XXXX Ardglass
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 .
Belvoir Park
The design pedigree of Belvoir Park speaks for itself . Harry Colt created this timeless parkland in the late 1920s . Even back then , Colt was revered and over the following decades the club embraced his work and changed little . Tucked away in 21st century Belfast suburbia it means you can step back in time and experience a classic . Your starting point should be the clubhouse balcony . It sits high above the back nine and shows off the colourful setting below and the distant Belfast Hills . This is a sedate , flowing course and one that enjoys tremendous rhythm thanks to Colt ’ s layout … but the pace is enhanced by the magnificent and dense trees which enshroud the course . Expect lightning fast , perfect and heavily bunkered greens .
Ardglass
With two sides embraced by ocean , with Van Morrison ’ s Coney Island a backdrop to a stunning par three and with canons behind the 1st tee , Ardglass sets temperatures soaring right from the word go . The thrilling opening holes cling to the cliff tops with no quarter given . Shots into turret-like greens ( the 1st ) and the chasm-crossing par three 2nd set the tone . It feels utterly wild to be up here . Ardglass combines cliff-top , links and seaside holes to create a heady golfing mix and a round heavily influenced by wind . The three links holes by the sea arrive almost with a crashing of cymbals , such is their impact . Two par threes and an inspiring par five squeezed between dune and ocean . And don ’ t ignore the 18th leading back to the centuries-old clubhouse , built on the ruins of a 13th century castle .
Royal County Down ( Annesley )
The Annesley rarely receives the credit it deserves . Perhaps that is due to its modest par of 66 … but this sensational 66 will make a fool of you if you think it is easy . It uses much of the same terrain as its championship sibling ( they intertwine ), just with shorter holes . Indeed , some green settings are even tighter and , while the bunkering is less prevalent , the gorse gets far more friendly . The longest par four is 349 yards so this is about laser-like accuracy … and the good grace to accept that such tight fairways punish even the best shots . Here you will learn much about what makes these hallowed fairways and greens so special … and with three new holes , Annesley fully deserves its Gold status .
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