Castlerock Golf Club

Castlerock Golf Club offers some of the best views in the area and a golfing challenge to match.

Across the River Bann from Royal Portrush, Castlerock began as a nine-holer in 1901 before being extended by Scottish clubmaker Ben Sayers seven years later. In 1925, around the time of his celebrated work at Portrush, Harry Colt fine-tuned the Mussenden layout.

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You enjoy more majestic sand dunes and when you emerge from these towering masses you catch views of Donegal and, on a clear day, towards Scotland and the Isle of Islay.

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The Mussenden (there is also a nine-hole Bann) offers the chance to attack in the shape of five par 5s but some of that kindness is retracted by some long, tough short holes.

One, the 4th – ‘Leg o’Mutton’ – is a 200-yard hole with a railway line to the right, a burn (and OB) to the left and a raised green awaiting all those able enough to find it.

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The 18th also has a raised green and many a bogey has been made by those under-clubbing, coming up short and trickling back down into the fairway, leaving themselves an exacting chip.

A fun links that also has some bite, it sneaks into our Links Top 100 as well as our Irish list.

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• Course has: Bar
• Course has: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course does not have: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course does not have: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap