Royal Portrush Golf Club is situated on the beautiful North Antrim Causeway coast, overlooked by the ruins of 13th century Dunluce Castle, which gives its name to the club’s famous course.
Thick rough and tricky greens combine with the Atlantic breeze to make this a true test of a golfer’s skill. Signature hole is the 411-yard par four 5th which doglegs from an elevated tee towards the ocean.
Voted number 12 in the world by Golf Magazine, it is the only club in Ireland to have staged the Open and has held the Seniors British Open on several occasions. Famous members at the club include Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell.
The town of Portrush, County Antrim, is situated 60 miles north-west of Belfast and can be reached within one hours drive from Belfast International Airport and just ninety minutes from the ferry ports of Belfast and Larne.
Castlerock is a fabulous links course set among rolling sand dunes. The course is wonderfully situated on the banks of the river Bann, with eye-catching views of Donegal and, on a clear day, towards Scotland and the Island of Islay. An ideal retreat in which to play golf.
The Championship Mussenden Course is best-known for the fourth hole, called the Leg o‘ Mutton, a 200 yard par-3 with a railway line to the right, a stream to the left, and a raised green. Good luck!
Castlerock Golf Club is situated in the seaside village of Castlerock, which lies approximately 5 miles due West of the town of Coleraine on the North Coast of Northern Ireland.
The Strand course at Portstewart opened in 1992, presenting a true test of golf set amid towering sand dunes with memorable views of the Donegal hills, rolling Atlantic and the tranquil estuary of the River Bann.
The Old Course at Portstewart is a par-64 and also worth a game.
Ardglass is a dramatic seaside course with great views of the sea and the Mourne Mountains. The par three 12th deserves special mention with a 198-yard shot to a green protected by the sea. Parts of the clubhouse date back to the 14th century.
"A pure links…the outward half especially is as fine a nine-holes as I have ever played " - Tom Watson
Royal County Down is consistently ranked among the world's top-20 Golf Courses and hosted the Walker Cup in 2007.
The course nestles in Dundrum Bay at the base of the Mourne Mountains and in the shadow of the 3000ft peak of Slieve Donard. It was designed in 1888 by Old Tom Morris with the great Harry Vardon making a few alterations in 1908.
At 7,065 yards off the back tees and with a frequently strong wind sweeping in, it is a stern test, particularly when you factor in the small, tricky greens. It is also one of the most beautiful courses in world golf with heather clad sand dunes lining the undulating fairways and magnificent views out across the Irish Sea.
The fourth and ninth holes are particular favourites but every hole carries charm and challenge.
Royal County Down Golf Club is located in the town of Newcastle, 30 miles south of Belfast via the A24 (approx 1 hour); 90 miles north of Dublin via the M1/N1/A1 to Newry, and 25 miles east of Newry via the A25.
Handicap (Gents/Ladies)
28/36
Ascot golf tours featuring Royal County Down - Championship
County Louth is the annual host of the East of Ireland Amateur Championship, and represents links golf at its very finest. The course is laid out in two loops covering some 190 acres with no two holes running in the same direction - apart from the 12th and 13th which run along the sea.
The 14th hole is regarded as the signature hole - a short par four measuring only 332 yards you can drive all the way to the green or end up taking six or more. The par threes are also superb, and the whole round a golfing treat.
Take motorway north (Belfast). Exit for Drogheda North after new Boyne bridge, take Drogheda exit at roundabout and proceed taking Drogheda exit at next two roundabouts, take first left (Termonfechin) and carry on down by back of Hospital to major junction (Esso station opposite),take a left and immediate right (before Maxol station) proceed to next major junction and take a left (you are now on the Termonfechin Rd),carry on through the first crossroads and exit right at the next for Baltray (4 miles).
From the North:
Proceed to exit Drogheda North just before new Boyne bridge and continue as above.
Situated 30 miles north of Dublin on the east coast of Ireland, Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club has long been regarded as one of the most endearing links courses in the country.
Laytown presents a unique challenge with narrow fairways, windswept burrows and fast greens all framed with superb views of the Cooley and Mourne Mountains and the Irish Sea.
The club boasts the proud record of having two Ryder Cup players, Des Smyth (1979 & 1981) & Philip Walton (1995) among its Captain's Prize winners.
Designed by Bernhard Langer, the championship links at Portmarnock Hotel covers 180 acres of classic rolling links terrain. The course itself is a little tighter than its neighbour, Portmarnock GC, and has some well-placed pot bunkers protecting both greens and fairways.
The Portmarnock Links is set on the beach next to the Portmarnock Hotel which was originally owned by the Jameson family, famous for their Irish whiskey.
"There are very few locations in Europe which could have allowed me the opportunity and landscape to design such a classic championship links. I hope all those who play it discover its magic and challenging beauty." Bernhard Langer
"There are no tricks or nasty surprises, only an honest, albeit searching test of shot making skills."Tom Watson 5 Time Open Champion
Universally acknowledged as one of the truly great links courses, Portmarnock is situated to the north side of Dublin, 10 miles from the city centre, and just a short drive from the Grand Hotel and Portmarnock Links Hotel.
Its quality and location have made it an excellent venue for some of the game’s great events, from the British Amateur Championship of 1949, to the 1991 Walker Cup and the Irish Open on 12 occasions.
Invariably rated among Ireland’s best courses, Portmarnock takes justifiable pride in its 27 holes, which are maintained to the highest standards.
"In 2009 Portmarnock was voted as the number one course in Ireland."Editor Golf Digest Magazine
