Plans by Mackenzie & Ebert also include rerouting the first and ninth holes, along with creating a new short-game area
By Alex Smith |
Goswick Links in Northumberland, England, has unveiled a new par-three seventh hole, which is part of a renovation plan by Mackenzie & Ebert that focuses on the front nine and aims to address congestion.
Members approved the design firm’s plan in June 2022, which sees the removal of the former par-three ninth and the construction of a new seventh hole. This represents the course’s first new hole in nearly 60 years.
The new seventh hole has been constructed between the existing sixth green and seventh tee. It can be played from around 130 yards to around 155 yards (from an alternative tee positioned behind the fifth hole). The hole has an out-of-bounds boundary down the right-hand side.
Construction began in late 2025, with architect Tom Mackenzie overseeing the shaping of tees, surrounds and the green. Turf from the former ninth green and surrounding areas has been reused for the new hole to support establishment and maintain consistency with the existing course conditions. Work also included drainage and the installation of rootzone materials prior to turfing.
“It’s just amazingly rewarding to see everything coming together,” said Mackenzie. “I hope we have delivered what we promised we were going to deliver in terms of the improvement to the front nine and creating a really good new hole.”
A view of the new par-three seventh from the white tee (Photo: Goswick Golf Club)
At the same time as constructing the new seventh hole, the club developed new tee positions for what is now the eighth hole.
Since 2022, Goswick Links has also undertaken modifications to the second and third green surrounds, a reconstruction of the fourth green, and the addition of new tees on the fifth and sixth holes to increase overall course length.
There are plans for a revised first hole, which indicates a rerouting, that is aimed at improving safety and reinforcing the course’s links characteristics. The redesign removes trees and internal out-of-bounds, opening up sightlines and reducing artificial constraints on play. At its closest point, the adjacent eighteenth fairway will sit approximately 50 metres from the centreline of the revised hole, but the adjusted angle of the tee shot is intended to eliminate any tactical advantage of playing towards the neighbouring fairway. Work on the first hole is scheduled to begin in November 2026.
Further detail on the proposed new ninth hole outlines a more strategic and visually open layout. All tees are to be relocated onto a ridge, creating a more elevated first shot. The first bunker will be repositioned further along the line of play to better engage longer hitters, while a wetland area at the dogleg is to be cleared, aimed at presenting a more demanding option for players attempting to take on the corner.
The green complex will be tightly guarded on the left, with a wide, closely mown area of humps and hollows to the right providing varied recovery options. In addition, a grass walking route will be introduced to the clubhouse and the tenth hole. The timing of this phase remains subject to land access and approvals, with the possibility that construction may be completed in stages.
In addition, the redevelopment programme includes the construction of a short game practice facility on the site of the former ninth hole. Plans for this area include an expanded putting green, chipping and pitching areas, and a bunker practice facility. Construction is expected to begin in October 2026.
Most of the renovations are expected to be complete by spring 2027. Work on the new ninth is potentially starting in autumn 2027 once access to the land for the new tees is clarified.
Read more: the club’s dedicated landing page for updates on the project.