Going for Golf

Portstewart

Portstewart has to live in the shadow of its more illustrious neighbour Royal Portrush, but they are very different animals. In fact, there are many who favour Portstewart, which boasts three 18-hole courses, each offering something different, and there is no doubt the opening five holes on the Strand are the top drawer… and the rest ain’t bad either.

It’s worth playing the course simply for the drive from the elevated tee at the first – which would undoubtedly be in the running for a ‘world’s most scenic first tee’ competition – but some of the par-threes are excellent, and the par-fours, which run down close to estuary and river, are sublime, especially when played in the early evening light.

Designed by Des Giffen and opened in 1992 it is a real test of classic links golf through towering sand dunes with views of Donegal hills, the Atlantic and the River Bann estuary. There is also a cracking finish with real testing par-fours at 16, 17 – with its green perched on a hill – and 18, a long and difficult final hole.

Besides the Strand, there is the Riverside with nine holes running down to the river. With extensive bunkers and a spectacular water feature, it offers a worthy alternative, while The Old Course begins and ends at the site of the original course, where golf was first played in Portstewart as far back as 1889. It may be classed as a short, fun course but it does have breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline.