Moyola Park Golf Club Course Review

Moyola Park Golf Club Course Review

GF £35-£40; Twilight: £15
Par 71, 6,383 yards
Slope 121
GM Verdict A big, easy-paced parkland looping around a pretty hill
Favourite Hole Few tee shots are more charming than the wooded wonderland that is the par-3 17th

Unlike several Top 100 golf courses, Moyola Park in County Derry is one of Northern Ireland’s big and best kept secrets. It is similar to Ireland’s Portumna, in that regard and is situated an hour south and inland of one of the very best golf courses in Northern Ireland, Royal Portrush. This is a grand parkland experience of rivers, ancient woodland, a tree-drenched hill and fun holes. It is rich and vibrant, and the trees dominate and define holes as they move serenely over the undulating terrain.

Holes are practically drawn to the central densely wooded hill at the course’s heart where your first encounter - the Index 1, par-4 8th - requires an approach shot over the River Moyola. The hill poses behind with the amphitheatre of trees around the small green promising a daunting and captivating approach shot.

The walk over the bridge that follows is enchanting. On the far side of the hill, giant oak stand like sentinels, wreaking havoc on the wayward, before the outrageous dogleg 15th brings you back to that hill. Two par-3s follow, with the signature 17th being the hole of the round as you hit out from a tree-enshrined tee to a green far below, wrapped in more trees with the river flowing behind.

Trees play different roles: they squeeze your opening two drives and the gap between the trees on the short par-3 4th is nerve-wracking; thereafter you will have more room but the corridors of trees are never far away and the lone trees overshadowing fairways are a real menace. You may be forced to hit over or under them on approach.

It is a lightly bunkered course and several holes have no bunkers at all, including the 18th, the longest hole here. This 562-yard par 5 is all about positioning your second shot as the green sits beyond a narrow gap in the trees. Unless you are in the perfect spot you’ll be hitting a high lofted club up and over. That is true, too, on the somewhat shorter 315-yard dogleg 15th. It is one of those quirky short par 4s where your tee shot must be inch perfect if you want to avoid the bunkers and see the small green through the gap in the trees.

Overall, the bunkers are big and visible, with the beach-like titan defending the front of that par-3 17th being biggest of all.