Golf in Northern Ireland

Portstewart. The view from the first tee at Portstewart is scary. From this high launching pad, with a strong wind blowing from left to right, you usually must aim 40 degrees left of the fairway target below.

Royal Portrush. If you can play only one course in Northern Ireland, this is it! The only course to host the British Open in Ireland, it is a fine test of golf. Especially fearsome is Calamity Corner, the 200-yard par-3 14th. Founded in 1888, this is one of the great seaside links courses in all of golf.

Royal Country Down. Many golfers rate this as the best course in Northern Ireland. Designed by Old Tom Morris, golf has been played here since 1889. A mere two hours drive down from Portrush, this course offers fabulous views, massive sand hills, heavy gorse, and superb greens all contributing to a round of golf that will be remembered forever.

Baltray. Just 30 minutes north of Dublin lies County Louth Golf Club, affectionately known at Baltray. Hidden along the coast near Drogheda, this is a magnificent gem. Although golf has been played here since 1892, it wasn't until Tom Simpson of Cruden Bay fame came along in the 1930's that the course reached its present design stage. This is a fun course to play and should be on everyone's schedule.

Royal Belfast. A private club, this is a manicured, parkland course with large trees. Not an easy tee time to come by, but worth it if you plan to overnight in Belfast.

Portstewart

Royal Portrush Clubhouse

Calamity Corner at Portrush

Royal County Down