DESTINATIONGOLF . TRAVEL
ULSTER
Narin & Portnoo
Narin & Portnoo
Stand on the new 8th tee and prepare to experience the beauty of Narin & Portnoo , and Ireland ’ s splendour . No other tee box in Ireland comes this close to the sea . It is inches away and when you play the enchanting , short and downhill par four 7th there appears to be no room behind the green for the next tee box … but it ’ s there . The 9th promises something similar . Fresh and inspiring , raw and beautiful , this is the essence of Irish links golf . The entire stretch of holes at the farthest end of the course , from the 5th to the 11th , is absolutely astounding . The ‘ new ’ Gil Hanse course opened in 2020 with new routing and three new par threes .
Clandeboye ( Dufferin )
Thirteen miles east of Belfast , on the outskirts of Newtownards , lies one of Northern Ireland ’ s top golf clubs . There are two very different courses here and the Dufferin is the main event . It is a quality course routed over heathland-like bumpy terrain at the top before slipping down into more classic parkland mode . This is where the big trees dominate and holes curve graciously between them . Fairways are often generous but the trees need to be avoided constantly . It is not long so be straight . The par four 4th is Dufferin ’ s best and hardest hole , curling left , tightly through the trees . The green is completely surrounded by trees and gorse , so a precise approach is required . The second course , the Ava , is short , quirky and has lots of spirit .
Portsalon
Portsalon still embraces the mantle of hidden gem . Perhaps that is a result of its north Donegal location but , for those prepared to make the journey , they will discover a natural links of beauty and quality , rippling through a captivating setting of mountains , beach and sea . Not only does the acclaimed Ballymastocker Strand press right up to the dunes through which Portsalon rumbles , but it comes in to play on the 2nd hole . You ’ ll also have to cross a river … twice . There are many more classic links holes here , streaking alongside the beach and over strong , swinging dunes . The back nine may slip inland but , if anything , fairways and holes become more shapely and show off more of the views . There is one final special flourish to note … the superb and natural greens , two of which are doubles .
Royal Portrush ( Valley )
The Valley has always played second fiddle to its Dunluce Championship sibling , but this is a par 70 course designed by Harry Colt , and recently upgraded by Mackenzie & Ebert . Routed over the lower land between the gargantuan dune that defends it from the sea and the Dunluce that rises above it on the other border , this is a terrific , tumbling links . The fairways are beautifully unpredictable , the greens sit over humps and hollows and you ’ ll be tested all day long . It may start out looking straightforward but it only takes a few holes for you to appreciate the shapes of the land ( especially the end of both nines ) and the challenges of the greens . A new finishing stretch has packed quite the extra punch , bringing the biggest dunes into play .
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