Play Royal Portrush to experience one of the most challenging links golf courses in the world, comprising the Dunluce Links and sister course the Valley Links. It remains the only Irish club to host The Open Championship. In fact, the Irish Open Amateur Championship was inaugurated here, way back in 1892, as was the Irish Professional Championship in 1907.
Play here and you follow in the footsteps of the greats: Gary Player himself, the remarkable Arnold Palmer, Ernie Els. Darren Clarke, Larry Mize and Phil Mickelson. We could go on. Mark Calcavecchia is no stranger to Royal Portrush, nor are Davis Love III and Jim Furyk, the famous Tom Watson, legendary Jack Nicklaus, Steve Jones, Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw. Now that's what we call an impressive line-up.
About Royal Portrush golf club – Brief history
- In 1888 the club was first formed, a relatively simple nine hole course
- A year later it was extended to 18 holes
- 1892 saw Royal Portrush renamed as The Royal County Club
- In the same year the Irish Open Amateur Championship was inaugurated here
- The club arrived at its current name in 1895, patronised by the man who later became King Edward VII
- In 1895 the club hosted the British Ladies’ Championship, played outside of England for the first time
- 1907 saw the Irish Professional Championship inaugurated here
- In 1929 Harry Colt created plans for the Dunluce links
- Hosted the Irish Open in 1930, 1937 and 1947
- Hosted the Open Championship in 1951m the first non-mainland UK club to do so
- In 1982 the 5th green and 6th tee area were rescued from being washed into the sea
- 1993 saw Ian Pyman win the Amateur Championship here
- In 1995-1999 and 2004 the club hosted The Senior British Open
- In 2012 Royal Portrush hosted the Irish Open
Royal Portrush golf club scorecard
Click here to view the scorecard
Featured hole – Hole 5 on the Dunluce Course
The magnificent Dunluce links at Portrush challenges for the title of most dramatic par four in the world, the monster 411 yard-long 5th. It's a treacherous dogleg hole that you need to play from an elevated tee facing the ocean, demanding a daring shot across an unnervingly wide chunk of rough. Take a too-long approach and you'll lose your ball on White Rocks beach. The par-3 14th hole also delivers significant challenges in the shape of a gaping chasm between the tee and green, which means you'll only make a three if you pull off a truly fantastic shot.
Known for brilliant golf course architecture
Royal Portrush tee time is in popular demand as can be expected from a course recently voted 12th in the world by Golf Magazine. It’s a real masterpiece of golf course architecture. The rough is awesome, the greens are endlessly testing and the merciless Atlantic Ocean makes itself felt every step of the way. For all of that we must give thanks to Harry Colt, who carved a masterpiece from the beautiful natural contours of the links land, creating just under 7200 yards of supreme golfing pleasure.
Royal Portrush golf club golfing vacations
Would you like to experience the very best Royal Portrush golf and accommodation deals for yourself? Our expert team at The Experience Ireland provide first class golf club holidays to fans of the game from around the world. All our golfing packages are completely customisable so you can enjoy the experience of your dreams. To find out more or make a booking, please contact us.
Featured Royal Portrush golf package:
Northern Ireland 4 Nights 4* Programme – Our Ireland golf vacations offer the opportunity to play world-famous golf courses. Our Northern Ireland 4 Nights Golf Holiday includes four blistering rounds of golf – one each at Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Ardglass and Portstewart. You’ll enjoy a meet-and-greet service on arrival at the airport, full airport return transfers and transfers between your hotel and the courses. Luxuriate in 4* accommodation for the duration of your stay and prepare yourself for the testing day ahead with a full Irish breakfast each day. You’ll also receive one evening meal included as part of your stay.