142 Main Rd, Cloughey,
nr Newtownards, Co. Down BT22 1JA
Office
+44 (0)28 4277 1233Pro shop
+44 (0)28 4277 1004Fax
+44 (0)28 4277 1699Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Niall Mullen (PGA Professional)The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
James Braid
54.436406
-5.473680
24 miles SE of Belfast
From Newtownards (east of Belfast) take the A20 south, direction Portaferry. After 10 miles (and just after the village of Kircubbin) take the B173 (Rubane Road) direction Cloughey. After 4 miles turn right onto A2 / Main Road. After o.4 miles turn right into golf club.
Kirkistown Castle Golf Club: Perhaps not hailed as one of Braid's masterpieces, but for lovers of links golf, Kirkistown Castle is well worth a visit.
Although most of the course appears to be played on flattish open links terrain, with only a few gorse bushes dotted around, there are two small hills (not so small when you climb up them for the fifth time) on which several greens and elevated tee-boxes are perched, and from which the best of the sea views are found.
The par-4 12th links the two hills - the tee-box on one, the green on the other. On the same hill as the 12th (and 2nd) greens, you'll also find a watchtower, quite ancient and (one imagines) a remaining part of Kirkistown Castle.
Complementing the occasional sea views are equally pleasant views over rural farmland. The top-quality greens here are usually hard and fast, with maintenance on the rest of the course being a tad rustic at times.
Definitely a links course that grows on you as the subtleties of the natural landscape, Braid's design and the slightly better back-nine unfolds - assuming, that is, you are not being blown off your feet by the wind !
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Players generally walk this course.
Limited
Kirkistown's first greenkeeper, Frank Polley, held the position for almost 50 years (he retired in 1952), during which time he extended the course from its original 9-holes to the present 18-holes (in 1929).
The legendary James Braid (who is generally credited with "designing" the course) visited Kirkistown Castle for a day in 1934. He spent the morning marking out alterations to tees and greens and the afternoon positioning and shaping bunkers.
No
Kirkistown Castle
Ardglass.
26 - 28 Quay Street, Bangor, Co. Down BT20 5ED
+44 (0)28 9127 1866
Visit websiteNo
No
Royal Belfast; The Knock; Belvoir Park; Kirkistown Castle (25 miles); Malone (25 miles).
Women’s (British) Open: the last women’s major championship of the season is hosted by Royal Porthcawl GC. It’s the first time this fabulous seaside links course has hosted the event (July 31-Aug 3).
Walker Cup: the 50th playing of this prestigious men’s amateur event sees the GB&I go head-to-head against the defending USA team at Cypress Point Club, California (Sept 6-7). After that, all eyes turn to Bethpage State Park on Long Island, NY, where the American and defending European professional teams engage in the 45th Ryder Cup (Sept 27-29).
Lottie Woad: 21-year-old Woad burst onto the professional scene in July, with wins in the Women’s Irish Open (as an amateur) and three weeks later in the Women’s Scottish Open (as a professional). She nearly picked-up a major championship, placing third in The Evian in the same month.
Pádraig Harrington: the ever-likeable Irishman added the (British) Senior Open Championship title to his stellar array of tournament successes. His win came on Sunningdale’s spectacular Old Course. Harrington had already bagged the U.S. Senior Open title in June this year.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
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
You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.
