I got the special opportunity to play Royal Portrush ahead of the club hosting the 153rd Open Championship in 2025.

I had such a special time playing this wonderful golf course, I put this video together explaining why I think Royal Portrush is the best golf course in Ireland.

Thank you to Amy and Paddy O'Donnell for inviting me out and showing me around the golf course, it was truly a special day out.

If you like this style of video, please comment below and subscribe to our youtube channel and I'll do everything I can do make more videos like this one.

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Royal Portrush is a golfing giant on the Northern coast of Ireland, and arguably the best golf course in the country. This isn’t just a pretty place; it’s a rugged, windswept test of golf that embraces its coastal landscape in a way few courses on the planet do.

The course you see today is largely the vision of Harry Colt, who reimagined it back in the 1930s. Colt was a master at crafting courses that felt like a part of their surroundings, and Portrush is no exception. He understood how to use the natural movement of the land, taking advantage of Portrush's dramatic dune formations, coastal winds, and sandy soil to create a truly dynamic and natural layout.

One of Colt's most notable contributions here is the sequencing. His routing works with the natural contours of the land in a way that feels like each hole reveals itself to you gradually. No hole feels out of place, and every green complex has its own character, from bold slopes to subtle, deceptive undulations that challenge even the best putters.

Let’s talk about the highlights. The 5th hole, nicknamed 'White Rocks,' gives you an idea of the wild beauty here – with the green perched on a cliffside, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. And then there’s the famous 16th, 'Calamity Corner,' a beast of a par 3 that demands precision and a steady nerve. You’re forced to carry 236 yards of pure trouble, with a cliff to the right. Colt didn’t just create a hole; he created a moment.

One of the most nuanced aspects of Royal Portrush is how its bunkering works in tandem with the wind. Unlike the harsh, in-your-face bunkers of some links courses, Portrush’s traps are strategic, placed in ways that can feel almost artistic. They aren’t just scattered hazards – they dictate shot shapes and decisions.

Take the 14th hole, for instance. It’s a shorter par 4, but depending on the wind, those bunkers come into play differently, daring you to bite off more than you might be able to chew. Colt and the later designers didn’t just want you to play golf here; they wanted you to think your way around, to adapt to the conditions and adjust your strategy every round.

The greens are another standout. They aren’t the wild rollercoasters of some modern courses, but they’re subtle, true, and filled with tiny breaks that are hard to read, especially with the wind. It’s that blend of simplicity and sophistication that keeps players on their toes every round. If you’re slightly off, Royal Portrush will expose you.

Of course, no story about Royal Portrush would be complete without its rich history. It’s been around since 1888 and quickly established itself as a premier destination for golfers. It was the first course outside of England and Scotland to host The Open Championship back in 1951, and in 2019, it hosted the Open again – the first in nearly 70 years.

That 2019 Open wasn’t just about bringing a major back to Portrush; it was about showcasing a masterpiece to a global audience. The world got to see what many Irish golfers have known all along – that Portrush is special. Rory McIlroy famously shot a course-record 61 here as a teenager, and of course it was here at the 2019 Open that Shane Lowry claimed his maiden Major victory. Legends have been made here, and legends keep coming back.

Playing Royal Portrush isn’t just a round of golf – it’s an experience. The setting, overlooking the Atlantic and surrounded by the rugged beauty of County Antrim, gives the course a unique sense of place. You’re not just fighting the bunkers and greens; you’re battling the elements, the wind, the rain, the mist. It’s raw, it’s unpredictable, and it’s stunning.

Then there’s the sense of history – the feeling that you’re walking the same fairways as champions, surrounded by the echoes of past tournaments and the spirit of the game."

So, why is Royal Portrush the best golf course in Ireland? It’s the layout, it’s the nuance, it’s the history, and it’s the unforgettable experience of playing a course that’s rugged, refined, and breathtakingly beautiful. Royal Portrush is a true links masterpiece – a place that challenges you, frustrates you, and ultimately leaves you with memories for a lifetime. And that’s why it stands at the pinnacle of Irish golf.

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