The best golf course in Northern Ireland you haven't heard of

Northern Ireland is home to some of the most legendary golf courses on the planet, but there is one place that sits a little under the radar that Golfshake Ambassador Andy Picken wants to show you now.

Castlerock is a delightful, old school golf club built on tradition, providing a superb product for both members and the visiting golfer.

Situated only an easy 20-minute drive from Royal Portrush and Portstewart golf courses, this is a worthy member of the golfing dynasty. If you are travelling to this area to play golf, do not miss this venue. It offers excellent value for money and was a joy to play. 

The Bann Course at Castlerock Golf Club

There is a beautiful 9-hole delight called Bann at the venue. This is also worth making the time to play. It is tucked away out of sight from the casual visitor and could easily be missed. A relatively new creation from the mid-1980s, it was created following all the best golf course architecture traditions and although not the longest in terms of yardage it still offers a genuine challenge and is a great pleasure to all levels of golfer.

I loved how it felt so natural as it weaved its way within the dunes created centuries before, but making the most of all the natural features. Conditioning was superb. 

Playing the 5th hole called ‘Bannview’ is worth the trip alone. The hole is framed to its right flank along its entire length by the beach and sea. This par 5 is an absolute beauty requiring subtle accuracy to handle. Not the longest at 495 yards but a par here will be recalled and revisited in the dreams and post round tales of any golfer worth his or her salt.   

If you are looking to sample a golfing rollercoaster, this fits the bill perfectly. It is a joy and a perfect starter for the delight of the championship course.   

The Mussenden Course at Castlerock Golf Club

The Mussenden Course at Castlerock is a beauty. It is a perfect example of links golf at its very best. 

Ben Sayers, the professional of club making fame, was commissioned to undertake the first 18-hole designs in 1908 after the popularity of 9 holes created in 1901 allowed additional land to be acquired. 

Hand drawn designs have been discovered indicating that Harry Colt was asked to review the course in 1930, adding his undoubted skills to an already naturally blessed venue.

The Mussenden is sandwiched between the railway line, the River Bann, and the sea, with nature having provided the perfect linksland structure and dunes and it is named after an ancient temple set in a prominent position on the cliff tops.

We dropped our gear in the visitor changing room and took up position watching other groups of golfers head off from the first tee box. It’s an elevated tee that offers delightful views as the opening shots are eagerly anticipated.

I loved the stretch of holes 3, 4 and 5, as they all use the railway line as a frame indicating the extent of the golf course. If you have brought an errant tee shot with you, please watch out and listen for any trains using the line! 

The 4th hole - known as ‘Leg of Mutton' - is a joyous short hole using the river, the train line and internal out of bounds markers to increase the pressure off the tee to a considerable level. Add to that expert bunkering and run offs around the green and this is a crackerjack of a golf hole. I floated off this green having achieved a solid par. Others in my group were not so fortunate. 

Every short hole on the Mussenden is a delightful challenge. All use the natural landscape and features to great effect to add to the visual intimidation on the tee box.

The closing holes are also a delight. Protecting a decent score is not an option as they all offer a series of excellent challenges.

The short 16th is a wonderful short hole and there is an extraordinary tee box for the 17th hole. 

There are few golf courses that have a selfie stone, but this one rightly justifies it due to the stunning 360 degree views offered from this elevated tee. This par 5 is carved into the valley of a series of dunes that are visually stunning and challenging to play.

Finally, the 18th brings the clubhouse into view along with a ribbon of fairway that is the desired line for a closing par. 

Please make sure that you give yourself enough time to sample the delights of the clubhouse and its excellent locally produced food.

Castlerock Golf Club is a Must Play in Northern Ireland

If you want a more in-depth assessment of the course, then please check out this link when I played it in 2018.

Ultimately, if you haven’t played in Northern Ireland before then you are missing an important element in your golfing life. Castlerock Golf Club is the perfect place to start.

For more information, please visit their official website or our travel partners Golfbreaks for the best deals and packages.