Castlerock
Royal Portrush
Royal Portrush and Royal County Down are two links mentioned
in the same breath. They are two giants of the game… and yet so
very different. This is a course that tests the very heart of your
links abilities. The subtlety of Harry Colt’s design defines Dunluce,
with an endless series of challenges. Each is different to the last as
holes constantly sweep left or right along natural fairways. He is
also responsible for the smallish greens which melt into the dunes
and will prove hard to hit if you are offline from the tee. Bunkers
are scarce… evidence perhaps of the many other challenges this
course possesses. The infamous 200 yard par three ‘Calamity’ is the
perfect example. Views stretch to the Skerries reef, across to the
Donegal hills and the ruins of Dunluce Castle. For the 2019 Open
Championship, two new holes are being created.
Castlerock
A links of endless intrigue, variety and pace, Castlerock
offers a different links experience to nearby Royal Portrush
and Portstewart. Never mind the brook across several holes,
Castlerock’s dunes constantly change shape, ensuring you never
quite settle into a rhythm. There are flat holes and bumpy
holes, doglegs and blind shots. There are plateau greens, hidden
greens and sweet bunkering… it’s a heady mix that challenges
and entertains all day long. You can swing freely here, despite
deep rough, so watch your ball race over the bumpy, curvaceous
fairways. Watch carefully… fairways have a life of their own. The
stretch of holes from 7 to 10 sets the course alight, with the 8th
an absolute beast.
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Portsalon
Despite being one of the oldest clubs on the island (1891) and a
founding member of the GUI, 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. 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. This is a worldclass hole to inspire the heart and your golfing ego. Long and
dangerous, the par four doglegs sharply around the beach and a
river, tempting you to bite off far more than you can chew. 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.
The Dunluce is
as relentless as it is
unforgettable.