Dunluce Road,
Portrush, Co. Antrim BT56 8JQ
Office
+44 (0)28 7082 2311Pro shop
+44 (0)28 7082 3335Fax
+44 (0)28 7082 3139Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Gary McNeill (Head Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
The current Dunluce Links layout is largely the work of Harry Colt's 1929 redesign.
Above distances are for the Dunluce Links. Also at Royal Portrush is the 18-hole Valley Links (par-71; 6336 yds from back tees; SSS 71).
55.199789
-6.636976
5 miles NE of Coleraine.
From Coleraine take the A29 direction Portrush. After 5 miles, upon entering Portrush, turn right onto the A2 direction Bushmills. After o.7 miles golf entrance is on your left.
Royal Portrush (Dunluce)
Royal Portrush Golf Club (Dunluce Links): This is a links golf course with few equals, both in terms of the fair, but tough challenge it presents, and the beauty of the links land it occupies. Threading its way through a stunning area of towering sand dunes, Royal Portrush will exact a stern but highly pleasurable examination of your overall game, not least if the wind is blowing.
Finding the often tight undulating fairways from the tee, staying out of the plentiful rough, and getting down in two on fast and sloping greens are all challenges that await.
The many and varied outlooks from the course encompass wonderful sea views, the rugged Skerries, chalk cliffs complete with castle ruins, Portrush's Valley course and an ever-present collection of impressive dunes. These natural vistas are all bonuses, to be heaped on what is undoubtedly one of the UK's most definitive links golf courses.
Pick of the holes: Among a wonderful variety of golf holes making up the 18, one of the most memorable is the long par-3 14th, known as Calamity. Miss this hole to the right and your ball will journey into a valley of no return. The same fate awaits on the par-5 17th, although here a wayward tee shot to the right will probably find you nestled down in "Big Nellie", a bunker of distinctly opulent proportions.
Visitors welcome on weekdays (except Weds), and weekends (afternoons only).
Must book in advance. Proof of handicap and letter of introduction from home club required. Maximum handicap (Dunluce Links): men 18; women 24.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Players walk this course. Golf carts are not available. Caddies available (book in advance).
Good
George, Duke of York (later George V) conferred the Royal prefix on The County Club (as it was known) in 1892. Three years later the Royal County Club opted for a name change to Royal Portrush Golf Club. By royal prerogative, three Northern Irish golf clubs use the "Royal" title, namely: Belfast, Portrush and County Down.
In addition to a host of top level professional and amateur competitions, Royal Portrush staged the Open Championship in 1951, the only course outside the British mainland to do so. For more details see Top Golf Tournaments at Royal Portrush Golf Club.
Dunluce course:
Ireland's 2nd best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 6th best course (Golf World, 2022).
World's 16th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2023/24) and 9th best public access course (Golf World, 2023).
Valley course:
Ireland's 34th best course (Golf World, 2023).
Whiterocks, Portrush, Co. Antrim BT56 8NF
+44 (0)28 7082 2236
Visit websiteA hotel with superb views over Royal Portrush golf courses and the sea.
No
Royal Portrush (Dunluce and Valley courses)
Portstewart; Castlerock
Bushmills, Co. Antrim BT57 8QG
+44 (0)28 2073 3000
Visit websiteLocated between the Giant’s Causeway and Royal Portrush GC, in the village that's home to the world’s oldest distillery, this award-winning hotel & restaurant has its origins as an old Coaching Inn and Mill House.
No
Royal Portrush (Dunluce and Valley courses)
Portstewart; Castlerock
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Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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