Northern Ireland Recommendations

[Jason Blasberg]

So I need a little help:

Obviously I'm booking RCD and Portrush.  

What do people think of Castlerock, I'm leaning to multiple rounds there?  

What else is a must play in that area, I'm not looking to drive further than 1 hour or so from Bushmills or RCD.

Thanks.

[Sean Leary]

Just wanted to beat Huck as the 1st response.

[David_Tepper]

Jason -

As soon as Tom Huckaby sees this, he will weigh in with a very high recommendation for playing Castlerock. I would give it a thumbs up  as well. I would also recommend Portstewart and the #2 course at Portrush (the Valley Course). I have played these 3 courses, as well as the #1 Portrush course (the Dunluce) and RCD.

Ardglass is a course not far from RCD that gets some positive mention here and looks pretty interesting on its website. I have not played it.

DT  

[Tom Huckaby]

Just wanted to beat Huck as the 1st response.

Bastard!

Sean knows me too well.

LATE EDIT - SO DOES DAVID!  

Jason - I post basically the same thing anyone asks about Ireland - and that is that my cousin lives there, he's a member at Castlerock (and in fact is now the reigning club champion!), and his family runs a B&B right down the street from the club.  The course is really cool, I thought - oh, it's not Portrush or the front nine at Portstewart, but it is a cool links going over some higher land and then down to dunes... Mainly though the club has "craic" that if I do say so myself is unparalleled in Ireland, which of course is like saying some place has the best pastrami or pizza in New York.    Let's just say it's a very welcoming club.  And my cousin's B&B is really cool as well...

Let me know when you're going and if you're interested in Castlerock, I can guarantee my cousin will show you a good time.  Just make sure and get serious strokes if you play him in a match... his name on the 100 year old trophy didn't happen by accident.

TH

[Bill_McBride]

My wife and I and another couple are going to the Walker Cup at Royal County Down about a year from now.  We have booked rooms with Tom's cousin at Castlerock and planning to play the courses you mention - although we may stay away from the Dunluce as a bit too tough for couples play.  We are booked for a round at Ardglass the Monday after the Walker Cup ends.  It sounds great and I hope the weather holds up!

[Tom_Doak]

I've told several people before that I think the Valley course at Portrush is really underrated.  (Bill M:  if you make the trip with your wife, play there, I suspect she will enjoy it more than any other course on the tour.)

[Bill Gayne]

The Valley Course is very good. Also consider Port Stewart and Baltray which is located south of RCD. Baltray is a very welcoming club. I stayed in a dormitory room in the Clubhouse.

[Bill_McBride]

I've told several people before that I think the Valley course at Portrush is really underrated.  (Bill M:  if you make the trip with your wife, play there, I suspect she will enjoy it more than any other course on the tour.)

Tom, that's the plan.  Ardglass, Castlerock x2, maybe Castlerock short course, Portrush Valley, Belvoir Park on getaway day.  We'll see a lot of Royal County Down at the Walker Cup matches.

[Kevin Pallier]

Jason

I'm with Bill Gayne - Baltray south of RCD near Drogheda is certainly worth a visit. The local burial grounds were also an interesting tourist attraction as well if you were looking to do a little sight seeing as well ?

[Mike_Cirba]

Jason,

Man, you are living the life.

First, you join Engineers.

Then, you have Jason, Jr.

Now, you're going to go play golf in Northern Ireland, beating me there by at least a year.  

I'm just writing to tell you that I'm very, very jealous.  

[Johnny_Browne]

Sean,
All the recommendations are good
Portrush Co Down - top teir
Valley Castlerock Portstewart next teir
Ardglass worth playing - sea views but not true links
Belvoir Park, Royal Belfast top class inland courses in Belfast both designed by Harry Colt and Malone in Belfast a fine parkland course around a natural lake. When will you be travelling?
Johnny Browne

[ForkaB]

This question at least partly revolves around whether you are thinking of "Northern Ireland" in a political sense or a golfing sense.  If the former,what has been posted above is the party line and very adequate.  If the latter, you will open up such great venues as Portsalon, Ballyliffin, Rosapenna, Narin and Portnoo, Donegal. etc. etc.  As I'm sure our Irish friends will confirm, "Ulster" is not just the 6 Counties which happen today to be under British rule.........

[David_Tepper]

Here is an article from GolfWeek that may be of interest:

www.golfweek.com/destinations/features/287119605843895.php

[Richard Phinney]

If you are playing Portrush, you must play Portstewart. Castlerock is a blast, and the 5th best course in Northern Ireland may well be Royal Belfast.  Ardglass is unforgettable, if uneven, and don't ignore Belvoir Park and Ballycastle if you have the time.  I would play all of the above ahead of the Valley at Portrush, but that is partly because they all offer additional and interesting club/town atmosphere, history and setting.

[Don Dinkmeyer]

I also endorse castlerock and ardglass. Castlerock would be the x2 course...

Have fun!