Royal Portrush Golf Club: Dunluce Links Review, 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 very best links courses in the Top 100 Golf Courses UK & Ireland. 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 vies 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.

As did many, I always felt that the one weakness of the design used to be a pair of less impressive and comparatively anticlimactic finishing holes. Happily, these were replaced prior to the return of The Open by Martin Ebert who introduced the new 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 personal 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 and is a personal favourite. 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 returning here this Summer - I cannot wait to see it!

What's new for 2025/26? What our panellists said...

Tim Browne

Any trip to play golf at Royal Portrush is memorable and the experience starts on arrival, continues as you play one of the best links courses in the world, and finishes with the warmth and hospitality available in the wonderful clubhouse. Take any chance to play here, it is a fantastic experience.

Gavyn Cairns

A truly world-class links with towering duneland and excellent practice facilities, augmented by a welcoming culture amongst the staff. The addition of two new holes within the closing stages of the front nine serves only to cement the place of RPGC’s hallowed links within the echelons of the world’s best.

John Winter

The test and challenge is quite simply tough and exacting. One to perhaps play at the beginning of the season when the rough hasn’t grown waist high and the heather isn’t in flower!

Richard Healy

A tough and testing course in a wonderful setting. Just making the edge of the par-3 sixteenth with driver was my memory of the day!

Grainne Killen

For me, my number one course and definitely in the top 5! A beautiful course, immaculately presented. Great staff and a real warm welcome in the clubhouse made this a special day for me.

Royal Portrush Golf Club Location

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

• 2025/26 - 07
• 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