Castlerock Golf Club

Our coach driver met us at Belfast City airport and what a cheery and obliging fella he turned out to be. We arrived at Castlerock Golf Club where we were only meant to be playing nine holes. The problem is that after one look at Castlerock you want to play all 19!!! The coach driver didn’t need much persuading to do a couple of runs so we were able to play all 18 holes and what a great track this turned out to be.

Ben Sayers expanded the original layout to 18 holes and more changes were introduced by Harry Colt. With that pedigree Caslerock was always going to impress. Add a piece of land where the River Bann flows out to the Atlantic and views of Donegal and on a clear day across to Scotland the only “troubles” you were going to encounter were keeping your mind focused on your golf. I have a slight problem, because normally at this point I would name stand-out holes. I nearly put down every hole, but then had to think ahead to the other courses I played and will be talking to you about, like Royal Portrush, Portstewart and Lough Erne.



Top: Aerial view of the 1st hole. Above LtoR: 6th, 9th and aerial view of the 15th hole

I found myself thinking I would be better off naming the weak holes but then there wasn’t really any of them. I must admit I enjoyed playing every hole and I played in some horrible conditions, but I was having such a great time I just didn’t want to stop. Four seasons in one round – that’s what makes links golf so much fun, you are not only playing the course but the elements. One minute it can be full waterproofs and no umbrella, as you will end up like Mary Poppins flying out to sea. The next hole and you are in shirt sleeves with the sun on your back.

Back to Castlerock: the first hole is a great opening par 4 dogleg right of 367 yards from the back tees, uphill with another steep rise just before the green, so make sure you take plenty of club for your second shot. The run of holes from the 3rd through to the 17th are a joy to play. Standing on the 18th which is a par 4 of only 357 yards dogleg right, you hit your tee shot from an elevated tee, which is about placement not power as your second shot is back uphill to an elevated green. It’s a very tough finish if you are short, and when you do hole that last putt, you’ll know you have played one great track



Above: Aerial view of the 17th hole looking out across the links