Royal Portrush Golf Club

Royal Portrush Golf Club Review

With its profile raised after hosting the British Open in 2012 and making Golf Digest's top 10 non-U.S. courses, Royal Portrush has confirmed its position as one of the leading courses in either Ireland or Britain. Darren Clarke plays his golf here when he's at home and it's where Graeme McDowell, former U.S. Open champion, learned his golf at an early age. The championship Dunluce course is named for the ruins of a nearby castle and is a sea of sand hills and curving fairways. Despite its understated appearance it poses many and varied challenges. "White Rocks," the par-5 5th hole, is quite literally a cliff-hanger. It's a wicked dogleg with the green perched on the edge of a cliff. "Calamity," the aptly named 14th hole, demands total precision to carry the ball over a huge ravine. The Valley course is a less exposed, tamer track. Both are conspicuous for their lack of bunkers. In a poll of Irish golf legends, Dunluce was voted the best in Ireland. In 2014, Royal Portrush is hosting the British Amateur Championships from June 14-21, and the course will be closed to visitors during this week and for several days prior to the event to allow practice sessions.