Golf up North

ForeRight

Hi Internet golf friends,


Just looking for some info regarding golf up in Northern Ireland and Donegal. Ill be up in Donegal in a few weeks and I'm staying right on the border.
It's about 150km to RCD but its only about 50km to royal portrush.

What is the difference between the different courses in portrush?
Anyone know the prices for this time of year?

Any gems of courses in Donegal itself?


Thanks in advance.

m r c

Hi I'd recommend Ballyliffin(I haven't yet played rcd) I played there at the start of December. They still have qualifying opens up there ATM. The course is in fantastic condition(both of them) and great value €30-€50 old links/glashedy the old being a little shorter but tighter. It's not too far from royal port rush too 1hr ish. I left saying I'd def go back, we'll worth a look IMHO.

rambojon

i also played ballylifin recently and thought it was real gem of a course... also played rcd but expected more due to rave reviewsand have to say i left feeling a little let down to be honest... oh yeah and im going to play ballybofey in next few weeks and would appreciate any info on what the course is like...

Seves Three Iron

ForeRight wrote: »

Any gems of courses in Donegal itself?

Yes! Narin and Portnoo. Cracking course. Played there nearly 20 years ago but still remember a good few of the holes. Consistently rates highly in Ireland's list of best courses. http://www.narinportnoogolfclub.ie/

You also have Murvagh GC. Haven't played it but it's got a very good rep also. Pal of mine is a member there and swears by it. http://www.donegalgolfclub.ie/

Also, you're not a kick in the arse away from Rosses Point in Sligo. They host the West of Ireland there every easter. Played it and walked it for a few am tournaments. Funnily enough I don't rate it as highly as every else seems to but it's definitely worth playing all the same. http://www.countysligogolfclub.ie/

mike12

Rosapenna, Nairn and Portnoo, Donegal all cracking courses.
Mike

ForeRight

What about portrush lads. On their site from what I can see its €60 to play in winter.

Worth it????
Would it be matts and temp greens?
Probably wont have another opportunity to play one of the highest ranked courses in the world.

GreeBo

You could try Lough Erne on your way up/down...

ForeRight

GreeBo wrote: »

You could try Lough Erne on your way up/down...

Don't think we will be able to do that. We will have the brain terrorists with us

Kevinmarkham

You've picked one of Ireland's best counties for links golf - rivalled only by Kerry - so your choices are endless. Rosapenna is closed for the season unfortunately, but you have Portsalon which hasn't been mentioned yet.

On Inishowen, I agree with the praise for Ballyliffin and I've heard it's in great condition. You've also got North West (old school links that has been squeezed by the ocean over the decades) and Greencastle, which is more seaside than links but does play very close to (and over) the sea.

In Northern Ireland, there's the run from Castlerock (27 holes), past Portstewart (54 holes, but the Strand is the one to play), to Portrush (36 holes and both 18s are worth a go, with Dunluce being the main event). No idea what the story is with lift-and-place-in-the-rough/mats - you'll have to call unless someone on here knows. Same applies to prices. Honestly, you'll want to play the Dunluce - it's highly strategic, but not too much is hidden from you so you know what is expected of you. The Strand at Portstewart is brilliant for 14 holes: big dunes, lots of movement and plenty of WOW factor - the 1st tee especially. Castlerock changes pace constantly, along with the size of the dunes.

The call on Narin & Portnoo is spot on - one of my favourites - and the views and beach alongside are spectacular.

Cruit Island is also worth a visit but, like Narin & Portnoo, it's quite out of the way.

I'm guessing Donegal/Murvagh and Rosses Point are a bit too far away.

Agree with Greebo on Lough Erne. Good extras there too, re food and spa and location to keep everyone occupied.

Non-golf - keep an eye on the Aurora Watch and head up to Malin Head if the Northern Lights make their presence known.

You'll find pics of nearly all those courses on my Flickr pages: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmarkham/sets/

ForeRight

Thanks lads.

I'm trying to get a tee time on dulunce. £60 until march.

stockdam

The Dunluce course is much better than the Valley course at RPR.

It's a different test to RCD but Dunluce and RCD are both great courses.

I'd play Castlerock before Dunluce as they are a bit similar.

Ballycastle is decent as is Gracehill (the first hole has one of the tightest 2nd shots you'll play).

Portstewart (The Strand) is a good course but don't confuse it with Portstewart Old Course (on the Portrush Road). The Old course has some good holes but should only be used as a warm up for the better courses.

stockdam

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Honestly, you'll want to play the Dunluce - it's highly strategic, but not too much is hidden from you so you know what is expected of you.

Agree about Dunluce and that's why I rate it above Royal County Down. The tee shot on the Dunluce course is key......you've got to hit it exactly where you want to; there's no standing up and blasting it. If the wind blows (and how it does) then you have to use a calculator to work out the line. It's a course that is up with the best.

