
Dunluce Course
Royal Portrush Golf Club

About this course
Royal Portrush's Dunluce Links is where golfing dreams, and nightmares, are forged against the dramatic backdrop of the North Antrim coastline. Hewn into colossal dunes overlooking the ruins of Dunluce Castle, the course is a classic links layout, its undulating fairways and pot bunkers shaped by the relentless winds off the Atlantic. Errant tee shots are swallowed by thick fescue rough, and approaches to the subtly contoured greens demand imagination and precise distance control. It often favors those who can navigate the wind's nuances and shape their shots accordingly. Originally designed by Harry Colt in 1929, Dunluce has seen subtle refinements over the years, most recently with Martin Ebert’s changes ahead of the 2019 Open Championship, which saw Shane Lowry lift the Claret Jug amidst jubilant scenes. The Open's return to Portrush, after a 68-year hiatus, cemented its place as a stage for major championships. Dunluce has long been held in esteem as a beacon of links golf. Its challenging layout, combined with the stunning scenery, has elevated it as one of the most celebrated courses across the United Kingdom. The club maintains a lively membership, known for their passion for the game and appreciation of its traditions, and their hearty appreciation for storytelling over a pint in the clubhouse after battling the links.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in UK
Best in Northern Ireland
Quick facts
- Location
- Portrush, Antrim, Northern Ireland
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1888
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Harry S. Colt
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,317 yards
- Difficulty
- 76/139
- Course Vaults score
- 9.4
Getting there
Royal Portrush Golf Club is most easily reached via Belfast International Airport, roughly an hour's drive northwest along the Causeway Coastal Route as it traces the dramatic Antrim shoreline. The journey transitions from motorway to coastal road, where the Irish Sea begins to reveal itself in flashes between hedgerows and stone walls, the air growing salt-tinged and bracing. As you approach Portrush, the landscape opens to reveal sweeping dunes and the white-capped Atlantic beyond, with the club's storied links emerging along the edge of the land - a fitting arrival to the only venue outside the island of Great Britain to have hosted The Open Championship.

FAQ
Common questions about Dunluce at Royal Portrush Golf Club
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Dunluce at Royal Portrush Golf Club has a Course Vaults score of 9.4 out of 10 based on 110 logged golfers.
Dunluce was designed by Harry S. Colt.
Yes. Dunluce at Royal Portrush Golf Club is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Dunluce is 72.
Dunluce plays 7,317 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Dunluce is 139.




