Portsalon Golf Club

Portsalon Golf Club occupies a dramatic stretch of duneland along Ballymastocker Bay on the Fanad Peninsula in County Donegal. Pat Ruddy redesigned the course in the 1990s, working with the natural contours of a links landscape that had hosted golf since 1891. The property sits beneath Knockalla Mountain, and the routing takes advantage of massive sand dunes, native grasses, and views across the bay toward the Atlantic. The exposed setting means wind is a constant factor in club selection and strategy. The course moves through varied terrain, with several holes playing along elevated dune ridges and others occupying lower ground closer to the shoreline. The opening stretch establishes the character quickly, and the middle section includes some of the most dramatic elevation changes, where tee shots are played from high perches down into fairways carved between dunes. The closing holes return toward the clubhouse with the bay and mountain backdrop in full view. Ruddy's design philosophy emphasized natural hazards and minimal artifice, allowing the land's inherent movement to dictate strategy. Portsalon remains relatively remote compared to Ireland's more heavily trafficked links venues, which contributes to its unhurried atmosphere. The club maintains a traditional members' culture while welcoming visitors, and the setting—far up the Donegal coast—appeals to golfers seeking links golf in a less commercial context. The course has appeared in various rankings of Irish links layouts, recognized for its natural routing and scenic location.