Royal County Down is a dreamy, awe-inspiring course, an assault on the senses. If you do not fall in love with it then perhaps links golf is not for you.
Framed by the beautiful sea, the Dunluce links at Royal Portrush, famed for being the only non-British mainland host of The Open, is a special place.
The Royal County Down Annesley links has become so much more than a second course, and could well become one of the truly great courses in Ireland in a short period of time.
What local schoolteacher Des Giffin created at Portstewart is extraordinary, and the front nine is some enthusiasts' idea of the best stretch they’ve ever played.
You enjoy holes routed through majestic sand dunes and when you emerge from these towering masses you catch views of Donegal.
You might think that the Dunluce stealing prime ground from the Royal Portrush Valley course would leave it diminished. The result is the exact opposite.
Ardglass is a beautiful clifftop course, hugging the coastline for nearly half its routing and producing wonderful, pleasant holes across the rest of the layout.
Upgrades to some greens and changes to the signature par-3 15th in recent years have maintained Malone's reputation as a fine venue.
All you need to know about this brilliant British course
All you need to know about this brilliant British course