Print this page  |  Close Window

By David Brice
Golf International, Inc.

Northern Ireland is an amazing destination for everyone, whether golf is their passion or not. Occupying all of 5,500 square miles, this tiny British outpost, sitting on the Emerald Isle is only about the size of the state of Connecticut, with a population, just a shade larger than the city of Philadelphia. But whatever this province may lack in size, is more than made up for by the diversity and beauty of all it has to offer the visitor.

Ardglass -- testy, challenging but always with a sense of humor.

This is arguably the most attractive part of the thoroughly handsome Emerald Isle and the population, perhaps the friendliest in the entire island of Ireland, a destination renowned as being among the world's most welcoming.

From fascinating cities such as Belfast and Londonderry, filled with centuries of history and culture, to the picturesque fishing villages dotting the never-ending and stunningly beautiful coastline, the diversity of attractions is impressive. Don't miss the magnificence of the country's natural attractions, including The Giants Causeway and The Mountains of Mourne. If ancient castles and stately homes hold an appeal, you'll find them here in abundance, together with a remarkable collection of formal gardens, admired by horticulturists from around the globe.

They say Northern Ireland's fishing is the best in Europe and fishermen come here to land that 50lb dream pike or fly fish for salmon and trout on the multitude of rivers and loughs. As for golfers, they come here to do what they love most -- to play some of the best and most challenging golf courses in existence.

Castlerock -- a genuine Irish links, not to be missed.

For any golfer, Northern Ireland is the real paradise found. They come here to play two of the world's top dozen courses - Royal County Down ranked # 10 in the world and the best in Ireland and Royal Portrush the worlds # 12 and # 2 in all Ireland. But in the banquet of more than 90 quality courses that call Northern Ireland home, these are only the tip of the iceberg.

Spend a week in Northern Ireland, dividing your stay between Newcastle in the southern part of the country and the rest of your time in Portrush to the north and you will have a golf trip guaranteed to be the envy of every golfing buddy. Taking an easy pace, you will be able to play at least 6 of the best course with no problem. Because distances between courses are so short, throw in two or three 36-hole days and playing 9 or even 10 of Northern Ireland's gems, won't be difficult.

Now with Continental Airlines non-stop service from Newark into Belfast, this will be your best and certainly most convenient way to get to Northern Ireland. After an early morning Belfast arrival, the drive to Newcastle will take only an hour. For a real treat, stay in the Slieve Donard Hotel, a turn of the century, 4 star property, overlooking Royal County Down -- it's the best hotel in town and just a 3 minute stroll from County Down's first tee.

Royal County Down is ranked Ireland's best and No. 10 in the world.

Before tackling Royal County Down's Championship Course, it might be a good idea to take a warm-up round on the club's Annesley Links. Not quite as demanding as its bigger brother, but still no walk in the park, it's just as attractive and provides a good chance to brush up on your links techniques in preparation for the main show.

Now you're ready for Royal County Down proper, Ireland's top ranked course and # 10 in the world and a thoroughly natural track, unbelievably handsome, but with teeth that can bite and when they do, they bite hard.

Narrow fairways, small slick greens, unforgiving rough and a wind that can bring even the most arrogant down to size with ease; this is one of those courses that will live in your memory forever.

While you're in the area, don't miss the dramatic links at nearby Ardglass. Still undiscovered by most visitors, Ardglass is a rugged son-of-a-gun, guaranteed to provide a stimulating round and another perspective of Northern Ireland's amazing golf banquet.

Heading north along the coast to Portrush, stop off at Royal Belfast, the oldest golf club in Ireland, and experience the top ranked parkland course in the country. It's a beauty from the legendary Harry S. Colt that combines multiple directional changes with a generous helping of Colt's trademark and always shrewd bunkering. Uphill and downhill holes, plus a healthy mix of doglegs shooting off in every direction, only add to the complexity of the design. The end result is far from your typical parkland layout and a tricky devil that demands a lot of thinking.

Portstewart is a links for the purist.

It's a little over an hour's drive from Belfast to Portrush, where the fortunate visitors will have a room reserved at The Bushmills Inn, one of the most delightful hotels in the country. Over a century old, this decidedly first class hostelry is filled with character, wonderful service and as a bonus; Bushmills Whiskey Distillery is located just across the road.

Besides the must play Dunluce Course at Royal Portrush, there are another half dozen fine links in the immediate area, each just calling out to be played, so there are choices to be made.

Portstewart should be at the very top of your list. If Royal Portrush was not sitting immediately next door, Portstewart would receive far more acclaim than it does. It has the best opening hole in Ireland and the 17 that follow are no disappointment.

Castlerock and Ballycastle are another pair of outstanding links courses nearby an either will put up a fight good enough to fend off any invader who may be under the false impression that these are secondary layouts. Don't be misled; they play second fiddle to none. The Valley Course at Royal Portrush is another worthy links challenge not to be overlooked and is a championship layout in its own right.

The grand finale for this trip can only be Royal Portrush's Dunluce Course, the only course outside of Scotland and England to have ever hosted The British Open, which it did in 1951. Showing up as # 12 in World Rankings and Ireland's # 2, this is links golf at its best.

Laid out between huge sand dunes with commanding views over the Atlantic Ocean and along the coast, this is everything links golf is supposed to be, and then some - unforgiving, demanding but never unfair. Could there be any better way to end a wonderful week of golf in Northern Ireland?

For more suggestions on how to include Northern Ireland in your golf trip, click here.

© 2007 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Golf International -- Providers of quality golf travel arrangements since 1988.