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 cover the highest ground an d promise a stunning finish.
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.
Royal Belfast
The drive towards the clubhouse will tell you all you need to know
about this venerable old parkland. It is an elegant and spacious
tree-lined course that tumbles slowly down to the shores of Belfast
Lough. Three of the best holes lie almost on the shoreline.
This is a course of class and quality, and the clubhouse – a grand
former manor house – sets the tone. Everything is spacious and
dignified. It all looks so very attractive to the eye but some of the
slopes will fool you for this is a challenging par 70, and a tough
driving course. There are five par threes – the pick being the
daunting straight uphill 11th, to the tallest flag pole in Ireland.
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.
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