A front nine as good as any makes Portstewart Golf Club one of the best golf courses in Northern Ireland.

Golf is full of tedious cliches, but sometimes they carry truth. Take the suggestion that the front nine of Portstewart’s Strand is one of the most memorable in the world, for example.

Rest assured, the star names who competed in the Irish Open will have been chatting about this nine in the locker room after their first practice round because this outward half lacks little if anything compared to the links they played a fortnight later at Royal Birkdale in 2018.

Founded in 1894, Portstewart was redesigned by Willie Park Jnr in the 1920s but it was not the work of the fabled Scotsman that turned its Strand course into the awesome links it is today – it was the efforts of local schoolteacher Des Giffin.

The terrain he was given – after the club purchased land known as ‘Thistly Hollow’ in 1981 – was patently rich with promise; the sort that if it was available today would arouse the interest of Doak, Coore & Crenshaw and Hanse.

You wonder if the view from the elevated tee of the dog-leg opener is its highlight arriving early, but the front nine turns out to be consistently thrill-a-minute. Holes routinely wind between huge dunes that take the breath away as well as offer seclusion.

Imagine the best hole you have played through sand dunes and then multiply it by nine, and you have Portstewart’s outward half.

If that quality was maintained on the back nine it could be a GB&I top-20 course but the back nine is much flatter land with the River Ban hemming it in as the Atlantic does to the front nine. Almost any nine would be a letdown after the outward half and as a result the Strand’s is probably judged a little harshly.

A new clubhouse and not one but two further 18-hole courses make this a very impressive all-round venue.

Set within a beautifully restored Victorian landmark on Main Street, The Marcus Portrush, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, is perfectly placed for an unforgettable golf break in Portrush. Blending heritage architecture with contemporary coastal style, the hotel offers boutique comfort just minutes from some of the most celebrated championship courses in the world.

For golfers, location is everything. The Marcus Portrush sits just one mile from Royal Portrush Golf Club, host of The Open Championship and widely regarded as one of the finest links courses in the world. Within a short coastal drive, you will also find Portstewart Golf Club, home to the acclaimed Strand Course, and Castlerock Golf Club, a classic championship links framed by dunes and Atlantic views. With several additional courses across the Causeway Coast nearby, it is the ideal base for multi-round golf itineraries. Together, these courses make Portrush and the wider North Coast a bucket list destination for championship golf in Northern Ireland.

Facilities are designed with golfers in mind. A secure storage room accommodates golf bags and wet clothing after bracing rounds by the sea. Early start breakfast is available from 6:30am to support tee times, alongside 24-hour food service for late returns from the course. Dedicated parking for cars and minibuses will be available from summer 2026, simplifying group arrivals and society stays.

All rooms are fully air conditioned and feature mini-fridges, security safes and smart TVs with integrated streaming and casting functionality. Bedrooms combine premium bedding with subtle coastal design references, providing the comfort required between championship rounds.
Dining adds to the post-golf experience. Nemesis Asian Fusion serves bold, globally inspired dishes, ideal for group dinners, while The Heritage Cocktail Bar offers relaxed lunches and creative cocktails in a lively social setting popular with locals and visiting golfers alike.
As part of Hilton, guests can expect the service standards and quality assurance synonymous with the brand, alongside the benefit of collecting Hilton Honors reward points throughout their stay.

For championship golf in Northern Ireland, The Marcus Portrush places you exactly where you need to be.