Rory McIlroy's Favourite Golf Courses

Rory McIlroy, The Daily Telegraph, April 05, 2012

From wild links to parklands in the Belfast suburbs, the local boy has played them all. Courses should be booked in advance (allow several weeks, or months in the case of Royal County Down) and there may be handicap restrictions. Contact individual clubs for full details. Green fees given are for summer weekdays and weekends. Cheaper evening and off-season rates are usually available.

Royal Portrush

Portrush, County Antrim

Length

7,143 yards, par 72.

McIlroy’s verdict

“This is among my favourite places to play in Northern Ireland, one of the truly great links courses. As a 16-year-old, I played in the North of Ireland Amateur Open championship there, shooting that 61 course record. I can’t wait to compete in the Irish Open there in June . Beating 61 will be a big ask, but I think I know the course well enough to give it a good shot.”

Green fees

£140; £160 (028 7082 2311, royalportrushgolfclub.com ). For details and ticketing arrangements for the Irish Open (June 28-July 1, 2012) see europeantour.com .

Where to stay

Most hotels in and around Portrush are already fully booked during the Irish Open. North and West Coast Links Golf (00 353 91 868642, northandwestcoastlinks.com ) can arrange accommodation in the Portrush area, or, if unavailable, within a reasonable drive. It also organises helicopter golf, castle accommodation, chauffeur-driven transport and customised golf packages.

Royal County Down

Newcastle, County Down

Length

7,186 yards, par 71.

McIlroy’s verdict

“Another gem of a links course. Known around the world, it regularly stands high in 'top 100 courses’ guides, and rightly so. I played my only Walker Cup there, and although we lost as a team, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. When I’m home, I play the odd round with my mates at RCD, and I’d love to play a professional tournament there one day.”

Green fees

£150-£165; £180 Sunday afternoons (028 4372 3314, royalcountydown.org ).

Where to stay

Slieve Donard Resort and Spa (028 9047 1066, hastingshotels.com ) is next door to Royal County Down, overlooking Newcastle’s long beach and set against the backdrop of the Mourne mountains. A former railway hotel, the 115-year-old building retains an air of grandeur. Facilities include six luxury suites and an ESPA spa spread across two floors. Doubles from £100 per night, b&b.

Lough Erne

Enniskillen, County Fermanagh

Length

7,167 yards, par 72 .

McIlroy’s verdict

“I became officially attached to this great course as its touring professional, a position I hold now. You can’t beat the setting, on a private 600-acre peninsula between Lower Lough Erne and Castle Hume Lough . It’s a really tough challenge around the Lough, and the resort as a whole has some of the best facilities around. It’s a great place to spend a weekend.”

Green fees

Ffrom £70 per round (028 6632 3230, lougherneresort.com ).

Where to stay

The five-star Lough Erne Resort itself (details above) has 120 rooms and suites, an award-winning restaurant – The Catalina – and a Thai spa with a thermal suite and an infinity pool. Packages start at £130 per person for a one-night stay, based on two sharing, including breakfast and a round of golf on the Faldo Championship course.

Holywood Golf Club

Holywood, County Down

Length

6,118 yards, par 69.

McIlroy’s verdict

“Well, I obviously have to mention my home club, don’t I? I have so many great memories from Holywood, and I’m sure I’ll have many more over the years. It’s a really nice parkland course overlooking the Belfast lakes and the countryside.”

Green fees

£25; £29 (028 9042 3135, holywoodgolfclub.co.uk ).

Where to stay

The five-star Culloden Estate and Spa (028 9047 1066, hastingshotels.com ) is set in 12 acres of secluded gardens in the Holywood Hills. Originally built as a palace for the Bishops of Down , it has 105 rooms and suites, and an ESPA spa with a decent swimming pool. Doubles from £140 , b&b.

Belvoir Park & Malone

Belfast, County Antrim/Down

Length

6,685 yards, par 71 (Belvoir Park); 6,706 yards, par 71 (Malone).

McIlroy’s verdict

“These are two of the other great parkland courses in Northern Ireland. Both are really close to Belfast city centre, so they are ideally located. I’ll go there and play a round in the morning with mates, then chill out and have a bit of lunch afterwards. Set in well-matured parkland, these two are definitely worth a visit.”

Green fees

Belvoir Park £65; £75 (028 9049 1693, belvoirparkgolfclub.com ); Malone £75; £85 (028 9061 2758, malonegolfclub.co.uk ).

Where to stay

Again, the Culloden Estate and Spa (details above) is within easy reach of both courses.