Dunluce Road,
Portrush, Co. Antrim BT56 8JQ
Office
+44 (0)28 7082 2311Pro shop
+44 (0)28 7082 3335Fax
+44 (0)28 7082 3139Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Gary McNeill (Head Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Harry Colt (1932).
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).
55.199789
-6.636976
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 (Valley)
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).
Visitors welcome on weekdays (except Weds), and weekends (afternoons only).
Must book in advance. Handicap required.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Players walk this course. Golf carts are not available. Caddies available (book in advance).
Good
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.
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.
Whiterocks, Portrush, Co. Antrim BT56 8NF
+44 (0)28 7082 2236
Visit websiteA hotel with superb views over Royal Portrush golf courses and the sea.
No
Royal Portrush (Dunluce and Valley courses)
Portstewart; Castlerock
No
Royal Portrush (Dunluce and Valley courses)
Portstewart; Castlerock
The Sentry: known for many years as the Tournament of Champions, the PGA Tour’s 2025 season-opener gets underway on Kapalua’s Plantation course (Jan 2-5). Chris Kirk defends.
Tournament of Champions: the LPGA Tour’s 2025 season is launched at Lake Nona with the their Tournament of Champions (Jan 30-Feb 2). The 2024 edition gave Lydia Ko her 20th LPGA Tour title.
Attahya Thitikul: also known as “Jeeno”, the Thai golfer won the LPGA Tour’s 2024 CME Group Tour Championship … and an eye-watering $4 million, the richest first-prize in women’s golf.
Rory McIlroy: scooped the 2024 European (DP World) Tour season-long Order of Merit title, joining Seve Ballesteros as a six-time winner of this prestigious award.
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.
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
You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.
