DESTINATIONGOLF. TRAVEL ULSTER
Kirkistown Castle
James Braid redesigned this quiet links on the eastern coastline of Co. Down in the 1930s. He was the perfect man for the job as Kirkistown Castle’ s landscape played into the master designer’ s hands. He employed his trademark deception around the green, punitive bunkering and oodles of subtlety. It may not feel big or long( par 69, 6,167 yards) but expect to be tested with hard to gauge fairways. Seven of the par fours measure over 400 yards and well-bunkered greens always present problems. Holes play over two levels: low, bumpy terrain and across a high exposed ridge, which promises some stunning drives and approaches, as well as views across the rest of the course.
Templepatrick
From the back tees, Templepatrick is a beast of over 7,000 yards – a result no doubt of its championship ambitions when it was opened in 1999 – but from the mortals’ forward tees it measures 6,200. Regardless, this is an expansive parkland affair on the Kingfisher Country Estate, which is home to the Double Tree Resort Hotel. It all flows and curves over a gentle landscape. There is lots of water and the estate’ s mature trees have been used to give character throughout the course... with many more trees planted since opening. The five lakes, stream and river may be the most prominent features but you will undoubtedly remember the muscular and very inviting green complexes. They will make or break your round.
Massereene
There are many strong parklands in Northern Ireland, but Massereene’ s shape and intrigue give it an extra layer of quality. Add in its modest length( par 72, 6,400 yards, middle tees), small greens and lots of doglegs and you have a course that becomes a strategic golfer’ s cornucopia. And that’ s before mentioning the trees, many of which have been growing here since the club was formed in 1895. They like to squeeze fairways and elbow doglegs. The 1st hole sets the tone as it doglegs right, around trees, before rising sharply to a green perched on a ridge. A sweetly paced course that will put manners on you.
Clandeboye( Ava)
The Ava may appear diminutive at 5,748 yards, with seven par-4s between 300 and 330 yards, but it possesses a plucky heathland vibe of unpredictable bumps, humps and hollows. This buckling, tree-lined affair has become ever tighter over time with gorse, subtle doglegs and some blind shots adding to the challenges. Some holes demand a driver – the Index 1 par-5 2nd measures 524 yards – but most require common sense. The 312-yard 7th- named Hells Bells- is Index 3 and plays tightly through trees over that buckling terrain, with OB ever present. This is a round for the careful, intelligent golfer where positioning is key.
Clandeboye( Ava)
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