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:
Harry Colt (1932).
Above distances are for the Valley Links. Also at Royal Portrush is the 18-hole Dunluce Links (par-72; 7143 yds from back tees; SSS 75).
55.199790
-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.4 miles golf entrance is on your left (approx o.3 miles before the entrance to Royal Portush Dunluce course).
Royal Portrush (Valley)
Royal Portrush Golf Club (Valley Course): Royal Portrush's Valley Links is certainly worth a visit in its own right, even if it is "looked down on" by its more revered big brother, the Dunluce Links. Most of the course is played in a relatively flattish valley, between the bigger dunes of the Dunluce course and a single line of immense dunes, behind which hides the sea.
The family resemblance between the two links courses, Dunluce and Valley, is clear. Both are laid out on excellent quality natural links land, where crisp turf carpets the rolling fairways. Around the greens, slick run-offs and strategically-placed and mischievous pot bunkers play their part. Surprisingly the course is home to only 22 bunkers, although the threat they pose would suggest a much larger number.
The Valley may be a tad shorter than the Dunluce, but be assured, your full game will be thoroughly tested. Four exquisite short par-3s, including the 3rd hole (Fairy Ring), are countered by the very testing 237-yard par-3 6th (Curran's Point). The Valley's Championship tees provide a par-70 course that stretches to 6,304 yards, with an SSS of 71. The shorter Medal tees give 6,054 yards, with a par of 68 and SSS 70.
The Valley should not be considered a mere warm-up for the Dunluce. This is a great little links course that stands on its own two feet, quite independent of big brother.
Visitors welcome on weekdays; more restricted on weekends.
Must book in advance. Handicap required.
Credit cards accepted. Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2018].
Players walk this course. Golf carts are not available. Caddies available (book in advance).
Good
Royal Portrush's Valley Links is used each year as a final qualifying course for the North of Ireland Amateur Championship.
George, Duke of York (later George V) conferred the Royal prefix on Portrush GC in 1892. By royal prerogative, three Northern Irish golf clubs use the "Royal" title, namely: Belfast, Portrush and County Down.
2019 Golf World rating: 44th best course in Ireland.
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
No
Royal Portrush (Dunluce and Valley courses)
Portstewart; Castlerock
Tournaments:
US Women's PGA Championship: located just outside Philadelphia, the famed Donald Ross layout of Aronimink Golf Club hosts the third women’s major championship of 2020 (Oct 8-11).
Scottish Open: first played in 1972, this year’s championship is again played on the Tom Doak-designed Renaissance Club course, which sits alongside mighty Muirfield in East Lothian (Oct 1-4).
Who's Who:
Jim Furyk: in winning the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links, “The Grinder” joined Arnold Palmer and Bruce Fleisher as the only players to win their first two starts on the PGA Tour Champions.
Georgia Hall: recorded her first win in an LPGA Tour event on American soil at this year’s Portland Classic, played at Columbia Edgewater Country Club … on the edge of the Columbia River.
Traigh Golf Course (pronounced "try", and meaning "beach" in Gaelic): You'll find this nine-hole seaside gem on the scenic coast road (as opposed to the more inland and quicker A830) between Arisaig and Morar. Although not on the well-beaten path of Scotland's "trophy" courses, if you are passing through this area, it's a must play.
Read More...
Cullen Links Golf Club: "immensely scenic", "quirky as golf can get", "short!", "hugely enjoyable" ... Cullen Links attracts as wide a variety of comments as it lays down golfing challenges. Shoehorned into this 4,600 yard treasure trove are ten par-3s, seven par-4s and a good-length par-5. Here you'll find all the seaside scenery a golfer could ask for, and a lot more besides. Read More...
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