Pre wedding golf at Slaley Hall

Fairways, Friendship & Pre-Wedding Panic: Golf at Slaley Hall

The day before my wedding my groomsmen and I decided the best way to start the celebrations was with a round of golf at Slaley Hall.

The Scene: Golf Heaven (and a Bit of a Humbling)

If you’ve never been, Slaley Hall is stunning. It’s tucked away in the middle of Northumberland, surrounded by miles of rolling countryside, ancient trees, and, as we soon discovered, more water hazards than a small lake district.

There are 2 courses at Slaley Hall - The Hunting and The Priestman which have hosted over 20 European Tour, European Seniors Tour, PGA Cup and Asian Tour events. We tackled the Hunting Course, described as the 'August of the North, which I’m convinced was designed by someone who really hates people. Every hole looked beautiful — until you actually had to hit a ball. Fairways tighter than my wedding trousers, greens that rolled like marble floors, and bunkers that might as well have been craters. 

The course is a real challenge and certainly a step up from the local municipal course I usually play. The holes are long with challenging bunkers that you need to hit a good shot to get out of - no chance of duffing a bunker shot and rolling out onto the fairway here. The greens are fast and undulating which make things even more interesting. On some holes, you could quite easily roll off the green if you aren't careful.  

The Highlights (and Disasters)

There were a few standout moments from the round:

1. First tee pressure: Nothing says “bonding” like three blokes silently judging your swing while you pray you actually hit the ball.
2. The great bunker escape of hole 2: I took four attempts to get out — and one of them nearly ended up in the next bunker. 
3. The “shot of the day”: I hit one so clean it genuinely shocked everyone, including me. Unfortunately, it also went straight into a pond.
4. A nice 15 on hole 11 - shouldn't have tried hitting over a tree on a downward slope

By the back nine, we’d all accepted that no one was making it to the PGA Tour. Spirits were high, golf balls were low, and the group chat was already filling with memes and questionable scorekeeping.

The 19th Hole: Where Legends Are Made

We wrapped up at the clubhouse, sweaty, sun-kissed, and slightly broken. Pints were ordered, stories exaggerated, and laughter echoed around the terrace. There was a tournament on the next day so the clubhouse was packed which created a great atmosphere. 

But standing there with my groomsmen, looking out over those hills, it hit me: this was the perfect send-off. No stress, no spreadsheets, no speeches. Just good friends, bad golf, and the kind of memories that make you laugh years later.

Final Thoughts

If you’re getting married and wondering what to do the day before — skip the spa day and grab your clubs. A round at Slaley Hall might not improve your handicap, but it’ll definitely make for an unforgettable pre-wedding story.

Just remember to bring sunscreen, spare balls, and a healthy sense of humour. You’ll need all three.

I will definitely be back for another round in the future - but I think I will try the slightly more forgiving Priestman Course. 

A Summer Golf Escape to Le Touquet

In July 2025, my brother and I decided to escape for a few days and head south for a quick golf trip across the Channel. We love a good road trip — the car packed, the playlist ready, and the promise of new fairways waiting on the other side.

Hitting the Road

We loaded up my Skoda Superb with two golf bags and two suitcases — and, as always, it handled the load with ease. For anyone who enjoys a comfortable drive, it’s hard to beat that car for space and smoothness. Our destination: Le Touquet, a charming seaside town in northern France known for its wide beaches, elegant villas, and, of course, world-class golf.

We took Le Shuttle, which I still think is the easiest and most pleasant way to cross the Channel. No long waits, no stress — just drive on, relax for a short while, and drive off in France ready for adventure. You don't even need to get out of the car.

Arrival at Le Touquet

By the time we arrived, it was a late summer’s evening. The sun was beginning to dip, casting a warm golden glow over the trees and fairways surrounding Le Manoir Hôtel, our home for the next couple of nights. The hotel sits right within Le Touquet Golf Resort, and from the moment we pulled in, we could feel the buzz of the place. Golfers unwinding on the terrace, quiet laughter from the bar, and that unmistakable holiday atmosphere that tells you you’ve chosen the right spot.

