Golf Courses in Northern Ireland
Home to current Golf Great’s Darren Clarke (The Open Champion 2011) & US Open Winners Rory McIlroy (2011) & Graham McDowell (2010), Northern Ireland is one of the most fertile golfing regions anywhere in the world. In a small penninsula, otherwise known as Northern Ireland, two of the finest Links golf courses on earth are to be found. In fact both Royal County Down and Royal Portrush are consistently found in the top 12 in the world rankings, in every case.
Royal County Down is to be found on the east coast, in the village of Newcastle. Nestled at the foot of the Slieve Donard Mountain and on the sea, looking out towards Scotland, this unique and magnificent piece of terrain has to be seen to be believed. Its unique topography with numerous whispy faced bunkers and most of all its unique and dramatic yellow and orange gorse create a unique golf experience, unlike any other. The fact that the course has several blind shots that do not penalise its standing, is testament to its overall offering. Royal County Down has hosted the Walkerr Cup and the Senior British Open. This is simply one of the greatest golf experiences you will ever encounter and that is by any measure.
Less than two hours away to on the North Coast close to the Giants Causeway, is another world recognised masterpiece. Royal Portrush Golf Club is the only course outside the mainland UK to have hosted the British Open. It is a favourite of the accomplished golfers and requires the skill of the shot-maker. Its terrain is a more traditional links, more in keeping with Portmarnock, St Georges or Birkdale. It is a wonderful golf course offering a variety of challenges and vistas. Portrush is a must for the Trophy Hunter and will not disappoint.
Close to Royal Portrush on the same terrain is Portstewart. With a lovely local club feel, Porstewart offers two distinct loops, and like Tralee, it has one particularly good. I’ll let you decide for yourself. The North East also offers Adrglass Golf Club and some really nice Parkland courses like Royal Belfast, Belvoir (Pronounced Beever) Park and lest not forget Castlerock Golf Club, a little gem.
Golfers can elect to stay in the outline villages like Newcastle or Portrush or in Belfast a cosmopolitan city with lots to offer. In Newcastle, while at Royal County Down, we recommend the Slieve Donard Hotel overlooking the sea and a short walk from the Links. Alternatively the Glasdrumman Lodge, just outside town is a little more intimate. In Portrush there is the one and only Bushmills Inn, probably the finest accommodations in the North. If it’s the city you are looking for, with an hours drive or less each day, the oldest newest hotel in town is the Merchant Hotel, a very unique and warm experience in the heart of the new Belfast.
Either way a Sojurn to the North East offers the best the world of links golf has to offer, with much, much, much more.
