DESTINATION GOLF 2026
Portstewart( Strand)
When the opening nine holes of a course tumble over a violent dunescape known locally as‘ God’ s Own Country’, you know you’ re playing somewhere special. That’ s what the Strand course throws at you for its opening salvo.... never mind having an opening hole widely regarded as the best on the island. From the 1st tee, views spill away over the sea to Inishowen, and Mussenden Temple sits on the cliff tops in the distance. The fairway below curves towards a green that sits at the gates to God’ s Own Country. There is no drive quite like it so soak it up before you take that first swing.
These early holes are stunning in shape and size and drama, the dunes towering high. The course designer for this famous stretch was a local maths teacher, named Des Giffin. In 2024, in his honour, the par three 6th, known as Five Penny Piece, was renamed Giffin’ s. This followed the arrival of European Golf Design( EGD), who have been tasked with enhancing the club’ s three links courses. Changes to both nines, during 2024 and 2025, have elevated the course strategy and player experience, with holes 13 to 15 being reimagined and new bunkering on the front nine.
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