Royal Portrush Golf Club: Dunluce Links Review, Green Fees, Tee Times and Key Info

Royal Portrush Dunluce Course Key Information

Royal Portrush Golf Club

Although the Valley Course at Royal Portrush Golf Club is highly regarded, it is the Dunluce that is right up there among the best links courses not just in the UK&I, but in the world. It was designed by the godfather of golf course design, Harry Colt, and even before the changes that were applied in preparation for hosting the 2019 Open Championship, there were plenty who felt it was a contender for the best course in the whole of Ireland. It contends for top spot in the list of the best golf courses in Northern Ireland, and is unquestionably one of the best links courses in the UK.

The one perceived weakness of the design had always been a pair of less impressive and comparatively anticlimactic finishing holes. Happily, these were replaced prior to the return of The Open by Martin Ebert and are now the par-5 7th and par-4 8th. They fit in seamlessly with the previous holes, and each won instant acclaim and approval. Various other improvements were incorporated to what was already a magnificent course that rightly attracts golfers from all over the world.

The course is packed with feature holes with the 5th a real favourite. This spectacular par 4 runs from an elevated tee down to the fairway, before turning right towards the ocean. There is the classic question of just how much of the corner do you take on! The final par 3 is another cracker. The super-tough 16th, Calamity Corner, can require almost any club in the bag as you attempt to fly the ball over a deep and unforgiving chasm. There are no bunkers here, and none are needed. It is considered by some to be one of the best par 3s in the world.

The Dunluce Course is a wonderfully natural and extremely good-looking links that is completely at one with its environment. Much is done at Royal Portrush to encourage a diverse ecosystem where flora and fauna flourish, all of which adds to the enjoyment of an already wonderful round of golf.

So successful was the 2019 Open Championship, that the world's greatest tournament is already scheduled to return here as soon as 2025.

What The Top 100 Panel Said

Tim Browne

A truly magnificent golf course in a club that is much more than just one fine golf course. Northern Ireland has two of the best golf courses in the world and this is one of them.

Chris Dobson

A visually stunning bucket-list Open venue that is a firm but very fair test. A breath-taking golf course.

Gary Etherson

Portrush continues to improve as expected after hosting the Open in 2019. The changes have bedded in nicely and look like they have always been there. The course was immaculate at the time of playing and was even better than the last visit.

Nicholas Hercules

I’ve never experienced such a warm community feel at a golf club. This is a fair but exacting and stunning links with a down to earth perspective on life and the game. The course is a real superstar.

Grainne Killen

A lovely setting and very well presented course. The views from the course are stunning, particularly from those holes which back on to the ocean, or where the green appears to be almost in the sea. The work carried out for the 2019 Open really improved the links and has placed Portrush among the very best there is.

Royal Portrush Golf Club Location

Royal Portrush Dunluce Course Green Fees

Royal Portrush Dunluce Course Scorecard

Best Courses Near To Royal Portrush

PORTSTEWART

The Strand Course at Portstewart has one of the most exciting and visually attractive front nines in the Top 100. Plans are being formed to enhance the back nine, but this is already a thrilling design. John Rahm won the 2017 Irish Open here and was very complimentary about the course.

CASTLEROCK

Castlerock is a wonderful club whose two courses are sometimes wrongly overlooked simply because of their proximity two giants. The main 18, the Mussenden, dates back well over a century and is a tough par-73 links designed by Ben Sayers and then Harry Colt.

Best Places To Stay Close To Royal Portrush

The Adelphi - Book now via Booking.com

The award-winning Adelphi Portrush offers 4-star luxury in the Portrush town centre. Guests have an on-site bistro, luxury rooms and free access to a health suite with a spa, sauna and steam room.

All Seasons, Portrush - Book now via Booking.com

Rooms are equipped with a desk, tea making facilities and a Dolce Gusto coffee machine, and the TVs have Netflix. A continental breakfast can be enjoyed at the property and a full English breakfast is also available.

Royal Portrush Dunluce Course Gallery

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Historical Top 100 Rankings UK&I

• 2023/24 08
• 2021/22 08
• 2019/20 08
• 2017/18 13
• 2015/16 11
• 2013/14 12
• 2011/12 15
• 2009/10 16

Frequently Asked Questions