Portsalon Golf Links was established in 1891 and is one of nine founder members of the Golfing Union of Ireland, the oldest golfing union in the world. Despite this prestigious honour, it remains something of a hidden gem on County Donegal’s North Atlantic coastline.
This course is a marvel of Irish links golf, and holds a lasting memory for every golfer of a truly exceptional links experience. With Derry Airport and Belfast Airport close by, those wishing to revel in golf travel in Ireland will find this fine links course easily accessible.
The course lies under the Knockalla Mountains and winds along the Ballymastocker beach. This provides a fascinating indigenous arena for the course. At 6472 yards, it is not the longest course around. It is testing nonetheless, and it is not unusual for a player to use every club in the bag during their round. A fine example of this comes on hole 15, “Cross” as it is known. The final par three on the course, it is a mere 140 yards. Yet the consequences of taking the wrong club off the tee are dire. Typically, three would be a good score if you hit the green. Imagine the challenge if you miss it.
Portsalon offers golfers an opportunity to play golf on an original links design – unspoiled, not crowded by vast numbers of visitors, yet still a tremendous golfing challenge in a sublime environment. As all good links golf should be.
