Royal Belfast
Par 70, 6,312 yards
GF: round £65-£95
Playing at the oldest club in
Ireland (1881) sets the tone for a day of
inviting drives between tall trees and
towards sweet green complexes. This
Harry Colt-designed parkland slides
down to the waters of Belfast Lough
and uses the terrain perfectly, balancing
the natural slopes with beautiful green
shapes. The par-4 10th and par-3 11th
are the highlights, but this is thoroughly
engaging throughout.Belvoir Park
Par 71, 6,474 yards
GF: round £90-£110
Belfast’s Belvoir Park is a
Harry Colt parkland classic and little
has changed here since the great man
worked his magic in 1927. The trees,
however, have grown considerably
and now create towering corridors and
backdrops. They give individuality to
holes while creating an arboretum-like
rhythm. It is elegant golf.
There are stand-out holes here – the
par-4 3rd curls delightfully into one
tree-drenched corner, while the smartly
bunkered par 3s are all engaging – but
this is a strong design from start to finish.
The 277-yard par-4 1st sets the tone for
a day when you’ll want to let loose with
your driver but quickly appreciate that
this may be a foolish endeavour.
Much of Colt’s bunkering remains,
so there is an old-school charm that
streaks through the place on a course
that manages to improve as the round
progresses. Take some time to step onto
the clubhouse balcony for views over the
course and Belfast.● Stay
Crowne Plaza Belfast
Located between Maloneand
Belvoir Park, the largeCrowne
Plaza is comfortable and
spacious and ideally locatedfor
the area’s golf courses.There
are three restaurants, along
with a fully equipped gymanda
20-metre pool.● Eat/drink
The Mourne SeafoodBar,
Belfast
If fish is your thing thenlookno
further than this restaurantinthe
centre of Belfast. Fromsublime
fish and chips to dishesofmuch
more complexity, you havean
ocean of choice.● Also play
There are rich pickingsaround
Belfast in every direction.Astring
of courses lie to the eastalong
the shores of Belfast Lough,
including McIlroy’s homecourse
of Holywood, as well asKnock
and Carnalea. Lisburnisabeauty
to the west, while Dunmurryisin
the heart of it all.LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Harry Colt designed
Belvoir ParkParkland golf at its
finest at Belvoir ParkRoyal Belfast is the
oldest club in IrelandBELFAST