Darlington Golf Club was founded in 1908. We have been part of the local sporting landscape in Darlington, County Durham for well over a century.
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Our greens & course were designed by Dr. Alister Mackenzie in 1914, featuring interesting contours, tiers and surrounds. The history of our Mackenzie greens is a key part of what makes our course distinctive in County Durham.
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The 1908 Society reflects our heritage as a club founded in 1908 and celebrates the traditions, members and milestones that have shaped Darlington Golf Club over the years.
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We are primarily a traditional members’ club, but we warmly welcome visitors, societies, corporate groups and diners. You don’t need to be a member to play as a visitor, take lessons, use the range, or enjoy the bar and restaurant.
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No. Our bar, restaurant and Sunday lunches are open to members, guests and the general public. Many regular diners are non‑golfers from the local area.
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The club is managed by a combination of professional staff (office, greenkeeping, PGA professionals, catering) and member‑elected committees that oversee golf, house, finance and overall strategy.
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Yes. Our PGA professionals provide golf lessons in Darlington, including beginner lessons, junior coaching and performance coaching. We also offer custom club fitting in Darlington using TrackMan technology (coming in 2026) on the range.
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Visit our Golf Membership page or contact the office to request details. We’ll be happy to explain membership categories, prices and the joining process, and arrange a tour of the club.
