Portstewart Golf Club

Wow, what a course. The front nine has got to be one of the best I've ever played, the views and the dunes (they're massive!) are great. It isn't the easiest course you'll ever play with lots of rough ready to snare any shot off line. I think I'd play a lot better when I play it next time as there are plenty of times when you are unsure which club to hit. Well worth a game and the clubhouse served some cracking food and drink after our golf.

One third of our recent golf tour in Northern Ireland took us to Portstewart Golf Club. Despite some pretty testing weather, our group had a magical day and couldn't recommend it highly enough. The Strand Course is the main event at Portstewart, but we opted for the Riverside Course, which is less challenging but ideal for our handicaps. The clubhouse is modern and superbly equipped, with floor-to-ceiling windows in the bar and dining room from which you can look out to the coastline and the Strand Course's renowned first tee. The massive sand dunes really create a striking landscape, and the bouncy links turf is just what you'd expect. The Riverside has nine holes that were originally part of the main championship course, and itself is a great little test. Working from the higher ground down to the banks of the River Bann, there are a number of tough holes, mostly down to the small greens and the wind that was blowing on our day of play. We especially enjoyed the par-5 that skirts the river on the front nine, and the more linksy closing holes. Good food and drink and really nice people were a bonus.

We arrived on a sunny day with no wind at all and were immediately, very impressed by the view from the first tee, over looking the dunes and the Atlantic. There was no doubt that the constructions of the first nine holes are fantastic and much has been said already about the feeling you get amongst the dunes. However, some of the back nine are fairly ordinary. Also on this visit we were disappointed to find the first nine holes were top dressed with seeding down. When we complained to the manager/secretary he was shocked and indignant that anyone should dare to complain – his stock answer was “Ah, but did your ball run straight and true”, It seemed to me that there was some recovery plan taking place on the greens – unusual to come across top dressing and seeding in late July! They have spent 3.5 million on the new club house and it looks very grand.

Played Portstewart last week and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We had gotten rained out at Ballycastle that day and drove to Portstewart hoping that we could get on that day. The pro shop was more than helpful in getting us our game when we walked in. We bought the course guide booklet and set out. The first nine is a lettle more challenging than the 2nd nine, but the whole course is an excellent challenge. They are in the process of building a new clubhouse - it should be finished when we go back in two years. Mark in Oklahoma

Played on Sept 10,2006 in good weather and as stated earlier you had better be on your game as the front nine is difficult and requires some accurate shotmaking. The members who caddie for you here make a huge difference as they are friendly and very helpful. The go out of their way to make your round an enjoyable one. The back nine though not as tough off the tee has some good greens and overall I would say do not miss playing this course if you are in the area. Great atmosphere and friendliness abound which makes the experience that much better. Very good value for the money as well.

hey! played in the british girls open august o6! i found the course one of the best courses i have ever played! ( and i have played a few)the first four holes are awesome! 2nd hole a total card wrecker as some of my friends found out! if you get a chance to play it dont miss out!

I played the Riverside course on 16th July 2004, this course has now been extended along the river to 18 holes, and what a wonderful job they have done of it. It is not an overly long course but the premium is on accuracy, with a couple of lakes in play, a couple of ditches and very punishing rough for the wayward shot. The greens are quick, undulating and very true,and the wind blows pretty hard more often than not to add to the fun!! So the premium here is on keeping the ball in play and really thinking your way round rather than relying on power. The practice facilities are great and the clubhouse is well worth a visit, I recommend the golfers fry up!!

This is a wonderful links coast along the Antrim coast that should not be missed. It also has the unusual distinction of only allowing full members to be caddies, and they are worth the time alone. On a good day you can easily finish in under 3 hours and have a wee draft in the members bar with an incredible view of the ocean. Top condition, excellent caddies and cheaper and faster than Royal Portrush, this is a great value course. Others think so too, we followed Michael Douglas and Wayne Huizienga who helicoptered in a week earlier than us and drew the entire town to watch them play.

A golf course with a split personality! The front nine are set in incredibly spectacular and immense dunes; the back nine in gentle rolling hills. Had a very enjoyable round with two very hospitable members... On the negative side, the green fees are almost as high as in neighboring Portrush and the fairness of the test on the front nine is so-so. One of the best opening hole in golf!

The front 9 are very intimidating true links, then the back 9 are more parkland, strange combination but worth playing none the less.

Whilst Portstewart may be fractionally less tough than Portrush it remains a demanding and outstanding golf course. Driving and long iron play has to be particularly accurate or else you are in for a long day! The first 3 holes are all pretty tough and on a sunny day, the first in particular really quite stunning. Great greens, horrendous rough. Not a bad deal for 36 holes (GBP 80) and the Pro Shop was good value and well stocked. The Club's pre booking system is a bit "mickey mousey" (they had no record of our (substantial) prepayment)which they should sort out!

The front nine was the best 9 hole stretch of our entire 15 round trip, with number 1, being a truly outstanding starting hole. Walking through the tremdendous dunes, and enjoying excellent course conditions, made up for the continuous rain. The caddies were very helpful, and the overall feel of the course made for a memoerable experience. I would highly recommend playing this course while in the Portrush area, and for the mid to high handicappers, would favor it over the demanding Portrush Dunluce course.