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.
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Holywood
As the home club of Rory McIlroy, Holywood definitely deserves
a visit. Forget the bells and whistles of plush parklands… come
and enjoy a course that not only has ‘celebrity’ on its side, but
also a host of fun holes which inject the joy back into playing
golf. With its short length and two loops of nine it is easy to
play quickly. It will hone your short game, too. This is hillside golf
with ridges and dips, perched greens, a couple of climbs, bumpy
terrain and plenty of trees. As such, this is no place to go wild
off the tee. Sensible golf (and a visit inside the clubhouse) makes
Holywood a very enjoyable day indeed.
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.