Royal Portrush Golf Club

Dunluce Road,

Portrush, Co. Antrim BT56 8JQ

  • Office

    +44 (0)28 7082 2311
  • Pro shop

    +44 (0)28 7082 3335
  • Fax

    +44 (0)28 7082 3139
  • Golf pro

    Gary McNeill (Head Professional).

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Seaside links. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.

  • Surroundings:

    Coastal duneland.

  • Designer:

    Harry Colt (1932).

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
6336
6054
5548
Par
70
68
72
SSS or slope
71
70
71

At the same location:

Above distances are for the Valley Links. Also at Royal Portrush is the 18-hole Dunluce Links (par-72; 7143 yds from back tees; SSS 75).

Location

Latitude:

55.199789

Longitude:

-6.636976

How to get there:

5 miles NE of Coleraine.

From Coleraine take the A29 direction Portrush. After 5 miles, upon entering Portrush, turn right onto the A2 direction Bushmills. After o.4 miles golf entrance is on your left (approx o.3 miles before the entrance to Royal Portush Dunluce course).

Royal Portrush Golf Club (Valley Course)

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.

Est. 1888

Royal Portrush Golf Club (Valley Course): Royal Portrush's Valley Links is certainly worth a visit in its own right, even if it is "looked down on" by its more revered big brother, the Dunluce Links. Most of the course is played in a relatively flattish valley, between the bigger dunes of the Dunluce course and a single line of immense dunes, behind which hides the sea.

The family resemblance between the two links courses, Dunluce and Valley, is clear. Both are laid out on excellent quality natural links land, where crisp turf carpets the rolling fairways. Around the greens, slick run-offs and strategically-placed and mischievous pot bunkers play their part. Surprisingly the course is home to only 22 bunkers, although the threat they pose would suggest a much larger number.

More than just a warm-up for the Dunluce, this is a great little links course that stands on its own two feet, quite independent of big brother. The Valley may be a tad shorter than the Dunluce, but be assured, your full game will be thoroughly tested. The Valley's Championship tees provide a par-70 course that stretches to 6,304 yards, with an SSS of 71. The shorter Medal tees give 6,054 yards, with a par of 68 and SSS 70.

Pick of the holes: Four exquisite short par-3s, including the 3rd hole (Fairy Ring), are countered by the very testing 237-yard par-3 6th (Curran's Point).

List of courses: Ireland - North

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays (except Weds), and weekends (afternoons only).

Must book in advance. Handicap required.

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes in high season (May thru' Sept): Dunluce Links: £295 (all days). Valley course: £120 (all days).

Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].

Other information

Players walk this course. Golf carts are not available. Caddies available (book in advance).

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

Royal Portrush's Valley Links is used each year as a final qualifying course for the North of Ireland Amateur Championship.

George, Duke of York (later George V) conferred the Royal prefix on Portrush GC in 1892. By royal prerogative, three Northern Irish golf clubs use the "Royal" title, namely: Belfast, Portrush and County Down.

Published ranking

Dunluce course:
Ireland's 2nd best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 6th best course (Golf World, 2024).
World's 16th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2023/24) and 9th best public access course (Golf World, 2023).
Valley course:
Ireland's 34th best course.
Britain & Ireland's 185th best course.

Where2Stay

  • Royal Court Hotel3-star

    Whiterocks, Portrush, Co. Antrim BT56 8NF

    +44 (0)28 7082 2236

    Visit website

    A hotel with superb views over Royal Portrush golf courses and the sea.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Royal Portrush (Dunluce and Valley courses)

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Portstewart; Castlerock

  • Comfort Hotel Portrush3-star

    73 Main St, Portrush BT56 8BN

    +44 (0)28 7082 6100

    Visit website
    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Royal Portrush (Dunluce and Valley courses)

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Portstewart; Castlerock

Find a course

Or

Tournaments

124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.

79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).

Who's Who

Nelly Korda: won the Mizuho Americas Open (May 16-19) at Liberty National GC, continuing her extraordinary form in LPGA events. This was her sixth win in seven starts in 2024.

Xander Schauffele: recorded his first major championship win, and second record-equalling low score of 62 in a major. Only he, Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Shane Lowry have achieved this feat in a men’s major championship.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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