The Course

With whin bushes, rough and trees running the entire length of this hole on the left, and trees along the right also, a straight drive is imperative before playing your second to leave what should be an easy chip to the green. Only the biggest hitters might reach in 2 but must beware the strategically placed bunkers. Make sure you’re well loosened up to give yourself a chance of a par on this opening hole.

A precisely hit iron is required to land the ball on this elevated green protected by 2 bunkers on each side. This is the first of 5 tricky par 3s. A par is a good score here.

Again length and accuracy are required from the tee. Trees and a stream guard the right and the fairway narrows towards the green, asking questions of the golfer. Laying up is sensible and be happy if you par this one.

Here is a straightforward par 5. Keep your ball down the middle to avoid the fairway bunkers. The prevailing wind adds a degree of difficulty to this hole and the green has some subtle borrows. Take care.

This is the 1st Par 4. Enjoy the view up river towards Narrow Water Castle as you wait your turn on the tee. Trees line both sides of the fairway here, but an accurate drive will leave a wedge or short iron to carry the bunkers in front of the 2-tiered green.

From an elevated tee you have a clear view of this pretty green with danger all around in the form of a steep bank on one side and deep bunkers. The putting surface provides challenges too. Be wary of the slopes.

The course signature hole requires a long, high tee shot to get over the fir tree plantation and set up the best chance to reach the green with your 2nd. Two mature Beech trees guard the approach to this undulating green. Tread your ball straight between them and you should avoid the greenside bunkers. Par here is a bonus for most players.

The Big Stone [Cloughmore] can be seen on Slieve Martin from the tee on a clear day. You must hit from an elevated tee across the stream 170 yards ahead to the fairway. Long hitters must beware the fairway bunkers which are reachable. Your second must be flown uphill all the way to the green to avoid the bunkers which you cannot see from the fairway.

An interesting and tricky hole as you cross the stream which protects the green twice. Decent length from the tee will make the first crossing, but you must be straight. After that you have an easy chip to a challenging green if you stay out of the water and the bunkers.

The back 9 opens with the longest of the Par 3s. Bunkers and surrounding trees protect the slightly raised flat green and punish the inaccurate shot.

This should be the easiest hole on the course and is driveable for big hitters but beware. There is plenty of danger to catch you out. Most Members play an iron off the tee here.

The start of amen corner and the tightest drive on the course through a corridor of trees, with the Lower Dromore Road collecting balls down the right. Again the sloping green is protected by strategically placed bunkers. When you get there, enjoy the silence on the quietest part of the course.

A card wrecker requiring an accurate drive to a plateau from where you look down on to the green with danger everywhere. Again precision is needed if your ball is to stay on the green. Approach this one with caution.

This interesting Par 3 demands a tricky tee shot over bunkers to a sloping green. Too far left and you’re chipping between trees. A ball above the hole means a difficult putt.

Arguably the best 4 finishing holes in the country begins with the last Par 5 and the most beautiful hole on the course, with stunning views of the mountains above Omeath. Everything runs to the right from the tee, so accuracy is the key again. Enjoy the scenery as you approach this undulating green before turning towards the clubhouse.

The final par 3 is to a long green so you could be faced with a long putt. There are trees to the left of the green and bunkers right to provide a challenging tee shot.

The first of 2 very difficult par 4s. A good drive sets up a blind second to a long sloping green with a deep hollow to the right and bunker left. The entrance is narrow so it may be prudent to lay up and protect your score.

A wonderful finishing hole. Drive from an elevated tee towards the corner of the dog leg and you are faced with a mid to long iron to an inviting green. You must avoid the bunkers and the pond to the left if you are to finish here with a par.