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By: David Brice
Golf International, Inc.

A couple of years ago, Continental Airlines launched the first ever non-stop, trans-Atlantic air service between the USA and the tiny British province of Northern Ireland.

Royal County Down - Ireland's # 1 and among the world's Top Ten

Two years on, the daily flight from Newark to Belfast continues to be one of the airline's most popular, with American golfers featuring high on the passenger lists. The route is simply a short cut to the golfers paradise that is Northern Ireland.

This is home to Royal County Down and Royal Portrush, the top two ranked courses on the Emerald Isle, both of which are also rated among the world's best dozen links layouts and that's only the beginning of the story.

No larger than the state of Maine, Northern Ireland contains a cornucopia of golfing delights, with over 80 courses in all, at least a score of which can easily be classified as strictly world class.

Royal Portrush is Ireland's # 2, just behind County Down

If you are in search of wind blown links courses, Northern Ireland's collection is unique, providing a links experience like no other.

Royal County Down and Royal Portrush both boast two 18-hole layouts and although it may be the championship courses that first attracted you to this part of Ireland, the inappropriately named, second courses should not be overlooked.

The wise man playing Royal County Down will first play a warm-up round on the club's Annesley Course before tackling its big brother.

Ardglass - Testy golf along impressive cliff-tops

Shorter and somewhat more forgiving than the championship layout, the Annesley still offers a serious test of Northern Ireland links golf and will be excellent preparation for the very serious test to follow. Another nearby layout offering a delightfully different challenge is Ardglass Golf Club. Part links and part cliff-top, this is a spectacularly rugged layout, filled with drama and as thrilling to play as it is handsome to the eye.

Royal Portrush also offers a pair of layouts and before taking on the championship, Dunluce Links; a practice round on the Valley Course is a good idea. This is a testy track, squeezed between sand dunes, with narrow fairways and often only the smallest of greens.

Although there are only twenty bunkers in the entire layout, the rolling terrain, nasty rough and erratic winds are enough to cause most to quickly develop a special respect for a very spunky layout.

It's difficult to shine in an older brothers shadow - if the Valley Course was located even a few miles away, it would certainly have greater fame than is the case today.

Portstewart ia another links that must not be missed

Spend a little longer in the seaside resort of Portrush and give yourself the opportunity to experience a few more very special links courses, all conveniently located close by. Portstewart Golf Club is only a 10-minute drive along the coast, boasting three 18-hole layouts including the very impressive, Strand Course,

The number 3 ranked layout in Northern Ireland was always a charmer, but since being toughened up and re-styled a few years ago, it deserves to be on everyone's must play list.

Castlerock maybe an unfamiliar name, but it's an outstanding links challenge

With one of the most intimidating opening holes in Irish golf, where bogey will be an accomplishment, this is a track that is quite accustomed to quickly gaining the upper hand with most visitors.

Stick to your game plan, refuse to be brow beaten and for goodness sake, stay out of the ominous collection of gaping bunkers that pop up everywhere and you might surprise yourself.

Castlerock Golf Club is only a few miles further down the road and although far from being a household name, should certainly be included in your itinerary if at all possible. This is a 100 year-old, true gem of a links, overlooked by too many visitors, who are missing not only a wonderful course, but also one of Ireland's most welcoming clubhouses.

Ballycastle Golf Club

Heading east along the Antrim Coast, from Portrush, it will take about half an hour to reach Ballycastle Golf Club, another unfamiliar name worth seeking out.

The first 5 parkland holes are flanked by two rivers and the ruins of a 12th century abbey, then it's pure links golf, packed with variety and the distraction of picture-postcard sea-views, all the way to the clubhouse.

As gorgeous as Northern Ireland's links courses are, there's much more to her golf, with an array of inland layouts that call out to be played and many of the best are located only a short drive from the coast.

Royal Belfast founded in 1881 is Ireland's oldest golf club

In Northern Ireland, driving distances are never an issue and even the longest drive from the southernmost border with the Republic to Londonderry in the extreme northwest, is only a scant 70 miles as the crow flies, and in real driving time, less than 2 ½ hours.

Among the "not to be missed" inland layouts, Royal Belfast Golf Club heads the list. Originally founded in 1891, this is Ireland's oldest club, and the proud owner of an excellent, Harry S. Colt designed course, sitting on the shores of the Belfast Bay.

But Belfast is surrounded by a wealth of over 20 wonderful layouts, all located within a half hour's drive of the city center.

Belvoir Park - immaculately maintained and one of Belfast's best

Ranking among the crème de la crème of golf choices, Belvoir Park, Clandeboye and Malone are all hot on the heels of Royal Belfast, vying for the title of Best in Show.

From either Portush or Belfast it will take less than 40 minutes to reach Ballymena and the stunning, Galgorm Castle Course, ranked among the Emerald Isle's top 30 courses. Laid out on a 220-acre private estate surrounding 17th century Galgorm Castle, the setting is idyllic and the superbly maintained course, tough enough to challenge even the scratch player.

A week spent discovering the depth and quality of Northern Ireland's golf will barely scratch the surface of all the courses that should be experienced and as good as the golf is, there are other aspects of this tiny corner of Ireland that demand at least some attention.

Galgorm Castle Course surrounds a 17th century castle

The Old Bushmills Whiskey Distillery, dating from 1608 and the oldest, licensed distillery in existence, is located in the village of Bushmills, just outside of Portrush.

The distillery tour is well worth taking and the whiskey tasting provided at the end of the tour shouldn't be resisted.

Visit The Giant's Causeway, located only 2 miles from Bushmills and considered one of the four greatest natural wonders of the United Kingdom.

Old Busmills Distillery has been in business legally since 1608

This is an area of some 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of a volcanic eruption, which took place eons ago. The columns form an amazing pattern of octagonal "stepping stones".

According to legend, the Irish giant, Fin McCool used this pathway to walk to Scotland.

The coast between Portrush and Larne, just north of Belfast, could be one of the most spectacularly beautiful shorelines in all of Europe, so give the motorway a miss and take the coastal road instead. The additional half hour's drive will allow you time to smell the roses and take in some of Ireland's most stunning scenery.

The Giants Causeway is an intriguing quirk of Mother Nature

Spend a night or two in Belfast, now one of Europe's liveliest capitals. Excellent shopping, a fine selection of the country's best restaurants, a non-stop nightlife and a host of friendly and very appealing pubs is enough to tempt everyone.

Don't miss the especially colorful, Crown Liquor Saloon, a pub from Victorian times, with a fascinating, though somewhat naughty history -- ask the locals for details!

In and around Newcastle, hometown to Royal County Down, there is more spectacular scenery to be experienced, highlighted by the fabled Mountains of Mourne.

The Crown Liquor Saloon - Belfast's oldest pub

RELATED

For a few ideas on how to incorporate the best of Northern Ireland's courses into your golf vacation,  click here  or Call Golf International at 800.328.9898

Take a half-day excursion to the town of Downpatrick where St. Patrick allegedly lies buried in the graveyard of the protestant, Down Cathedral. On the opposite bank of the River Quoile the ruins of 12th century, Inch Abbey are also worth visiting.

If elaborate gardens and stately homes have an appeal, take the small car ferry from Strangford to Portaferry on the Ards Peninsula and visit Mount Stewart House, one of Northern Ireland's most impressive country estates, with even more inspiring formal gardens that attract horticulturists from around the globe.

Northern Ireland is a treasure trove of surprises, both on and off the golf courses and for the serious golfer, a true paradise with more than its fair share of exceptional layouts. For more ideas on how to experience the very best of Northern Ireland's golf and her multitude of other attractions, click here.

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

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