A hidden gem on Northern Ireland’s coastline: Why Castlerock Golf Club stars as one of the best and most elegant links courses on the Emerald Isle
While nearby clubs of Royal Portrush and Portstewart command the most attention in these parts of the world, the seaside town of Castlerock is home to one of the most elegant and exciting links golf courses in the country.
Castlerock Golf Club was founded in 1901 when members of the town congregated to plot out the formation of a links golf course in this sensational resort.
It was initially a nine-hole course, with Scottish club maker Ben Sayers being drafted in to plot out a full 18-hole layout. While not officially documented, members of the club believe that legendary course designer Harry Colt, who designed the swirling links at Royal Portrush, was consulted on the design in the 1930s.
It now boasts two exceptional tracks, the testing par-34 nine-hole Bann Course, which skirts along the River Bann, and the beautiful par-73 Mussenden Course, which is Castlerock’s main attraction.
As with many links golf courses, the Mussenden serves up a test of accuracy, requires players to get creative with their shot selection and demands a dialled-in putter on the greens.
Castlerock has hosted the Irish PGA Championship four times, with the latest edition of the tournament arriving here in 2001, when Des Smyth beat Paul McGinley by three strokes to claim victory.
The course takes you on an intriguing journey, dishing up some very enjoyable challenges that are complemented by outstanding views of the Antrim Glens and Northern Ireland’s northwest coastline.
Castlerock Golf Club was founded in 1901 when members of the town congregated to plot out the formation of a links golf course in this sensational resort
It was initially a nine-hole course, with Scottish club maker Ben Sayers being drafted in to plot out a full 18-hole layout
The Mussenden Course is a challenging but intriguing test that gets better and better as your round progresses
The Mussenden Course
The thing that I particularly loved about the Mussenden Course is its layout. The course slowly eases you into your round over the first five holes and as you move closer towards the coastline, the round gets more and more interesting.
It starts with a superb pair of holes. The 367 par four first bends nicely around to the right and the green is guarded by a steep bank of hills on the left. You’ll get a flavour of what the rough is like here if you miss the fairway, with thick bracken and straw swallowing up wayward golf balls throughout the round.
The second hole is equally impressive. Playing at a slightly shorter length of 334 yards, this par four sweeps dramatically around to the right from the tee box. Those with the distance will be able to drive the green here, but it is a blind tee shot. The conservative line down the left flank of the fairway is the best play here.
One of the top tips that caddies and the club pros told me before heading out was to simply play what lies in front of you. Throughout the round, you’ll encounter blind shots, raised greens and narrow fairways, so a risk-reward strategy doesn’t always pay off.
The other great thing about Castlerock is the variation on offer. From the long 523-yard, par five third hole to the quirky 214-yard par three ninth, each hole offers up something very different.
I was very impressed with how the greens were rolling too, especially considering the rain that had poured down in Northern Ireland the week before I arrived. The greens are firm but not glassy, giving you a chance to land and stop your ball on the dancefloor, without it plugging or bouncing off.
The sixth hole, a 347-yard par four, is one of the Mussenden Course’s signature holes. It angles round from right to left, but be careful not to overhit your shot. The green is separated from the fairway by a small stream, requiring players to lay up and pitch onto the green. The green is also one of the most testing on the course. The front features a big slope back down to the stream, and undercooked approach shots will be in serious danger of rolling back into the water hazard.
One of the top tips that caddies and the club pros told me before heading out was to play what lies in front of you. Throughout the round, you’ll encounter blind shots, raised greens and narrow fairways, so a risk-reward strategy doesn’t always pay off
Pot bunkers and this outstanding double bunker on the 15th hole await players at Castlerock and are very tricky to navigate
The other great thing about Castlerock is the variation on offer. From the long 523-yard, par five third hole to the quirky 214-yard par-three ninth, each hole offers up something very different
The rough is particularly coarse and difficult to play, while players will often find themselves playing their ball above and below their feet
The Mussenden’s undulating dunes mean that you’ll often find yourself playing with the ball above and below your feet, something which became very apparent to me on the fairway on the eighth. Many people say that this is their favourite hole, with players striking a blind tee shot into a narrow stretch of fairway.
The hole continues uphill and as you approach the fairway, you’ll suddenly find yourself banked on both sides by two large mounds of coarse rough and bracken. It again encapsulates the undulation and difficulties of links golf as players must keep their ball on line to reach the green, which has been slightly hidden around another mound on the right side of the fairway.
Entering the back nine, you start to edge closer to the River Bann, and this is really where the weather comes into play, particularly as you start to climb uphill.
The final four holes are by far the best stretch on the course. You’ll start with the 192-yard par three 14th, which features four intricately laid bunkers around the greens that will catch players out if they mishit their golf ball.
Next comes the 15th, which perhaps offers the best views on the course. On the tee box, you’ll be able to look right down the coastline, with the rolling hills of Portstewart visible from atop the hill.
Another blind tee shot follows on the 17th hole. Striking uphill, it can be difficult to see where to aim, so a conservative drive is a must here.
The 18th caps off your round here perfectly, with the 357 par-four featuring another dogleg which rises up to a raised green. Be careful to avoid the large hill on the right side of the fairway here, which is engulfed in a bank of very thick bracken.
There are plenty of traps, hazards and ways to pick up shots around Castlerock and for that reason, I would say playing to one’s handicap is definitely something to be very happy about here, particularly if you’re playing in the rain.
The final four holes are by far the best stretch on the course, with the tee box on the 15th delivering stupendous views over the northwest coast
There are plenty of traps, hazards and ways to pick up shots around Castlerock. I would say playing to one’s handicap is definitely something to be happy about here, considering how tough this course can be
The dunes that surround Castlerock are difficult and dense as I found above. It can be frustrating getting out of the rough but it can also be a rewarding challenge once you make it out
The clubhouse
A walk through the clubhouse is a must if you’re heading to Castlerock.
The hallways here are lined with countless silver trophies and trinkets, with the club’s rich history on display for all to see.
It speaks to Castlerock’s prestige as one of Northern Ireland’s premier golf clubs, but it is widely regarded as one of the country’s hidden gems.
Upstairs, you’ll find the club’s bar and restaurant. After a particularly cold day on the links, this is the perfect place to nestle in and warm the cockles and toast your round with a pint of Guinness.
The restaurant also has a brilliant range of food on offer, including rump steak, buffalo chicken wings and the hearty soup of the day.
And you’ll want to make sure you visit Castlerock’s pro shop, too. It is a golfer’s heaven with the shelves stacked out with Castlerock-branded ball markers, flags, club head covers, and club brushes.
The club also has its very own ‘Swing Studio’ where guests can test and get fitted for the right clubs.
Castlerock is not ostentatious but flies under the radar next to Portrush and Portstewart as an elite golf course that is also great value for money
This is where we were also able to have a chat with the club pro, Robert Irvine.
Robert gratefully gave us some tips and hints on how to play the golf course and spent a good 10 minutes walking us through the club’s history.
Thus is the nature of this excellent club. It is not ostentatious but flies under the radar next to Portrush and Portstewart as an elite golf course that is also great value for money and offers up a warm and friendly feel.
Castlerock is certainly one of golf’s best hidden gems in Northern Ireland.
Planning a golf trip to Northern Ireland? Visit Tourism Ireland Golf here
