This year The 148th Open, Royal Portrush will mark the historical return of the championship to Northern Ireland. Following 68 years since it was last held here, golf’s original and most international championship will see the world’s greatest players compete for the Claret Jug over the Dunluce Links at Portrush from 14th-21st July.

Are you ready to tee off in some of the best courses in Scotland and Northern Ireland? Take inspiration from the upcoming championship and try out some fantastic golf courses for yourself.

Golf in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is home to some of the most spectacular golf courses in the world, including Royal Portrush, host of The 148th Open and Royal County Down, voted No 1 course in the world by readers of Golf Digest.  These courses have seen home-grown talent including Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke hone their skills and rise to stardom thanks to the spectacular quality of their local greens and fairways.

Getting to Northern Ireland from Scotland couldn’t be easier and with just a short hop across the water you too could be following in the footsteps of these golfing legends and making the most of the fantastic range of links and parkland courses Northern Ireland has to offer.

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Portstewart Golf Club
Two-time Open champion Willie Park Jr was responsible for one of the makeovers of Portstewart Golf Club’s Strand Course, which lies just 15 minutes from Royal Portrush and which staged the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Its 54 holes of links golf include the Riverside Course and the original Old Course, dating from 1894.

Ardglass Golf Club

After a round on the short but spectacular Ardglass Golf Club links, hugging the rocky shore and cliffs close to Royal County Down, golfers can raise a glass in the bar of the world’s oldest clubhouse, built as a castle more than 600 years ago and with cannons pointing out over the fairways just in front.

Royal Belfast Golf Club

Royal Belfast Golf Club, only 15 minutes from Belfast city centre, was founded in 1881 and is Ireland’s oldest golf club. It was granted royal patronage in 1885 by Edward, Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII. The club moved to its present location on the shores of Belfast Lough after World War I and its new 18-hole course was designed by Harry Colt, opening in 1926.

Holywood Golf Club

Just 7 miles outside of Belfast, Holywood Golf Club is where champion Rory McIlroy honed his skills as a youngster. A special area of the clubhouse is a shrine to the club’s favourite son, with memorabilia including photographs of his early years playing there and replicas of the US Open and US PGA trophies. The clubhouse has been undergoing major renovation to add a new gym and indoor practice facilities. A new 18th green and floodlit putting green have also been created.

Galgorm Castle Golf Club

Northern Ireland Open host venue Galgorm Castle Golf Club is laid out through mature wooded grounds in the heart of the 220-acre Galgorm Castle Estate in Ballymena, alongside its 17th century castle.

Check out Ireland.com/golf for Northern Ireland golfing breaks.

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Golf at Trump Turnberry

Recently voted Best Golf Resort in Europe 2019, adding to other achievements including leading Golf Hotel of the Year, Trump Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, is home to two outstanding courses and state of the art golf academy.

The iconic Open Championship Ailsa course has regularly ranked number one golf course in the UK and Ireland. Set alongside the stunning Ayrshire coastline with the backdrop of the Ailsa Craig, this is a course that leaves lasting memories. Book now for a last minute April golf breaks from £225 per person and enjoy a one night stay in luxurious accommodation, breakfast and round on the Open Championship Ailsa course.

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Trump Turnberry is also home to the award winning King Robert the Bruce course. Reborn in 2016, this magnificent course by Martin Ebert is a thrill for golfers of all levels. Players enjoy outstanding views of the coastline and the Turnberry Lighthouse, including the ruins of King Robert the Bruce’s castle.

For those wanting to take part in one of the various competitions while trying out the spectacular King Robert the Bruce course, there is the Autumn Festival on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October. This two man team event comprises of an individual stableford on the Saturday followed by a better ball on the Sunday with the chance to win a two night stay at Pine Cliffs, a Luxury Collection Resort, Algarve. Priced at only £199 per person including an overnight stay, breakfast and two rounds on King Robert the Bruce.

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Take part in one of the various events happening throughout the year including ‘Turnberry from the Tips’ on Friday 19 April, ‘King Robert the Bruce Open’ on Friday 31 May and Junior Camps running through Easter and summer.

Visit the website for full details at www.turnberry.co.uk, call +44 (0) 1655 334 032 or email teetimes@trumpturnberry.com


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Cardross Golf Club

Considered one of the finest parkland courses in the West of Scotland, Cardross offers a memorable and challenging golf experience for members and visitors alike. Founded in 1895, the current golf course layout benefited from design changes recommended by James Braid, which were implemented in 1921. The Club enjoys reciprocal agreements with fellow members of the Association of James Braid Courses and the 1895 Club.

Cardross has long been regarded as a top championship course and has played host to the Scottish Professional Championships in 1992, which was won by the then future British Open Champion Paul Lawrie. More recently, it has hosted the Scottish Ladies Junior Open Strokeplay Championship in 2011 and the Scottish Boys Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship in 2012.

Generous undulating fairways, large deciduous trees and stunning views over the River Clyde are features of the golf course that tends to play much longer than the yardage suggests.

The Club has a welcoming art deco inspired clubhouse, excellent bar & catering facilities, a fully stocked Professional’s shop, practice area and access to golf buggies.

Cardross benefits from good transport links, located less than 30 minutes by car from Glasgow and within walking distance from the local railway station.

To find out more about joining the Club and the attractive membership packages available, please contact the secretary at golf@cardross.com or call 01389 841754.

The Club also welcomes visiting parties and societies of all sizes and has great value mid-week packages starting at £38 (weekends £43) for a roll & coffee, round of golf, two-course meal and strokesaver. For enquiries and bookings, please phone Robert Farrell the Professional on 01389 841350.

