Battle of the links: which is best Royal Portrush or Royal County Down?
01/05/2025 10:00 AM
In truth, it's a bit like asking who is the greatest ever golfer: Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods?
Depending on who you ask, the decision will be different but, in among all the debate, we tend to miss one massive point.
Because the difference between Nicklaus and Woods, whichever of them you prefer, is relatively infinitesimal.
But the difference between Nicklaus and Woods and the rest of the world's golfers – yes, even the other major champions – is massive.
The simple truth is that Nicklaus and Woods are not just streets and avenues ahead of the rest, they've put Route 66 between themselves and everyone else.
It's much the same when it comes to Northern Ireland's two greatest courses and ahead of 2025's return there for the Open we take a closer look at them, but can we make a decision about which is best?!?!
First up is Royal Portrush and it is, of course, the only Northern Irish course that has hosted the Open.
Long shadows, morning dew, and our vast dunescape create a breathtaking canvas for both golf and photography. pic.twitter.com/QCdfAadMWc
— Royal Portrush G.C. (@royalportrush) December 28, 2024
It first did so in 1951 when England's Max Faulkner was the champion and in 2019 it witnessed an emotional return.
Rory McIlroy was the hero of the week but he contrived to miss the cut after a disastrous first round. Instead it was the Republic of Ireland's Shane Lowry who lifted the Claret Jug amid glorious scenes.
Portrush is a fabulous layout on the northern coast. It was created by Harry Colt (also responsible for the West Course at Wentworth) and it twists and turns in all directions.
This is the coastline made famous by the Giant's Causeway and filming locations for Game of Thrones – and the golf course definitely lives up to that billing because it is golf on a big scale.
Two new holes were built ahead of the 2019 championship and they fit in marvellously with the original 16 creating a supreme test with fairways that sweep between and across the dunes.
Among the standout holes are the fifth which is a dogleg par-4 that heads out towards the sea. The aggressive can attack the area short of the green across that dogleg but the shorter hitters can utilise the contours, sweeping the ball down the roller coaster fairway into much the same spot the big hitters are aiming at.
On the back nine the key test is the par-3 known as Calamity Corner. It requires a big blow across the top of the tall dunes. Anything short or right disappears deep into trouble. It's the hole that sealed McIlroy's fate in 2019 when he four-putted with his nerves shredded.
Further south, near the border in the town of Newcastle, is Royal County Down.
If heaven has a golf course, I hope it looks like Royal County Down… pic.twitter.com/BFT0EBsVPc
— Jamie Kennedy (@jamierkennedy) November 22, 2024
It has hosted the Walker Cup and the Irish Open (most recently in September 2024) but a lack of space around the course, and a lack of facilities in Newcastle, has meant that it has never hosted the Open.
It does feature a few blind shots which some don't like but it also frequently ranks number one or two in lists of the finest courses in the world never mind Northern Ireland.
It is another genuinely dramatic setting and arguably a better visual one, with the dunes vast, the ocean slapping against the beach alongside the first, second and third holes, and the Mountains of Morne providing a sensational backdrop.
The second tee is a magnificent spot with a tee box perched above the sand, the fairway in the far distance and the green nestled among the dunes.
The par-3 seventh is another spectacular test. The green is protected by a series of deep bunkers but it is the stunning dunes and mountains in the background which can easily tempt the distracted golfer into errors.
Our conclusion? It's a tough one.
Royal Portrush is the correct test for the Open but Royal County Down just edges it.
READ MORE:Golf in Hawaii – 7 must play golf courses in the Aloha state
The post Battle of the links: which is best Royal Portrush or Royal County Down? appeared first on Golf365.
