Portrush, UK
 
 
 
 

THE COURSE

The course is situated in sheltered country in the War Hollow. The War Hollow forms part of the Valley Links today and this part of the Valley is said to have been the scene of an ancient battle between The Chieftains of The Route and Magnus Barefoot, King of Norway. This battle took place around 1102. The Valley is remarkable for the fact that there are only eighteen bunkers in the entire eighteen holes.

Booking

Course Guide

01
Zara Bolton’s
Par 4
Index 7/7
349
339
332
Pro
Tip

The first hole is named after a former Lady President Zara Bolton. Zara Bolton’s, is 349 yards, with a drive which must be accurately placed over a ridge to fall into a small valley leading to the green, which is low lying surrounded by sand-hills.

02
Green Lane
Par 4
Index 3/13
385
374
292
Pro
Tip

This is a dog-leg to the left from the tee. A hook or pull is severely punished but a drive to the right opens up the sloping green for the approach shot.

03
Fairy Ring
Par 3
Index 17/15
141
135
132
Pro
Tip

From the elevated tee position the green presents an ideal short iron to a small target with a deep bunker left.

04
War Hollow
5
11/3
534
520
510
Pro
Tip

The tee shot is played over a ridge into the War Hollow which stretches for over 300 yards. The green is situated below the high hill, on top of which is the tee box for the famous “Calamity Corner” on the Dunluce course. If you make a par be satisfied.

05
Prospect
4/5
1/11
443
419
417
Pro
Tip

Once again playing into the War Hollow you will find the elevated green at the end of the narrow strip of fairway and a bank at the back to encourage the bold shot.

06
Patrick’s
4
5/1
409
399
359
Pro
Tip

The drive is up hill along a narrow fairway situated between two sand dunes. The green is at the end of another long narrow valley and much trouble awaits those shots which are not on target.

07
Cradle
4
13/9
320
311
310
Pro
Tip

It is a slight dog-leg left with a narrow entrance to a small green which is cradled between sand dunes.

08
Switch Back
5
9/5
496
489
413
Pro
Tip

It is a rolling double dog-leg with a narrow entrance to the green which is cradled between sand dunes.

09
Mann’s
3
15/17
150
140
126
Pro
Tip

The nineth is a pitch from a high tee position to a green bunkered right and left.

10
Middle Green
4/5
2/10
465
452
457
Pro
Tip

The drive is through a narrow neck in little sand dunes. The second shot is across the War Hollow to a small green guarded by a bunker on the left and a grass hollow right.

11
Right About
5
18/2
486
478
466
Pro
Tip

The thirteenth runs parallel to the previous hole to an armchair green surrounded by sand dunes. This hole requires two long straight shots.

12
St. Andrew’s
4
4/12
421
412
339
Pro
Tip

A slight dog-leg to the right. The drive is through a narrow valley to an open fairway. The approach shot has to skirt the pot bunker on the right to find the small green.

13
Recess
3
16/18
165
155
144
Pro
Tip

The green is narrow with rough behind, it is also guarded by a high sand-hill on the left front and bunkers on the right.

14
Giant’s Elbow
4
12/4
391
349
340
Pro
Tip

Keep your drive to the right as there is plenty of trouble to the left. The green is guarded by sand-hill on the right.

15
Bunkers Hill
3
8/16
171
165
151
Pro
Tip

The first of four new holes… This one requires a well struck mid to long iron to avoid the two bunkers and find this undulating green.

16
Valley
5
14/6
493
469
423
Pro
Tip

This hole is through a narrow neck of sand-hills and down a valley to an elevated green which is guarded by two bunkers, sand-hills on the left and a drop over the back to a big hollow

17
Saucer
3
10/14
194
178
157
Pro
Tip

Re-opened after almost 100 years, this strong par 3 will usually require a long iron to fairway wood to carry onto the gathering green.

18
Home
4
6/8
333
323
320
Pro
Tip

An accurate drive is required from this new elevated tee to find the narrow fairway. The approach is through a narrow valley to the home green which is full of subtle undulations.