Blackwood Golf Centre

One of the tougest tests of golf in the north of ireland,Amazingly this club is opened to any one who can play at any time, BAR SATURDAYS,, unfortunately when we were there there were several hackers digging up the fairways with terrible shots, (there is a driving range at the club to start learning before you go on the course).Well the 2nd is a great hole 540 par 5 a well aimed drive down the middle will set up an easier second hit down the fairway to leave a pitch on and maybe a birdie, the par 3s were well set out , the 3rd hole the toughest 209 with trees to the right, though the 16th par 3 required a straight aim with a 6 iron 180 yds to a small green flanked by gorse, a hill which ran into a ditch , a hole which wrecked my tidy card

This course has been around for about 10 years and has bedded in really pretty nicely and has hosted some Ulster PGA championships. There are some tough holes, namely the long uphill par 3 3rd, the long par 4 5th, the dog-leg 8th, the lon pr 4 13th and the tight driving hole 17th. The siganture holes would have to be the par 3 12th from an elevated tee over a lake and the 15th which, although not an overly long par 4, has a second shot over a lake to a green backed by a ditch. The course is blessed with mature trees, gorse and a number of lakes and ditches. Add in the fact that there is an 18 hole par 3 course and a fantastic driving range, a bar and a restaurant this is a great complex where you can pay and play at weekend, and not too expensive. Despite the above I cannot fall in love with Blackwood, it is just a little bit soulless.