Ballycastle Golf Course
Ballycastle, County Antrim

There is a bit of everything at Ballycastle, parkland holes, clifftop holes and links holes beside the shore. There are tremendous views, Bonamargy Castle and several memorable holes, none more than the par-3 17th that returns from the cifftops to the shoreline via a 100 ft drop. At less than 6,000 yards Ballycastle offers perfect holiday golf in a truly memorable setting.
Ballycastle Course Description
Ballycastle is a golf course that will be remembered more for the scenery than the quality of the golf holes. Nonetheless it is an ideal course for recreational golfers or as a warm-up for more serious advocates of the game.
Ballycastle combines links and parkland holes in roughly equal measure. The first five holes are flanked by the Rivers Margy and Carey with the 12th century Bonamargy Abbey (ruined) providing historical interest (and an out of bounds).
The ninth hole is a testing par-4 with an elevated approach to a green where danger lurks at the back. The following 10th hole is short with spectacular views from the tee, and a severely undulating green that makes a birdie-2 something to remember.
The course continues along to the beach to the "top holes" from where the views across Ballycastle Bay - the Donegal Hills in the west, Rathlin Island to the north and Scotland to the east - are truly memorable. The Scottish coastline is the Mull of Kintyre and there somewhere is the wonderful golf course at Machrihanish. A ferry used to operate between Ballycastle and Campbeltown and there are hopes that this can be revived.