Castlerock Clubhouse
Not as punishing perhaps as some of the
old-style links, it nevertheless provides a real
challenge. Apparently forgiving fairways narrow
with every shot, and the straightforward-looking
greens soon let you know you’re in for a roller-
coaster ride. unquestionably the lough itself.
While probably better known for its muscular
links courses, there are also a slew of beautiful
and picturesque parkland courses in Northern
Ireland too. Further west, the sumptuous Lough
Erne Golf Resort beckons, while the impeccably
manicured Malone Golf Club in Belfast is always
worth a visit. Galgorm Castle in Ballymena is another to
shortlist on your trip, but a special mention
must go to the superb Belvoir Park just outside
Belfast. The views from the stunning clubhouse
let you see the challenge ahead, but there’s a
very relaxed vibe about the whole place – with
mature trees guiding you around what will be
blissful afternoon’s golf.
The water-laced fairways of this pair will ensure
there’s a good chance one or two of your balls
will find the wet stuff but, as a wise man once
told me, you don’t buy golf balls – you rent ’em!
The Nick Faldo-designed Lough Erne truly is a
stunner. There is such variety from hole to hole
it can never get boring – no matter how often
you play the course – but its defining feature is
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Destination Golf .TRAVEL
The closing stretch of holes here will test those
with a fear of water, and you’ll have earned a beer
in the beautiful clubhouse adjacent to the 18th
green if you’ve managed to keep the same ball for
the whole round.
Travel further on to Larne and you’ll come across
the Cairndhu Golf Club, rising almost impossibly
up the headland and featuring breathtaking views
across to the coast of Scotland and the Glens
of Antrim. Have the camera at the ready when
visiting – you’ll certainly want to use it on this
dramatic piece of golf landscape.