Le Manoir itself has a lovely, old-world charm — elegant but relaxed, with friendly staff and a comfortable, understated style that fits perfectly with the resort.

First Impressions of Le Touquet Golf Resort

As someone who plays most of my golf in the North East of England, I was instantly struck by how different the setting felt. Le Touquet has this effortless sophistication — immaculate fairways framed by pine trees and sand dunes, with the sea not far away.

We settled into the bar that evening, ordering a couple of strong local beers to toast the trip ahead. The atmosphere was relaxed, a mix of French and British golfers sharing stories from their rounds. It was the perfect way to ease into the weekend — good beer, good company, and the quiet excitement of knowing that tomorrow morning we’d be teeing off on La Mer, the resort’s famous championship course.

We didn’t stay up late. A few drinks, a few laughs, and then we turned in early — because La Mer awaited us in the morning. Known for its coastal winds, rolling dunes, and challenging layout, it promised to be one of the highlights of our golfing year.

Facing La Mer

After a good night’s sleep at Le Manoir Hôtel, we woke early, excited — and admittedly a little nervous — about what lay ahead. Today was all about La Mer, the championship course at Le Touquet Golf Resort.

Even before we teed off, it was clear this wasn’t going to be an easy round. La Mer is famous for its beauty, but also its difficulty — a classic links layout designed by Harry Colt, with sweeping fairways that twist between dunes and unforgiving rough that seems to swallow balls whole. When the course marshal says 'Welcome to Hell' you know you're in for an interesting round. For two very average golfers like us, it was more than a little intimidating.

We both stood on the first tee trying to convince ourselves that it would be fine. Spoiler: it wasn’t fine — at least not in terms of the scorecard! But from the very first drive, it was obvious this was something special. The scenery was incredible, the layout challenging but fair, and even when things went wrong (which they often did), it was impossible not to appreciate where we were.

La Mer has that rare combination of drama and calm — every hole looks like it belongs on a postcard, yet the course never feels overcrowded or overworked. You can almost imagine what it must be like during a professional event, with crowds lining the fairways and the wind coming in off the sea.

By the time we finished, we were tired, windswept, and both several golf balls lighter than we started. But we also couldn’t stop smiling. We may not have played well, but we’d just experienced one of the best courses in France, and that’s something worth celebrating. After stocking up on golf balls from the lovely Frenchman in the car park we headed back to the hotel for an afternoon by the pool.

On to Golf d’Hardelot

The next day, we packed up the car again and made the short drive north to Golf d’Hardelot. The journey itself only took around 30 minutes, winding through quiet coastal roads and small French towns that felt worlds away from home.

Hardelot has two courses — Les Pins and Les Dunes — and both have their own character. We played Les Dunes first. The setting is stunning, with tall pine trees lining many of the fairways and a slightly softer, more relaxed atmosphere compared to the rugged links of La Mer. It was the perfect contrast and exactly what we needed after being thoroughly humbled by Le Touquet.

Our golf was still far from perfect, but the mood was light. It rained for most of the round but that didn't dampen our spirits. Hardelot is the kind of place that reminds you why you love the game in the first place — fresh air, beautiful scenery, and the occasional good shot that keeps you coming back for more.

The following day we returned to play Les Pins. Today was even wetter than Les Dunes. I would have been less wet if I had just had a bath. I have never played in rain like that before but we still thoroughly enjoyed it. If anything, the rain added to the experience. After the 9th hole, the rain cleared, along with the slow four ball in front of us, and the sun came out. With the sun out and the rain coat off the golf improved with a couple of pars and a chip in from the edge of the green on the 18th the perfect way to end the trip. 

Reflections on the Trip

Looking back, our short road trip across the Channel had everything we wanted — great golf, good food, and a bit of adventure. From the challenge of La Mer to the tranquillity of Hardelot, it was a reminder that France’s northern coast is a hidden gem for golfers.

We may not have broken any records, but we came home with stories, laughs, and plans to do it all again next year — perhaps with slightly better swings (and definitely more golf balls). I would recommend it to anyone.