Scrabo
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 .
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 treelined course which 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 .
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 .
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