North West

North West Golf Club is one of the oldest golfing venues in Ireland, dating back to its inception in 1891.   The club was one of the founding members of the Golf Union of Ireland, and has been described as the “St Andrews of Ireland”.  2016 saw the opening of a new 4th hole, after the original hole had been lost to the sea thanks to coastal erosion.

The 18-hole layout at North West Golf Club is certainly not one of the longest that you will find on the NCG Top 100s: Ireland list. The course measures just 6,350 yards from the tips, with that coming down to 6,000 if you play from the greens. There are only two par 5s (both over 500 yards) and four par 3s on this Par 70 layout, with the course winding its way down the coastline.  The first few holes play with the coast on their right side. The opener is tough, playing 430 from the tips and it’s a tricky start to a round at North West. The 2nd is shorter, at 360 yards, but nine bunkers are along the hole for any mishit shots. 3 is the opening par 3 on the card, and anything right on this hole will be on the beach, or in the water. The 4th and 5th are difficult par 4s, with the coast also down the right side. The 5th is very tight to the beach and the water, which also comes into play at the back of the green.   The 6th sees golfers make the turn inwards, and now with a road to contend with down the right. 6 is a slight dog-leg left, and the green features a small stream running parallel to its right side. 7 is a straightaway par 4, while the 8th is only 135 yards. Three bunkers short of the green mean club selection is crucial despite the lack of distance. The closing hole on the front nine at North West is also the longest hole on the property. It is 525 yards from the tips, and the second easiest hole on the card. No bunkers come into play on the tee shot, but there are five greenside bunkers awaiting anything mishit, whether that is with the second or third shots.  The back nine begins with another gentle par 4, with the 10th having the widest fairway on the course. 11 and 12 are also par 4s, the latter of which is the hardest hole on the back nine. The 13th is the longest par 3 at North West, coming in at 175 yards from the tips, and nothing like what is to come...  14 and 15 are par 4s of 370 yards in length before you come to the shortest hole that you will find on the NCG Top 100s: Ireland list. From the back tees, the 16th is only 93 yards to the centre of the green. It plays over a water hazard, and with five bunkers around the left side. It should be easy, but it is anything but, especially with the wind. The 17th is a tough par 4, before the course finishes with the second par 5. There are ten bunkers in play on the closing hole, five of which are greenside. Miss them all, and you might birdie the last!

Steve Carroll: Everything about this club is down to earth -  except the links which makes the best use of a tight space and incredible views.

Lewis Marr: Such a fun and playable links course with a beautiful opening stretch of golf holes along the coastline. A mix of short, driveable par 4s and some intricate par 3s made our visit rather enjoyable. Architecturally, the golf course sits on a really thin stretch of land that reminds us of North Berwick and St Andrews Old.

Craig Morrison: This is underrated for sure.

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Where is North West Golf Club located?  
Perhaps unsurprisingly, North West Golf Club is located in the northwestern section of Ireland. It sits between the towns of Ludden and Lisfannon on the R238, and is only around eight miles from the Irish border with Northern Ireland. The course is on the North Atlantic coastline, and you can see across from North West Golf Club over the water to Rathmullan Pier.  For golfers looking to travel to North West Golf Club, Derry-Londonderry is the home to the nearest railway station and airport, both within 20 miles from the venue. The City of Derry Airport is the third busiest airport in Northern Ireland, behind both Belfast City and Belfast International. These two are around a 90-minute drive from North West Golf Club. Derry Rail Station is located in the centre of the city of Derry-Londonderry, with trains running from Belfast through Coleraine.  Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Ireland venues nearby?
North West is in a region that is a hotbed for cracking golf. Ballyliffin - home to the Old Couse and Glashedy Course - is just 15 miles to the north, while Portsalon is 20 miles away, including the use of a ferry. The Rosapenna Resort - home to the Old Tom Morris Links, St Patrick's Links and Sandy Hills Links - is also within a 50-mile drive from North West.
What golf facilities does North West Golf Club offer?  
Due to the limited space on the coastline of Ireland, North West Golf Club does not have a driving range. There is a short game area with a putting green for golfers to practice on, along with a hitting net as well.  
What are the green fees at North West Golf Club?  
The price of a green fee at North West Golf Club changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.   For more information on current green fees at North West, visit their website here (opens in a new tab).   Visit North West's website here (opens in a new tab).Go back to the NCG's Top 100s Homepage.