DESTINATIONGOLF . TRAVEL
ULSTER
Scrabo
Lisburn
Lisburn Golf Club dates back to the 1880s , but the current course was designed by Fred Hawtree , and opened in 1973 . This beautiful course follows a classic parkland script to the letter . Big embracing trees flow over a combination of flat , lilting and hilly terrain , with colourful shrubs adding an extra layer to proceedings . Pristine conditioning , strong hole variety , water features and excellent greens … they all combine to make Lisburn the full package . The par three 6th is a dainty par three in a wooded setting : with a lake in front of the green it is the signature hole , but the closing stretch of five holes covers the highest ground and promises a stunning finish .
Rossmore
Located outside Monaghan town this has always been the club ’ s home and it is a fine , hilly and entertaining affair . There are many such excellent country parklands around Ireland , but Rossmore definitely has the thrill factor : tossing fairways flow over the drumlins and some charming ponds and streams make frequent appearances . It may be a short course ( par 71 , 5,670 metres ) but there are many doglegs to test your length and accuracy . That said , this is one of the sweetest driving courses around , with tee shots hitting towards perfect Irish countryside time and again . Check out the map beside the par three 16th tee , then enjoy a delicious tee shot . The 17th is even better .
Scrabo
There are few courses on the island of Ireland that can claim to be as wild and adventurous as Scrabo . The 1st hole is the sort of introduction to strike fear and awe into the hearts of the most resilient golfer . The hole rises through banks of dense gorse to a small green sitting beside Scrabo Tower . It is Index 1 . The tower dominates the skyline for the entire round , as well as miles around . This is a golfing journey like no other as holes streak across firm , tight , rugged fairways . They buckle over the terrain with sheer exuberance and careless abandon , following a flow dictated by the natural hillside . Scrabo may lack the finesse and pedigree of plush parklands but the holes here – some blind , many unique , all fun – deliver such entertainment value that they will absorb all of your golfing adrenaline . Endless views .
Shandon Park
A par 70 it may be , but this is fine parkland golf tucked away in quiet suburbia . You might think it is flat when you first arrive and this is one of Shandon Park ’ s strengths , for it delivers lots of the unexpected . There is considerably more movement to the course than that first impression gives . Indeed , there are substantial changes in elevation and these have been employed brilliantly to create some glorious green settings and driving opportunities . Shandon Park is a perfectly paced round of golf that satisfies all golfing abilities .
141