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For a chance to win one of two fourball prizes* to play at Cardross, please answer the following question – “What year will the Club celebrate its 125th Anniversary?”

Answers should be emailed to golf@cardross.com by 19th April with “Herald Competition” in the subject line. Winners will be notified by 26th April. Good luck!

For further information please visit website www.cardross.com or Facebook page. 

We look forward to welcoming you at Cardross very soon.

* Terms and Conditions apply

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The Machrihanish Golf Club

Voted best opening hole in the world of golf, the 18-hole Championship Course is set in the wonderful Machrihanish Dunes by the small village of Machrihanish.

It's a joy to play and most of the time very quiet, allowing the visitor to relish the ups and downs of the fairways and the tussle with undulating greens. The arresting views across to the islands of Islay, Jura and Gigha provide a delightful backdrop on an idyllic summer's day with the firm Machrihanish turf underfoot, the majesty of the dunes and wheeling seabirds providing the musical sound track.

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To provide a varied test for the competent golfer, the layout is not just a predictable nine out and nine back. The classic links holes, apart from the 1st, are the 5th, another par four with its fairway like an elephant's graveyard, the 10th, a clever dogleg par five and the 15th, a "one shotter" with real difficulty if the elusive green is missed from the tee. Members can also enjoy complimentary use of the practise and putting areas.

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The course ranks highly on a global scale. Golf Digest rated Machrihanish among the top 100 courses in the world in 2018, climbing 30 places to now rank 61st in the world. The club is also rated fourth best value for money within the UK.

To find out more about the club, visit www.machgolf.com/golfclubvideo.php

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Burntisland

Dating back to 1797, the original Burntisland Golf Club is officially recognised as the tenth oldest golf club in the world. The new course at Dodhead was first surveyed by Old Tom Morris; designed by Willie Park Jnr in 1896; and later updated by legendary golf course architect, James Braid in 1922.

Although not the longest golf course, Burntisland offers a variety of unique challenges to golfers of all abilities. A largely flat, links-style golf course, Burntisland features short climbs and descents. Its tight fairways, fast greens and natural hazards are a true test of nerve and skill.

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The course also boasts plenty of great seaward views from many of the vantage points with Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh Castle, the Bass Rock and Berwick Law all easily recognisable across the water, as well as the Forth Bridges to the west.

The relaxing clubhouse offers a comfortable lounge and dining area. The Club provides daily menus based on locally sourced ingredients to suit all tastes and budgets, and has the experience and expertise to cater for a variety of events throughout the year, with hospitality renowned as being second to none.

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Burntisland Golf House Club is very popular with visiting societies with many returning annually. Renowned for its friendly atmosphere, all parties are promised a warm welcome.

Society groups can choose from a various tailor-made packages which combine excellent golf on the well-conditioned course and delicious dining options.

Come and walk in the footsteps of legends.
Visit the website www.burntislandgolfhouseclub.co.uk/ or Facebook page to find out more. 

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St Michaels

St Michaels is an 18-hole, par-70 course within sight of the historic town of St Andrews. The front nine holes overlook the Eden Estuary and the spired churches of St. Andrews can be seen on the horizon during play. When the club was formed in 1903, the services of the keepers of the green at St Andrews were employed to lay out the course. Both Old Tom Morris and Hugh Hamilton had a hand in creating it, with their long-term vision of a full 18-hole course realised in 1996.

We are a friendly club where golfers of all standards can have a thoroughly enjoyable experience. We offer great deals for golfers with a fully licensed bar and kitchen for all your catering needs; rolls, lunch, high teas and more.

The original course was laid out in 1903 by Old Tom Morris, top golf course architect of his day and in 1996 became an 18 hole course. The course plays throughout the year thanks to its location and free draining soil. We rarely close. We are able to offer the full course in play through all 12 months of the year and this makes the course very appealing to golfers looking for a year round golf experience.

Visit www.stmichaelsgolfclub.com/new/ to find out more. 

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Edinburgh Leisure

Edinburgh Leisure boasts six gorgeous courses across Scotland’s scenic capital, each with its own breath-taking views and challenging terrain.

With one membership, you can access all six courses making it phenomenal value for money.

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Braid Hills is a historic gem of a golf course that provides outstanding views across all Edinburgh’s iconic landmarks. The naturally dramatic contours and native gorse bushes shape the course, providing a unique vertical challenge.

As one of the oldest and best loved public courses in Scotland, the altitudinal setting provides a tranquil feeling of isolation.

If you’re a fan of booming drives down expansive fairways, the shore-front parkland course at Silverknowes offers you just that. Whilst testing your long game, drink in views across the water to Cramond Island and Fife.

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The beautiful views towards Arthur's Seat and Calton Hill are just one of the draws of Craigentinny - a relatively short and very walkable golf course with an interesting mix of holes on the undulating parkland course.

Carrick Knowe is a mature parkland golf course set in the shadow of the famous Murrayfield Stadium, with Edinburgh Castle as a grand backdrop.

The gentle contours framed by lush tree lines make this an ideal course for less experienced golfers.

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For those who don’t have the time to play a full 18, Edinburgh Leisure offer two 9-hole courses: Portobello and the Wee Braids.

Overlooked by Arthur’s Seat, Portobello is a beautifully prepared but forgiving parkland course which makes it ideal for beginners and those looking for a quick round. The small tight greens make for a tough test of the short game.

The Wee Braids is Braid Hills’ next-door neighbour, created to introduce children and young people to golf. The course is also a fun, quick test for an experienced golfer with sloping fairways and gorse throughout.

Six stunning courses, one membership!

You can either join online at www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/golf or visit one of our courses.