Peterdalkey

Portsalon is a superb course and you can offer 20 yoyos for a green fee midweek. The views are stunning and the course is a treat. Paul McGinleys dad is from Dunfanaghy and his home links is a really nice course, very friendly bunch. PMG is a member there too. Pity Rosapenna is closed, the Old Tom Morris Course is a peach but the Sandy Hills there is beyond my talent, much harder than the European! Cruit is a fantastic quirky 9 holer, miles from anywhere but if you are in the Dungloe/Burtonport area, it is a must play. The last time I went up there, in September it was blowing a hurricane, one yank out on his own and he was using his body weight to stop his buggy blowing over, just like a sidecar race outfit. Bring a pal for ballast if it is blowing.

You will enjoy wherever you play in Donegal.

Cheers

Peter

thewobbler

I'm pretty sure last year Royal Portrush was temporary tees and greens everywhere, and playing from the side of fairways only. Might be different this year without the Irish Open, but best check in advance as it's not strategic links golf with those restrictions in place.

RCD is too far away from you, but I was up a few weeks ago and they're guaranteeing all open for the winter apart from 2 greens (8 and 11). The temp greens are perfectly fine too; they've been plotted with the hole in mind.

Senna

rambojon wrote: »

im going to play ballybofey in next few weeks and would appreciate any info on what the course is like...

Its a lovely wee course, nice people, quite short but some enjoyable holes(graveyard behind the 14th green:D within the course). Only problem is this time of year it might be very wet, probably temp greens. But I'd still go and play it.

I'd second Portsalon, really is in fantastic condition for this time of year.

Finlay Harp

Bundoran is decent also.

ForeRight

Based on all the cracking courses around up there sounds like I should go for a month.

Cheers for the info.

goodgolfer64

mate just played castlerock and says bests greens this year hes played on in december...

onlyfinewine

Of the courses I have played I would rate Murvagh in Donegal, the Dunluce Course in Portrush and the Strand course in Portstewart as my top three. Even though Royal County Down keeps getting top awards I feel that hitting a drive over a stone to an undulating fairway can be overdone. I have not played up the North of Donegal but it's on the agenda for this year, so you might post your reviews when you return from your trip.

The_Architect

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

You've picked one of Ireland's best counties for links golf - rivalled only by Kerry - so your choices are endless. Rosapenna is closed for the season unfortunately, but you have Portsalon which hasn't been mentioned yet.

On Inishowen, I agree with the praise for Ballyliffin and I've heard it's in great condition. You've also got North West (old school links that has been squeezed by the ocean over the decades) and Greencastle, which is more seaside than links but does play very close to (and over) the sea.

In Northern Ireland, there's the run from Castlerock (27 holes), past Portstewart (54 holes, but the Strand is the one to play), to Portrush (36 holes and both 18s are worth a go, with Dunluce being the main event). No idea what the story is with lift-and-place-in-the-rough/mats - you'll have to call unless someone on here knows. Same applies to prices. Honestly, you'll want to play the Dunluce - it's highly strategic, but not too much is hidden from you so you know what is expected of you. The Strand at Portstewart is brilliant for 14 holes: big dunes, lots of movement and plenty of WOW factor - the 1st tee especially. Castlerock changes pace constantly, along with the size of the dunes.

The call on Narin & Portnoo is spot on - one of my favourites - and the views and beach alongside are spectacular.

Cruit Island is also worth a visit but, like Narin & Portnoo, it's quite out of the way.

I'm guessing Donegal/Murvagh and Rosses Point are a bit too far away.

Agree with Greebo on Lough Erne. Good extras there too, re food and spa and location to keep everyone occupied.

Non-golf - keep an eye on the Aurora Watch and head up to Malin Head if the Northern Lights make their presence known.

You'll find pics of nearly all those courses on my Flickr pages: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmarkham/sets/[/QUOTE]

I'd generally agree with what Kevin says. But a few things: Rosapenna Sandy Hills is open, just Old Tom Morris closed. Plus Portrush Valley is a cracking course, great value and should not be missed. Dunluce I believe is off mats but should call to check. Not sure about valley. Stick with the links in the winter. Playing inland is just a waste of a day you could be playing by the sea in my opinion.

Tom F

ForeRight wrote: »

Thanks lads.

I'm trying to get a tee time on dulunce. £60 until march.

Played the Dunluce at the End of October, it was in fantastic condition, no mats , temp greens at that stage. Well worth the 60 quid and a memorable course for any golfer, enjoy

ForeRight

Dunluce booked for £60. It's off mats but no temp greens unless its frosty.

Looking forward to it. Ill try get out on one of the Donegal courses the day before.

Kevinmarkham

The_Architect wrote: »

I'd generally agree with what Kevin says. But a few things: Rosapenna Sandy Hills is open, just Old Tom Morris closed. Plus Portrush Valley is a cracking course, great value and should not be missed. Dunluce I believe is off mats but should call to check. Not sure about valley. Stick with the links in the winter. Playing inland is just a waste of a day you could be playing by the sea in my opinion.

Thanks for that - didn't know Sandy Hills was still open. And agree on the Valley, too.

adeypius

Murvagh / Donegal Golf Club is in great nick at the moment, even seen a buggy on it sunday past....
Open Singles Stableford each Friday €25

onlyfinewine

adeypius wrote: »

Murvagh / Donegal Golf Club is in great nick at the moment, even seen a buggy on it sunday past....
Open Singles Stableford each Friday €25

That's serious value!