VIDEO SOURCE: DISCOVER IRELAND/YOUTUBE

GOLF IN THE NORTH OF IRELAND

Tee up on incredible world-class golf courses in the north of Ireland

The north of Ireland is home to golfing champions and some of the most breath-taking and challenging courses in the world. A mix of wild coastal links and luxurious parklands, there's nowhere quite like it. But it's not all about the courses.

Golfer Keegan Bradley put it best when he said that "the area is unbelievable and the people are extraordinary". Follow our journey to the rewarding greens dotting the landscape in counties Down, Antrim, Londonderry, Fermanagh and Donegal. It's tee time!

County Down is Mourne country, so let the lush forests, imposing mountains and coastal winds be your backdrop on four very different golf courses.

SWING BY THE SEA AT ARDGLASS

Before you even begin to tackle Ardglass, take in the views across the Irish Sea: here, the course clings to the coastline, and it's breathtaking. Now get started on Ardglass' new course, which includes three challenging holes designed by former European professional David Jones that rank as some of the best on the island.
Warrenpoint hides a few tricks up its sleeve

Set in the glorious surrounds of Hall Estate, Warrenpoint Golf Club is an 18-hole parkland course that adds up to 6,000 yards of golf. Golfing legend Christy O’Connor Snr won the Irish Professional Championship here in 1960 and 1966, and it is ranked as one of the best parkland courses in Northern Ireland. But don't let its reputation fool you – this is one tricky course that will test even the most seasoned golfer.
Beyond the golf courses in County Down

Figure out Castlewellan Castle’s Peace Maze to ring the bell at its centre, take a stroll through Tollymore Forest Park – local source of the wooden interiors for the RMS Titanic – or scale the Mourne Mountains for vistas over Newcastle and Murlough Bay.

GOLF IN COUNTRY ANTRIM

Between Belfast and the Glens of Antrim you'll find some of Northern Ireland's award-winning golf courses and the incredible Causeway Coastal Route.
Malone – a gem just outside Belfast

Just five miles from Belfast city is Malone Golf Club. Set around a beautiful natural trout lake, this testing championship course is situated on 330 acres of rolling parkland. Beautiful, historic and integral to the Belfast golfing scene, the clubhouse here is a perfect way to wind down, chill out and enjoy the very social side of golf on the island of Ireland.

BALLYCASTLE BEAUTY ON THE CAUSEWAY COAST

Location is everything for Ballycastle, a golfing diamond perched on the edge of one of Europe’s most spectacular coastlines: the Causeway Coast. Boasting towering views out over Fair Head, Rathlin Island and Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre, you have to seriously try to keep your eye on the ball here, while its exposed location and challenging conditions call for real shot making, from punched long irons, little bump and runs to hitting under the wind.
Royal Portrush, host of The Open 2019

Home course of Graeme McDowell, Royal Portrush is majestic: towering dunes, sweeping valleys and rough so thick only the greats can conquer it – which they will when The Open rolls into town in 2019. There are two courses at Royal Portrush: the famous Dunluce Links; and the Valley Course, situated in the historic War Hollow, where local lore has it that the Chief of Dunluce fought the King of Norway many centuries ago. At Dunluce, be warned: go long with your approach on the sublime 5th, a dogleg 411-yard par 4, and your ball may one day wash ashore on nearby White Rocks Strand.

GOLF IN COUNTRY LONDONDERRY

There's more to County Londonderry than its historic walled city. It's got The 2017 Irish Open in its sights at Portstewart, and plenty of courses ready to challenge seasoned golfers.

PORTSTEWART GOLF CLUB AND THE IRISH OPEN 2017

Any course on a patch of ground called “Thistly Hollow” must have a few prickly surprises up its sleeve, and Portstewart doesn’t disappoint – the course weaves through towering dunes and stunning links land, with something for every golfer. No wonder Rory McIlroy called it a hidden gem!

GOLF IN COUNTRY FERMANAGH

Fermanagh's lakelands make for a sometimes hazardous golfing trip – prepare to lose a few balls to the water! The ultimate 36-hole experience at Lough Erne Just 10 minutes from the historic town of Enniskillen is the Lough Erne Resort, a golfing destination par excellence. Described by Rory McIlroy as “a great place to stay, a great place to play", the Faldo Championship Course is designed by six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo, stretching over 600 acres of green, while the Championship Castle Hume Course is famous for its pristine fairways – and for hosting the Ulster PGA Championships for over 10 years! Maybe take up the challenge with one of its team of dedicated PGA professionals, where help with tricky shots will always be at hand.

source: ireland.com