Five golf courses for golfing lovers
With the 148th Open taking place in Royal Portrush from July 14th to 21st, golfing lovers will want to try out their own skills on the course. Here are five of the best golf courses in Northern Ireland:
1 Royal Portrush Golf Club (www.royalportrushgolfclub.com)
The site of the upcoming 148th Open, Royal Portrush Golf Club was voted number seven in the World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses in Golf Digest 2017. The Club has two Championship Courses – the renowned Dunluce Course and the smaller Valley Course. Both have spectacular views across the North Atlantic, Scotland and Donegal. But, check to see when you can play here as the Open will take up the courses in the summer.
2 Royal County Down Golf Club (www.royalcountydown.org)
Voted number one in the World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses in Golf Digest 2017, Royal County Down is located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful links in the Murlough Nature Reserve against the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains.
3 Portstewart Golf Club (www.portstewartgc.co.uk)
The host venue of the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open this year and host of The Boys Amateur Championship in 2018. This course is situated on Northern Ireland’s magnificent Causeway Coast and has views of the Donegal hills, the Atlantic and the River Bann. The opening hole with its elevated tee, dogleg right to the green and sandy strip on the right, was always a particularly memorable opening hole.
4 Royal Belfast Golf Club (www.royalbelfast.com)
Founded in 1881, Royal Belfast Golf Club is the oldest golf course in Ireland. Visitors can have a wonderful golfing experience on the Harry Colt designed course and a first class service in the Victorian clubhouse.
5 Ardglass Golf Club (www.ardglassgolfclub.com)
This course is an 18-hole links course on the North-Eastern coast of Ireland with stunning views and excellent unique golf holes. The Irish Sea is visible from all 18 tees and greens and on a clear day it is possible to see across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man.
These courses may be booked out so call ahead to make sure.